Hawk was part of the first wave of action figures that were released in 1982, packaged with the Mobile Missile System playset. Although he held the rank of colonel and his file card has flattering statements about his leadership abilities, his job description was "Missile Commander", though in the Marvel Comics "" series he was G.I. Joe team's field commander. All of the original sixteen figures from 1982 were released with "straight arms". The same figure was re-released in 1983 with a "swivel-arm battle grip", which made it easier for figures to hold their rifles and accessories.