Helicopter Antisubmarine Light Squadron 32 (HSL-32) was established at NAS Norfolk, Virginia, on 17 August 1973, formed from a nucleus of personnel from HSL-30. The Invaders initially were equipped with four SH-2D and four SH-2F Seasprite LAMPS I (Light Airborne Multipurpose System I) helicopters.
HSL-32 was involved heavily in Cold War antisubmarine activities from the outset. In 1977, one detachment simultaneously tracked three Soviet submarines in the Mediterranean during a three-day period.
The late 1980s brought a new emphasis on antisurface warfare, the dominant mission of LAMPS helicopters deployed to the Persian Gulf. After the USS Stark (FFG-31) was damaged severely by an Iraqi cruise missile in May 1987, HSL-32 Detachment 3 transferred to the USS Stephen W. Groves (FFG-29) for the remainder of its deployment. The detachment evaluated the DLQ-3A Sea Force electronic jammer for the first time under operational conditions.
In 1988, HSL-32 deployed the first SH-2Fs specially equipped for operations in the Middle East: two M-60 7.62-mm door-mounted machine guns, a missile detection and jamming system, and an infrared detection system. HSL-32 Detachment 2 on board the USS Jack Williams (FFG-24) distinguished itself in the targeting role against Iranian naval units while participating in Operation Praying Mantis, launched after the USS Samuel B. Roberts (FFG-58) struck a mine in the Persian Gulf in April 1988.
The Invaders sent five detachments to the Persian Gulf during Operations Desert Shield and Desert Storm, flying 900 hours in hostile conditions. During November 1991, all ten of the squadron's detachments were deployed. In August 1993, HSL-32 became the first LAMPS squadron to exceed 100,000 hours of flight time. After more than 190 deployments, HSL-32 was disestablished on 31 January 1994.