The Florida-mainly based Valiant Heavens Demand Museum provides additional the fresh U.S. Navy’s big MH-53E Sea Dragon in order to its range.
On October 16, Helicopter Exploit Countermeasures Squadron (HM) a dozen embarked towards the a critical goal to help you Titusville, Florida, to present an enthusiastic MH-53E Ocean Dragon chopper into National Naval Aviation Museum (NNAM). Which renowned flights tend to now be on loan towards Valiant Heavens Order (VAC), enriching the aviation museum’s collection.
We have been happy to see the Airborne Exploit Countermeasures (AMCM) people portrayed contained in this art gallery, said HM-several Ruling Officer Capt. Eric Johnson. For some, AMCM was an excellent lifelong community. We have advised our very own HM-twelve Sailors to help you Become Legacy’-a reminder in order to honor the foundation placed of the those people just before united states on mine countermeasures community and also the Navy.
The ocean Dragon, today situated in the VAC Warbird Air Art gallery, will stay towards the permanent mortgage off NNAM. Hill Goodspeed, NNAM’s deputy movie director, highlighted the necessity of collaboration having spouse galleries so you’re able to expand the newest started to away from naval aviation background. The Federal Naval Aviation Museum’s beginning mission in 1962 was to select, collect, keep, and display’ items you to definitely depict Naval Aviation’s storied earlier in the day, told you Goodspeed. The new induction service famous the newest steeped history of one’s MH-53E Water Dragon and you can honored the fresh new sacrifices of these who’ve served. Col. Kate Fleeger, Program Director to the H-53 Hefty Lift Helicopters Program Work environment (PMA-261), highlighted the ocean Dragon’s vital character.
For pretty much 40 years, the latest MH-53 could have been an excellent Navy workhorse throughout the Airborne Mine Countermeasures objective, Fleeger said. Past its AMCM duties, the ocean Dragon provides offered hefty-elevator functions, lead mail and you may provides regarding Persian Gulf of mexico, assisted for the disaster recovery, and even fought fires playing with liquids storage bladders-Bambi Buckets.
Helicopter Mine Countermeasures Squadron (HM) several embarked towards a life threatening goal so you can Titusville, Florida, Oct. 16, in which it officially exhibited a keen MH-53E Ocean Dragon helicopter with the National Naval Aviation Museum (NNAM), which will be into the financing to Valiant Air Order in the Titusville. Attendees talked on the pilots and you will aircrew adopting the MH-53E come to the new art gallery. Photo because of the Jennifer Cragg
Valiant Air Order Embraces MH-53E Ocean Dragon Helicopter
Because the founding for the 1977, the brand new Warbird Sky Museum during the Titusville has expanded courtesy aviation lovers, veterans, and you may pilots dedicated to retaining America’s aviation background. The latest coming of your MH-53E scratching a historic time, as it is the initial-and possibly merely-Ocean Dragon is showed for the an art gallery means. Though twenty eight MH-53E helicopters remain in provider, the collection is defined to start phasing call at 2025, that have full retirement questioned of the 2027. Capt. Johnson shown to the aircraft’s history. Its an incredible server in order to travel, and it is a great deal more incredible to see the complete squadron come to each other to make this happen, said Johnson. The sea Dragon could have been a significant tool to own tactical logistics and you will a strategic discouraging factor, guaranteeing distribution lanes are free of sea mines.
Since its introduction from inside the 1986, the newest MH-53E Water Dragon has been pivotal both in mine countermeasures and heavy-lift businesses. Dressed which have cutting-edge technology, in addition to exploit-query sonar and you can detonation gizmos, the sea Dragon have covered naval fleets whilst moving troops and you will devices. The sea Dragon would-be a beneficial focal point at the Warbird Museum, serious about retaining aviation records to have generations to come. Bonnie Towne, NNAM’s point regarding contact, starred an option character inside facilitating this historical import. DRAGON 437 (BuNo 163066), immediately following providing for nearly 40 years that have Helicopter Exploit Countermeasures Squadron Twelve might possibly be ready to feel shown from the Valiant Air Order Warbird Art gallery very early the coming year.
The ocean Dragon, nicknamed Joanna performed good flyby new Kennedy Place Heart. Images thru Valiant Air Command Warbird Art gallery/ Rob Shaw