The fresh new Florida-depending Valiant Heavens Demand Museum has actually added the new U.S. Navy’s huge MH-53E Ocean Dragon so you’re able to its collection.

Towards Oct 16, Helicopter Mine Countermeasures Squadron (HM) 12 embarked on a life threatening goal to help you Titusville, Fl, to provide a keen MH-53E Water Dragon helicopter towards National Naval Aviation Art gallery (NNAM). That it iconic routes will now be on mortgage on the Valiant Sky Demand (VAC), enriching brand new aviation museum’s collection.

The audience is very happy to understand the Airborne Mine Countermeasures (AMCM) people illustrated contained in this art gallery, said HM-twelve Commanding Administrator Capt. Eric Johnson. For the majority, AMCM is good lifelong career. We have urged our HM-twelve Mariners to End up being the Legacy’-a reminder so you’re able to prize the foundation laid from the people before us on the mine countermeasures area and the Navy.

The sea Dragon, now situated at the VAC Warbird Heavens Art gallery, will remain with the long lasting loan out of NNAM. Hill Goodspeed, NNAM’s deputy movie director, showcased the significance of venture with companion galleries to help you expand the new reach off naval aviation background. The brand new Federal Naval Aviation Museum’s beginning mission inside 1962 was to see, assemble, uphold, and you can display’ items one to show Naval Aviation’s storied earlier, said Goodspeed. The brand new induction ceremony notable this new rich heritage of MH-53E Sea Dragon and you can honored this new sacrifices ones who possess served. Col. Kate Fleeger, System Manager toward H-53 Heavier Lift Helicopters System Place of work (PMA-261), highlighted the sea Dragon’s vital part.

For nearly forty years, the newest MH-53 has been a good Navy workhorse from the Airborne Exploit Countermeasures objective, Fleeger said. Beyond the AMCM responsibilities, the ocean Dragon provides supported heavy-lift functions, lead send and you may provides regarding Persian Gulf, assisted into the crisis rescue, and also fought fireplaces using water storage bladders-Bambi Buckets.

Helicopter Mine Countermeasures Squadron (HM) twelve embarked into a serious mission so you can Titusville, Florida, October. sixteen, where they technically presented a keen MH-53E Ocean Dragon chopper toward National Naval Aviation Art gallery (NNAM), which can be towards the financing in order to Valiant Sky Command into the Titusville. Attendees spoke toward pilots and you may aircrew following MH-53E come to the latest museum. Photos by Jennifer Cragg

Valiant Heavens Order Welcomes MH-53E Water Dragon Chopper

Because their beginning during the 1977, new Warbird Heavens Art gallery in the Titusville is continuing to grow as a result of aviation fans, veterans, and you will pilots seriously interested in sustaining America’s aviation history availableloan.net loans with no bank account. The brand new arrival of MH-53E scratches a historic minute, since it is the original-and possibly merely-Ocean Dragon are exhibited from inside the an art gallery function. In the event twenty-eight MH-53E helicopters stay-in services, the new fleet is placed to begin with phasing in 2025, which have full retirement questioned of the 2027. Capt. Johnson reflected toward aircraft’s history. It’s an amazing machine to help you travel, and it’s much more unbelievable observe the whole squadron become to one another to achieve this, said Johnson. The ocean Dragon could have been an essential tool to own tactical logistics and a proper discouraging factor, guaranteeing delivery lanes remain free from water mines.

Given that the inclusion within the 1986, the fresh MH-53E Water Dragon has been pivotal both in exploit countermeasures and you will heavy-lift businesses. Dressed which have complex technology, and exploit-google search sonar and detonation gadgets, the ocean Dragon enjoys shielded naval fleets while also transporting troops and you will gizmos. The sea Dragon will be an effective focal point during the Warbird Museum, seriously interested in preserving aviation history to possess generations to come. Bonnie Towne, NNAM’s section out-of get in touch with, played an option role into the assisting that it historical transfer. DRAGON 437 (BuNo 163066), just after helping for almost forty years that have Helicopter Exploit Countermeasures Squadron Several is happy to be presented during the Valiant Sky Command Warbird Art gallery very early the coming year.

The sea Dragon, nicknamed Joanna performed a good flyby the latest Kennedy Place Cardiovascular system. Pictures thru Valiant Heavens Order Warbird Museum/ Rob Shaw