Chinese Top-400 BC

Chinese develop a vertical flying top that was used as a child’s toy.

1483 Leonardo Da Vinci – Sketched the “Helical Air Screw”

1483 Leonardo Da Vinci – Sketched the “Helical Air Screw” the most advanced plans of the period for a helicopter.

1800-1900 OTHERS in the pursuit vertical flight

1800-1900 OTHERS in the pursuit vertical flight: Sir George Cayley, Thomas Edison, Wilbur & Orville Wright, Paul Cornu, Juan de la Cierva, Corradino D’ Ascanio, Heinrich Focke, and more.

November 13, 1907, French engineer and bicycle maker Paul Cornu

November 13, 1907, French engineer and bicycle maker Paul Cornu made history by becoming the first man to fly in a rotary wing aircraft. The primitive helicopter – a twin rotorcraft powered by a 24-horsepower engine – only lifted Cornu about five feet off the ground, holding him there for 20 seconds at Coquainvilliers, near Lisieux in France.

1912 Early Navy Interest

1912-An early, if limited, interest in the helicopter was shown as the Secretary of the Navy authorized expenditure of not more than $50 for developing models of a helicopter design proposed by Chief Machinist’s Mate F. E. Nelson of West Virginia (Armored Cruiser No. 5). The Secretary’s accompanying policy implication was followed with a few exceptions for the next 30 years: “The Department recognizes the value of the helicopter principle in the design of naval aircraft and is following closely the efforts of others in this direction.”

1917 Policy Regarding Helicopter Development

1917 The policy regarding helicopter development was established by the Secretaries of the War and Navy Departments on the basis of recommendations made by the Joint Technical Board on Aircraft. Basically, need for improvements in power plants and propellers was recognized as necessary if a successful helicopter was to be obtained, but actual support of development efforts was to be limited to moral encouragement until a vendor had demonstrated a helicopter of military value.

First U.S. Navy Contract for Rotary Wing Aircraft

January 22, 1931. – The U.S. Navy ordered three XOP-1 autogiro prototypes from Pitcairn Aircraft Co., to be evaluated for naval service. This was the in history.

First U.S. Navy Rotary Wing Aircraft Landing and Take Off from a Ship at Sea

September 23, 1931. – LT Alfred M. Pride, USN, piloted an XOP-1 in the first rotary wing aircraft landing and take off from a ship at sea, USS Langley (CV-1).

First U.S. Navy Contract to Produce an Autogiro without Fixed Wings and Ailerons

March 12, 1935. – The Navy awarded Pitcairn another contract to produce an autogiro without fixed wings and ailerons. The XOP-2 was the first Navy rotary wing aircraft without fixed wings. This modification, made possible by the implementation of cyclic control of the rotor blades pitch angle, greatly improved controllability at slow airspeeds.

The XOZ-1, BuNo A8602, an Autogiro built for the Navy by Pennsylvania Aircraft Syndicate

.August 9, 1937. – The XOZ-1, BuNo A8602, an autogiro built for the Navy by Pennsylvania Aircraft Syndicate, performed demonstration flights, including water landings and take-offs. This autogiro was a modified N2Y-1 tandem-seat biplane trainer.

The overall results of evaluations during the 1930s convinced the Navy hierarchy that the autogiro could not satisfactorily meet naval requirements. The Navy needed a hovering vehicle. It would have to wait a few more years before that need could be fulfilled.

Inter-Agency was creaCed to Administer the Rotary Wing Development Program

June 30, 1938. – An Inter-Agency was created to administer the rotary wing development program funded by the Dorsey Act. CDR William J. Kossler, USCG, represented the Coast Guard. He would become one of the “Founding Fathers” of helicopter naval aviation.

The U.S. Army Awarded a Contract to Build an Experimental Helicopter, the XR-1

July 19, 1940. – The U.S. Army Material Division awarded Platt-LePage Aircraft Co. a contract to build an experimental helicopter, the XR-1, a twin-side-by-side-rotors design based on the technology of the German Focke-Wulf Fw-61. This was the second helicopter contract awarded by the U.S. military; the first, awarded by the Army to the Russian émigré George de Bothezat in 1921, had failed to produce a practical helicopter.

Commander D. Royce was Designated to Represent the Navy

April 23, 1940-Commander D. Royce was designated to represent the Navy on an Army Air Corps Evaluation Board for rotary-wing aircraft. This board was established incidental to legislation directing the War Department to undertake governmental development of rotary-wing aircraft.

XSOC-1 Conducted Successful Operations

May 20,1940-The Commanding Officer of the destroyer Noa (DD 343) reported on successful operations conducted off the Delaware Capes in which an XSOC-1, piloted by Lieutenant G. L. Heap, was hoisted over the side for takeoff and was recovered by the ship while underway. As an epilogue to preliminary operations conducted at anchor on 15 May, Lieutenant Heap made an emergency flight transferring a stricken seaman from the Noa in Harbor of Refuge, Del., to the Naval Hospital, Philadelphia.

Igor Ivanovich Sikorsky - Designed and Flew the FIRST successful United States Helicopter

May 24 1940- Igor Ivanovich Sikorsky – (05/25/1889 – 10/26/1972) – Designed and flew the FIRST successful United States helicopter, the Vought-Sikorsky 300 (VS-300).

U.S. Army Awarded Sikorsky Aircraft a Contract to Build the XR-4 Single-Main-Rotor and Tail Rotor Helicopter

December 17, 1940. – The U.S. Army awarded Sikorsky Aircraft a contract to build the XR-4 single-main-rotor and tail rotor helicopter prototype. Sikorsky would use this configuration in all his future helicopter designs. The XR-4 first flew on 13 January 1942.

U.S. Coast Guard Tranferred to the Navy Department

November 1, 1941. – In view of the deteriorating diplomatic situation and anticipating the break of hostilities in both, the Atlantic and the Pacific theaters, President Franklin D. Roosevelt issued an executive order transferring operational control of the U.S. Coast Guard to the Navy Department.

Sikorsky Offered a XR-4 Flight Demonstration for the Army and Representatives of the U.S. Navy, Coast Guard, and the Royal Navy. USCG

April 20, 1942. – Sikorsky offered a XR-4 flight demonstration for the Army and representatives of the U.S. Navy, Coast Guard, and the Royal Navy. USCG CDR Watson A. Burton, Commanding Officer of the New York Coast Guard Air Station, Floyd Bennett Field, Brooklyn, NY, and CDR William J. Kossler, who was serving as Chief of the Aviation Engineering Division at Coast Guard Headquarters, witnessed the demonstration. They agreed that the helicopter could meet the requirements of a rescue vehicle and proposed that three helicopters be procured for test and evaluation. Their proposal was immediately rejected.

CDR Kossler, in his Quest to Bring to Fruition the Naval Helicopter

May 1942. – CDR Kossler, in his quest to bring to fruition the naval helicopter, arranged for his protégée, LCDR Frank A. Erickson, an experienced seaplane pilot and a fervent helicopter advocate, to be assigned as Executive Officer of the New York Coast Guard Air Station. With their shared enthusiasm for the helicopter as a rescue vehicle, Kossler wanted to bring Erickson close to the Sikorsky factory.

President Ordered that an Air Medal be Established

May 11, 1942-The President ordered that an Air Medal be established for award to any person who, while serving in any capacity in or with the Army, Navy, Marine Corps, or Coast Guard after 8 September 1939, distinguishes or has distinguished himself by meritorious achievement while participating in aerial flight.

LCDR Erickson Visited the Sikorsky Plant in Connecticut

June 26, 1942. – LCDR Erickson visited the Sikorsky plant in Connecticut and inspected the XR-4 development program. Three days later he submitted a report to Headquarters recommending the procurement of helicopters for convoy antisubmarine patrol and search and rescue duty. Knowing that the Navy was very concerned with the convoy losses in the Atlantic caused by German submarines, Erickson placed emphasis on the helicopter antisubmarine role.

The Bureau of Aeronautics issued a Planning Directive for the Procurement of four Sikorsky helicopters

July 24, 1942. – The Bureau of Aeronautics issued a Planning Directive for the procurement of four Sikorsky helicopters, one YR-4 and three XR-6s, for evaluation by the Navy and Coast Guard. CDR Kossler convinced the Commandant of the Coast Guard, ADM Russell R. Waesche, to obtain authorization from ADM Ernest J. King, Chief of Naval Operations, to establish a Coast Guard helicopter test and evaluation program.

Commander in Chief U.S. Fleet Directed that an Aircraft Experimental and Developmental Squadron be Established

August 13, 1942-The Commander in Chief U.S. Fleet directed that an Aircraft Experimental and Developmental Squadron be established about 30 September 1942 at NAS Anacostia. This squadron, which replaced the Fleet Air Tactical Unit, was to conduct experiments with new aircraft and equipment in order to determine their practical application and tactical employment.

The V-173, a full-scale model of a Fighter Aircraft with an almost Circular Wing, Made its First Flight

November 23, 1942-The V-173, a full-scale model of a fighter aircraft with an almost circular wing, made its first flight at the Vought-Sikorsky plant, Stratford, Conn. A military version of this aircraft, the XF5U-1, was constructed later but never flown.

Bell Aircraft Corporation Developed the First Helicopter to Fly with a Teetering Semi-Rigid Rotor System

December 18, 1942- Lawrence “Larry” Bell – (04/05/1894 – 10/20/1956) – Bell Aircraft Corporation developed the first helicopter to fly with a teetering semi-rigid rotor system with stabilizer bar and ushered in an age of economical, easily produced helicopter models.

ADM King Issued a Letter to the Bureau of Aeronautics Directing the Development and Evaluation of Helicopters

February 15, 1943. – ADM King issued a letter to the Bureau of Aeronautics directing the development and evaluation of helicopters deployed aboard merchant ships for antisubmarine patrol duty. It assigned responsibility to the Coast Guard for the testing and evaluation of helicopters. On 4 May a Combined Board for the Evaluation of the Ship-Based Helicopter in Antisubmarine Warfare was formed.

The Naval Photographic Science Laboratory was Established at NAS Anacostia

February 24, 1943-The Naval Photographic Science Laboratory was established at NAS Anacostia under the direction of the Bureau of Aeronautics to provide photographic services to the Navy and to develop equipment and techniques suitable for fleet use.

Evaluation of the Helicopter in Anti-Submarine Operations

May 4, 1943-To expedite the evaluation of the helicopter in antisubmarine operations, the Commander in Chief, U.S. Fleet directed that a “joint board” be formed with representatives of the Commander in Chief, U.S. Fleet; the Bureau of Aeronautics; the Coast Guard; the British Admiralty and the Royal Air Forces. The resulting Combined Board for the Evaluation of the Ship-Based Helicopter in Anti-Submarine Warfare was later expanded to include representatives of the Army Air Forces, the War Shipping Administration and the National Advisory Committee for Aeronautics.

The Army Conducted the First Sea Trials of the XR-4 aboard the Merchant Tanker Bunker Hill

May 7, 1943. – The Army conducted the first sea trials of the XR-4 aboard the merchant tanker Bunker Hill, with Captain Frank Gregory at the controls. The Maritime Commission sponsored this demonstration, conducted in the Long Island Sound. Captain Gregory circled and landed aboard the ship about fifteen times.

LCDR Erickson began Helicopter Flight Training in the XR-4 at the Sikorsky Plant in Connecticut

June 1943. – LCDR Erickson began helicopter flight training in the XR-4 at the Sikorsky plant in Connecticut. He soloed after three hours of dual flight training with Sikorsky’s chief test pilot Les Morris, thus becoming Coast Guard helicopter pilot number one.

LCDR Erickson Submitted Proposal on the Helicopter’s Antisubmarine Potential.

June 10, 1943. – LCDR Erickson submitted another proposal, this time placing all the emphasis on the helicopter’s antisubmarine potential. He recommended that helicopters be equipped with radar and dunking sonar to become “the eyes and ears of the convoy escorts.”

The Bureau of Aeronautics Placed an Order for 44 R-5s (Navy designation HO2S-1)

June 22, 1943. – The Bureau of Aeronautics placed an order for 44 R-5s (Navy designation HO2S-1), a new Sikorsky design twice as big as the R-4. By the time the first HO2S-1, was accepted in December 1945, the war had ended. These helicopters were assigned to NAS New York and USCG Air Station, Elizabeth City, SC.

The Navy Accepted its First Helicopter, a Sikorsky YR-4B, Navy designation XHNS-1, BuNo 46445

October 16, 1943. – The Navy accepted its first helicopter, a Sikorsky YR-4B, Navy designation XHNS-1, BuNo 46445, at Bridgeport, Connecticut. LCDR Erickson flew the one-hour acceptance flight. CDR Charles T. Booth, USN, went to Bridgeport to qualify as a helicopter pilot and to fly the XHNS-1 to the Naval Air Test Center (NATC), NAS Patuxent River, MD. CDR Booth was the first U.S. Navy Officer to become qualified to fly helicopters.

Birthday of Navy Helicopter Aviation

October 16, 1943. – BIRTHDAY OF NAVY HELICOPTER AVIATION

navyhelicopteraviationbirthdayinstruction24march2011

LTJG Steward R. Graham, USCG, Completed Helicopter Flight Training at the Sikorsky Plant

October 20, 1943. – LTJG Steward R. Graham, USCG, completed helicopter flight training at the Sikorsky plant, soloing after three and a half hours of dual instruction. LTJG Graham became USCG helicopter pilot number two. LCDR Erickson was his flight instructor. Graham would become the lead test pilot in the development of the helicopter as an ASW platform.

CDR Charles T. Booth Delivered the First XHNS-1 to NAS Patuxent River

October 22, 1943. – CDR Charles T. Booth delivered the first XHNS-1 to NAS Patuxent River. He established and led a helicopter flight test facility at NATC. The Army transferred two additional YR-4Bs to the Navy. In time, a total of 20 YR-4Bs from the Army contract of 100 were transferred to the Navy. According to its records, between October 1943 and December 1944 the U.S. Navy accepted 68 YR-4Bs (HNS-1s). They were powered with the R-550 radial engine, its various versions developing between 180 and 200 hp.

The New York Coast Guard Air Station was Designated the First U.S. Naval Helicopter Training Base

November 19, 1943. – The New York Coast Guard Air Station was designated the first U.S. naval helicopter training base, newly promoted CDR Erickson commanding. Erickson began to train Coast Guard, Navy, Army Air Corps, and British helicopter pilots.

LCDR John M. Miller, USNR, Soloed the HNS-1, Becoming U.S. Navy Helicopter Pilot Number Two

December 5, 1943. – LCDR John M. Miller, USNR, soloed the HNS-1, becoming U.S. Navy helicopter pilot number two. CDR Erickson was his flight instructor. A few days later the Navy conducted its first HNS-1 shipboard operational test. LCDR Miller landed aboard the British freighter M. V. Daghestan in the Long Island Sound.

Chief of Naval Operations Directed the Separation of the Helicopter Test and Development Functions from the Pilot Training Function.

December 18, 1943. – Based on the results of this test, the Chief of Naval Operations directed the separation of the helicopter test and development functions from the pilot training function. He further directed that, effective 1 January 1944, the Coast Guard establish a helicopter pilot training program at Floyd Bennett Field, under the direction of the Deputy Chief of Naval Operations (Air). The directive established the criteria that after 25 hours of dual and solo flight time, a fixed wing pilot was qualified as a helicopter pilot. It further stated than, as of the date of the directive, three Coast Guard and two Navy officers had qualified as helicopter pilots. These pilots were: LCDR Frank A. Erickson, LTJG Steward R. Graham, and LT A. N. Fisher from the Coast Guard, and CDR Charles T. Booth and LCDR John M. Miller from the Navy. These early helicopter pilots did not have a formal Navy training program to follow, or an established procedure to record and preserve their helicopter pilot qualifications. In fact, their training consisted on a few hours of dual flight instruction, enough to make them safe-for-solo. From then on they gained their flying proficiency while performing their assigned flying duties. They were never placed in the list of designated helicopter pilots. From its beginning, the Navy considered helicopter rating as a postgraduate qualification, and only Naval Aviators were sent to helicopter training. This policy continued until 1954.

The Navy Signed a Contract For Frank Piasecki’s Single XHRP-1 Prototype

January 1, 1944. – The Navy signed a contract with P-V Engineering Forum, Frank Piasecki’s emerging enterprise, for the building of a single XHRP-1 prototype. This was the first twin-rotor helicopter in the tandem configuration built in the U.S. The XHRP-X, a technology demonstrator, first flew on 7 March 1945. The XHRP-1 evaluation was very successful, and the Navy quickly ordered production of twenty HRP-1s, nicknamed the “Flying Banana.”

CDR Erickson performed the First Recorded Helicopter Mission of Mercy

January 3, 1944. – CDR Erickson performed the first recorded helicopter mission of mercy when he flew an HNS-1 through a winter blizzard to deliver a cargo of blood plasma from Manhattan, NY, to the Hospital at Sandy Hook, NJ, to treat over 100 sailors injured in explosions aboard the destroyer USS Turner. This event helped to reverse the perception of helicopters as impractical machines.

The First Atlantic Convoy that Used the New Antisubmarine Helicopter Patrol Capability

January 6, 1944. – The first Atlantic convoy that used the new antisubmarine helicopter patrol capability sailed from New York to Liverpool, UK, with two HNS-1 helicopters and three pilots, U.S. Navy LCDRs James Klopp and John Miller and USCG LTJG StewartGraham embarked. The first sortie at sea was flown from Daghestan by LTJG Graham on 16 January, a 30 minutes flight. With the support of CAPT Kossler and ADM Waesche, CDR Erickson had been able to sell the Navy on the concept of using the helicopter in the convoy antisubmarine patrol role.

First Detection of a Submerged Enemy Submarine by the Use of MAD Gear

February 24, 1944-The first detection of a submerged enemy submarine by the use of MAD gear was made by Catalinas of VP-63, on a MAD barrier patrol of the approaches to the Strait of Gibraltar. They attacked the U-761 with retrorockets, and with the assistance of two ships and aircraft from two other squadrons, sank it.

LTCOL Desmond E. Canavan, USMC, Flew his First Helicopter Dual Flight

March 30, 1944. – LTCOL Desmond E. Canavan, USMC, serving as test pilot at NATC, Patuxent River, flew his first helicopter dual flight in the XHNS-1 BuNo 39034. After twelve dual flights with LCDR John Miller, LTCOL Canavan soloed the XHNS-1 on 3 November 1944, thus becoming the first Marine pilot to obtain a helicopter qualification.

Air-Sea Rescue Squadrons (VH) were Formed in the Pacific Fleet

April 15, 1944-Air-Sea Rescue Squadrons (VH) were formed in the Pacific Fleet to provide rescue and emergency services as necessary in the forward areas. Prior to this time the rescue function was performed as an additional duty by regularly operating patrol squadrons

Helicopter Designation Letters Changed

May 13, 1944-To distinguish between fixed and rotary wing heavier-than-aircraft, the helicopter class designation VH plus a mission letter (i.e. VHO for observation and VHN for training) was abolished and helicopters were established as a separate type designated H. The previous mission letters thus became classes designated O, N, and R for observation, training and transport respectively.

Development of a Automatic Pilot Installation in a HNS-1 Helicopter

May 17, 1944-The Bureau of Aeronautics authorized CGAS Floyd Bennett Field to collaborate with the Sperry Gyroscope Company in making an automatic pilot installation in a HNS-1 helicopter.

