The fresh Florida-established Valiant Air Demand Museum provides extra the brand new U.S. Navy’s big MH-53E Water Dragon to the collection.
For the Oct 16, Helicopter Exploit Countermeasures Squadron (HM) several embarked into a life threatening purpose so you’re able to Titusville, Florida, to provide an enthusiastic MH-53E Water Dragon helicopter into National Naval Aviation Museum (NNAM). This legendary flights will today get on financing on the Valiant Heavens Demand (VAC), enriching the aviation museum’s collection.
“We are happy to see the Airborne Exploit Countermeasures (AMCM) people illustrated in this museum,” said HM-12 Commanding Manager Capt. Eric Johnson. “For many, AMCM was a beneficial lifelong industry. You will find recommended our HM-twelve Sailors to ‘Function as the Legacy’-an indication so you can award the foundation applied from the the individuals before united states about exploit countermeasures society plus the Navy.”
The ocean Dragon, today located from the VAC Warbird Heavens Museum, will stay towards long lasting financing of NNAM. Mountain Goodspeed, NNAM’s deputy manager, showcased the significance of venture which have partner galleries in order to broaden the brand new arrive at out of naval aviation records. “The latest National Naval Aviation Museum’s founding mission inside 1962 were to ‘get Georgia. property installment loan a hold of, gather, preserve, and display’ artifacts you to definitely depict Naval Aviation’s storied earlier,” said Goodspeed. The induction service distinguished the fresh rich history of MH-53E Sea Dragon and you can recognized brand new sacrifices of those who possess served. Col. Kate Fleeger, Program Movie director towards the H-53 Big Lift Helicopters Program Office (PMA-261), emphasized the sea Dragon’s important role.
“For pretty much forty years, the new MH-53 could have been a great Navy workhorse regarding the Airborne Exploit Countermeasures mission,” Fleeger said. “Past the AMCM responsibilities, the sea Dragon features supported hefty-elevator businesses, produced post and provides on the Persian Gulf coast of florida, helped within the disaster rescue, and even fought fires having fun with liquids shops bladders-Bambi Buckets.”
Chopper Mine Countermeasures Squadron (HM) several embarked to your a serious mission to Titusville, Fl, Oct. 16, in which it theoretically displayed an MH-53E Sea Dragon chopper into the National Naval Aviation Museum (NNAM), that is for the financing so you can Valiant Sky Command during the Titusville. Attendees talked on pilots and you will aircrew following MH-53E arrived at new museum. Pictures by Jennifer Cragg
Valiant Heavens Command Embraces MH-53E Sea Dragon Helicopter
Because the the beginning inside the 1977, the Warbird Heavens Art gallery inside Titusville has exploded owing to aviation fans, pros, and you may pilots serious about retaining America’s aviation history. The arrival of MH-53E scratching a historic time, since it is the initial-and perhaps merely-Sea Dragon to get showed from inside the an art gallery setting. Even when twenty eight MH-53E helicopters stay in services, brand new collection is placed to start phasing in 2025, which have full old-age questioned from the 2027. Capt. Johnson reflected to the aircraft’s heritage. “It is a great servers so you’re able to travel, and it is far more unbelievable to see the complete squadron already been to each other to make this happen,” told you Johnson. “The ocean Dragon has been a significant unit to own tactical strategies and you will a strategic deterrent, guaranteeing distribution lanes will always be clear of water mines.”
Since its introduction during the 1986, the fresh new MH-53E Sea Dragon might have been pivotal in mine countermeasures and you can heavy-lift businesses. Outfitted with cutting-edge technology, in addition to exploit-bing search sonar and you will detonation devices, the ocean Dragon has actually safeguarded naval fleets while also transporting soldiers and you may gadgets. The sea Dragon would be a great center point at Warbird Museum, serious about retaining aviation record to own generations to come. Bonnie Towne, NNAM’s part out-of contact, played a button role in the assisting that it historic import. DRAGON 437 (BuNo 163066), after helping for nearly 40 years which have Chopper Exploit Countermeasures Squadron 12 might possibly be willing to become presented at the Valiant Sky Demand Warbird Art gallery very early the coming year.
The ocean Dragon, nicknamed “Joanna” performed a beneficial flyby the brand new Kennedy Place Cardiovascular system. Pictures thru Valiant Heavens Demand Warbird Museum/ Rob Shaw