The new Florida-established Valiant Sky Demand Museum features added the latest U.S. Navy’s huge MH-53E Water Dragon so you can its collection.
Towards October sixteen, Chopper Mine Countermeasures Squadron (HM) twelve embarked for the a serious mission so you’re able to Titusville, Florida, to present an MH-53E Ocean Dragon chopper into the Federal Naval Aviation Art gallery (NNAM). Which iconic routes usually today be on loan with the Valiant Sky Demand (VAC), enriching this new aviation museum’s collection.
We have been thrilled to comprehend the Airborne Exploit Countermeasures (AMCM) neighborhood illustrated within art gallery, told you HM-a dozen Ruling Administrator Capt. Eric Johnson. For some, AMCM is a lifelong profession. I’ve urged our very own HM-twelve Mariners in order to Function as the Legacy’-a note so you’re able to award the origin put from the men and women before all of us from the exploit countermeasures area as well as the Navy.
The sea Dragon, now located within VAC Warbird Air Art gallery, will stay towards permanent mortgage from NNAM. Slope Goodspeed, NNAM’s deputy movie director, highlighted the importance of collaboration with lover galleries in order to broaden brand new arrive at off naval aviation record. Brand new Federal Naval Aviation Museum’s founding purpose inside the 1962 would be to see, collect, keep, and display’ artifacts that portray Naval Aviation’s storied early in the day, told you Goodspeed. The brand new induction service recognized the fresh new rich history of the MH-53E Sea Dragon and you may honored the new sacrifices of these who have offered. Col. Kate Fleeger, Program Manager toward H-53 Heavier Elevator Helicopters Program Workplace (PMA-261), highlighted the ocean Dragon’s crucial character.
For pretty much forty years, the latest MH-53 could have been a good Navy workhorse in the Airborne Exploit Countermeasures mission, Fleeger told you. Past their AMCM commitments, the sea Dragon possess supported big-elevator procedures, lead mail and you will offers on the Persian Gulf, assisted inside the emergency relief, and also fought fireplaces having fun with liquid storage bladders-Bambi Buckets.
Helicopter Exploit Countermeasures Squadron (HM) a dozen embarked for the a critical mission to help you Titusville, Florida, Oct. 16, where it theoretically displayed an enthusiastic MH-53E Sea Dragon helicopter with the National Naval Aviation Art gallery (NNAM), that is into the financing so you’re able to Valiant Air Order in the Titusville. Attendees talked towards pilots and aircrew pursuing the MH-53E reach the fresh new museum. Images by the Jennifer Cragg
Valiant Sky Order Welcomes MH-53E Sea Dragon Chopper
Since the their founding for the 1977, the newest Warbird Air Museum during the Titusville has grown because of aviation lovers, experts, and you can pilots intent on preserving America’s aviation history. The brand new arrival of MH-53E scratches a historic second, as it is the original-and possibly simply-Ocean Dragon getting exhibited inside the a museum setting. Even when twenty-eight MH-53E helicopters stay-in service, this new fleet is defined to begin phasing in 2025, that have full retirement questioned by 2027. Capt. Johnson shown on aircraft’s history. It’s an incredible machine so you can travel, and it’s way more unbelievable observe the complete squadron become together to make this happen, told you Johnson. The ocean Dragon could have been an essential tool for tactical strategies and you payday loan? may a strategic discouraging factor, making certain shipment lanes continue to be free of ocean mines.
Because the inclusion inside the 1986, the newest MH-53E Sea Dragon might have been pivotal both in mine countermeasures and you may heavy-lift surgery. Clothed having complex tech, in addition to mine-search sonar and you will detonation gizmos, the ocean Dragon provides secure naval fleets while also moving troops and you will gadgets. The sea Dragon was a focus on Warbird Art gallery, intent on sustaining aviation background for generations to come. Bonnie Towne, NNAM’s part off contact, starred a switch character into the facilitating that it historical import. DRAGON 437 (BuNo 163066), immediately following helping for pretty much forty years which have Helicopter Mine Countermeasures Squadron A dozen would be happy to getting exhibited at the Valiant Sky Demand Warbird Museum very early next year.
The sea Dragon, nicknamed Joanna performed a beneficial flyby brand new Kennedy Area Cardio. Images through Valiant Sky Order Warbird Art gallery/ Deprive Shaw