 After a short turn around, HSC-8 departed on an eight-month surge deployment to the 5th Fleet Area of Responsibility in September 2012.HSC-8 deployed as part of Carrier Air Wing NINE (CVW-9) aboard USS "John C. Stennis" in support of Operation Enduring Freedom, maritime security operations, and theater security exercises.One of the highlights of the deployment was the rescue of a drowning man in the Straits of Malacca- the Eightballer’s first overwater rescue in several years.