Numerous dignitaries, military personnel, contractors, and their families attended a ribbon-cutting ceremony to officially open the Navy’s newest helicopter hangar at NAS North Island April 25. This facility was designed with sustainable features and built to support the operations of three HSC squadrons.

Naval Base Coronado (NBC) Commanding Officer Capt. Christopher Sund, and Commodore, Helicopter Sea Combat Wing U.S. Pacific Fleet (COMHSCWINGPAC) Capt. Jack Schuller cut the ribbon, signifying its completion.

“Hangar 370 is the result of a cooperative effort, from design to completion, between many organizations and commands, including Naval Base Coronado, HSCWING, Naval Base Coronado Public Works, Naval Facilities Engineering Command, Southwest, and Hensel Phelps. We are very excited to see this state-of-the-art facility come to life, supporting three SH-60 squadrons here at NAS North Island. This hangar, much like our 1930s era double dome hangar nearby, will undoubtedly become a fixture along the San Diego skyline,” said Sund.

At approximately 63,000 square feet, Hangar 370 will support three HSC squadrons with an additional 40,000 square feet two-story administrative space. Approximately 250,000 square feet of new airfield concrete was installed, which accommodates nine helicopter parking spots, six engine wash spots, a wash rack, and apron access.

The building achieved U.S. Green Building Council’s Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Gold Certification and has a 205kW Photovoltaic (PV) Array Solar Power System.

The new structure also boasts water-reducing features. The landscaping and irrigation systems have been designed to reduce irrigation water consumption from the calculated baseline case by 59 percent. The selected plumbing fixtures are made to flow 40 percent less water than the Energy Policy Act of 1992 mandatory requirements.

Hangar 370 will be home to HSC-6, HSC-14, and HSC-15, which all fly the MH-60S “Sierra” helicopter. The MH-60S is a twin-engine, medium lift, utility or assault helicopter. Its design supports a multitude of missions, to include anti-submarine warfare, combat support, humanitarian disaster relief, search and rescue, medical evacuation, special warfare, and mine countermeasures.