USCGC Cobb (WPG-181), the First U.S. Helicopter Carrier, Began Underway Operations in the Long Island Sound

June 1944. – USCGC Cobb (WPG-181), the first U.S. helicopter carrier, began underway operations in the Long Island Sound. USCGC Cobb was a modified old passenger ship. Excessive maintenance costs drove the Coast Guard to decommission her on 31 January 1946.

Parachute Experimental Division was Established at Lakehurst

June 29, 1944-The Parachute Experimental Division was established at Lakehurst, N.,J., for research, development, and testing of parachutes and survival gear.

CDR Erickson Began Testing a Bomb-Loading Electric Hoist Installed in an HNS-1

August 11, 1944. – CDR Erickson began testing a bomb-loading electric hoist installed in an HNS-1, the first rescue hoist installed in a helicopter. After four days of testing over Jamaica Bay, its feasibility was clearly demonstrated, but the electric motor proved to be too weak and slow. Erickson switched to a hydraulic motor that could lift 400 pounds at two and a half feet per second. During new testing six weeks later the hydraulic system performed very satisfactorily, leading to its adoption for service use.

Sperry Gyroscope Company Submitted a Brief Report On Automatic Flight Control System for a Helicopter

August 11, 1944-Dr. M. F. Bates of the Sperry Gyroscope Company submitted a brief report of the trial installation and flight test of a helicopter automatic pilot (cyclic pitch control) in an HNS-1 at CGAS Floyd Bennett Field.

New Bureau of Aeronautics Color Specification Went into Effect

October 7, 1944-A new Bureau of Aeronautics color specification went into effect which provided seven different color schemes for aircraft depending upon design and use. The most basic change was the use of glossy sea blue all over on carrier based aircraft and on seaplane transports, trainers and utility aircraft. The basic non-specular camouflage color scheme, semigloss blue above and nonspecular white below, was to be applied to patrol and patrol bombing types and to helicopters. For antisubmarine warfare, two special camouflage schemes–gray on top and sides and white on bottom, or white all over–were prescribed with the selection dependent upon prevailing weather conditions (this had been used by COMNAVAIRLANT since 19 July 1943). All aluminum was to be used on landplane transports and trainers and landplane and amphibian utility aircraft. Orange-yellow was to be used upon target-towing aircraft and primary trainers. Another new scheme, glossy red, was specified for target drones.

Recognition of the Future Importance of Turbojet and Turboprop Powerplants

November 6, 1944-Recognition of the future importance of turbojet and turboprop powerplants led the Bureau of Aeronautics to request the Naval Air Material Center to study requirements for a laboratory to develop and test gas-turbine powerplants. This initiated action which led to the establishment of the Naval Air Turbine Test Station, Trenton, N.J.

Three Evacuation Squadrons (VE) were Established in the Pacific

December 12, 1944-Three Evacuation Squadrons (VE) were established in the Pacific from Air Sea Rescue Squadron elements already providing evacuation services.

The Navy Accepted Three Prototypes of the Sikorsky XR-6, Navy Designation XHOS-1

September 1944. – The Navy accepted three prototypes of the Sikorsky XR-6, Navy designation XHOS-1. Under Sikorsky license, Nash-Kelvinator in Detroit began production of the HOS-1 in 1945. The Navy accepted 36 helicopters from Nash-Kelvinator before all war production contracts were cancelled shortly after V-J Day, 2 September 1945.

The Tandem Rotor XHRP-X Transport Helicopter Made its First Flight

March 7, 1945-The tandem rotor XHRP-X transport helicopter, built under Navy contract by P-V Engineering Forum made its first flight at the contractor’s plant at Sharon Hill, Pennsylvania with Frank N. Piasecki as pilot and George N. Towson as copilot.

CDR Erickson Reported that a Dipping Sonar Suspended from a XHOS-1 Helicopter Performed Successfully

March 7, 1945. – CDR Erickson reported that a dipping sonar suspended from a XHOS-1 helicopter performed successfully. LT Steward Graham conducted the test. He soon became the principal test pilot developing helicopter antisubmarine equipment and tactics.

Patrol Squadrons of Fleet Air Wing 1 Conducted Long-Range Antishipping Search

March 18, 1945 June 21,1945-Patrol squadrons of Fleet Air Wing 1, based on seaplane tenders at Kerama Retto, conducted long-range antishipping search over the East China Sea to protect assault forces from enemy surface force interference, flew antisubmarine patrols in the immediate area, and provided air-sea rescue services for carrier operations from D minus 1 day to the end of the campaign.

Navy Awarded McDonnell Aircraft a Contract to Build a Prototype of the XHJD-1 Whirlaway helicopter

March 23, 1945. – The Navy awarded McDonnell Aircraft Co. a contract to build a prototype of the XHJD-1 Whirlaway helicopter, to be used as a research platform. Using the side-by-side design, the Whirlaway was the first twin-engine, twin-rotor helicopter built in the U.S. After completing a 250 hours technology development program, the Whirlaway, was donated to the National Air and Space Museum in 1951.

LT August Kleisch, USCG Helicopter Pilot Number 5, Flying an HNS-1 helicopter, Completed a Three-Day-Long Rescue

May 2, 1945. – LT August Kleisch, USCG helicopter pilot number 5, flying an HNS-1 helicopter, completed a three-day-long rescue of eleven Canadian airmen marooned after a plane crash in northern Labrador. The event brought worldwide attention to the novel new aircraft with a unique capability.

Victory in Europe V-E Day Declared by The President

May 8, 1945-V-E Day–The President proclaimed the end of the war in Europe

President Harry S. Truman Issued an Executive Order Returning Control of the U.S. Coast Guard to the Treasury Department.

January 1, 1946. – On this day President Harry S. Truman issued an executive order returning control of the U.S. Coast Guard to the Treasury Department. However, the Coast Guard remained involved in the test and development of the helicopter as an ASW platform until 1951.

Operation Frostbite

March 1, 1946-Operation Frostbite–Midway with elements of Air Group 74 on board, and accompanied by three destroyers, left Norfolk under command of Rear Admiral John H. Cassady to conduct cold weather tests in Davis Strait. In the period 7-22 March, these units operated as a carrier task force off the coast of Labrador and above the Arctic Circle, conducting flight operations with World War II type aircraft and the newer F8F Bearcat, the combination prop and jet FR-1 Fireball, and the HNS-1 helicopter.

The XHJD-1, the First Twin Engine Helicopter, made a Hovering Flight

March 25, 1946-The XHJD-1, the first twin engine helicopter, made a hovering flight. Designed for the Navy by the McDonnell Aircraft Corporation, this helicopter was intended for experimental use in a flight development program and for tactical use in utility and air-sea rescue operations.

The Navy Successfully Completed the Operational Test of the Hayes XCF Dipping Sonar

May 22, 1946. – The Navy successfully completed the operational test of the Hayes XCF dipping sonar off the coast of Key West, FL. LT Steward Graham, USCG, flew a HO2S-1 with the sonar suspended underneath. Using a captured German submarine as the target, the sonar provided good detection ranges and accurate bearings.

A Sikorsky S-51 Civilian Helicopter, Performed Plane Guard Duties aboard USS Franklin D. Roosevelt (CVA-42)

Summer of 1946. – A Sikorsky S-51 civilian helicopter, piloted by Dimitri “Jimmy” Viner, Igor Sikorsky’s nephew, performed plane guard duties aboard USS Franklin D. Roosevelt (CVA-42) during a Caribbean cruise. Jimmy Viner rescued several pilots that had to ditch near the carrier, and one sailor that was blown off the flight deck. These incidents sold the Navy on the concept of helicopter plane guard during carrier flight operations.

Navy Established a New Squadron, VX-3, at NAS New York

July 1, 1946. – The Navy established a new squadron, VX-3, at NAS New York with the mission to train helicopter pilots and other personnel and to develop the tactical employment of helicopters. VX-3 immediately resumed the training of helicopter pilots, a duty previously assigned to the Coast Guard. On 10 September of that year, VX-3 moved to NAS Lakehurst, NJ, and continued training pilots.

Sabena Airlines DC-4 Helicopter Rescue near Gander, Newfoundland

September 18, 1946. – A Sabena Airlines DC-4 crashed near Gander, Newfoundland, on a flight from Brussels to New York. Seventeen people survived the crash, but they were trapped in a heavily wooded area in the middle of a large bog. The survivors, many seriously injured, would not survive over-land evacuation. In less than 48 hours two helicopters, an HNS-1 and an HOS-1, were disassembled at Floyd Bennett Field, NY, loaded on a C-54, flown to the Gander Airport, reassembled and tested. The pilots, CDR Frank Erickson, LT Stewart Graham, LT Walter Bolton, and LT August Kleisch, made repeated flights between the crash site and Gander Lake to extract all 17 survivors. This event brought international recognition to the helicopter rescue capabilities.

In Preparation for Operation High Jump, the First Post-War Antarctic Expedition

September 1946. – In preparation for Operation High Jump, the first post-war Antarctic expedition, the Navy bought four off-the-shelf S-51s, Navy designation HO3S-1. They were assigned to VX-3. .

The Navy Receives First HO3S-1 Helicopters with Blade-Folding Rotors

November 1946. – The Navy began to receive the first of the new HO3S-1 helicopters equipped with blade-folding rotors and externally mounted rescue hoists. They were based on several warship classes, mainly the aircraft carriers, seaplane tenders, icebreakers, cruises, and battleships. The HO3S-1 was the first Navy helicopter to replace some fixed wing aircraft in the fleet. By late 1949 the HO3S-1 had totally replaced the small seaplanes carried by cruises and battleships.

First Helicopter to Fly Over the Antartic

December 25, 1946. – An HO3S-1 piloted by LCDR Walter M. Sessums became the first helicopter to fly over the Antarctic.

New Specification for Aircraft Color

January 2, 1947-A new specification for aircraft color was issued providing for the use of glossy sea blue on all shipboard and water based aircraft and all helicopters; aluminum was retained for landplane transports, utility planes and advanced training planes; and glossy orange yellow was similarly retained for primary trainers. Special color schemes included land camouflage (olive drab above and light gray below) for Marine observation planes; glossy insignia red for target drones; target towing aircraft were to have glossy orange yellow wings, and glossy sea blue fuselage with glossy insignia red wing bands and rudder.

Navy Sikorsky HO3S-1 Rescues Pilot in the Atlantic

February 9, 1947. – A Sikorsky HO3S-1 that was being evaluated by CTF-2 in the Atlantic picked up LT Frank A. Shields, a SB2C pilot that had to ditch near the carrier USS Leyte, and deposited him safely on the carrier deck in just six minutes.

The Adaptation of the Helicopter to Amphibious Warfare was Initiated

July 24, 1947-The adaptation of the helicopter to amphibious warfare was initiated when the Chief of Naval Operations established a requirement for a type capable of transporting assault troops from an escort carrier and setting them down ashore along with their necessary combat equipment and supplies.

The Army Transferred Ten Bell Model 47 Helicopters to the Navy

February 1947. – The Army transferred ten Bell Model 47 helicopters to the Navy for evaluation as HTL-1 trainers. Subsequent buys of more advance models increased the total Navy acquisition of HTLs to 187. Starting in April 1948, some were assigned to HU-1 and HU-2 and used aboard icebreakers. Some were used by the Marines in liaison, transport, and casualty evacuation roles. The majority was used as primary trainers in HU-2, and later in HTU-1 at Ellyson Field, Pensacola. They remained in service as primary trainers until 16 May 1968.

Marine Helicopter Experimental Squadron One, HMX-1, was Established

December 1, 1947. – Marine Helicopter Experimental Squadron One, HMX-1, was established at MCAS Quantico, VA, under the command of Colonel Edward C. Dyer. The new squadron’s mission was to develop techniques and tactics for the use of helicopters in amphibious operations. By February 1948 the Marine Corps had equipped HMX-1 with six HO3S-1s. HMX-1 would later assume the responsibility to provide helicopter transport to the President of the United States.

Piasecki’s XHJP-1 Tandem Rotor Helicopter Began Flight-Testing

March 1948. – Piasecki’s XHJP-1 tandem rotor helicopter began flight-testing at the factory in Philadelphia. After successful completion of NATC evaluation, the redesignated HUP-1 entered production in 1950. The initial order of 32 HUP-1s was followed by another order for 165 HUP-2s, which were fitted with the more powerful R-975-46, 550 hp engine. The HUPs were assigned to HU-1 and HU-2, and eventually replaced the less capable HO3Ss.

VX-3, HU-1 and HU-2 disestablished/established at Lakehurst

April 1, 1948. – VX-3 was disestablished. That same day Helicopter Utility Squadron One (HU-1) and Helicopter Utility Squadron Two (HU-2) were established at NAS Lakehurst, with many of VX-3 personnel making a lateral transfer to the new squadrons. HU-1 was moved to NAAS Miramar, San Diego, CA, shortly thereafter. The primary mission of both squadrons was to provide helicopter detachments to be deployed on ships of the Atlantic and Pacific fleets. HU-2 also took over the responsibility for helicopter pilot training. Naval Air Test Center, Patuxent River added rotary wing branch.

CNO Issued New Standards for Training Aviators as Helicopter Pilots

June 11, 1948. – The CNO issued new standards for training aviators as helicopter pilots and decreed that helicopter pilots previously trained by the Coast Guard or VX-3 would retain their qualification.

Piasecki Delivered 338 HUP Helicopters

January, 1949-Piasecki delivered 338 HUP helicopters to HU-2 (as XHUP-1, HUP 1-2S, H-25A). Last reported in inventory at VU-1, HU-1 on 08/31/64.

CNO Authorized all New Construction Cruisers to be accomodated for Helicopters

January 27, 1949-The Chief of Naval Operations authorized conversion of all new-construction cruisers to accommodate helicopters.

Longest Unescorted Helicopter Transcontinental Flight on Record

April 3, 1949. – LT Steward Graham and his crewman, AM2 Robert McAuliffe, completed the longest unescorted helicopter transcontinental flight on record. They flew a HO3S-1G from the Coast Guard Air Station, Elizabeth City, NC, to the Port Angeles Coast Guard Air Station in Washington State, via San Diego, CA, covering a distance of 3,750 miles in 57.6 flight-time hours over a period of ten and a half days, proving the helicopter’s suitability for extended operations.

The Last of the Observation Squadron, VO-2 Disestablished

April 5, 1949. – The disestablishing of the last of the observation squadron, VO-2, marked the end of one era and the beginning of another as a plan to use helicopters in place of fixed-wing aircraft aboard battleships and cruisers was put into effect, with the changeover scheduled for completion by 30 June. he disestablishing of the last of the observation squadrons, VO-2, marked the end of one era and the beginning of another as a plan to use helicopters in place of fixed-wing aircraft aboard battleships and cruisers was put into effect, with the changeover scheduled for completion by 30 June.

The First Use in the United States of a Pilot-Ejection Seat

August 9, 1949. – The first use in the United States of a pilot-ejection seat for an emergency escape, was made by Lieutenant J. L. Fruin of VF-171 from an F2H-1 Banshee while making over 500 knots in the vicinity of Walterboro, S.C.

Sikorsky helicopter, HO3S Long Distance Flight

November 30, 1949 – Lieutenant G. A. Rullo and M. D. Kembro, CAP, flew a Sikorsky helicopter, HO3S, from NAS Seattle to NAS Alameda in 10 hours and 50 minutes and unofficially bettered the existing distance record for helicopters with a flight of 755 miles

Kaman Aircraft Delivered Two K-225 Helicopters

March 1950. – Kaman Aircraft delivered two K-225 helicopters to NATC, Patuxent River, for test and evaluation. Successful results encouraged the Navy to place an order for new observation helicopters, designated HOK-1, to be used by the Marines in Korea.

Navy purchases Ten H-19s, Navy Designation HO4S-1

April 28, 1950. – The Navy purchased ten H-19s, Navy designation HO4S-1, for evaluation in the helicopter ASW project. A total of 129 HO4Ss were delivered to the Navy between August 1950 and January 1958. They were used by the HS Squadrons in their ASW configuration. The HO4S was the first antisubmarine helicopter to operate from aircraft carriers. The utility version was used by the HU squadrons, by the Air Stations, and as advanced trainer in HTG-1, Ellyson Field, Pensacola.

3500 Mile Helicopter Flight in 62.5 Hours

July 1950–Distance: 3.500 Miles (5.632 Km) in 62.5 hours
Route: from Boston Squantum Naval Air Station Maryland to North Island Naval Air Station San Diego California
Crew:
Pilot: Lt. Conrad Larson Pilot
Crewman: AD1. Gerald Dwight.

VMO-6 Equipped with the HO3S Helicopters

August 3, 1950. – Elements of VMO-6 equipped with the HO3S helicopters began operations in support of the First Provisional Marine Brigade in the vicinity of Changwon, South Korea. The helicopters were put to use immediately delivering rations and water to the troops on a mountain, and evacuating casualties..

HO3S Evacuated a cCasualty from a Korean Firefight

August 4, 1950. – An HO3S evacuated a casualty from a firefight along the Pusan perimeter; five more were evacuated the next day. This event marked the beginning of one of the most dramatic and important uses of the helicopter in the Korean War. Helicopter medevac would revolutionize the triage of battlefield casualties and significantly decrease the mortality rate.

Flight of a Helicopter under Automatic Control was Made

August 7, 1950. – Flight of a helicopter under automatic control was made at Mustin Field, Philadelphia using an HO3S-1 helicopter equipped with a single axis automatic pilot. Successful test of this instrument confirmed the feasibility of a helicopter automatic pilot which was being developed under the leadership of L. S. Guarino at the Aeronautical Instrument Laboratory, Naval Air Material Center.

Navy Awards Kaman Contract for the HTK-1Helicopter

September 1950. – The Navy awarded Kaman a contract for a trainer, the HTK-1, an improved K-225 design. The first HTK-1 flew in April 1951. A total of 29 HTK-1s were delivered to the Navy between November1951 and October 1953. They were used as utility helicopters at Naval Air Stations all over the world before they were sent to Pensacola, where they were redesignated TH-43As and used as trainers until 1957.

HO3S-1 Helicopter Successfully Flown with Automatic Pilot

September 23, 1950-An HO3S-1 helicopter, equipped with an automatic pilot developed by the Aeronautical Instruments Laboratory, was successfully flown with three axis automatic control at Mustin Field, Philadelphia.

Ellyson Auxiliary Landing Field (ALF) was Established.

December 3, 1950. – Ellyson Auxiliary Landing Field (ALF) and its main tenant, Helicopter Training Unit One (HTU-1) were established. HTU-1 took over the training of helicopter pilots from HU-2, based at NAS Lakehurst. HTU-1 used the Bell HTL-4 (TH-13) and Hiller HTE-1/-2 as primary trainers. Advance training was conducted in the Sikorsky HO3S-1 and the Piasecki HUP-2. The HTEs were retired by late 1952.

