Valiant Heavens Demand Embraces MH-53E Water Dragon Chopper
The Florida-established Valiant Air Demand Art gallery have added the fresh U.S. Navy’s substantial MH-53E Water Dragon in order to the range.
Towards October sixteen, Chopper Exploit Countermeasures Squadron (HM) 12 embarked on the a life threatening purpose so you can Titusville, Fl, presenting an enthusiastic MH-53E Ocean Dragon helicopter with the Federal Naval Aviation Museum (NNAM). So it legendary routes often today be on financing for the Valiant Heavens Order (VAC), enriching the aviation museum’s range.
The audience is thrilled to comprehend the Airborne Mine Countermeasures (AMCM) neighborhood depicted within art gallery, told you HM-twelve Commanding Manager Capt. Eric Johnson. For many, AMCM was a beneficial lifelong community. You will find recommended our HM-several Sailors in order to Function as the Legacy’-a reminder to help you award the foundation applied by the individuals ahead of united states on the mine countermeasures community together with Navy.
The sea Dragon, now located at the VAC Warbird Sky Museum, will remain toward long personal loans for bad credit Illinois lasting financing regarding NNAM. Mountain Goodspeed, NNAM’s deputy manager, showcased the importance of venture with lover museums so you can broaden the fresh arrive at away from naval aviation background. Brand new Federal Naval Aviation Museum’s founding purpose within the 1962 were to find, collect, manage, and you can display’ artifacts you to portray Naval Aviation’s storied earlier in the day, told you Goodspeed. This new induction ceremony notable the fresh new steeped history of your MH-53E Ocean Dragon and you will recognized new sacrifices of them with served. Col. Kate Fleeger, System Manager toward H-53 Heavy Lift Helicopters System Workplace (PMA-261), emphasized the ocean Dragon’s crucial character.
For nearly 40 years, the latest MH-53 might have been an effective Navy workhorse on Airborne Exploit Countermeasures mission, Fleeger told you. Beyond its AMCM obligations, the sea Dragon has actually offered heavier-elevator operations, brought post and you can supplies on Persian Gulf, assisted in disaster rescue, plus battled fires using drinking water sites bladders-Bambi Buckets.
Chopper Exploit Countermeasures Squadron (HM) twelve embarked towards a critical mission so you can Titusville, Florida, October. sixteen, where they theoretically shown an enthusiastic MH-53E Ocean Dragon helicopter towards National Naval Aviation Museum (NNAM), which can be toward mortgage so you’re able to Valiant Sky Command in Titusville. Attendees spoke to your pilots and you will aircrew after the MH-53E arrived at the latest museum. Photos from the Jennifer Cragg
Valiant Sky Demand Welcomes MH-53E Water Dragon Helicopter
While the the founding within the 1977, the Warbird Sky Art gallery in Titusville has exploded through aviation followers, pros, and you can pilots intent on sustaining America’s aviation background. The latest arrival of one’s MH-53E scratching a historic second, as it’s the original-and maybe just-Ocean Dragon becoming displayed from inside the a museum mode. Regardless of if twenty eight MH-53E helicopters stay in solution, the fresh collection is set to begin phasing out in 2025, having complete retirement expected from the 2027. Capt. Johnson shown toward aircraft’s history. Its a great server so you can fly, and it is even more unbelievable observe the entire squadron started together to do this, said Johnson. The ocean Dragon could have been a significant device getting tactical logistics and you can a strategic discouraging factor, ensuring delivery lanes are nevertheless without water mines.
As the their addition into the 1986, the fresh new MH-53E Ocean Dragon has been pivotal in both exploit countermeasures and you may heavy-elevator procedures. Dressed up with complex technical, together with exploit-search sonar and you can detonation gizmos, the sea Dragon features safeguarded naval fleets while also carrying troops and equipment. The ocean Dragon could well be an effective center point in the Warbird Museum, seriously interested in sustaining aviation history to have generations to come. Bonnie Towne, NNAM’s part out-of get in touch with, played a switch character in facilitating that it historic transfer. DRAGON 437 (BuNo 163066), immediately following offering for pretty much forty years that have Helicopter Mine Countermeasures Squadron A dozen could be happy to be exhibited on Valiant Air Order Warbird Museum early next year.
The sea Dragon, nicknamed Joanna did an excellent flyby the latest Kennedy Area Cardiovascular system. Photographs thru Valiant Air Order Warbird Art gallery/ Rob Shaw