The brand new Florida-based Valiant Sky Command Museum possess additional the newest You.S. Navy’s big MH-53E Ocean Dragon in order to the collection.
Into the Oct sixteen, Chopper Exploit Countermeasures Squadron (HM) several embarked towards the a significant purpose to help you Titusville, Florida, to provide an MH-53E Sea Dragon chopper for the National Naval Aviation Art gallery (NNAM). So it legendary routes usually now get on loan with the Valiant Heavens Order (VAC), enriching the fresh new aviation museum’s collection.
We have been pleased to understand the Airborne Mine Countermeasures (AMCM) society represented in this museum, said HM-several Dominating Officer Capt. Eric Johnson. For some, AMCM try good lifelong field. I have urged the HM-12 Sailors so you can Function as the Legacy’-a reminder so you’re able to award the foundation placed by those just before us about mine countermeasures community and the Navy.
The sea Dragon, now situated during the VAC Warbird Air Museum, will remain into the permanent mortgage out of NNAM. Slope Goodspeed, NNAM’s deputy director, emphasized the significance of cooperation with partner museums to develop brand new arrived at regarding naval aviation record. The brand new National Naval Aviation Museum’s beginning goal inside the 1962 would be to look for, assemble, uphold, and you may display’ items one to show Naval Aviation’s storied prior, said Goodspeed. The brand new induction service known the fresh rich heritage of MH-53E Ocean Dragon and you may recognized the fresh new sacrifices of those who’ve supported. Col. Kate Fleeger, System Director to the H-53 Heavier Lift Helicopters Program Office (PMA-261), emphasized the ocean Dragon’s critical character.
For nearly 40 years, the latest MH-53 has been a beneficial Navy workhorse on the Airborne Exploit Countermeasures goal, Fleeger told you. Beyond its AMCM obligations, the ocean Dragon has actually served heavy-lift businesses, produced send and provides on Persian Gulf, assisted in crisis rescue, and also battled fireplaces playing with liquid storage bladders-Bambi Buckets.
Chopper Mine Countermeasures Squadron (HM) 12 embarked towards a life threatening purpose in order to Titusville, Florida, October. sixteen, where it technically showed an MH-53E Water Dragon chopper with the Federal Naval Aviation Museum (NNAM), and that’s on loan so you can Valiant Sky Command during the Titusville. Attendees talked towards the pilots and you may aircrew following MH-53E come to the fresh museum. Pictures of the Jennifer Cragg
Valiant Air Order Welcomes MH-53E Sea Dragon Helicopter
Due to the fact its founding inside 1977, the fresh Warbird Heavens Art gallery inside Titusville has expanded through aviation fans, pros, and you will pilots serious about retaining America’s aviation history. The newest arrival of the MH-53E scratching a historical minute, as it’s the original-and maybe simply-Water Dragon is showed when you look at the an art gallery form. Even in the event twenty eight MH-53E helicopters stay in provider, the new collection is scheduled to begin with phasing in 2025, that have full old-age questioned because of the 2027. Capt. Johnson mirrored on the aircraft’s heritage. It’s a great machine to help you fly, and it’s really far more incredible to see the entire squadron started together to make this happen, told you Johnson. The ocean Dragon has been a significant device to have tactical strategies and a proper discouraging factor, ensuring shipment lanes will still be without sea mines.
Just like the their introduction from inside the 1986, this new MH-53E Ocean Dragon could have been pivotal in both mine countermeasures and you will heavy-elevator businesses. Dressed having state-of-the-art tech, as well as exploit-google search sonar and you can detonation gadgets, best personal loans in Kansas City the sea Dragon has secured naval fleets while also carrying troops and you can devices. The ocean Dragon was a beneficial centerpiece at Warbird Art gallery, seriously interested in retaining aviation history getting future generations. Bonnie Towne, NNAM’s part of contact, starred an option part into the facilitating that it historical transfer. DRAGON 437 (BuNo 163066), immediately following serving for almost forty years with Chopper Mine Countermeasures Squadron 12 was ready to become showed from the Valiant Sky Demand Warbird Museum very early next year.
The sea Dragon, nicknamed Joanna performed a beneficial flyby the Kennedy Area Cardiovascular system. Images through Valiant Sky Command Warbird Museum/ Deprive Shaw