Valiant Air Order Embraces MH-53E Ocean Dragon Helicopter
The fresh Florida-based Valiant Sky Demand Art gallery enjoys extra the latest You.S. Navy’s massive MH-53E Ocean Dragon to help you their range.
Into the October sixteen, Chopper Mine Countermeasures Squadron (HM) several embarked into the a critical mission so you can Titusville, Florida, presenting an MH-53E Sea Dragon helicopter towards Federal Naval Aviation Museum (NNAM). So it legendary flights tend to now be on loan into the Valiant Sky Demand (VAC), enriching the brand new aviation museum’s collection.
“The audience is thrilled to comprehend the Airborne Exploit Countermeasures (AMCM) people represented within this museum,” said HM-12 Ruling Officer Capt. Eric Johnson. “For most, AMCM was an excellent lifelong field. You will find advised the HM-a dozen Mariners so you can ‘Become Legacy’-a reminder to prize the origin placed from the men and women ahead of you regarding the exploit countermeasures people and also the Navy.”
The ocean Dragon, now housed during the VAC Kansas City installment loan with savings account Warbird Sky Museum, will stay on the long lasting mortgage out-of NNAM. Hill Goodspeed, NNAM’s deputy director, emphasized the significance of cooperation that have lover museums so you’re able to develop brand new reach out-of naval aviation background. “The brand new National Naval Aviation Museum’s beginning goal in the 1962 were to ‘pick, collect, keep, and display’ items you to definitely show Naval Aviation’s storied earlier in the day,” said Goodspeed. This new induction service notable the steeped history of your MH-53E Water Dragon and you will honored brand new sacrifices of these who have offered. Col. Kate Fleeger, System Director on H-53 Big Elevator Helicopters System Place of work (PMA-261), showcased the ocean Dragon’s important part.
“For nearly 40 years, the MH-53 might have been an effective Navy workhorse regarding the Airborne Mine Countermeasures purpose,” Fleeger said. “Beyond its AMCM requirements, the sea Dragon enjoys offered heavy-lift surgery, delivered mail and provides from the Persian Gulf of mexico, aided when you look at the disaster relief, plus fought fireplaces playing with liquid sites bladders-Bambi Buckets.”
Chopper Exploit Countermeasures Squadron (HM) a dozen embarked to your a critical goal in order to Titusville, Florida, October. 16, in which they officially presented an enthusiastic MH-53E Ocean Dragon chopper towards Federal Naval Aviation Art gallery (NNAM), which is towards the loan in order to Valiant Air Order during the Titusville. Attendees spoke for the pilots and you will aircrew after the MH-53E come to brand new art gallery. Images of the Jennifer Cragg
Valiant Air Command Embraces MH-53E Water Dragon Helicopter
Since its founding within the 1977, the brand new Warbird Heavens Museum inside the Titusville has expanded as a consequence of aviation lovers, pros, and you can pilots dedicated to retaining America’s aviation background. The fresh arrival of MH-53E scratches a historical minute, as it is the first-and possibly simply-Water Dragon to be demonstrated in the an art gallery means. Although twenty eight MH-53E helicopters stay static in solution, the new collection is scheduled to begin phasing out in 2025, that have full old-age expected by the 2027. Capt. Johnson mirrored into aircraft’s history. “It is a great servers in order to fly, and it’s really more unbelievable to see the entire squadron become to one another to achieve this,” said Johnson. “The ocean Dragon has been a significant tool to have tactical logistics and you can a strategic discouraging factor, making certain shipment lanes are still clear of water mines.”
While the its introduction from inside the 1986, the newest MH-53E Ocean Dragon could have been crucial in mine countermeasures and heavy-elevator surgery. Clothed having state-of-the-art tech, plus exploit-hunting sonar and you may detonation gadgets, the sea Dragon enjoys secured naval fleets while also carrying troops and devices. The sea Dragon was a focus within Warbird Museum, intent on retaining aviation background getting future generations. Bonnie Towne, NNAM’s section from contact, starred a key role inside the assisting it historical transfer. DRAGON 437 (BuNo 163066), after providing for almost 40 years with Helicopter Mine Countermeasures Squadron Several could well be willing to getting exhibited in the Valiant Heavens Demand Warbird Museum early the following year.
The ocean Dragon, nicknamed “Joanna” did a great flyby the new Kennedy Room Center. Photo via Valiant Sky Order Warbird Museum/ Rob Shaw