First Helicopter Pilot Medal of Honor

July 3, 1951. – Late in the afternoon, LTJG John K. Koelsch, serving with a HU-2 detachment embarked on an LST off the coast of Wonsan, North Korea, launched to rescue a Marine F4U pilot that had bailed out 35 miles inside enemy territory. Without RESCAP protection due to poor visibility, LTJG Koelsch located the survivor and began hoisting him aboard when enemy fire downed his HO3S-1 helicopter. LTJG Koelsch, his crewman, AM3 George M. Neal, and the F4U pilot, CAPT James V. Wilkins, survived the crash and hid in the mountains, evading enemy patrols for three days. Then they began to slowly make their way down to the coast. Six days later they reached a coastal village and hid in a hut. They were captured the next day. In the months that followed LTJG Koelsch refused to submit to his interrogators and was tortured mercilessly. His fortitude, personal bravery, and consideration to others were sources of high morale and inspiration to his fellow prisoners. John Koelsch died of malnutrition and dysentery in a North Korean POW Camp on 16 October 1951. On August 3, 1955, LTJG John Kelvin Koelsch was posthumously awarded the Medal of Honor for his actions in Korea. He was the first helicopter pilot to be awarded the Medal of Honor. AM3 Neal was awarded the Navy Cross.

Marines Receive New Sikorsky S-52 Utility Helicopter, Navy Designation HO5S-1

September 1951. – The Marines began to receive the new Sikorsky S-52 utility helicopter, Navy designation HO5S-1. It was used for medevac, gunfire spotting, reconnaissance, and general utility work. The HO5S-1 was handicapped by being underpowered. In spite of this handicap, it was used extensively by VMO-6 in Korea. After the war the HO5S-1 was used as a trainer by the Marines in New River, NC. It was retired from service in the late 1950s.

Marine Helicopter Transport Squadron 161, Equipped with HRS-1s, arrived Pusan, Korea

September 2, 1951–Marine Helicopter Transport Squadron 161, equipped with HRS-1s, arrived Pusan, Korea, aboard Sitkoh Bay and flew ashore prepared to perform transport, assault, and supply missions for the First Marine Division. On 13 September it began its support of the First Marine Division with Operation Windmill I. In this initial combat test of transport helicopter capabilities, the squadron lifted one day’s supplies for the First Marine Battalion on a 7-mile carry from its base to the forward area.

Helicopter Antisubmarine Squadron One (HS-1) Established at NAS Key West

October 3, 1951. – Helicopter Antisubmarine Squadron One (HS-1) was established at NAS Key West, FL. After the squadron establishment, LCDR Graham, who led the seven-year-long development effort that made this event possible, reported to NATC, Patuxent River for duty as a helicopter test pilot.

Marines Using HRS-1 Helicopters From HMR-161 Insert Nearly 1,000 Troops

.October 11, 1951. – Marines wrote a new chapter in military history. Using HRS-1 helicopters, HMR-161 aircrews inserted nearly 1,000 Marines atop a 3,000-foot mountain near the front lines. Over a period of six hours a dozen HRSs flew a total of 156 sorties. The success of this operation marked the first implementation of the vertical assault concept.

Navy-Sponsored Kaman K-225 Fitted with a Boeing YB-502, 190 shp Turbine Engine

December 12, 1951. – In a Navy-sponsored technology program, a Kaman K-225 fitted with a Boeing YB-502, 190 shp turbine engine performed its maiden flight. This was the first gas turbine-powered helicopter in the world. With the advent of the gas turbine engine, the helicopter finally found its ideal power plant.

Helicopter Anti-Submarine Squadron Two (HS-2) Golden Falcons Established at ALF Ream Field, Imperial Beach, CA

March 7, 1952. – Helicopter Anti-Submarine Squadron Two (HS-2) was established at ALF Ream Field, Imperial Beach, CA. HS-2 was the first antisubmarine warfare helicopter squadron on the West Coast. Initially, it deployed small detachments flying the Sikorsky HO4S-2 helicopter. The HO4S was replaced by the HSS-1 (SH-34J) early in 1955.

HS-3 was Established

June 18, 1952 – HS-3 was established at Naval Air Facility, Elizabeth City, NC.

HS-4 was Established

June 30, 1952 — HS-4 was established at ALF Ream Field, Imperial Beach Ca.

Navy Awarded Sikorsky a Contract for a Prototype, Designated the XHSS-1

June 30, 1952. – Looking for a more capable helicopter to replace the HO4S in the ASW role, the Navy awarded Sikorsky a contract for a prototype, designated the XHSS-1. The XHSS-1 first flew on 8 March 1954. Production deliveries started in early 1955. The Navy accepted a total of 385 HSS-1s, the last aircraft being delivered in April 1966. The HSS-1 served with the Helicopter ASW squadrons until replaced by the HSS-2 (SH-3A) in 1961. In 1962 all military services adopted the USAF aircraft designation system. The UH-34D, the utility version of the HSS-1, replaced the HO4S-1 as the advance helicopter trainer in HT-8, Ellyson Field, Pensacola, in mid-1963.

VX-1 Pilots Flying a HRP-1 Helicopter Demonstrates Feasibility of Helicopter Towing Minesweeping Equipment

November 18, 1952. – VX-1 pilots flying a HRP-1 helicopter off the coast of Panama City, Florida, demonstrated the feasibility of using a helicopter to tow minesweeping equipment. This was the first of a series of tests.

Navy Sponsor in 1953 Kaman Aircraft Development of Remote-Piloted Helicopter Drones

March 1953. – Under Navy sponsorship, in 1953 Kaman Aircraft began development of remote-piloted helicopter drones. In the spring of that year an HTK-1K, nicknamed the “Yellow Peril,” began remote-controlled flight-testing. These tests continued through the mid-1950s, always carrying a safety pilot in the cockpit. On 23 May 1957 a drone HTK-1 helicopter, with a safety pilot onboard, operated by remote control from the small deck of USS Mitscher (DL-2) underway in Narragansett Bay. On 30 July 1957, in a test conducted at the Kaman plant in Bloomfield, Connecticut, a modified HTK-1 drone completed its first unmanned flight.

HS-2 First ASW Squadron to deploy to Westpac

April 1953–HS-2 First ASW Squadron to deploy to Westpac.

Kaman’s XHOK-1 Prototype First Flight

April 21, 1953. – Kaman’s XHOK-1 prototype performed its first flight. It proved to be a very capable helicopter. Deliveries to the Marines started that same month. A total of 81 HOK-1s powered by a 600hp R-1340-48 engine were assigned to the VMO squadrons. The Navy bought 24 HUK-1s, the Navy version of the HOK-1, powered by the R-1340-52 engine. The last HUK-1 was delivered in December 1958. They were initially assigned to the helicopter utility squadrons.

The Marine Corps XHR2S-1 Flew for the First Time.

December 18, 1953. – The XHR2S-1 flew for the first time. This was the first twin-engine helicopter built by Sikorsky. It used two Pratt and Whitney R-2800-5, 2100 hp radial engines and a five-blade main rotor. The contract, signed on 9 May 1951, called for a helicopter capable of transporting twenty fully loaded soldiers. Deliveries to HMX-1 began in July 1956. Between 1956 and 1959 the Marines accepted 59 units. The re-designated CH-37s served with HMR (M)-461, based at MCAS New River, NC, and HMH-462, based at MCAF Santa Ana, CA. They were retired from service on both squadrons in 1966, being replaced by the much more capable CH-53As.

Kaman Fitted an Experimental HTK-1 with Two B-502 Turbines

March 1954. – Kaman fitted an experimental HTK-1 with two B-502 turbines, this becoming the world’s first twin-turbine powered helicopter.

First Tilt-Rotor V/STOL

July 6, 1954. – In 1945 Robert Lichten, a Platt-LePage Aircraft Co. engineer, and Mario Guerierri, a Kellett Aircraft Co. engineer, teamed up and formed Transcendental Aircraft. They developed the first tilt-rotor V/STOL convertiplane in the U.S., the Model 1-G, a 1,750-pound aircraft with two 17-foot diameter rotors powered by a 160-hp engine. After a long and difficult ground-testing period, which included an accident in 1951, the Model 1-G finally achieved free flight on 6 July 1954. It achieved 80 degrees conversions in December of that year. On 20 July 1955, after logging 23 hours, the Model 1-G crashed in the Delaware River and was lost.

The Flying Platform

January 21, 1955–The Flying Platform, a one-man helicopter of radical design, made its first flight at the Hiller plant in Palo Alto, Calif. Although the flight occurred during ground tests and was therefore accidental, it was successful in all respects.

First Bell XV-3 Tilt-Rotor Prototype Rolled Out on 10 February 1955

August 11, 1955. – The first Bell XV-3 tilt-rotor prototype rolled out on 10 February 1955, and first hovered on 11 August of that year. It featured two 23-foot diameter three-bladed rotors mounted on long masts. After two months of testing, the aircraft crashed. A second prototype with shorter masts and two-bladed rotors followed. After a series of wind tunnel tests and hover tests, the XV-3 made its first transition to forward flight on 17 December 1958. Seven years of exhaustive testing followed. After 375 wind tunnel and ground test hours, 250 test flights (125 flight hours) and over 110 full conversions, the XV-3 firmly established the feasibility of the tilt-rotor convertiplane.

Bureau of Aeronautics issued instructions describing new color schemes

February 16, 1955–The Bureau of Aeronautics issued instructions describing new color schemes that would be used on all new Navy and Marine Corps aircraft beginning 1 July 1955 and applied on all currently operating aircraft within the next 2 years. The familiar sea blue was changed to light gull gray on top and glossy white below for carrier aircraft, all over seaplane gray for water based aircraft and all over light gull gray for helicopters. Bare aluminum was retained for utility types and land plane transports, the latter having in addition a solar heat reflecting white top. Orange-yellow remained the color for primary trainers but the advanced trainer scheme was changed to international orange and insignia white. Other changes were olive drab above and glossy white below for land observation types and a combination of orange-yellow, engine gray and insignia red for target drones and target tow aircraft..

CVHE for Escort Helicopter Aircraft Carrier

May12, 1955–The classification of naval vessels was revised to provide the designation CVHE for Escort Helicopter Aircraft Carrier and CVU for Utility Aircraft Carrier. The carriers were re-designated 1 month later.

December 24, 1955-A single USCG HO4S Helicopter Rescues 138

December 24, 1955-A single USCG HO4S Helicopter rescues 138 persons over a 12 hour period during a flood disaster at Yuba City/Marysville, California.

USS Thetis Bay CVE-90 Re-Commissioned CVHA-1, First Helicopter Assault Carrier

July 20, 1956. – After completing the conversion to the new mission at the San Francisco Naval Shipyard, USS Thetis Bay, the old CVE-90, was re-commissioned as CVHA-1, the first helicopter assault carrier in the U.S. Navy. On May 28, 1959, while on her first deployment to WESTPAC, Thetis Bay was redesignated Landing Platform Helicopter Six (LPH-6). She carried a Marine Assault Team of about 1,000 combat troops and the helicopter assets to transport them ashore during the vertical assault phase of an amphibious landing.

Transcendental Model 2 Tilt-Rotor Aircraft Completed

October 1956. – Construction of the Transcendental Model 2 tilt-rotor aircraft was completed. With a 250 hp engine and two 18-foot diameter rotors, the aircraft offered greater payload capability. It began flight-testing near the end of the year. The Model 2 could not compete with the Bell XV-3, causing Transcendental to close shop in 1957.

The carrier Saipan with Helicopter Training Unit HTU-1

October 10, 1955–The carrier Saipan with Helicopter Training Unit HTU-1 aboard, left Tampico, Mexico, after a week of disaster relief operations for the inhabitants of the area. During these operations, the helicopters rescued 5,439 persons marooned on rooftops, trees and other retreats, and delivered 183,017 pounds of food and medical supplies, thus earning the commendation of the Task Group Commander and the best wishes of a thankful people.

A Sikorsky HR2S helicopter Sets New Records

November
9–A Sikorsky HR2S helicopter, piloted by Major R. L. Anderson, USMC, at Windsor Locks, Conn., began a 3-day assault on world records, setting three new marks as follows: 9 November, carried a payload of 11,050 pounds to an altitude over 12,000 feet; 10 November, carried 13,250 pounds to over 7,000 feet; and 11 November, set a speed record of 162.7 m.p.h. over a three-kilometer course.

U.S. Marines Began to Receive the HUS-1 (UH-34)

January 1957. – The U.S. Marines began to receive the HUS-1 (UH-34). They used it extensively in Vietnam as troop transport. The Marines also fitted some HUS helicopters with “Temporary Kit One” (TK-1), which comprised two M60C machine guns and two pods with nineteen 2.75-inch rockets each. These improvised gunships did not perform as expected and were quickly phased out. In 1960 NATC conducted tests to establish the feasibility of launching Bullpup air-to-surface missiles from an HUS-1. These tests were completed on 3 June 1960. The program, however, never advanced beyond the test phase. On 18 August 1969 the last Marine UH34D in Vietnam was retired from HMM-362 at Phu Bai.

HS-5 Established

January 3, 1956—HS-5 Established at Naval Air Station Norfolk, Va.

Early Drone Anti Submarine Helicopter (DASH) Weapons System

April 2, 1958. – The Navy awarded Gyrodyne Company a contract to modify its RON-1 Rotorcycle small two coaxial rotors helicopter to explore its use as a remote-controlled drone capable of operating from small decks carrying ASW weapons. Another contract followed on 31 December 1958 to build nine QH-50A (DSN-1) and three QH-50B (DSN-2) ASW drone helicopters for the new Drone Anti Submarine Helicopter (DASH) weapons system. The QH-50As were used as evaluation prototypes for the airborne segment of the system.

HS-9 Established

June 1, 1956—HS-9 Established at Naval Air Station Quonset Point, Rhode Island.

Birth of the Huey Helicopter-1st flight of the Bell XH-40

October 20, 1956– This day in heli history – October 20, 1956: Birth of the Huey – 1st flight of the XH-40.

A Drone HTK-1 Helicopter

May 23, 1957–A drone HTK-1 helicopter, carrying a safety pilot, operated from the fantail of Mitscher (DL 2) in the vicinity of Narragansett Bay. These tests and others, conducted in February off Key West, in which a piloted HUL-1 carried Mk 43 torpedoes in flights to and from the Mitscher, demonstrated the feasibility of assigning torpedo carrying drone helicopters to destroyers and led to the development of the Drone Anti-Submarine Helicopter (DASH) which was later embodied in the QH-50C.

HS-11 Established

June 27, 1957—HS-11 Established as Jacksonville Florida.

The First Pilotless Helicopter Flight was Made

July 30, 1957–The first pilotless helicopter flight was made at Bloomfield, Conn. Built by Kaman Aircraft, under joint Army-Navy contract, the new helicopter was designed on the basis of principles developed experimentally under Navy contract using a modified HTK.

Early Drone Anti Submarine Helicopter (DASH) Weapons System

April 2, 1958. – The Navy awarded Gyrodyne Company a contract to modify its RON-1 Rotorcycle small two coaxial rotors helicopter to explore its use as a remote-controlled drone capable of operating from small decks carrying ASW weapons. Another contract followed on 31 December 1958 to build nine QH-50A (DSN-1) and three QH-50B (DSN-2) ASW drone helicopters for the new Drone Anti Submarine Helicopter (DASH) weapons system. The QH-50As were used as evaluation prototypes for the airborne segment of the system.

Commander in Chief, Atlantic Fleet Forms of a New Amphibious Squadron

October 21, 1958. – The Commander in Chief, Atlantic Fleet, announced the formation of a new Amphibious Squadron composed of USS Boxer (CVS-21) and four LSDs equipped with helicopter platforms. Boxer was being used as an experimental helicopter carrier. She was redesignated LPH-4 on 30 January1959. The newly formed squadron’s mission was to deploy a “vertical envelopment team” of Marine combat troops and helicopters.

The XHSS-2 Sea King First Prototype Performed its Maiden Flight

March 11, 1959. – The XHSS-2 Sea King first prototype performed its maiden flight. The helicopter was especially designed to be an all-weather dipping sonar platform. It was equipped with Doppler radar integrated in an automatic approach and hover system. This system made the HSS-2 a significantly safer night ASW operations platform than prior machines. The HSS-2 joined the fleet in September 1961. In 1962, under the new DoD standardized system, the HSS-2 became the SH-3A.

Kaman Began Flight-Testing the First Prototype of the UH-2 Seasprite Helicopter

June 1959. – Kaman began flight-testing the first prototype of the UH-2 Seasprite helicopter. After completing evaluation at NATC, Patuxent River, the Navy began to accept deliveries of the UH-2A and UH-2B models in December 1962, these two models only differing in electronic equipment. The UH-2 was delivered to HU-1 and HU-2 for service with detachments aboard aircraft carriers.

The Department of Defense Announced Two New Developments in Airborne Mine Countermeasures

February 29, 1960. – The Department of Defense announced that two new developments in airborne mine countermeasures had been successfully demonstrated to Navy and Defense officials by the Navy Mine Defense Laboratory and the Navy Air Mine Defense Development Unit at Panama City, FL. The first was an air-portable mine sweeping gear that enabled a helicopter to become a self-sufficient aerial minesweeper. The second was equipment for transferring the minesweeping gear towline from a surface minesweeper to a helicopter, from one helicopter to another, or from a helicopter to a surface minesweeper.

Bullpup Air to Air Missile Fired from Marine Corps Helicopter

June 3, 1960–Test launchings of Bullpup air-to-surface missiles from a Marine Corps HUS-1 helicopter were successfully completed at the Naval Air Test Center, Patuxent River.

HS-4 Rescued 53 Merchant Seamen

June 10,1960–Seven helicopters of HS-4 from Yorktown rescued 53 merchant seamen from the British freighter Shun Lee which was breaking up on Pratas Reef, 500 miles northwest of Manila. Under storm conditions in the wake of typhoon Mary, the helicopter took 25 men from the wreck and 28 more from Pratas Island inside the reef.

HU-4 Established

July 1, 1960—HU-4 was established at Lakehurst, New Jersey.

HS-10 Established

July 1, 1960–HS-10 was established at NALF Imperial Beach, Ca.

QH-50A (DASH) was Flown by Remote Control from a Shore Base to USS Mitscher (DL-2)

July 1, 1960. – A QH-50A was flown by remote control from a shore base to USS Mitscher (DL-2), underway in the Long Island Sound. The QH-50A was maneuvered about the ship and to a position over the flight deck before the safety pilot in the aircraft took control and landed. On 12 August, at the Naval Air Test Center, Patuxent River, an unmanned QH-50A made its first free flight. On 7 December a QH-50A made the first unmanned landing aboard USS Hazelwood (DD-531) at sea off Key West, FL. A sequence of 38 flights, including 22 simulated ASW missions, followed. Hazelwood became the trial ship for DASH development.

Navy HRS-3 Helicopter made First Recovery of an Object from Orbit

August 11, 1960–In the first recovery of an object after it had been in orbit, a Navy HRS-3 helicopter, operating from the Haiti Victory of the Pacific Missile Range, recovered the instrumented capsule discharged by Discoverer XIII on its 17th pass around the earth. The capsule was located about 330 miles northwest of Honolulu by Air Force planes which directed the ship toward the spot. Recovery was made less than three hours after the capsule hit the water.

First Free Flight of a Drone Helicopter

August 12, 1960–A QH-50A drone made the world’s first free flight of an unmanned helicopter [DASH]

Helicopters from HS-3 and HU-2 Rescue 27 Men

December 22, 1960–Helicopters of HS-3 and HU-2 from Valley Forge rescued 27 men from the oiler SS Pine Ridge as she was breaking up in heavy seas 100 miles off Cape Hatteras.

