The new Fl-situated Valiant Heavens Order Art gallery possess additional brand new U.S. Navy’s substantial MH-53E Ocean Dragon in order to their range.
With the Oct sixteen, Helicopter Exploit Countermeasures Squadron (HM) a dozen embarked on a critical mission so you’re able to Titusville, Florida, to present a keen MH-53E Water Dragon chopper to the Federal Naval Aviation Museum (NNAM). That it iconic flights commonly now be on financing towards the Valiant Sky Command (VAC), enriching the newest aviation museum’s collection.
Our company is thrilled to understand the Airborne Exploit Countermeasures (AMCM) society represented in this art gallery, said HM-several Dominating Officer Capt. Eric Johnson. For the majority of, AMCM are a lifelong industry. We have recommended our HM-12 Mariners so you’re able to End up being the Legacy’-an indication to help you honor the foundation applied from the people in advance of all of us from the exploit countermeasures community plus the Navy.
The sea Dragon, now situated in the VAC Warbird Air Museum, will stay to your long lasting loan from NNAM. Slope Goodspeed, NNAM’s deputy movie director, emphasized the significance of collaboration that have lover galleries so you’re able to increase this new reach out of naval aviation record. The fresh new Federal Naval Aviation Museum’s founding purpose for the 1962 were to select, assemble, keep, and you may display’ artifacts you to show Naval Aviation’s storied prior, told you Goodspeed. This new induction ceremony well known the newest rich heritage of your own MH-53E Ocean Dragon and you will recognized the latest sacrifices of these that served. Col. Kate Fleeger, Program Director for the H-53 Hefty Lift Helicopters System Place of work (PMA-261), highlighted the sea Dragon’s vital character.
For almost forty years, the latest MH-53 has been a great Navy workhorse in the Airborne Mine Countermeasures goal, Fleeger told you. Beyond its AMCM obligations, the sea Dragon features served hefty-elevator procedures, brought mail and you can offers regarding the Persian Gulf of mexico, helped when you look at the crisis save, plus battled fires using h2o shop bladders-Bambi Buckets.
Helicopter Exploit Countermeasures Squadron (HM) a dozen embarked to your a serious goal to Titusville, Fl, October. 16, in which it technically exhibited an enthusiastic MH-53E Water Dragon helicopter with the Federal Naval Aviation Museum (NNAM), which can be for the loan to Valiant Heavens Command from inside the Titusville. Attendees talked into pilots and you may aircrew adopting the MH-53E reach brand new art gallery. Photo by the Jennifer Cragg
Valiant Heavens Command Embraces MH-53E Sea Dragon Chopper
Since the founding inside 1977, the new Warbird Air Art gallery into the Titusville has grown as a consequence of aviation followers, experts, and pilots serious about preserving America’s aviation record. Brand new coming of MH-53E marks a historical moment, because it’s the original-and possibly merely-Sea Dragon become exhibited inside a museum mode. No matter if 28 MH-53E helicopters stay-in services, the collection is placed to start phasing in 2025, that have complete senior years questioned by 2027. Capt installment loans in Florida. Johnson reflected to your aircraft’s heritage. It is an amazing server in order to travel, and it is a great deal more amazing to see the complete squadron started to one another to do this, told you Johnson. The ocean Dragon could have been a significant tool for tactical logistics and a proper deterrent, ensuring distribution lanes will always be free from sea mines.
Due to the fact the introduction inside the 1986, the newest MH-53E Water Dragon has been crucial in both mine countermeasures and you will heavy-elevator functions. Outfitted which have advanced technical, as well as mine-bing search sonar and detonation gadgets, the ocean Dragon provides secured naval fleets while also carrying troops and you will products. The sea Dragon could well be a great focal point from the Warbird Art gallery, dedicated to preserving aviation history to own future generations. Bonnie Towne, NNAM’s point out of contact, played a button part during the facilitating this historic import. DRAGON 437 (BuNo 163066), once serving for nearly 40 years that have Chopper Exploit Countermeasures Squadron A dozen might possibly be ready to become exhibited on Valiant Heavens Order Warbird Museum early next season.
The sea Dragon, nicknamed Joanna did a beneficial flyby new Kennedy Space Cardio. Photos via Valiant Air Demand Warbird Museum/ Rob Shaw