HSL-51 was established on October 3, 1991, and underwent a transition to become HSM-51 on March 7, 2013.
2001 All eight detachments of the HSL-51 Warlords deployed in response to the terrorist attacks on September 11th. While the majority of Carrier Airwing Five remained in Atsugi, the Warlords deployed in support of the Global War on Terror (GWOT) and Operation Noble Eagle to the Persian Gulf, the Strait of Malacca, and the Micronesia Subregion.
2011 5 detachments were deployed in response to the a
9.0-magnitude earthquake and subsequent tsunami that struck northeastern Japan on March 11, 2011. They operated both independently and as part of the George Washington Strike Group, providing direct support for
Operation Tomodachi. The entire squadron relocated from NAF Atsugi to NAF Misawa with less than 18 hours' notice. Throughout the relief efforts, they flew 118 sorties, accumulating 382 hours of flight time and delivering over 100 tons of critical supplies. transports relief supplies in
Operation Damayan in
Ormoc, Philippines, 2013
The meaning of Musashi The Warlords squadron draws inspiration from the
samurai warrior depicted on their unit insignia,
Miyamoto Musashi, reflecting their commitment to the principles associated with him. Miyamoto Musashi was a renowned figure in the 16th century, excelling in various disciplines such as warfare, art, sculpture, and calligraphy. As a master swordsman, he developed and refined a technique called niten'ichi ("two heavens as one"), which involved the simultaneous use of a large sword (katana) and a "companion sword" (
wakazashi). Musashi's expertise extended beyond swordsmanship to include proficiency in throwing weapons. His combat style emphasized a straightforward approach devoid of unnecessary embellishments or aesthetic considerations. The approval process for the symbol and patch was conducted in conjunction with the Japanese government. ==Leadership==