1961 Golden Anniversary of Naval Aviation

1961–The year 1961 marked the golden anniversary of Naval Aviation. It was a year filled with many nostalgic memories of past glories and also a year in which Naval Aviation attained new stature as an effective fighting force. One nuclear powered and two conventionally powered attack carriers joined the operating forces, perhaps the greatest array of carrier-air might added during peace time to any fleet in a single year. Before the decade was out, two more attack carriers were commissioned and another was taking form on the ways. Four new amphibious assault ships, and others built to exploit the unique capabilities of helicopters in vertical assault and replenishment, joined the fleet. New high performance aircraft went into operation. Vertical and short takeoff and landing aircraft were developed; one went into service. New types of missiles appeared and such old standbys as Sparrow and Sidewinder were given new capabilities. On the other side of the ledger, the blimp and the flying boat, long familiar figures in Naval Aviation, became victims of the relentless march of technology.

Marine Corps Helicopter Recovers Mercury Capsule

January 31, 1961–A Marine Corps helicopter of HMR(L)-262 made an at sea recovery of a Mercury capsule, bearing the chimpanzee Ham, after it had completed a 15-minute flight reaching 155 miles high and 420 miles down range. The capsule was launched by a Redstone rocket from Cape Canaveral in a preliminary test for manned space flight

World Ballon Altitude Record

May 4, 1961–A world record balloon altitude of 113,739.9 feet was reached in a two-place open gondola Strato-lab flight by Commander Malcolm D. Ross and Lieutenant Commander Victor A. Prather (MC). Launched from Antietam off the mouth of the Mississippi, the balloon, which was the largest ever employed on manned flight, reached its maximum altitude 2 hours and 36 minutes after takeoff 136 miles south of Mobile, Ala. This achievement was marred by the death of Lieutenant Commander Prather who fell from the sling of the recovery helicopter and died on board the carrier about an hour after being pulled from the water.

First American in Space

May 5, 1961–Commander Alan B. Shepard became the first American to go into space as he completed a flight reaching 116 miles high and 302 miles down range from Cape Canaveral. His space capsule, Freedom 7, was launched by a Redstone rocket and recovered at sea by an HUS-1 helicopter of Marine Corps Squadron HMR(L)-262 which transported it and Commander Shepard to Lake Champlain.

HSS-2 Helicopter Speed Record

May 17, 1961–An HSS-2 helicopter flown by Commander Patrick L. Sullivan and Lieutenant Beverly W. Witherspoon, set a new world class speed record of 192.9 m.p.h. for 3 kilometers at Bradley Field, Windsor Locks, Conn.

HSS-2 Helicopter Sets Another Speed Record

May 24, 1961–Commander P. L. Sullivan and Lieutenant B. W. Witherspoon, flying an HSS-2 helicopter set another new world class speed record with a mark of 174.9 m.p.h. over a 100-kilometer course between Milford and Westbrook, Conn.

Second Man in Space

July 21, 1961–Captain Virgil I. Grissom, USAF, the second American man-in-space, completed a 15 minute, 118 mile high flight 303 miles down the Atlantic Missile Range. Premature blow-off of the hatch cover caused flooding of the capsule and made its recovery impossible, but Grissom was picked up from the water by a second helicopter and delivered safely to the carrier Randolph.

USS Iwo Jima (LPH-2) was Commissioned

August 26, 1961. – USS Iwo Jima (LPH-2) was commissioned at Bremerton, WA. This was the first of a series of Navy ships built from the keel up as Helicopter Combat Assault carriers. Over the years, twelve LPHs were put into service, seven Iwo Jima class new-construction ships and five converted aircraft carriers. Six Tarawa class LHAs and eight Wasp class LHDs have replaced the aged LPHs, with more LHAs and LHDs in the planning stage.

HS-13 Established

September 25, 1961 – HS-13 Established at Naval Air Station Quonset Point Rhode Island.

Hurricane Hattie Naval Helicopter Relief Work

November 6, 1961–The aircraft carrier Antietam left British Honduras for Pensacola after 4 days of relief operations following hurricane Hattie. Helicopters, from Training Squadron 8 (VT-8) and Marine Helicopter Squadron (Light) 264 (HMR(L)-264), carried over 57 tons of food, water and medical supplies and transported medical and other relief personnel to the people at Belize, Stann Creek and other points hit by the hurricane.

New Helicopter Speed Record

December 1, 1961–An HSS-2 helicopter, flown by Captain Bruce K. Lloyd and Commander E. J. Roulstone, laid claim to three new world speed records over a course along Long Island Sound between Milford and Westbrook, Conn., with performances of 182.8 m.p.h., 179.5 m.p.h., and 175.3 m.p.h. for 100, 500, and 1,000 kilometers, respectively.

Another New Helicopter Speed Record

December 30, 1961–An HSS-2 helicopter flown by Commander P. L. Sullivan and Captain D. A. Spurlock, USMC, at Windsor Locks, Conn., bettered its old 3-kilometer world record at 199.01 m.p.h.

Improved QH-50C (DSN-3) Completed its Maiden Flight

January 15, 1962. – The improved QH-50C (DSN-3) completed its maiden flight. It was powered by a Boeing T50-BO-8, 300 shp turbine engine, and could carry two torpedoes. Large-scale production was approved in late 1963. Three units were authorized for each of 240 FRAM-I and FRAM-II destroyers.

Navy SH3A Seaking Helicopter Establishes a New Speed Record

February 5, 1962. – An SH3A piloted by LT R. W. Crafton, USN, and CAPT L. K. Keck, USMC, established a new speed record of 210.6 mph (183 knots) on a measured track in Long Island sound.

Mercury Spacecraft Recovery

February 20, 1962–Lieutenant Colonel John H. Glenn. USMC, in Mercury spacecraft Friendship 7, was launched from Cape Canaveral by an Atlas rocket. His three turns about the earth were the first U.S. manned orbital flights. He was recovered some 166 miles east of Grand Turk Island in the Bahamas by the destroyer Noa (DD 841) and then delivered by helicopter to the carrier Randolph.

Contract Signed for Two Sikorsky YCH-53A Helicopter Prototypes

March 1962. –BuWeps issued a request for proposals for the Heavy Helicopter Experimental, HH(X), Marine Corps heavy lift helicopter for the transportation of equipment, supplies, and personnel during the assault phase of amphibious operations. After an intense competition with Boeing’s Chinook, Sikorsky won the contract in July of that year. In September 1962 the contract was signed for two YCH-53A prototypes, powered by two GE-T64-6, 2850 shp engines driving the six-bladed main rotor, four-bladed tail rotor, and gear boxes used in the S-64 Skycrane helicopter. The first prototype maiden flight occurred on 14 October 1964.

The Marine Corps Helicopters in Viet Nam

March 1962. – The US Marine Corps brings its helicopters to Vietnam for the first time during Operation SHUFLY

Another Mercury Spacecraft Recovered

May 24, 1962–Lieutenant Commander M. Scott Carpenter in Aurora 7 was launched into orbit from Cape Canaveral on the second U.S. manned orbital flight. Upon completing three orbits he returned to earth landing in the Atlantic 200 miles beyond the planned impact area. He was located by a Navy P2V, assisted by para-rescue men dropped from an Air Force RC-54 and, after almost 3 hours in the water, picked up by an HSS helicopter from Intrepid and returned safely to the carrier. His capsule was retrieved by the destroyer John R. Pierce.

Mercury Spacecraft Recovered

October 3, 1962–Sigma 7, Commander Walter M. Schirra pilot was launched into orbit by a Mercury-Atlas rocket from Cape Canaveral and, after nearly six orbits and a flight of over 160,000 miles, landed in the Pacific, 275 miles northeast of Midway Island. Helicopters dropped UDT men near the capsule and it and Commander Schirra were hoisted aboard Kearsarge.

CNO Directs Conversion of a Few SH-3A Helicopters for the Airborne Mine Countermeasures (AMCM) mission.

October 16, 1962. – The CNO directed the conversion of a number of helicopters for the Airborne Mine Countermeasures (AMCM) mission. These helicopters would be used for AMCM development and training, and eventually would be deployed in fleet squadrons. The Navy selected the SH-3A for this program.

Marine Corps Transition Two Fixed Wing Squadrons to Helicopters

November 5, 1962–Two Marine Corps helicopter squadrons began, as additional duty, a transition training program in which some 500 Marine aviators qualified in fixed-wing aircraft would be trained to operate helicopters. The need for the special program arose from the increased proportion of helicopters in the Marine Corps, coupled with an overall shortage of pilots and the inability of the Naval Air Training Command to absorb the additional training load within the time schedule allotted.

Naval Helicopters Fly Relief Missions in Morocco

January 7-13, 1963–Helicopters from NAS Port Lyautey, NS Rota and Springfield flew rescue and relief missions in the flooded areas of Beth and Sebou Rivers in Morocco. Over 45,000 pounds of food, medicines and emergency supplies were flown in and some 320 marooned persons were lifted to safety.

HS-9 Helicopters Make Texas Towers Rescue off Cap Cod

September 6, 1963–Five SH-3A helicopters of HS-9 based at NAS Quonset rescued 28 workmen from two Texas Towers shaken by gales and heavy seas off Cape Cod.

Sikorsky Began Conversion of Nine SH-3As to the RH-3A Minesweeper Configuration

1964. – Sikorsky began the conversion of nine SH-3As to the RH-3A minesweeper configuration. The conversion included a pivoting towboom and towhook, tension and yaw angle indicators, and other airframe modifications.

Production Began of the Bell UH-1E Helicopters for the Marine Corps

1964. – Production began of the Bell UH-1E helicopters for the Marine Corps. 192 units were built between 1964 and 1966. They were used to perform airborne command and control, assault transport, medevac, and other utility missions.

First Helicopter Landing on a Combat Store Ship Mars (AFS-1)

February 28, 1964–A helicopter piloted by Commander D. W. Fisher of HU-1 made the first landing on the deck of the combat store ship Mars (AFS 1) during her shakedown cruise off San Diego. Although the concept of vertical replenishment at sea had been discussed and tested as early as 1959 and helicopter platforms had been installed on certain logistics ships since then, commissioning of the Mars provided the first real opportunity to incorporate the helicopter into the fleet logistic support system.

Marine Corps Helicopters Rescues 11 in Peru

March 23, 1964–Two Marine helicopter crews of VMO-1 rescued 11 sick, injured and wounded members of a road engineering party that had survived attacks by hostile Indians in the dense jungle of the Amazon basin near Iquitos, Peru. Their helicopters were transferred ashore in the Canal Zone from Guadalcanal and were airlifted to Iquitos by a U.S. Air Force C-130.

Astronauts Complete Helicopter Flight Familization Program

April 1, 1964–The last of 15 astronauts completed a helicopter flight familiarization program at Ellyson Field, as a phase of their training for lunar landings. The training was designed to simulate the operation of the Lunar Excursion Module of Project Apollo. Instituted by the Navy at the request of the NASA, the program was scheduled in a series of 2-week courses for two students and had been in progress since 12 November 1963.

Navy Upgrades QH-50D (DASH) with more powerful Turbine Engine and Fiberglass Rotor Blades.

April 6, 1964. – The Navy ordered production of the QH-50D model, fitted with a more powerful T50-BO-12 turbine and fiberglass rotor blades. These and several other improvements significantly increased the drone’s payload capability. Taking advantage of this increase, during the second half of the decade, under ARPA sponsorship, the QH-50D was extensively weaponized to explore its use in the Gunship and Attack Drone roles.

New Opportunities to become a Navy Helicopter Pilot

April 23, 1964–The Chief of Naval Operations broadened the opportunities for Naval Aviators to qualify as helicopter pilots by extending responsibilities for transition training to commands outside the Flight Training Command.

Medical Aid to Haiti and the Dominican Republic

August 29, 1964–Boxer and two LSD’s arrived off the coast of Hispaniola to give medical aid and helicopter evacuation services to people in areas of Haiti and the Dominican Republic badly damaged by Hurricane Cleo.

Navy Begins to Receive the Boeing Vertol UH-46A Tandum Rotor Helicopter

November 1964. – The Navy began to receive the Boeing Vertol UH-46A tandem rotor helicopters. That same month, USS Bell H-71 Sacramento (AOE-1) deployed with two UH-46As embarked. This was the first deployment of the UH-46 in the modern VERTREP role. The Marine Corps also began to receive the CH-46A, which replaced the HUS in the medium lift role. The Navy retired the UH-46 from service in 2004, replacing it with the MH-60S Knighthawk. The USMC, however, plans to keep the CH-46s in service until the MV-22 is fully fielded in the 2014-2015 time-frame.

Marine Corps Helos Provide Typhoon Relief in South Vietnam

November 17, 1964–Helicopters of HMM-162 from Princeton, began delivery of 1,300 tons of food and clothing to people in the inland areas of South Vietnam flooded by heavy rains following a typhoon.

Navy and Coast Guard Helicopter Rescue17 off Norwegian Tanker Splitting up in the Atlantic

November 26, 1964–Nine helicopters of HU-2 and four from NAS Lakehurst, assisted the Coast Guard in the rescue of 17 men from the Norwegian tanker Stolt Dagali cut in two by collision with the Israeli liner Shalom off the New Jersey coast.

Navy Uses the QH-50D as a Reconnaissance and Surveillance Vehicle in Vietnam

January 1965. – The Navy began to use the QH-50D as a reconnaissance and surveillance vehicle in Vietnam. Equipped with a real-time TV camera, a film camera, a transponder for better radar tracking, and a telemetry feedback link to inform the remote control operator of drone responses to his commands, the QH-50D began to fly “SNOOPY” missions from selected destroyers off the Vietnamese coast. These missions had the purpose of providing over-the-horizon target data to the destroyer’s five-inch batteries.

A Navy SH-3A Seaking Helicopter establishes New Unrefueled Distance Record

March 6, 1965. – An SH-3A piloted by CDR James R. Williford, USN, with Lt David A Beil, USN, as copilot and ADJ1 Paul J. Bert as crew chief established a new unrefueled distance record. The helicopter took off from the flight deck of USS Hornet, CVS-12, berthed at the carrier pier, NAS North Island, Coronado, California. Fifteen hours and 52 minutes later it settled down on the flight deck of USS Franklin D. Roosevelt (CVA-42), berthed at the Naval Base, Mayport, Florida. The distance of 2,116 statute miles broke the prior record by 768 statute miles.

Marines Land at DANANG

March 8, 1965–With surface and air units of Seventh Fleet standing by, 3,500 Marines, including a helicopter squadron and supporting units, landed without opposition at Danang, an air base near the northern border of South Vietnam.

Gemni 3 Spacraft Recovered

March 23, 1965–Astronauts Virgil Grissom and John Young landed their Gemini 3 spacecraft east of Bermuda roughly 50 miles from the intended splash point. The craft was spotted by Coast Guard helicopter about 20 minutes after the landing and within an hour the two astronauts were picked up by helicopter and delivered to Intrepid.

Americans Evacuated from Dominican Republic

April 27, 1965–As revolt in the Dominican Republic threatened the safety of American nationals, Boxer sent her Marines ashore while embarked helicopter pilots of HMM-264 began an airlift in which over 1,000 men, women and children were evacuated to ships of the naval task force standing by.

A Navy SH-3A Helicopter Flew non-stop Seattle, WA, to NAAS Imperial Beach, CA, Using Helicopter In-flight Refueling (HIFR) capability

June 1965. – An SH-3A from HS-2 flew non-stop from Seattle, WA, to NAAS Imperial Beach, CA, a distance of over 1,000 nautical miles, using the newly developed Helicopter In-flight Refueling (HIFR) capability to take fuel from USS O’Brien (DD-725) about 100 miles west of San Francisco. During the spring of 1965, working under the auspices of RADM Evan P. Aurand, Commander, ASW Group One, HS-2 had developed the capability to take fuel from destroyers while hovering alongside. HIFR was used extensively in the Gulf of Tonkin to extend the endurance of helicopters operating independently from aircraft carriers. In November 1965, an SH-3A from HS-2 remained airborne 11 hours and 18 minutes during a CSAR mission in the Gulf with the help of four HIFRs, three of them at night.

Gemni 4 Spacecraft Recovered

June 7, 1965–The Gemini 4 spacecraft of J. A. McDivitt and E. H. White splashed in the Atlantic about 40 miles off target after a 4-day flight. Minutes later Navy frogmen dropped from a helicopter to attach the flotation collar and in less than an hour after landing the astronauts were landed by helicopter on the carrier Wasp which had kept position for possible landings in each orbit since blastoff on 4 June.

HU-1, 2, and 4 Helicopter Squadrons Re-Designated

July 1, 1965–Helicopter Utility Squadrons (HU-1, 2, 4) were re-designated Helicopter Combat Support Squadrons (HC-1, 2, 4) and Utility Squadrons (VU) were re-designated Fleet Composite Squadrons (VC) as more representative of their functions and composition.

Gemni 5 Spacecraft Recovered

August 29, 1965–Gemini 5 splashed into the Atlantic 90 miles off target after a record breaking 8-day space flight, and 45 minutes later Navy frogmen helped astronauts Gordon Cooper and Charles Conrad out of their space ship and aboard a helicopter for flight to the prime recovery ship Lake Champlain.

U.S. Army Helicopters Go Ashore in South Vietnam

September 11, 1965–First elements of the First Cavalry Division, U.S. Army, with their helicopter and light observation aircraft, went ashore at Qui Nhon, South Vietnam, from Boxer in which they had been transported from Mayport, Fla., by way of the Suez Canal.

Gemni 7 Spacecraft Recovered

December 18, 1965–Helicopters of HS-11 recovered Lieutenant Colonel Frank Borman, USAF, and Commander James A. Lovell, in the western Atlantic about 250 miles north of Grand Turk Island and delivered them to Wasp. During their 14-day flight in Gemini 7, the astronauts carried out many experiments in space, including station keeping with Gemini 6A, and established a new duration record for manned space flight.

First Unmanned Apolo Spacecraft Recovered

February 26, 1966–The first unmanned spacecraft of the Apollo series, fired into suborbital flight by a Saturn 1B rocket from Cape Kennedy, was recovered in the southeast Atlantic 200 miles east of Ascension Island by a helicopter from Boxer.

X-22A VTOL Research Aircraft First Flight

March 17, 1966–The X-22A VTOL research aircraft made its first flight at Buffalo, N.Y.

Helicopter Support for SEAL Teams/River Patrol Boats Operating in the Mekong Delta VN

July 1,1966. – In response to the need for helicopter support for SEAL teams and River Patrol Boats operating in the Mekong Delta, HC-1 began to deploy small, two-helo detachments to four separate locations in the Delta region. The Army lent the Navy a number of UH-1B helicopter gunships and provided maintenance support for them.

Flight Test of a Helicopter Capsule Escape System,

March 31, 1966–Flight test of a Helicopter Capsule Escape System, involving recovery of personnel by separation of the inhabited section of the fuselage from the helicopter proper, demonstrated the feasibility of its use during inflight emergencies. The test was conducted at NAF El Centro with an H-25 helicopter.

CNO Established LHA Program

July 19, 1966–The Chief of Naval Operations established the LHA program to bring into being a new concept of an amphibious assault ship. Plans developed through preliminary study envisioned a large multipurpose ship with a flight deck for helicopters, a wet boat well for landing craft, a troop carrying capacity of an LPH and a cargo capacity nearly that of an AKA.

HS-3 Recovers Astonauts

July 21, 1966–A helicopter assigned to HS-3 from Guadalcanal recovered astronauts John W. Young and Michael Collins after their landing in the Atlantic 460 miles east of Cape Kennedy. The astronauts had spent over 70 hours in space, had docked with an Agena satellite and Collins had made a space stand and a space walk.

