Helicopter Antisubmarine Squadron FOUR (HS-4) was established on 30 June 1952 aboard Naval Air Station Imperial Beach flying the Sikorsky HO3S-1.

In 1956 the squadron transitioned to the dipping sonar equipped HSS-1 Seabat vastly improving its antisubmarine capability and deployed aboard USS Boxer (CV-21).

In 1959 the squadron upgraded to the doppler radar and autopilot equipped HSS-1N Seabat helicopter giving it the ability to operate at night and in marginal weather.

From 1960 to 1968 HS-4 made six deployments aboard USS Yorktown (CV-10) to the Western Pacific as part of Carrier Anti-Submarine Air Group 55 (CVSG-55) (tail code "NU").

In September 1962 the squadron's HSS-1N helicopters were re-designated to the SH-35G Seabat in compliance with the 1962 United States Tri-Service aircraft designation system.

While operating in the Gulf of Tonkin, HS-4 pilots and aircrew rescued 24 downed airmen under hostile fire, a record for an ASW squadron in a single deployment.

During Operation Iraqi Freedom, HS-4 supported Navy SEAL, British Commando and Polish GROM forces in Kuwait and Iraq.

On board Stennis, HS-4 completed a cruise to the Western Pacific, which took the squadron from San Diego, to Alaska, Victoria, British Columbia, Canada, Japan, Malaysia and Australia.

From 12 MAR to 4 MAY 2011, the Black Knights participated in Operation Tomadochi in Japan to help the stricken country by airlifting medical supplies and food.

This humanitarian relief effort and subsequent movement to the 5th fleet AOR for Operations New Dawn and Enduring Freedom, completed the final SH-60F/HH-60H deployment for HS-4.