Heavy Metal (of the rotary kind)

[HeyJoe]

090916-N-5685W-026 ATLANTIC OCEAN (Sept. 16, 2009) An MH-53E Sea Dragon helicopter assigned to the Vanguards of Helicopter Mine Countermeasures Squadron (HM) 14 prepares to land on the flight deck of the aircraft carrier USS Harry S. Truman (CVN 75). Harry S. Truman is underway participating in Joint Task Force Exercise. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist Seaman Donald R. White Jr./Released)

 

[HeyJoe]

090714-N-3581D-100 QUEENSLAND, Australia (July 14, 2009) Aviation Structural Mechanic 3rd Class Wilson Sherman, left, Aviation Electrician's Mate 3rd Class Kerry Woods, Aviation Electrician's Mate Airman Linh Dong, and Aviation Structural Mechanic 3rd Class Ronald Curtis, all assigned to Helicopter Mine Countermeasures Squadron (HM) 14, perform a freshwater rinse on an MH-53E Sea Dragon helicopter after a flight at Rockhampton Airport in Queensland, Australia. HM-14 is participating in Talisman Sabre 2009, a biennial joint military exercise between the U.S. and Australia focusing on operational and tactical interoperability. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Maurice Dayao/Released)

 

[HeyJoe]

090411-N-0636S-002 MIDDLE EAST (April 11, 2009) A member of Helicopter Mine Countermeasure Squadron (HM) 15 signals to U.S Army and Coast Guard personnel to get down to avoid the rotor wash from an MH-53E Sea Dragon helicopter during sling drills. Army, Coast Guard and Navy personnel are moving a replacement generator to Warba Island off the coast of Kuwait. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Jorge Saucedo/Released)

 

[HeyJoe]

071112-N-1465K-005 PERSIAN GULF (Nov. 12, 2007) - An MH-53E Sea Dragon, from Helicopter Mine Countermeasure Squadron (HM) 15, performs mine countermeasure training using the MK-105 sled. HM-15 is deployed aboard the multipurpose amphibious assault ship USS Wasp (LHD 1). Wasp is conducting mine countermeasure exercises to demonstrate the U.S. Navy's ability to defend against mine-laying operations and ensure open access to sea lanes. U.S. Navy photo by Lt. Cmdr. John L. Kline (RELEASED)

 

[HeyJoe]

080429-N-5067K-202 PACIFIC OCEAN (April 27, 2008) Landing signal enlisted Boatswain's Mate 2nd Class Carlglo A. Rula guides two MH-53E Sea Dragon helicopters assigned to Helicopter Mine Countermeasures Squadron 14 (HM) 14 on the flight deck of the amphibious dock landing ship USS Harpers Ferry (LSD 49). Harpers Ferry is part of the Essex Expeditionary Strike Group forward deployed to Sasebo, Japan. U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Michael D. Kennedy (Released)

 

[HeyJoe]

080611-N-6410J-033 HUACHO, Peru (June 11, 2008) Sailors embarked aboard the amphibious assault ship USS Boxer (LHD 4) offload pallets of donated goods from an MH-53E Sea Dragon helicopter before two Project Handclasp ceremonies in Huacho. Project Handclasp is a Navy program that regularly teams with ships to transport donated goods to people around the world. Boxer is deployed supporting the Pacific phase of Continuing Promise, an equal-partnership mission between the United States, Guatemala, El Salvador and Peru. U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Matthew Jackson (Released)

 

[HeyJoe]

060317-N-6616W-003 Atlantic Ocean (March 17, 2006) - A MH-53E Sea Stallion assigned to Helicopter Mine Countermeasure Squadron One Four (HM-14) comes in for a landing aboard the amphibious assault ship USS Saipan (LHA 2). Saipan is currently off the East Coast conducting qualifications for their upcoming deployment. U.S. Navy photo by Photographer?s Mate 2nd Class Steven J. Weber (RELEASED)

 

[usmarinemike]

That's a BIG bitch. Can a small boy handle a -53? I see that it's on an LSD in one of the pics, but LSDs have a pretty nice sized deck to land on.

On an unrelated note, how common is it for an amphibious ship to deploy without Marines on board? I see that many of these -53s were flying off of amphibs.

 

[PropStop]

I got a ride in one of those just after I winged in Corpus. Man, that was cool. That pig leaks fluids (of all sorts) like a P-3 and man is it big.

If I'd gone helos, that's the ride I'd want. I mean, LOOK AT THOSE HIPS!

 

[MIDNJAC]

If I'd gone helos, that's the ride I'd want. I mean, LOOK AT THOSE HIPS!

I agree

 

[S.O.B.]

Couple of Big Iron Pics

Couple of my favorite 53 pics; both were taken in Indonesia.

 

[TheBubba]

I love that helo. Got a ride in a USMC -53 while doing Leathernuts firstie summer. I agree... were I a helo pilot, I'd want to be flying 53's. Gotta love a girl with hips. Big, but pretty.

 

[E5B]

It's a dream to fly.

 

[xj220]

+1 for the wanting to fly. In Corpus you could tell one was coming when you heard this low, distorted sound in the distance.

 

[C420sailor]

They're fast too!

We were flying down the intracoastal last week on the way to the south muds and tried to pass a -53. We were doing 185-190KIAS, maxed out, and it took at least a few minutes to overtake. I was very surprised. What can they do, nuts out?