NATC Completed a Two-Day Shipboard Suitability Trial of the RH-3A Minesweeper Helicopter

September 3,1966. – NATC completed a two-day shipboard suitability trial of the RH-3A minesweeper helicopter aboard USS Ozark (MCS-2). In 1967 a helicopter minesweeping detachment from HC-6 embarked aboard Ozark conducted a mine countermeasure development program on the Atlantic Fleet. A similar program was conducted in the Pacific by an HC-5 detachment embarked on USS Catskill (MCS-1).

HS-11 Recovers Gemni Spaecraft Astronauts

September 15, 1966–A helicopter assigned to HS-3 from Guam recovered Gemini 11 astronauts Charles Conrad and Richard Gordon at sea 700 miles off Cape Kennedy. The recovery marked the end of a 3-day mission in space in which the astronauts completed several dockings with an Agena satellite, established a new altitude record of over 850 miles and Gordon made a walk in space.

USS Oriskany Helicopters Rescue Entire Crew of 44

September 16, 1966–Helicopters from Oriskany rescued the entire crew of 44 men from the British merchant ship August Moon as she was breaking up in heavy seas on Pratas Reef 175 miles southeast of Hong Kong.

HS-11 Recovers Last Gemni Spacraft Flight Astronauts

November 15, 1966–Wasp made the last recovery of the Gemini program, picking up astronauts James A. Lovell, Jr., and Edwin A. Aldrin, Jr., and their spacecraft 600 miles southeast of Cape Kennedy. The astronauts were lifted from their spacecraft to the ship by an SH-3A helicopter of HS-11.

HMH-362 in Vietnam Begins to Receive CH-53A Helicopters

January 1, 1967. – HMH-362 in Vietnam began to receive the CH-53A helicopters, a ten-ton lifter powered by two GE-T64-6, 2850 shp engines driving a six-blade main rotor. They proved to be very useful in the recovering of downed aircraft.

VR-24 and Helicopters from NAF Sigonella ProvideEarthquake Relief

January 19, 1967 – A C-130 Hercules of VR-24 and helicopters from NAF Sigonella delivered food, clothing and medicine to the west coast of Sicily to aid some 40,000 persons made homeless by an earthquake in the region of Montevago.

Helicopter Attack (Light) Squadron Three (HAL-3) Was Established

April 1, 1967. – Helicopter Attack (Light) Squadron Three (HAL-3) was established at Vung Tau, CDR Robert W. Spencer commanding. A spin off HC-1, the Seawolfs took over the four HC-1 detachments. First three, and later two more detachments were added, for a total of nine. By the time the squadron was disestablished on 26 January 1972, its officers and men had been awarded 17,339 decorations and medals, making it the most decorated squadron in U.S. Navy history.

Marine Observation Squadron 2 (VMO-2) Stationed at Da Nang, South Vietnam, Received the First OV-1OA, Broncos

July 6, 1967 – Marine Observation Squadron 2 (VMO-2) stationed at Da Nang, South Vietnam, received the first OV-1OA, Broncos, to arrive in South Vietnam. The aircraft, specifically developed for counterinsurgency warfare, was immediately employed for forward air control, visual reconnaissance and helicopter escort.

Captain Stephen W. Pless USMC Was Awarded The Medal of Honor

August 19, 1967. – Captain Stephen W. Pless, USMC, serving with VMO-6, was flying an UH-1E patrol when he heard a radio emergency call. A damaged helicopter, under Viet Cong (VC) fire, had lifted off the beach south of Chu Lai, leaving four Americans stranded and in imminent danger of being overwhelmed by the VC forces. Captain Pless and his crew, Captain Rupert Fairfield, USMC, copilot; Gunnery Sergeant Leroy Poulson, USMC, gunner; and Lance Corporal John Phelps, USMC, crewchief, decided a rescue attempt. As Captain Pless approached the area, he saw the VC forces swarming the beach and the four Americans being overrun and attacked at close quarters. Pless ordered Poulson to open fire on the VC and maneuvered into position to fire all his fourteen rockets in the middle of the VC mob, now retreating toward the tree line. He spotted one American waving his arm and immediately flared to a landing, placing the helicopter between the wounded man and the VC. With the helicopter now on the ground, the VC force reversed its retreat and began to advance toward it. Poulson immediately jumped off the aircraft and helped the wounded man, Staff Sergeant Lawrence H. Allen, USA, aboard. The other Americans were severely wounded and would have to be carried. Both, Captain Fairfield, the copilot, and Corporal Phelps got off the aircraft to help Poulson. Captain Fairfield spotted three VCs approaching from the rear of the helicopter firing at Poulson and Phelps. He opened fire with his M-60 and killed the VCs. Sergeant Allen, in spite of his wounds, grabbed an M-60 and opened fire on the VCs approaching from the left side of the helicopter. While dragging a wounded American, Fairfield and Phelps fired their pistols to the VC, now within several feet of the aircraft. At this moment, an Army UH-1Es joined the battle and began to strafe the VC. A Vietnam Air Force UH-34 landed next to Pless’ helicopter. With three wounded Americans onboard, and the fourth clearly dead, Pless decided it was time to depart and take the wounded men to a medical facility. With the VC still firing at him with automatic weapons, he had to depart over water. Grossly overloaded, he bounced off the waves four times before gaining enough speed and building his rotor rpm up. For his actions that day, Captain Stephen W. Pless was awarded the Medal of Honor. He was the only Marine helicopter pilot to receive the Medal of Honor in Vietnam, and the first of two naval helicopter pilots to do so. Captain Rupert E. Fairfield, Gunnery Sergeant Leroy N. Poulson, and Lance Corporal John G. Phelps were awarded the Navy Cross. Captain Pless and his crew represent the highest decorated helicopter crew in the Vietnam War. Staff Sergeant Lawrence H. Allen was awarded the Silver Star.

HC-1 Splits into Four Different Squadrons

September 1, 1967. – HC-1 was split into four different squadrons: HC-1, HC-3, HC-5, and HC-7. HC-1 retained the plane guard mission. HC-3 assumed the vertical replenishment mission. HC-5 became the Fleet Replacement Aircrew Training squadron. HC-7 took on the CSAR and minesweeping missions. In fulfilling the CSAR mission off the coast of North Vietnam, Navy helicopter crews wrote many pages of heroic history. The story of a rescue by HC-7 Detachment 104 in a dark summer night in 1968 is a stellar example.

HS-5 Recovers Apollo Astronauts

October 22, 1967 – Helicopters of HS-5 from Essex located and recovered astronauts Walter M. Schirra, Donn F. Eisele, and R. Walter Cunningham about 285 miles south of Bermuda and delivered them safely to the ship. It was the end of an 11-day mission in space and the first manned flight of the Apollo program.

Navy Orders 40 Bell Jet Ranger Helicopters, TH-57A, as Primary Trainers

January 1, 1968. – The Navy ordered 40 Bell Jet Ranger helicopters, Navy designation TH-57A, to be used as primary trainers. Deliveries to HT-8 began in October 1968.

Marine Corps Awards Bell a Contract for 49 AH-1J Sea Cobras

May 1, 1968. – The Marine Corps awarded Bell a contract for 49 AH-1Js. The Sea Cobra featured the 1,290 shp Pratt & Whitney T400 twin-pack engine. The new attack helicopter was armed with guided anti armor missiles, unguided rockets, 20-millimeter cannons or 7.62-millimeter machine guns. HMA-269 was the first to receive the Sea Cobra in April 1971. As an interim measure, the U.S. Army had transfered 38 AH-1Gs to the Marines in 1969. Through the 1970s, various models of the AH-1 were produced, featuring improved armament and more powerful engines. AH-1 development and deployment continues to the present, the most recently acquired model being the AH-1Z Viper, which is expected to continue in service until 2018.

LTJG Clyde E. Lassen Was Awarded the Medal of Honor

June 19, 1968. – Shortly after midnight on 19 June 1968, LTJG Clyde E. Lassen, with copilot LTJG Leroy Cook, and gunners/rescue aircrewmen ADJ3 Donald West and AE2 Bruce Dallas, launched from USS Preble (DLG-15), on station off the coast of North Vietnam. Two aviators had ejected twenty miles inside enemy territory after their F-4J aircraft was hit by a surface-to-air missile. After locating the survivors in a heavily wooded area, Lassen set his UH-2A down on a rice paddy while urging the two survivors to come out of the thick vegetation. The UH-2A began to take small arms fire. With “Come get us” calls coming through his earphones, Lassen decided to try to get above the survivors and hoist them aboard. Using the illumination from RESCAP parachute flares, Lassen positioned the helicopter above the survivors, between two towering trees. Before the air crewmen could begin the hoisting operation the flares went out and the world went pitch black. The helicopter hit a tree and started to spin right. Lassen regained control and waved off. The UH-2A had lost a door but was still flyable. A new RESCAP arrived with more flares. Lassen determined that the survivors would have to make their way to the clearing if they had any hope of being rescued. As Lassen approached the clearing for a second landing, small arms fire erupted along the perimeter. The survivors were too far away and Lassen aborted the approach. During the third approach the last of the illumination flares went out. Lassen decided to turn the landing light on and expose the aircraft to enemy gunners rather than to abandon the survivors. For two minutes he hovered, with the landing gear just touching the mud, while Dallas and West blasted away at the tree line nearby. Finally the survivors, LCDR John Holtzclaw and LCDR John A. Burns emerged from the dark and were yanked inside the helicopter. With the aircraft vibrating abnormally, a malfunctioning compass, and a low fuel state, Lassen headed for the coast while dodging antiaircraft fire. He landed the crippled helicopter aboard the closest ship available, USS Jouett (DLG-29), with 135 pounds of fuel, five minutes of flight time, left in the tanks. For his heroic actions LTJG Clyde E. Lassen was awarded the Medal of Honor. He was the second helicopter pilot to receive the MoH in U.S. Navy history, and the only one during the Vietnam War.

Marine Observation Squadron 2 (VMO-2) Stationed at Da Nang, South Vietnam, Received the First OV-1OA, Broncos

July 6, 1968–Marine Observation Squadron 2 (VMO-2) stationed at Da Nang, South Vietnam, received the first OV-1OA, Broncos, to arrive in South Vietnam. The aircraft, specifically developed for counterinsurgency warfare, was immediately employed for forward aircontrol, visual reconnaissance and helicopter escort.

HS-4 Recovers Apollo 8 Astonauts

December 27, 1968 – Helicopters of HS-4 hovered over Apollo 8 after it ended its historic flight around the moon with a predawn splashdown in the Pacific within 3 miles of Yorktown. At first light, astronauts Frank Borman, James A. Lovell, and William A. Anders were picked up by helicopters and carried to the ship.

CH-53D Sea Stallion Completes its Maiden Flight

January 27, 1969. – The CH-53 D, a more powerful version of the Sea Stallion, completed its maiden flight. CH-53Ds began to arrive in Vietnam later that year.

HC-5 Retires the last Sikorsky CH-19E in US Military Service

February 26, 1969. – HC-5 retires the last Sikorsky CH-19E in US Military Service.

HS-3 Recovers Apollo 9 Astronauts

March 13, 1969–Apollo 9 Astronauts James A. McDivitt, USAF, David R. Scott, USAF, and Russell L. Schweickart were recovered by a helicopter from HS-3 off Guadalcanal after completing a 10-day orbit of the earth.

HT-8 Provides Hurricane Camille Emergency Assistance and Relief

.August 17, 1969–Hurricane Camille swept into the Gulf Coast near Gulfport, Miss., leaving many people homeless and causing heavy property damage. Naval Aviation performed emergency assistance and Helicopter Training Squadron Eight (HT-8) received a letter from the President praising it for services rendered during the disaster.

Naval Aviation Chronology 1970-1980

Naval Aviation Chronology 1970-1980
THE SEVENTIES
Naval aviation began its seventh decade with the United States heavily embroiled in the Vietnam War; 1980 ended with carriers Eisenhower and Ranger deployed in the Indian Ocean. The country had no sooner ended its long military involvement in Vietnam than it faced a growing crisis in the Middle East, a crisis that reached hostile proportions late in 1979 when Iranian hoodlums captured the United States embassy in their capital city.
Throughout the seventies, the American public became increasingly aware of the country’s critical dependence upon oil from foreign sources. During this time, an acute consciousness of the United States’ position as a two-ocean nation re-emphasized the reliance upon the U.S. Navy to keep sea lanes open and commerce moving unhampered.
For nearly ten years, the burden of the Navy’s air action fell upon the carriers and aircraft of the Seventh Fleet. To meet this responsibility, Naval air relied on established weapons and material and introduced new ones. The Walleye, a television-guided glide bomb designed to home automatically on target, was tested successfully in combat. Helicopters flexed their muscle in a combat role and served also as aerial tanks and flying freight trains. Land-based patrol aircraft, in Operation Market Time, scoured the coastline of South Vietnam to search out enemy infiltrating vessels and locate surface forces for interception. In 1972, Operations Linebacker I and II waged heavy interdiction and bombing campaigns against North Vietnam. Aircraft of the Seventh Fleet performed the most extensive aerial mining operation in history, blockading the enemy’s main avenues of supply. An uneasy truce finally resulted in the United States disengaging itself from Vietnam in 1973. Two years later, Naval aviation was called upon to assist in the evacuation of refugees fleeing the North Vietnamese takeover of South Vietnam. In 1979, Naval air power helped rescue thousands of Indochinese who took to the high seas in poor vessels to escape mounting tyranny in their homelands.
Against the unrelenting need for vigilance was pitted a declining material inventory and difficulty in retaining experienced personnel. Much of the 1970’s can hardly be called bountiful for Naval aviation. As the surplus of equipment left over from Vietnam eroded through constant use, money for replenishment was not abundant. The high inflation rate that beset the world’s industrial nations plagued defense budgets and drove downward the purchasing power of military salaries. Nevertheless, Naval aviation continued to make headway in the areas of research and development.
Early in the 1970’s, the Navy introduced the F-14 Tomcat, and the Marine Corps accepted the AV-8 V/STOL Harrier. At the end of the decade, a new fighter/attack aircraft, the F/A-18 Hornet, was undergoing flight trials. The submarine threat was confronted by the addition to the fleet of the light airborne multipurpose system (LAMPS) which combined shipboard electronics with the SH-2D helicopter. As 1980 drew to a close, the latest LAMPS version was under test in a new Navy airframe, the SH-60B Seahawk. Also at decade’s end, the Navy’s latest heavy-lift helicopter, the CH-53E, was ready for acceptance by a Marine Corps squadron. Airframes were not the only items which saw advance. The fields of electronics, missiles, and crew systems also benefitted from improvements. Finally it should be mentioned that during the seventies two nuclear supercarriers, Nimitz and Eisenhower were commissioned; a third, Carl Vinson was launched.
As Naval aviation began its eighth decade, there was no serious reason to doubt that its good record of achievement would endure. Aircraft, integrated with the fleet, would continue to provide the United States with the strongest naval power on earth.

VC-8 Seaking Rescues 26 People from Airliner Crash in Caribbean

May 2, 1970–Twenty-six persons were rescued by a VC-8 helicopter from a Dutch Antillean Airlines DC-9 ditched in the Caribbean. The helicopter was piloted by Lieutenant Commander James E. Rylee and Lieutenant (jg) Donald Hartman; crewmen were ADC William Brazzell and AD Calvin Lindley.

U.S. Navy Riverine Air and Water Resources Combined Attack

May 9, 1970–Approximately 30 U.S. Navy craft, helicopters and OV-10 Bronco aircraft participated with the combined South Vietnamese/U.S. Riverine Force in operations into the “Mekong River Corridor” to neutralize sanctuary bases in that area. This followed the initial series of strikes by combined U.S.-RVN ground forces against enemy sanctuaries in Cambodia during the first week of May.

Marine Corps CH-53D Establishes New Speed Record

June 9, 1970–Sikorsky pilot James R. Wright and copilot Colonel Henry Hart, USMC, flying a Marine Corps CH-53D, established a New York to Washington record for helicopters of 156.43 m.p.h. with an elapsed time of one hour, 18 minutes and 41.4 seconds from downtown to downtown. The following day they established a New York to Boston record for helicopters of 162.72 miles per hour with a city to city time of one hour, nine minutes, 23.9 seconds.

Marine Corps Helicopters Performed Rescue and Relief Operations for Typhoon Kate in VN

October 29, 1970–Following the ravages of Typhoon Kate and flood waters that inundated some 140 square miles of Vietnam south of Da Nang, the helicopter forces of 1st Marine Aircraft Wing performed rescue and relief operations for over 9,000 South Vietnamese. Initial rescue operations began when MAG-16 evacuated some 900 people the first day during floods termed the worst since 1964.

Tests of the SH-2D Light Airborne Multi-Purpose System (LAMPS) Helicopter Began

March 16, 1971. – Tests of the SH-2D Light Airborne Multi-Purpose System (LAMPS) helicopter began at the Kaman plant in Bloomfield, Connecticut. The LAMPS system extends the Surface and Sub-surface Surveillance and Control (SSSC) range of cruisers and destroyers by adding the ASW and ASMD capabilities of helicopter-borne sensors.

Helicopter Launches Sidewinder Missile

March 29, 1971–The first active AIM-9G missile was launched from an NUH-2H helicopter by the Weapons System Test Division of NATC.

Helicopter Mine Countermeasures Squadron Twelve (HM-12) was Established

April 1, 1971. – Helicopter Mine Countermeasures Squadron Twelve (HM-12) was established at NAS Norfolk, VA. This was the first minesweeping squadron in the U.S. Navy. That year the Marines transferred fifteen CH-53As to the Navy to be used as minesweepers. They were redesignated RH-53As and assigned to the newly established squadron.

SECDEF Announces Strength Changes to Sixth Fleet

May 28, 1971–The Secretary of Defense announced measures to strengthen the Sixth Fleet. He said that fleet readiness was to be improved by the almost continuous presence of a helicopter carrier, and by a substantial increase in the hours flown by maritime air patrols and the ship-operating days of sea patrols. This followed an earlier announcement by the Pentagon on 24 May that the Sixth Fleet would be strengthened in response to the growing Soviet naval power.

HC-7 was awarded the Presidential Unit Citation

July 28, 1971–HC-7 was awarded the Presidential Unit Citation, the second Navy helicopter squadron to receive the citation for duty in Vietnam. The other helo squadron to win the award was HA(L)-3. Operating from ships at sea on Yankee Station, HC-7 SAR detachments were credited with rescuing 76 U.S. aviators from Vietnam waters. During the early stages of the conflict, the squadron had made several overland rescues in NVN under intense enemy fire.

HC-4 First squadron to Receive the LAMPS-configured SH-2F Seasprite Helicopter

October 5, 1971. – HC-4, at NAS Lakehurst, NJ, became the first squadron to receive the LAMPS-configured SH-2F Seasprite helicopter. HC-5, at NAS Imperial Beach, CA, received the first West Coast SH-2F a week later. HC-4 was redesignated HSL-30 and HC-5 was redesignated HSL-31 on 1 March 1972.

World-Wide Quick Reaction Mine Countermeasures Capability Demonstrated

October 8, 1971–About one hundred officers and men of the Mobile Mine Countermeasure Command and four CH-53 Sea Stallion helicopters, were air lifted from Norfolk, Virginia, and Charleston, South Carolina, to the Sixth Fleet at Souda Bay, Crete by C-5’s of the 437th Military Airlift Wing in a demonstration of the world-wide quick reaction mine countermeasures capability.

