After 23 years, Marines get last Super Stallion CH-53E helicopter

[thedrifter]

After 23 years, Marines get last Super Stallion CH-53E helicopter


By Holly Hickman
ASSOCIATED PRESS
7:19 p.m. November 24, 2003

NEW RIVER MARINE CORPS AIR STATION, N.C. ? The CH-53 helicopter is built for heavy loads ? carrying the weight of four decades, three wars and dozens of humanitarian missions. But the strain has started to show.

On Monday, the last Super Stallion helicopter arrived at Marine Heavy Helicopter Squadron 461 ? marking nearly 23 years since the first CH-53E was delivered to the Marine Corps unit.

"This is it," said spokesman John Milliman of the Marine Corps Helicopter Programs. "This is the last of the Mohicans parked right here."

Marine officials say the $39 million model is being phased out because it requires extensive maintenance. They've vowed that its successor ? which hasn't been publicly identified ? will require much less manpower to repair.

The Super Stallion is the second generation of CH-53s built by Sikorsky Aircraft, the first dating to 1965. Officials said 172 of the aircraft have been delivered to the Marines.

The heavy-lift helicopter, or some version of the aircraft, has been used in every Marine engagement and humanitarian operation since Vietnam, including Somalia, Liberia and the Iranian hostage situation, Milliman said.

The Marines also relied on the CH-53E Super Stallions in both wars in Iraq.

Flying at about 170 mph, the helicopter can transport 69,750 pounds internally and 73,500 externally ? delivering Humvees and light armored vehicles. It also is capable of lifting 16 tons at sea level. Its range without refueling is 621 miles.

Tess Reavis, a former company commander, said he was sad to see an end of an era.

"(The CH-53-E) exceeded expectations," he said at Monday's ceremony. "Compared to other helicopters, it's like a Cadillac."



On the Net:

www.usmc.mil/


http://www.signonsandiego.com/news/...elicopters.html

Sempers,

Roger