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CH-53E
HMM-262 31st MEU USS Belleau Wood
March 2000
(Pictures are below this summary)
CH-53 Summary
The Sikorsky CH-53E, like all US Marine
Corps helicopters, is based upon a design that first came out in the 1960s.
The Marine Corps' first CH-53, the CH-53A, was fielded in 1966. The first
four CH-53As arrived in Vietnam on 8 January 1967. Within the first
six months of service in Vietnam this small detachment retrieved 103 aircraft
(73 UH-34s, 13 CH-46s, 16 UH-1Es, and two Air Force aircraft). By the end
of the first year (1967) 36 CH-53s were in service in Vietnam and had retrieved
a total of 370 aircraft.
Although this was a significant achievement, the CH-53A could not retrieve
another CH-53 - at least not in one piece. This led to a requirement to
improve the lift capacity of the CH-53. The solution was the addition of a
third engine, an improved transmission, and a larger diameter main rotor and
tail rotor. The tail was also canted to provide additional anti-torque,
lift, and cargo loading clearance. The first CH-53E flew on 1 March 1974.
Since that time the CH-53E has undergone numerous upgrades. (condensed
from
"Marines and Helicopters: 1962-1973" Headquarters and
Museum Division, HQ USMC, Washington, DC)
The CH-53E in the walk-around sports the latest improvements, including a
navigation FLIR (forward looking infrared). This aircraft is from Marine
Medium Helicopter Squadron (HMM) 265 (Reinforced) attached to the 31st Marine
Expeditionary Unit (Special Operational Capable). These pictures were taken in
October 1999 aboard the USS Belleau Wood (LHA-3) while the unit was
participating in Operation Stabilise in East Timor. During the two weeks
the squadron supported the operation, its four CH-53Es moved over 1.25 million
pounds of equipment and personnel from ship to shore and shore to shore.
Although the basic design is almost 40 years old, the CH-53 will remain in
Marine Corps service for many years to come. The MV-22 Osprey will soon
begin replacing the CH-46E as the Corps' medium lift (troop
transport/assault support) but the CH-53E will continue on as the Marine Corps'
heavy lift platform of choice.
(click on pictures below to bring up full screen pictures)
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