HM-12 Detachment Deployment

October 10, 1971–A detachment of four CH-53A’s from HM-12 recorded the first overseas deployment of the new helicopter. The detachment began sweeping operations, after being airlifted by C-5A Galaxies from Charleston, South Carolina, to Souda Bay, Crete. From 2 to 7 November, the squadron participated in the first integration of airborne minesweeping operations into an amphibious assault exercise. The operations were conducted from Coronado.

HS-15, the First Sea Control Squadron, was Established at NAS Lakehurst, NJ

October 29, 1971. – HS-15, the first sea control squadron, was established at NAS Lakehurst, NJ. The squadron operated the SH-3H helicopters to provide protection to convoys or ships not operating with or within the protective range of aircraft carriers.

Naval Helicopter Association Was Founded

November 2, 1971. – Eleven Navy helicopter pilots and one civilian helicopter engineer met at the NAS Imperial Beach Officers Club and founded the Naval Helicopter Association. CAPT Alfred Monahan was elected the first National President. The Association’s objectives were, and continue to be, to provide recognition and enhance the prestige of the U.S. Naval vertical flight community; to promote the use of vertical lift aircraft in the U.S. Navy, Marine Corps, and Coast Guard; and to keep members informed of new developments and accomplishments in rotary wing aviation. The NHA held its first Annual Symposium the week of 11 March 1972.

Tripoli and it's Embarked Marine Air Wing Ready for Foreign Citizen Evacuation From Indo-Pakistani war

December 8, 1971–Amphibious Group Alpha, formed around Tripoli, was directed to move from Okinawa to the vicinity of Singapore in anticipation of a possible Indian Ocean deployment. This followed indications by the head of the UN relief mission in Dacca, East Pakistan/Bangladesh that as a result of the Indo-Pakistani war, which began on 3 December, evacuation of foreign civilians by means of carrier-based helicopters might be required.

HAL-3 SeaWolves in Action 1971

December 31, 1971–During 1971 HAL-3, nicknamed the “Seawolves,” the only light attack helicopter squadron in the Navy, flew 34,746 hours in squadron aircraft in support of their mission to provide quick reaction armed helicopter close air support for all naval forces and SVN forces operating in the southern part of SVN. During their flights in 1971, HAL-3 expended 16,939,268 rounds of 7.62 mm ammunition; 96,696 2.75 inch rockets; 32,313 .40 mm grenade rounds; and 2,414,096 rounds of .50 cal. machine gun ammunition in carrying out their assigned missions. HAL-3 lost six aircraft during 1971.

TRAWING FIVE Established at NAS Whiting Field

January 6, 1972–Training Air Wing Five was established at Whiting Field, Florida. The new wing was composed of Naval Air Stations Whiting and Ellyson Fields; VT-2, 3, and 6; and HT-8. This was the first training wing established under the reorganization of the Naval Air Training Command. The wing was established to coordinate and supervise training activities that previously had been the responsibility of each station and squadron.

USS Guam Used to Analyze the Sea Control Ship Concept (SCS)

January 18, 1972–Guam began the first in a series of tests to analyze the sea control ship concept (SCS). The SCS was a concept in which a shipboard platform would have a smaller complement of aircraft than the large carriers (CVA) and would maintain control of sea lines/lanes in low threat areas of the world. The SCS ship was designed to carry the VSTOL aircraft as well as helicopters. The mission functions were to provide protection of underway replenishment groups, mercantile convoys, amphibious assault forces and task groups with no aircraft carrier in company.

Lieutenants Cunningham and William Driscoll Shoot Down Mig-21

January 19, 1972–Lieutenants Randall Cunningham and William Driscoll in an F-4 of VF-96 off Constellation shot down a MiG-21, the first enemy aircraft downed since 28 March 1970, when Lieutenants Jerome Beaulier and Steven Barkley in an F-4 of VF-142 off Constellation downed a MiG-21. The 19 January action occurred during a protective reaction strike in response to earlier AAA and SAM firings from the area which had menaced an RA-5C reconnaissance plane and its escorts. This accounted for the Navy’s 33rd MiG shot down in the Vietnam war since the first on 17 June 1965, downed by Commanders Louis Page and John Smith in an F-4 of VF-21 off Midway.

HT-8 was Split into Two Squadrons, HT-8 and HT-18

March 1, 1972. – HT-8 was split into two squadrons, HT-8 and HT-18. HT-8 retained the primary helicopter training mission, flying the TH-57 A. HT-18 became the advance training squadron, flying the TH-1L. The Naval Air Training Command was reorganized late in 1972. A result of this reorganization was the closing of Ellyson Field and the move of HT-8 and HT-18 to NAS Whiting Field, Milton, Florida, in December 1973. Navy helicopter training remains at Whiting Field to this day. In 1985, the TH-57B replaced the TH-1L as advance trainer.

HAL-3 Desestablished

March 16, 1972–HAL-3, the only armed UH-1 Navy helicopter squadron to serve in Vietnam, was disestablished. HAL-3 and VAL-4 were the only Navy air units to be stationed in-country. HAL-3 provided valuable gunship support for Navy and Army riverine operations in the Mekong Delta from 1967 to their disestablishment. During this time HAL-3 pioneered various tactics in support of patrol boats and shore installations. They operated from various bases in the Mekong Delta and from specially equipped Patrol Craft Tenders (AGP) (former LSTs).

Photographer's Mate Class "A" School Initiated Flight Training Again

March 29, 1972–Due to the fleet requirements for qualified aircrew personnel, the Naval Air Technical Training Unit’s Photographer’s Mate Class “A” School initiated flight training again as part of the course. The flight training requirements for the Photographer’s Mate Class “A” School had been dropped 16 years earlier.

HC-1 Recovers Apollo 16 Spacecraft After Splashdown

April 27, 1972–HC-1, aboard the Ticonderoga, recovered the Apollo 16 spacecraft after it had splashed down in the south Pacific.

The Second Most Cctive Dog-Fight Day of the Viet Nam War

May 6, 1972–In the second most active dog-fight day of the war, Navy flyers shot down two MiG-17s and two MiG-21s. Scoring the kills were flyers from VF-111 and VF-51 aboard Coral Sea and two planes from VF-114 off Kitty Hawk.

Operation Pocket Money Haiphong Harbor

May 9, 1972–Operation Pocket Money, the mining campaign against principal NVN ports, was launched. Early that morning, an EC-121 aircraft took off from Danang airfield to provide support for the mining operation. A short time later, Kitty Hawk launched 17 ordnance-delivering sorties against the Nam Dinh railroad siding as a diversionary air tactic. Poor weather, however, forced the planes to divert to secondary targets at Thanh and Phu Qui which were struck at 090840H and 090845H, Vietnam time, respectively. Coral Sea launched three A-6A and six A-7E aircraft loaded with mines and one EKA-3B in support of the mining operation directed against the outer approaches to Haiphong Harbor. The mining aircraft departed the vicinity of Coral Sea at 090840H in order to execute the mining at precisely 090900H to coincide with the President’s public announcement in Washington that mines had been seeded. The A-6 flight led by the CAG, Commander Roger Sheets, was composed of USMC aircraft from VMA-224 and headed for the inner channel. The A-7Es, led by Commander Len Giuliani and made up of aircraft from VA-94 and VA-22, were designated to mine the outer segment of the channel. Each aircraft carried four MK 52-2 mines. Captain William Carr, USMC, the bombardier/navigator in the lead plane established the critical attack azimuth and timed the mine releases. The first mine was dropped at 090859H and the last of the field of 36 mines at 090901H. Twelve mines were placed in the inner segment and the remaining 24 in the outer segment. All MK 52-2 mines were set with 72-hour arming delays, thus permitting merchant ships time for departure or a change in destination consistent with the President’s public warning. It was the beginning of a mining campaign that planted over 11,000 MK 36 type destructor and 108 special MK 52-2 mines over the next eight months. It is considered to have played a significant role in bringing about an eventual peace arrangement, particularly since it so hampered the enemy’s ability to continue receiving war supplies.

Operation Linebacker I

May 10, 1972–Operation Linebacker I, the heavy strike of targets in most of NVN, evolved and lasted until restrictions on operations above 20_ N were imposed 22 October. The operation was an outgrowth of Freedom Train and the President’s mining declaration which also stated that the U.S. would make a maximum effort to interdict the flow of supplies in NVN. On this first day of Linebacker I, the Navy shifted its attacks from targets in southern NVN to the coastal region embracing Haiphong north to the Chinese border. In all, 173 attack sorties were flown in this region this day, although another 62 were directed into SVN in continuing support of allied forces there. It was the most intensified air-to-air combat day of the entire war. Navy flyers shot down eight MiGs. An F-4 Phantom II, from VF-96 on board Constellation, while engaged in aerial combat over Haiphong shot down three MiGs for the first triple downing of enemy MiGs by one plane during the war. Lieutenant Randy Cunningham was the pilot and Lieutenant (jg) William Driscoll was the RIO of the F-4. These three MiG downings, coupled with their 19 January and 8 May downing of two MiGs, made them the first MiG aces of the Vietnam War. Three other kills were scored by planes of VF-96 and one by VF-92 off Constellation and one by VF-51 off Coral Sea. During the five and one-half month period of Linebacker I, the Navy contributed more than 60 percent of the total sorties in NVN, with 60 percent of this effort in the “panhandle”, two large regions between Hanoi and the DMZ. Tactical air operations were most intense during the July-September quarter with 12,865 naval sorties flown. Most attack sorties in NVN fell into two classes–armed reconnaissance and strike. The former was usually directed against targets of opportunity with three main areas proscribed–near Hanoi, Haiphong and the Chinese border. Strike operations were preplanned and usually directed at fixed targets. Most types of fixed targets, not associated with armed reconnaissance, required approval by the Commander-in-Chief, Pacific, or by the Joint Chiefs of Staff, prior to attack. Principal Navy aircraft were the A-7 and A-6, which accounted for roughly 60 and 15 percent of the Navy’s attack sorties, respectively. About 25 percent of the Navy’s effort was at night. Carriers participating in the initial May-June operations from Yankee Station were Constellation, Coral Sea, Hancock, Kitty Hawk, Midway and Saratoga.

HS-2, HS-15, HS-74 and HS-75 Aid Flood Stricken Residents of Wilker-Barre, Scranton and Pottsdown PA

June 23, 1972–HS-2, HS-15, HS-74 and HS-75 came to the aid of flood stricken residents in the Wilkes-Barre, Scranton and Pottstown areas of Pennsylvania. Besides the extensive rescue and evacuation work conducted by these squadrons they were also involved in transporting medical supplies and personnel, equipment, food and clothing to the flood victims.

Reorganization of the Naval Air Training System

July 1, 1972–A reorganization of the Naval Air Training system occurred when the Naval Air Advanced Training Command was disestablished and the Chief of Naval Air Training was relocated to Corpus Christi, Texas. This action was part of the Navy’s effort to consolidate training under a concept called “single base training.” When pilots completed their primary training they were assigned to a specific program involving training in either jets, props or helos. This training would be completed at one specific training base where the pilots would finish their instruction before receiving their wings. The new structure/organization came under the control of the Chief Naval Air Training Command.

UH-2C Helicopter Fires Sea Sparrow Missiles

July 15, 1972–A three-day test demonstration of the ability of the UH-2C Seasprite to fire Sparrow III missiles against surface targets was completed at the Pacific Missile Range Sea Test Range. The helicopter, modified to carry a single missile mounted on a rail launcher, fired four missiles during the course of the demonstration.

HMM-165 Helicopters Provide Relief Support IN the Philippines

July 22, 1972–Tripoli arrived in Subic Bay with HMM-165 on board to provide relief support after record rains caused disastrous flooding in the central Luzon valley between Manila and Lingayen Gulf. Tens of thousands of people were affected and additional ships were tasked for Philippine flood relief operations.

Night Airops Over North Viet Nam

July 31, 1972–The Navy began night operations regularly on 24 May and during June and July night sorties constituted 30 percent of the total Navy attack effort in NVN. The Navy relied primarily on the A-7 and A-6 for its night sorties. About 45 percent of the Navy armed reconnaissance effort was at night during June and July. The A-7 flew about as many night sorties as it did day sorties. The A-6 flew more night than day armed reconnaissance sorties during the summer months. The total number of Navy night sorties during June and July were 1,243 and 1,332 respectively. Three to four carriers were maintained on Yankee Station during the summer months. The carriers involved were Constellation, Coral Sea, Hancock, Kitty Hawk, Midway, Saratoga, Oriskany and America.

Philippine Flood Relief Operations Continue

August 5, 1972–New Orleans relieved Tripoli in Philippine flood relief operations. HMM-165 transferred to the New Orleans to continue support due to their knowledge of terrain and problems inherent in the flood relief operations.

HC-7 Combat SAR Rescue Deep in North Viet Nam

August 7, 1972–An HC-7 Det 110 helicopter, aided by planes from the carriers Saratoga and Midway, conducted a search and rescue mission for a downed aviator in NVN. The pilot of an A-7 aircraft from Saratoga had been downed by a surface-to-air missile about 20 miles inland, northwest of Vinh, on 6 August. Big Mother, the name HC-7 and its helicopters were referred to, flew inland over mountainous terrain to rescue the pilot. The rescue helicopter used its search light to assist in locating the downed pilot and, despite receiving heavy ground fire, was successful in retrieving the pilot and returning to an LPD off coast of NVN. This was the deepest penetration of a rescue helicopter into NVN since 1968. HC-7 Det 110 continued its rescue efforts and by the end of 1972 it had successfully conducted forty-eight rescues during the year, thirty-fiveof those under combat conditions.

Marine Corps Air Efforts in South Viet Nam and their Effect on North Viet Nam War

August 31, 1972–Although Marine Corps air efforts were concentrated in SVN, the Marines contributed significantly to U.S. efforts in NVN to prevent offloading and transportation of supplies from Chinese merchant ships at Hon La and Hon Nieu. HMA-369, with seven AH-1J helicopters, using the Cobra weapons system, operated from Denver against water transport traffic in late June, and from Cleveland in early August. HMA-369’s operations during August were extended to include night surveillance and attack. In addition HMA-369 helicopters served as airspotters for naval gunfire and as airborne tactical controllers for fixed-wing aircraft attacking lucrative targets. The Navy flew 4,819 sorties in August against NVN. The downward trend of Navy attack sorties in SVN continued during July and August. The stepped-up campaign in the Mekong Delta accounted for a sharp rise in Marine Corps air activity in SVN. The Marine Corps air effort rose from eight percent of the total air effort in SVN during May to 43 percent during August.

Groundbreaking for New Naval Aviation Museum Building NAS Pensacola

November 22, 1972–Groundbreaking ceremonies for the new Naval Aviation Museum building were officiated by Admiral Arthur W. Radford, USN (Ret.). Admiral Radford, former Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, was the Chairman of the Naval Aviation Museum Association, Inc., a non-profit organization of Naval Aviation enthusiasts who labored since 1965 to finance and create the first part of the new museum building. All funds for the building of the first phase of the museum were contributed by private individuals and organizations. The museum was designed to be built in three phases. The first phase consisted of 65,000 sq. ft. of floor space with future expansion of 140,000 sq. ft. The Naval Aviation Museum, was established at the NAS Pensacola in December 1962 by the authority of the Secretary of the Navy. It had been housed in a temporary building until enough money had been accumulated to build the first phase of the new museum building.

HC-1 Combat Rescues From USS Oriskany on Yankee Station, Tonkin Gulf

December 13, 1972–An HC-1 Detachment Five SH-3G Sea King helicopter, stationed aboard Oriskany, rescued a VFP-63 pilot involved in operations in the Tonkin Gulf while on Yankee Station. This was the fifteenth pilot rescued by HC-1 detachments while they were operating aboard a carrier on Yankee Station during 1972. During 1972 HC-1 rescued a total of 36 people.

Bombing Halt Above 20th Parallel in North Viet Nam

December 17, 1972–During the period 23 October through 17 December there was a U.S. bombing halt above the 20th parallel in NVN. No MiG kills or U.S. losses were recorded during this period. Three to four carriers were maintained on Yankee Station during the bombing halt. The carriers alternating on Yankee Station were Enterprise, Kitty Hawk, Midway, Saratoga, Oriskany, America and Ranger.

Linebacker II Operations Initiated After Paris Peace Talks Fail

December 18, 1972–Linebacker II Operations were initiated on 18 December when negotiations in the Paris peace talks stalemated. The Linebacker II Operations ended on 29 December when the North Vietnamese returned to the peace table. These operations involved the resumed bombing of NVN above the 20th parallel and was an intensified version of Linebacker I. The reseeding of the mine fields was resumed and concentrated strikes were carried out against surface-to-air missile and anti-aircraft artillery sites, enemy army barracks, petroleum storage areas, Haiphong Naval and shipyard areas, and railroad and truck stations. Navy tactical air attack sorties under Linebacker II were centered in the coastal areas around Hanoi and Haiphong. There were 505 Navy sorties in this area during Linebacker II. The following carriers participated in Linebacker II operations: Enterprise, Saratoga, Oriskany, America and Ranger.

HC-1 Recovers Apollo 17 Crew After Splashdown

December 19, 1972–HC-1 helicopters, aboard Ticonderoga, recovered the Apollo 17 crew after splashdown. The Apollo 17 crew consisted of Naval Aviators CAPT E. Cernan and Commander R. Evans and geologist H.H. Schmidt. This recovery marked the end of NASA’s Apollo lunar program. Naval aviation squadrons and naval surface units performed all the recovery operations for the 11 Apollo missions. There were 33 astronauts involved in the Apollo program and 22 of those had Navy backgrounds.

Airops Over North Viet Nam

December 23, 1972–An example of attack squadron action during the year is portrayed by the following partial roundup of operations by VA-56 which ended its seventh line period this date. Flying combat with CVW-5 off Midway during portions of every month since April, the squadron recorded a total of 180 days on the line, engaged in 5,582.9 combat hours, flew over 3,000 sorties, performed 2,090 and 781 day and night carrier landings, respectively, and amassed a total of 6,301 flight hours during its line periods. It conducted strikes against such targets as the Haiphong, Ninh Binh, Ha Tinh, Kien An, Tam Da and Than Hoa bridge complexes, the Haiphong, Vinh, Doung Nham and Nam Dinh petroleum areas, and the Gia Lam railroad yards across the Red River from Hanoi. Other actions, for example, included mining operations and protective flights for four search and rescue (SAR) missions, including one at night inside NVN, and one for two Air Force officers downed off the coast. During the line periods, four of the unit’s A-7Bs were lost to antiaircraft artillery and surface-to-air missile fire, with two pilots taken prisoner of war, one listed as missing in action, and one retrieved.

Christmas Day Recess on Bombing in North Viet Nam

December 25, 1972–A Christmas Day bombing/tactical air attack recess went into effect during which none of the U.S. air services flew sorties. Since the beginning of the heavy raids against the Hanoi/Haiphong complex on 18 December to persuade NVN to return to the conference table and release the American POWs, 420 raids by B-52s had been conducted, with 18 December accounting for 122, the highest number. Carrier strikes from TF-77 and tactical aircraft from Thailand supplemented the raids, mainly to suppress missile sites and confuse the NVN air defense systems. Heavy attacks were resumed on 26 December, with 113 B-52 raids, the next highest sortie count. Targets, as before, were powerhouses, railroads, missile assembly points, command and control stations, fuel reserves, airfields and railroad marshalling yards. By the end of the 27th, intercepted enemy messages indicated NVN was losing its missile potential as new missiles could not be moved from assembly points to the launchers.

