The fresh Fl-based Valiant Sky Command Museum has actually added brand new You.S. Navy’s huge MH-53E Sea Dragon to help you their range.
To your Oct sixteen, Chopper Mine Countermeasures Squadron (HM) several embarked to the a life threatening purpose to Titusville, Fl, to present an MH-53E Water Dragon helicopter to your Federal Naval Aviation Art gallery (NNAM). That it iconic flights often now be on mortgage on Valiant Air Demand (VAC), enriching new aviation museum’s range.
“We have been happy to understand the Airborne Mine Countermeasures (AMCM) neighborhood depicted in this art gallery,” told you HM-several Dominating Officer Capt. Eric Johnson. “For some, AMCM was a lifelong community. I have urged the HM-a dozen Sailors so you’re able to ‘Function as Legacy’-a reminder to honor the foundation put by the those before all of us in the mine countermeasures neighborhood therefore the Navy.”
The ocean Dragon, today housed from the VAC Warbird Sky Art gallery, will stay on the long lasting mortgage out of NNAM. Hill Goodspeed, NNAM’s deputy manager, highlighted the necessity of cooperation that have companion museums in order to broaden the brand new visited off naval aviation record. “This new Federal Naval Aviation Museum’s founding goal into the 1962 were to ‘select, gather, manage, and you may display’ artifacts that portray Naval Aviation’s storied earlier in the day,” said Goodspeed. The newest induction ceremony famous the rich legacy of MH-53E Water Dragon and you will recognized the fresh new sacrifices ones that served. Col. Kate Fleeger, Program Manager on H-53 Hefty Lift Helicopters Program Workplace (PMA-261), emphasized the sea Dragon’s critical part.
“For almost 40 years, new MH-53 has been a Navy workhorse regarding the Airborne Exploit Countermeasures goal,” Fleeger said. “Beyond their AMCM duties, the ocean Dragon keeps offered heavier-lift procedures, put post and offers about Persian Gulf coast of florida, aided during the crisis recovery, as well as fought fireplaces using water sites bladders-Bambi Buckets.”
Chopper Exploit Countermeasures Squadron (HM) a dozen embarked for the a life threatening objective to help you Titusville, Florida, Oct. sixteen, where they commercially presented a no credit check installment loans Golden Gate keen MH-53E Water Dragon chopper toward National Naval Aviation Art gallery (NNAM), which is on mortgage in order to Valiant Air Command in the Titusville. Attendees spoke on the pilots and you may aircrew following MH-53E visited the art gallery. Photos from the Jennifer Cragg
Valiant Air Demand Embraces MH-53E Sea Dragon Chopper
As their founding for the 1977, the brand new Warbird Heavens Art gallery inside Titusville has exploded compliment of aviation fans, veterans, and you can pilots dedicated to retaining America’s aviation record. The fresh arrival of your own MH-53E scratches a historical time, as it is the original-and possibly only-Ocean Dragon are presented in the a museum means. No matter if twenty eight MH-53E helicopters remain in services, the newest fleet is defined to start phasing call at 2025, that have complete advancing years requested from the 2027. Capt. Johnson mirrored to the aircraft’s legacy. “It’s an amazing server so you can fly, and it is alot more unbelievable observe the complete squadron already been to one another to make this happen,” said Johnson. “The ocean Dragon might have been an important equipment to have tactical strategies and you will a strategic deterrent, making certain delivery lanes will always be free from sea mines.”
Because their inclusion within the 1986, the new MH-53E Sea Dragon has been crucial in both exploit countermeasures and you may heavy-elevator functions. Outfitted that have state-of-the-art technical, along with exploit-query sonar and detonation devices, the ocean Dragon provides shielded naval fleets whilst carrying soldiers and you will devices. The ocean Dragon was a center point within Warbird Museum, intent on sustaining aviation background for generations to come. Bonnie Towne, NNAM’s point of contact, starred an option part within the facilitating so it historical transfer. DRAGON 437 (BuNo 163066), immediately after offering for nearly 40 years that have Helicopter Exploit Countermeasures Squadron 12 would-be ready to end up being presented at the Valiant Sky Order Warbird Museum very early next season.
The ocean Dragon, nicknamed “Joanna” did a beneficial flyby the fresh new Kennedy Place Heart. Images through Valiant Heavens Order Warbird Art gallery/ Deprive Shaw