VF-142 Downs Another Mig over North Viet Nam

December 28, 1972–An F-4J Phantom II, from VF-142 on board Enterprise, downed a MiG-21. This was the 24th MiG downed by Navy/Marine Corps pilots during 1972. The total MiG downings by Navy/Marine Corps pilots during the Vietnam war from the first in June 1965 through December 1972 were 56. Statistics for Navy/Marine Corps downings of MiGs during 1972:
Constellation: VF-96 downed 8 MiGs VF-92 downed 1 MiG
Coral Sea: VF-51 downed 4 MiGs VF-111 downed 1 MiG
Midway: VF-161 downed 4 MiGs
Kitty Hawk: VF-114 downed 2 MiGs
Saratoga: VF-103 downed 1 MiG VF-31 downed 1 MiG
America: VMFA-333 downed 1 MiG
Enterprise: VF-142 downed 1 MiG

Heavy Raids Around Hanoi

December 29, 1972–Heavy raids around Hanoi, which had been resumed the day after the Christmas bombing halt, were eased as NVN showed indications of returning to the conference table. The over 700 sorties by B-52s during the 11 heavy-bombing days were believed accountable for the eventual resumption of negotiations which led to the peace agreement and the release of American POWs. On 28 and 29 December, during a total of 160 raids, no B-52s were lost to NVN air defenses, indicating the virtual paralysis of the system. Only two percent–15 B-52s were lost from over 700 raids during the whole 11-day, heavy bombing period.

Bombing Halt in North Viet Nam

December 30, 1972–The U.S. called another bombing halt in North Vietnam and the Navy ended all tactical air sorties above the 20th parallel. The bombing halt was called when North Vietnam returned to the negotiating table to continue the Paris peace talks.

The War in South and North Viet Nam

December 31, 1972–During 1972 the Navy conducted 33.9 percent of all tactical air attack sorties flown in SVN. There were 23,802 tactical air attack sorties flown and 160,763 general purpose bombs delivered by Navy fixed-wing aircraft, with the Marine Corps fixed-wing aircraft delivering 111,859 general purpose bombs in SVN during 1972. The Navy and Marine Corps each lost 5 fixed-wing aircraft in SVN during 1972. In NVN the Navy conducted more than 60 percent of the tactical air attack sorties flown, for a total of 28,093. The Navy and Marine Corps lost 49 aircraft in NVN during this period. In 1972 the carriers spent a total of 1,403 on-line days at Yankee Station, with an average on-line period of slightly more than 25 days for each carrier. Carrier and Carrier Air Wings on Yankee Station during 1972 were:
Hancock with CVW-21 on board Kitty Hawk with CVW-11 on board Oriskany with CVW-19 on board America with CVW-8 on board Enterprise with CVW-14 on board Midway with CVW-5 on board Saratoga with CVW-3 on board Constellation with CVW-9 on board Coral Sea with CVW-15 on board Ranger with CVW-2 on board
Marine Corps squadrons operating off carriers on Yankee Station during 1972 were VMA(AW)-224, VMCJ-2 and VMFA-333. Marine Corps land-based fixed-wing squadrons in South East Asia during 1972 were VMFA-115, VMFA-232, VMA(AW)-533, VMCJ-1, VMA-211 and VMA-311, VMFA-212, VMGR-151, H&MS-15, and H&MS-12.

Major Re-Organization of Naval Reserve Affairs

January 1, 1973–A major reorganization in naval reserve affairs got under way as a result of the announcement two days earlier by the Secretary of the Navy that the Naval Surface and Air Reserve Commands would be consolidated into a single command located in New Orleans.

Last Mig Shotdown Over North Viet Nam

January 12, 1973–VF-161, flying off Midway, shot down a NVN MiG-17, the last enemy “kill” of the war, making a total of 57 MiGs shot down by Navy and Marine Corps pilots during the Vietnam conflict.

Viet Nam Cease-Fire Announced in Paris

January 27, 1973. – The cease-fire announced in Paris three days before took effect this day, bringing to an end to American combat operations in Vietnam. During the long American involvement in the conflict (1961 to 27 January 1973), the Navy lost 13 helicopters to hostile fire. During that same period, the Marine Corps lost 270 helicopters to enemy action. The U.S. Navy continued flying combat missions over Laos and Cambodia until the following August.

The Vietnam cease-fire, announced four days earlier, came into effect and the carriers Oriskany, America, Enterprise and Ranger, on Yankee Station, cancelled all combat sorties into North and South Vietnam. During the Vietnam conflict, which dates U.S. involvement starting in 1961 and ends on 27 January 1973, the Navy lost 526 fixed-wing aircraft and 13 helicopters to hostile action. The Marine Corps lost 193 fixed-wing aircraft and 270 helicopters to enemy action during the same period. Operation Homecoming, the repatriation of U.S. POWs between 27 January and 1 April, began and NVN and the Viet Cong released 591 POWs. Of the 591 POWs released during Operation Homecoming, there were 566 military personnel and 145 were Navy personnel. Naval Aviation personnel accounted for 144 of the 145 Navy personnel.

Aircraft Losses in the Vietnam War

January 27, 1973. –  AIRCRAFT LOSSES IN THE VIETNAM WAR REPORT 

Task Force 78 Formed to Conduct MInesweeping in North Vietnamese Waters

January 27, 1973-Task Force 78 was formed to conduct minesweeping operations in North Vietnamese waters under the code name Operation Endsweep. It consisted of surface minesweeping elements and an Air Mobile Mine Countermeasures Command. The latter was made up of HM-12, HMH-463 and HMM-165, organized into units Alpha through Delta, an airborne mine countermeasures planning element, command and control element, an aircraft element and a material element.

The US Third Fleet Re-Activated

February 1, 1973–The U.S. Third Fleet was reactivated at Pearl Harbor with the merger of the First Fleet and Antisubmarine Warfare Forces, Pacific Fleet. The change was made to reduce fleet staffs and achieve economies while retaining control of operational units, including some 100 ships and 60,000 men serving a 50-million-squaremile area from the West Coast to beyond Midway Island.

Task Force 78 Begin Mine Countermeasures Exercise in Subic Bay

February 3, 1973–Task Force 78 flagship, New Orleans with escort ships, began a six day mine countermeasures exercise in Subic Bay in preparation for scheduled Endsweep operations in NVN.

Commander Task Force 78 Meet with North Vietnamese Leaders In Haiphong

February 5, 1973–Commander Task Force 78 and other Navy mine demolition experts met with North Vietnamese leaders in Haiphong to discuss Operation Endsweep, the clearing of mines in NVN.

Task Force 78 Begins Minesweeping Operations in Haipong Harbor

February 6, 1973–Surface minesweepers of Task Force 78 began preliminary sweeping to prepare an anchorage in deep water off the approaches to Haiphong Harbor. Ships of the force included New Orleans and Inchon. The ocean anchorage would be used by command and supply ships of the U.S. Navy in on-scene support of minesweeping of NVN harbors, coastal and inland waterways. During the operation Task Force 78 ships were joined by Tripoli.

Airops Against Southern Loas

February 11, 1973–Aircraft from the carriers Constellation and Oriskany operating on Yankee Station, the location of which was changed to a position off the coast of the northern part of South Vietnam, flew strikes against targets in southern Laos. Combat sorties from carriers on Yankee Station against targets in Laos had continued since the cease-fire in Vietnam.

Stepped Up Air Operations Over Laos

February 14,1973–The Pentagon announced a step-up of U.S. air strikes in Laos to 380 daily, an increase of 100. Aircraft from Oriskany and Enterprise flew about 160 of these sorties into Laos on this date.

Combat Support Operations Over Cambodia

February 25, 1973–Planes from Ranger and Oriskany flew combat support missions over Cambodia. The combat support sorties were flown in support of the government of Cambodia at its request.

Airborne Minesweeping Begins off Haiphon Harbor

February 27, 1973–Airborne mine countermeasures began off Haiphong during Operation Endsweep. This was a “first” in mine warfare as airborne minesweeping had never been done with “live” mines. A CH-53 Sea Stallion from HM-12 made two sweeps in the Haiphong shipping channel. All operations were abruptly halted and minesweeping task force moved to sea as the President called for “clarification . . . on a most urgent basis” of Hanoi’s delay in releasing American POWs.

One of the First Eight Women Selected to be a Naval Aviator-First Female Naval Helicopter Pilot

March 2, 1973–Ensign Joellen Margaret Drag, USNR In the spring of 1973, Joellen Drag was one of the first eight women officers selected for flight training in the Navy. Ensign Drag went through officer training at Navy OCS, Newport R.I. receiving her commission there.  Ensign J.M. Drag, USNR was the fourth female to become a Naval Aviator, receiving her wings on April 19, 1974 at HT-18, NAS Whiting Field, Milton, FL and the first female Navy Helicopter Pilot. Ensign Drag was assigned to HC-3 at NAS Imperial Beach, CA, flying the Navy H-46 Helicopter. Ensign Drag was the first female to deploy aboard a U.S. Navy Warship.  Ensign Drag completed her naval career retiring as CAPT Joellen Drag Oslund, USN (Ret.).

Troop Withdrawal from Vietnam

March 4, 1973-The withdrawal of U.S. troops from Vietnam resumed and the naval minesweeping force returned to its position off Haiphong. Minesweeping operations continued in and around Haiphong and the harbor was reopened after being closed for ten months because of the U.S. naval mining which began in May 1972. In addition, the carrier America was ordered to depart the Far East for the U.S. This was the initial move in reducing the number of carriers serving in South East Asia from six to three by mid-June 1973.

The Remaining U.S. Combat Forces Left South Vietnam

March 29, 1973–The remaining U.S. combat forces left South Vietnam and the United States Military Assistance Command, Vietnam, was disbanded, officially ending U.S. military involvement in South Vietnam. The last phase of Operation Homecoming was concluded when the final group of 148 American POWs were released by Hanoi. This brought a total of 591 POWs released, and of that total, 566 of them were U.S. military personnel with 144 being naval pilots and aircrewmen.

Navy Helicopters Evacuate 200 People Due to Flooding in Tunisia

March 29-31, 1973–Forrestal led two other Sixth Fleet ships into Tunisian waters where Sea King helicopters from the carrier evacuated some 200 persons and airlifted four tons of relief supplies to flood victims in Tunisia.

Two New Airwings Established

April 1, 1973–Two new air wings were established as the final phase of the reorganization of the AirLant community, completing the functional wing concept: Air Antisubmarine Wing One with VSs 22, 24, 27, 30, 31 and 32 and Helicopter Antisubmarine Wing One with HSs 1, 3, 5, 7 and 11.

SECNAV and United Kingdom Agree on V/STOL Harrier Development

April 13, 1973–The Secretary of the Navy announced that an agreement with the United Kingdom had been signed providing for an eight-month joint study of an advanced V/STOL Harrier involving participation by Rolls-Royce, Hawker Siddeley, Pratt & Whitney Aircraft and McDonnell Douglas. The overall aim was to determine the feasibility of joint development of an advanced concept V/STOL incorporating a Pegasus 15 engine and an advanced wing.

A Four-Day Trial of a Prototype Glide Slope Indicator for Helicopters

May 18, 1973–A four-day trial of a prototype glide slope indicator was completed aboard Truxtun. The indicator, developed by the Naval Air Engineering Center, consisted of a hydraulically stabilized Fresnel lens. It was one of several steps taken to achieve an all weather capability with LAMPS helicopters.

First Production RH-53D Sea Stallion Arrived at PaxRiver

May 25, 1973–The first production RH-53D Sea Stallion, especially configured for the airborne mine countermeasures mission, arrived at the Naval Air Test Center for weapons system trials. Navy preliminary evaluation and the initial phase of the Board of Inspection and Survey trials had begun at Sikorsky Aircraft Division on 15 May.

Skylab II Carries All Navy Crew

May 25, 1973–Skylab II, carrying a three-man, all-Navy crew of Captain Charles Conrad, Commander Joseph Kerwin, MC, and Commander Paul Weitz, rendezvoused with the earth-orbiting Skylab I workshop. Among the crew’s first tasks was repairing the Skylab I meteoroid shield and solar array system which had been damaged during launch. The crew boarded the workshop, made repairs, conducted medical experiments and studied solar astronomy and earth resources for 28 days before returning to earth on 22 June.

Task Force 77 and USAF Receive Collier Trophy for 1972

June 13, 1973–The National Aeronautics Association presented the Robert J. Collier Trophy for 1972 jointly to the Navy’s Task Force 77 and to the Seventh and Eighth Air Forces for their “demonstrated expert and precisely integrated use of advance aerospace technology” in Operation Linebacker II, the 11-day air campaign in December 1972 that “led to the return of the U.S. prisoners of war.”

HC-1 Recovers Skylab II Astronauts

June 22, 1973–The all-Navy crew of Skylab II astronauts was recovered after their 28-day mission in space by HC-1 and flown aboard Ticonderoga.

Operation Endsweep Closed and Task Force 78 Disbanded

July 27, 1973–Operation Endsweep was officially closed and Task Force 78 was disbanded. During the six months of its existence, the airborne element had made 3,554 sweeping runs totaling 1,134.7 sweeping hours in 623 sorties; the surface elements had made 208 sweeping runs of 308.8 hours. The aviation material casualties were three helicopters lost in operational accidents. Mine Logistics Carrier Station operations in the Gulf of Tonkin were conducted by Enterprise, Oriskany, Ranger, and Coral Sea at various periods and their respective aircraft flew support sorties for Operation Endsweep.

Skylab III Launched Into Space

July 28, 1973–Skylab III commanded by Captain Alan Bean, USN in company with civilian doctor Owen Garriott and Major Jack Lousma, USMC, was launched into space.

HSL-33, the Navy’s First Squadron Solely Dedicated to Deploy LAMPS

July 31, 1973. – HSL-33, the Navy’s first squadron solely dedicated to deploy LAMPS detachments aboard LAMPS-configured ships of the Pacific fleet, was established at NAS Imperial Beach, CA.

Cambodia Air Operations End

August 15, 1973–After intensive bombing for more than six months, the U.S. ended its combat involvement in Cambodia, as voted by Congress on 30 June. Aircraft from the carriers Ranger and Oriskany had conducted combat sorties in Cambodia during February. After March 1973, carriers on Yankee Station conducted carrier air patrols, electronic intelligence patrols, surface, subsurface, surveillance coordinator patrols, training, tanker, communications relay and reconnaissance sorties.

HM-12 Received the First of the New RH-53Ds Helicopters

August 29, 1973. – HM-12 received the first of the new RH-53Ds helicopters. Thirty units were produced for the Navy.

BQM-34E Firebee II Target Drone Test Flown

September 6, 1973–A BQM-34E Firebee II target drone, equipped with a wing of graphite-epoxy composite, was successfully test flown at the Point Mugu Sea Test Range reaching a speed of Mach 1.6 at 40,000 feet and a maximum acceleration of six Gs. The graphite-epoxy composite promises to save 40 percent of the weight of metal counterparts in various aeronautical applications. The test wing was designed and fabricated by the Naval Air Development Center.

Blues Switch to A-4s

September 7, 1973–The Navy announced that the Blue Angels flight demonstration team planned to switch to the slower, smaller and less expensive A-4F Skyhawks rather than continue to use the F-4J Phantoms they had been flying since 1969.

HC-1 Recovers Skylab III Astronauts

September 25, 1973–The three astronauts of Skylab III made a successful splashdown in the Pacific, ending a record 59-day, 24-million-mile flight. They were recovered by Helicopter Combat Support Squadron One and flown aboard New Orleans. During Skylab III, CAPT Alan L. Bean, USN, Commander of Skylab III, set a new record for the most time in space, eclipsing Navy CAPT Charles Conrad’s record of 49 days, three hours, and 37 minutes.

USS Midway and Airwing 5 Homeported in Japan

October 5, 1973–Midway with embarked CVW-5 put into Yokosuka, Japan, marking the first home-porting of a complete carrier task group in a Japanese port as a result of the accord arrived at on 31 August 1972, between the U.S. and Japan. In addition to the morale factor of dependents housed at a foreign port, the development had strategic significance because it facilitated continuous positioning of three carriers in the Far East at a time when the economic situation demanded the reduction of carriers in the fleet.

US Navy Carriers Standby for Evacuation Contingencies in the Middle East

October 8-13, 1973–Task Force 60.1 with Independence; Task Force 60.2 with Franklin D. Roosevelt and Task Force 61/62 with Guadalcanal were alerted for possible evacuation contingencies in the Middle East. Kennedy, in the Atlantic, was directed to a holding area off Gibraltar.

1973 Yom Kippur War

October 9, 1973–The Pentagon announced that Guadalcanal, an amphibious assault ship with U.S. Marines aboard, was operating in the eastern Mediterranean Sea as part of the Sixth Fleet. Other elements of the fleet were moving toward Crete, including the carriers Independence and Franklin D. Roosevelt, on alert as a result of the 1973 Yom Kippur war between Arab and Israeli forces.

US A-4s Flown to Isreal in Support of the War

October 19-24, 1973–Some 50 A-4 aircraft were flown from the U.S. to supply Israel, staging through the Azores and the Franklin D. Roosevelt which was located south of Sicily. When necessary, the Kennedy, off Gibraltar and Independence, off Crete, also provided assistance. On the 24th, Iwo Jima entered the Mediterranean with reinforcing Marines.

US Worldwide Alert

October 27, 1973–Due to the situation in the Middle East, the U.S. government ordered a worldwide “precautionary alert” of its military forces. Possible unilateral intervention by the Soviet Union was feared. By 28 October, three U.S. aircraft carriers and two amphibious assault carriers were off Crete.

Skylab IV Launched

November 16, 1973–Skylab IV, commanded by Lieutenant Colonel Gerald P. Carr, USMC, and with a crew consisting of Lieutenant Colonel William R. Pogue, USAF, and Edward G. Gibson, civilian, was launched at the Kennedy Space Center. The scheduled 56-day “open-ended” space flight had among its aims, study of the Comet Kohoutek, earth resources, and the sun.

Navy Flight Demonstration Squadron

December 1, 1973–The Blue Angels became the Navy Flight Demonstration Squadron (Blue Angels) and was designated a shore activity located at NAS Pensacola.

USS Tarawa, LHA-1 Was Launched

December 7, 1973–The Tarawa, first of a new class of amphibious assault ships, was launched at Pascagoula, Mississippi.

Iwo Jima Departs Tunisia After Flood Relief

December 17, 1973–Iwo Jima departed Tunisia after three days of flood relief assistance by her helicopters which conducted refugee rescue, equipment deliveries and other flood associated missions.

First Women Navy Flight Surgeons

December 20, 1973–Two women physicians, Lieutenants Jane 0. McWilliams and Victoria M. Voge, graduated from the Naval Flight Surgeon Training Program, to become the first women naval flight surgeons.

Naval Air Engineering Center Relocates From Philly to NAS Lakehurst

December 20, 1973–The Naval Air Engineering Center was officially relocated from Philadelphia to NAS Lakehurst and authority and responsibility for the air station was reassigned to the Chief of Naval Material to be exercised through the Naval Air Systems Command. Subsequently, on 8 Jan 1974, the Air Station was placed under the Naval Air Engineering Center. Thereby, the basic organization arrangements involved in relocation of the Naval Air Engineering Center from League Island, Philadelphia to NAS Lakehurst were completed although the physical transfer would be phased over much of 1974. The relocation was part of the Shore Establishment Realignment announced by the Secretary of Defense in March of 1973. Thus, an affiliation between Naval Aviation and the League Island site at Philadelphia, which began with the establishment of the Naval Aircraft Factory in 1917, was terminated except for a few residual aviation oriented functions.

NAS Ellyson Field Becomes Naval Education aand Training Program Development Center

December 31, 1973–Ellyson Field, NAS Pensacola, Florida, officially became Naval Education and Training Program Development Center to administer the Navy’s enlisted advancement system, including the development of advancement and special examinations as well as administering and conducting various courses, studies and training programs

SECNAV Names Navy's Fourth Nuc Carrier

January 18, 1974–The Secretary officially named the Navy’s fourth nuclear-powered carrier the Carl Vinson. The name was chosen in honor of Carl Vinson’s contributions to the national defense during his fifty years in the House of Representatives.

TF-9J Makes Final Flight

February 4, 1974–TF-9J Cougars, made their final flights. These last flights were made with VT-4 students aboard the John F. Kennedy.

NAMI Handles Navy and Marine Corps POW Perodic Medical Checks

February 5, 1974–The Naval Aerospace Institute at Pensacola, Florida announced that the re-patriated Navy and Marine Corps prisoners-of-war from Vietnam were scheduled to come to Pensacola for periodic checks of their physical and mental status.

HC-1 Recovers Skylab IV Astronauts

February 8, 1974–Skylab IV astronauts Lieutenant Colonel Gerald P. Carr, USMC, who was commander of the mission, Dr. Edward Gibson, and Lieutenant Colonel William Pogue, USAF, landed in the Pacific after a record-setting 84 days in space. They were recovered by HC-1 which flew them aboard New Orleans. This event marked the thirty-second astronaut retrieval by Naval Aviators since the space program began in 1961.

S-3A Viking ASW Aircraft

February 20, 1974–The S-3A Viking ASW aircraft was officially introduced in the Navy in ceremonies at NAS North Island. VS-41 accepted the first aircraft. The Viking, a highly-advanced, carrier-qualified jet aircraft, was designed to replace the older, propeller-driven S-2 Tracker which had been the Navy’s primary carrier-based submarine hunter for over twenty years.

First Female Naval Aviator

February 22, 1974–Lieutenant (jg) Barbara Ann Allen became the Navy’s first designated female aviator when she received her Gold Wings in a ceremony at NAS Corpus Christi.

First Prototype Three-Engine, Seven-Blade Main Rotor YCH-53E Super Stallion Completed First Flight

March 1, 1974. – The first prototype of the three-engine, seven-blade main rotor YCH-53E Super Stallion completed its first flight. On 10 August 1974, a YCH-53E lifted an external load of 17.8 tons, the heaviest payload ever lifted by a helicopter in the western world.

USS Intrepid Decommissioned

March 15, 1974–The Intrepid was decommissioned and placed in the reserve fleet after thirty years of service to the Navy. Since her commissioning on 16 August 1943 the Intrepid had seen duty as a CV, CVA, and CVS. During World War Il her air groups shot down 266 enemy planes, destroyed 298 more on the ground and damaged 178 others.

Suez Canel Cleanup Begins

March 22, 1974–Rear Admiral Brian McCauley arrived in Cairo, Egypt with a small military planning staff to help plan the clearing of the Suez Canal of unexploded ordnance. The United States, Egypt, France, and the United Kingdom were involved in the project known as Nimbus Star.

USS Yorktown Donated to Charleston, South Carolina

April 14, 1974–The Navy donated the ASW carrier Yorktown to Charleston, South Carolina for the city’s National Naval Museum. The “Fighting Lady” had spent twenty-five years with the Pacific Fleet before being transferred to the Atlantic in 1969. She was decommissioned 27 June 1970.

Ensign Joellen M. Drag, USNR April 19, 1974 First Female Naval Helicopter Pilot

April 19, 1974–Ensign Joellen Margaret Drag, USNR In the spring of 1973, Joellen Drag was one of the first eight women officers selected for flight training in the Navy. Ensign Drag went through officer training at Navy OCS, Newport R.I. receiving her commission there.  Ensign J.M. Drag, USNR was the fourth female to become a Naval Aviator, receiving her wings on April 19, 1974 at HT-18, NAS Whiting Field, Milton, FL and the first female Navy Helicopter Pilot. Ensign Drag was assigned to HC-3 at NAS Imperial Beach, CA, flying the Navy H-46 Helicopter. Ensign Drag was the first female to deploy aboard a U.S. Navy Warship.  Ensign Drag completed her naval career retiring as CAPT Joellen Drag Oslund, USN (Ret.).

HM-12 Begins Aerial Minesweeping of Suez Canel

April 22, 1974–A twelve-plane detachment of RH-53D Sea Stallions from NAS Norfolk’s HM-12 began minesweeping the Suez Canal as part of Project NIMBUS STAR.

NAVAIR Established Aircraft Survivability/Vulnerability Branch

June 4, 1974–The Naval Air Systems Command established an Aircraft Survivability/Vulnerability branch. This office was created in response to the need for a thoroughly coordinated Navy technical program addressing this problem.

Marine Corps OV-10A Bronco Sets New Flight Distance Award

July 5, 1974–Two Marine Corps aviators, Major John H. Pierson and his co-pilot, Major David Shore, flew an OV-1OA Bronco 4,480 kilometers from NAS Whidbey Island to Homestead AFB, Florida. This flight set a new world record for distance in a straight line by a Class C-1-F, Group II aircraft. The National Aeronautics Association sanctioned the record.

HMM-162 Helicopters Evacuate 466 US Citizens and Foreign Nationals From Cypress

July 22, 1974–As a result of the conflict between Turkish and Greek Cypriot forces on Cyprus, the United States Ambassador to Cyprus, Roger Davies, requested the evacuation of U.S. citizens. In a joint Navy/Marine Corps effort, HMM-162 from the Sixth Fleet-Helicopter Carrier Inchon evacuated 466 people, 384 of them U.S. citizens, in only five hours. Other ships were involved, and the Forrestal provided cover for the operation.

World's Largest Unmanned Baloon Launched

August 5, 1974–The world’s largest unmanned balloon was successfully launched from Fort Churchill at Manitoba, Canada. The flight was sponsored by the Office of Naval Research and NASA’s Office of Space Science. The facilities of the Navy’s Skyhook program were used for the launch. The entire flight train–balloon, an 800-pound instrument package, and a parachute–lifted to an altitude of 155,000 feet. As the balloon rose to float altitude it assumed a fully inflated form of 512 feet in diameter with a volume of 50.3 million cubic feet. The balloon traveled 500 miles west and was tracked by Project Skyhook’s DC-3.

VC-4 Receives EC-130 TACAMO Aircraft

August 9, 1974–The Navy announced the first acceptance by a fleet squadron of an EC-130 Hercules TACAMO aircraft. VQ-4 was the squadron receiving.

Sikorsky YCH-53E Hovers for First Time

August 10, 1974–Sikorsky’s YCH-53E, Number 1, flew in a hover at a gross weight of 71,700 pounds. It carried an external load of 17.8 tons and hovered at a wheel height of fifty feet. This was the heaviest gross weight ever flown–and the heaviest payload ever lifted–by a helicopter in the western world.

Navy and Marine Corps Helicopters Provide Six Days of Disaster Flood Relief Work in Philippines

August 24, 1974–Navy and Marine Corps helicopters completed six days of disaster flood relief work in central Luzon. Aircraft from NAS Cubi Point, the San Jose, the Tripoli, and Clark AFB provided airlift of emergency food supplies.

USS Enterprise Sailed From San Francisco with the F-14A Tomcat

September 17, 1974–Enterprise sailed from San Francisco with VF-1 and VF-2 aboard. This event marked the initial deployment of the Grumman F-14 Tomcat, the Navy’s newest fighter. Gordon A. Brattland Photo Sept 17, 1974 Golden Gate Bridge

LAMPS MK-III Developmental Avionics Package, the SH-2SR Helicopter Was Delivered

September 17, 1974. – After completing extensive design modifications at the Naval Development Center, Warminster, PA, to incorporate the LAMPS MK-III developmental avionics package, the SH-2SR helicopter was delivered to Kaman Aerospace Corporation for flight certification tests.

Dupont's HT-4 Standard Fabric for Flight suits

October 2, 1974–The Joint Logistics Commanders signed an agreement making Dupont’s HT-4 the standard fabric for all flight suits.

HCT-16 Established NAS Pensacola

November 1, 1974 – HCT-16 established at Naval Air Station Pensacola.

Midlink 74 Exercise Got Underway in the Arabian Sea

November 19, 1974–The Central Treaty Organization exercise Midlink 74 got underway as the largest naval exercise ever held in the Arabian Sea. Participating were forces from the United States, United Kingdom, Iran, Pakistan, and Turkey. Constellation was included in an eight-ship force from the United States.

Association of Naval Aviation (ANA) Founded

January 3, 1975–The Association of Naval Aviation was formally founded “to stimulate and extend appreciation of Naval Aviation . . . past, present and future.” The non-profit organization became open to any officer, enlisted person or civilian who contributed to, or was interested in, United States Naval Aviation.

USS Saratoga Released Responce Contingency off Cyprus

January 21, 1975–Saratoga, along with three other surface vessels, was released from response contingency off Cyprus. Saratoga had been maintaining a response alert to possibly assist in the evacuation of American citizens from the strife-torn island.

USS Enterprise Responds to Diaster Relief Needs in Mauritius

February 9, 1975–Enterprise responded to calls for disaster relief from the island nation of Mauritius which was struck on February 6th by Typhoon Cervaise. Arriving at Port Louis on the 12th, carrier personnel spent more than ten thousand man-hours rendering such assistance as restoring water, power and telephone systems, clearing roads and debris, and providing helicopter, medical, food and potable water support to the stricken area. Two Navy H-46 Helicopters rebuilt the entire Mauritius Water System in 48 hours of flying.

Sikosky YCH-53E Completes Navy Preliminary Evaluation

February 15, 1975–The Sikorsky YCH-53E transport helicopter completed Navy Preliminary Evaluation conducted by the Naval Air Test Center and HMX-1.

F-14A Tomcat and Phoenix Missile System Approved

March 2, 1975–Approval for Service Use was given to the F-14A Tomcat and the Phoenix Missile system.

S-3A Viking Approved

March 17, 1975–Approval for Service Use was given to the S-3A Viking.

NAVAIR Estabishes Assistant Commander for Test and Evaluation

March 18, 1975–The Naval Air Systems Command established an Assistant Commander for Test and Evaluation and assigned to him the functions involving management of T & E and its facilities. This important organizational development had its direct origins in a SECDEF decision of the mid-1960’s which stressed the need for adequate T & E data to provide a basis for determining whether new equipment was sufficiently developed to warrant procurement for service use. In a much more historic sense, the establishment of the Assistant Commander for Test and Evaluation was part of Naval aviation’s long-standing commitment to a consolidation of T & E. This commitment resulted, as early as 1942, in the creation of NAS Patuxent River as a facility for testing experimental airplanes, equipment, and material.

USS Hancock with HMH-463 Aboard to Relieve USS Enterprise

March 23, 1975–Hancock, en route from Subic Bay as relief for Enterprise, loaded HMH-463 at Pearl Harbor for transport to the southwest Pacific. The unit would support operations in case evacuations of American and other nationals became necessary from areas of the Indochinese peninsula. Meanwhile, North Vietnamese forces continued their advance southward and were poised to cut off the entire northern quarter of the Republic of Vietnam some 300 miles north of Saigon.

Eugene Taylor "Smokey" Rhoads, Chief Aviation Pilot, USN, Dies

April 1, 1975–Eugene Taylor “Smokey” Rhoads, Chief Aviation Pilot, USN, died at the Veterans Hospital, San Diego, California. Rhoads was a member of the flight crew that made the first Trans-Atlantic flight in May 1919 on the NC-4.

Operation Eagle Pull was activated for Cambodia

April 12, 1975–Operation Eagle Pull was activated for Cambodia. Twelve CH-53 Sea Stallions of HMH-462 evacuated 287 persons from Phnom Penh to Okinawa. Among those evacuated were U.S. Ambassador John Gunther Dean and Cambodian President Saukhm Khoy, as well as newspapermen and other foreign nationals. Upon completion of the evacuation, helicopters of HMH-463, from Hancock, retrieved the elements of the 31st Marine Amphibious Unit which had established the perimeter from which the evacuees had been rescued.

Naval Aviation Museum Dedicated

April 13, 1975–The Naval Aviation Museum was dedicated at Pensacola, Florida. All funds for construction of the 68,000 square-foot structure had been donated privately. The building was presented to the Navy by the Naval Aviation Museum Foundation Inc. It replaced the small temporary museum set up in 1962. Among the 72 vintage aircraft at the museum, a feature attraction was the original NC-4, the first aeroplane to fly the Atlantic Ocean. Plans, and an on-going drive for privately donated funds, called for continued expansion of the new museum through three more stages to reach eventually 260,000 square feet of floor space.

US Aircraft Carreirs Standby for Saigon Evacuation

April 19, 1975–The carriers Midway, Coral Sea, Hancock, Enterprise, and Okinawa responded to possible evacuation contingencies by deploying to waters off Vietnam as North Vietnam overran two-thirds of South Vietnam and pronounced the carriers’ presence a brazen challenge and a violation of the 1973 Paris Peace Accords.

Saigon Evacuation, Operation Frequent Wind

April 29, 1975. – In a period of three hours, Operation Frequent Wind was carried out by U.S. Naval and Marine Corps helicopters from the Seventh Fleet. Frequent Wind involved the evacuation of American citizens from the capital of South Vietnam under heavy attack from the invading forces of North Vietnam. The military situation around Saigon and its Tan Son Nhut airport made evacuation by helicopter the only way out. President Ford ordered the evacuation when Viet Cong shelling forced the suspension of normal transport aircraft use at Tan Son Nhut. With fighter cover provided by carrier aircraft, the helicopters landed on Saigon rooftops and at Tan Son Nhut to evacuate the Americans. The airport became the main helicopter landing zone; it was defended by Marines from the 9th Amphibious Brigade flown in for that purpose. All but a handful of the 900 Americans in Saigon were evacuated. The last helicopter lifted off the roof of the United States Embassy at 7:52 PM carrying Marine security guards.

USS Midway Off-Loades at Utapao, Thailand, over 40 USAF Helicopters

May 2, 1975–Midway off-loaded at Utapao, Thailand, over 40 USAF helicopters used in South Vietnam evacuation operations. At the same time, carrier personnel assisted in the recovery and on-loading from the Utapao Airport over 95 South Vietnamese Air Force craft, including F-5 fighters and A-37 light bombers, which had been flown into Utapao when South Vietnam fell to the Communists. The aircraft were transported to Guam.

The First Training Class for the Aviation Medical Officer (AMO) Began at NAMI

May 5, 1975–The first training class for a new type of physician, the Aviation Medical Officer (AMO), began at the Naval Aerospace Medical Institute, Pensacola, Florida. The program was initiated because of the acute shortage of flight surgeons. The AMOs were not scheduled to undergo flight training nor be assigned duty involving flying; instead, they were to augment the efforts of flight surgeons where aeromedical workloads were heavy, performing flight physicals and providing routine medical care.

American merchantship SS Mayaguez Incident

May 12-14, 1975–Coral Sea participated with other Naval, Marine and USAF forces in the recovery of the American merchantship SS Mayaguez and her 39 crewmen, illegally seized on 12 May in international waters by a Cambodian gunboat controlled by the Communist Khmer Rouge. Protective air strikes were flown from the carrier against Cambodian mainland naval and air installations as USAF helicopters with 288 Marines from Battalion Landing Teams 2 and 9 were launched from Utapao, Thailand, to rescue the crew and secure the merchantman. Eighteen Marines, Airmen and Navy Corpsmen were lost in action. Alerted for response, but not utilized before the release of the commandeered ship and crew on the 14th, were Hancock operating as an LPH platform, and Okinawa.

US Navy Gunfire Training Stopped on Puerto Rican Island of Culebra

July 1, 1975–All U.S. naval gunfire training activities at the Puerto Rican island of Culebra were terminated through a joint Washington-San Juan agreement, ending a controversy that had dragged on for years. The announcement indicated that air-to-ground weapons training at Culebra Cays would continue for a limited time only because of previously scheduled training activities.

Aircraft Carrier Designation CVA Changed to CV

July 1, 1975–The aircraft carrier designation CVA was replaced with CV. This change was made to improve the accuracy of designations in modern warfare. By removing the letter A, which stood for attack, the new designation CV could serve a multipurpose air, surface, and ASW role, depending on the type of aircraft carried.

HS-6 Helicopters Recovered the Apollo Spacecraft and Astronauts

July 24, 1975. – HS-6 helicopters operating from USS New Orleans (LPH-11) recovered the Apollo spacecraft and astronauts Vance D. Brand, Thomas P. Stafford, and Donald K. Slayton after their splashdown in the Pacific Ocean. This recovery marked the end of the Apollo-Soyuz mission, and the end of the Apollo program. It was also the final at-sea recovery in the U.S. space program. Between 1960 and 1975, thirty-five spacecraft and astronaut recovery missions were completed by Navy and Marine helicopters.

Diego Garcia Construction Approved

July 28, 1975–The U.S. Senate cleared the way for construction at Diego Garcia by voting to expand the U.S. support facility on the Indian Ocean island. It ended a long dispute over construction at the installation, permitting the Navy to begin an $18.1 million expansion to include aircraft runway extension, petroleum-oil lubricants storage areas, a pier and additional power plant facilities.

Navy Lighter-Than Air-Project Office Created

July 29, 1975–The Navy created the lighter-than-air project office at the Naval Air Development Center. The purpose of this office was to enhance expertise in lighter-than-air technology within the Navy.

Longest Carrier Based Aircraft Non-Stop Trip

August 1, 1975–A KA-3B Skywarrior, attached to VAQ-208, completed the longest non-stop flight ever made by a carrier-based tactical jet aircraft. The flight originated at the Naval Station, Rota, Spain and ended at NAS Alameda, California. It covered a distance of 6,100 miles and lasted 13 hours.

HC-9 Established at NAS North Island

August 1, 1975—HC-9 Established at Naval Air Station North Island, San Diego, Ca.

USS Nimitz Completes Refresher Training at Gitmo

August 14, 1975–The newly-commissioned Nimitz completed refresher training at Guantanamo Bay before beginning her cruise with a nuclear task force to North European waters. The world’s largest ship at the time, Nimitz had an overall length of 1,092 feet, an extreme breadth of 292 feet, a flight deck area of four and a half acres, and displaced 95,000 tons with a combat load. The Navy’s second nuclear carrier, Nimitz was named in honor of the World War II hero and former Chief of Naval Operations, Fleet Admiral Chester W. Nimitz.

CNO Approves Tomahawk Name for New Missle

September 26, 1975–The Chief of Naval Operations approved the popular name Tomahawk for the Navy’s Sea Launched Cruise Missile (SLCM).

Marine Corps Takes Delivery of First KC-130R

October 3, 1975–Marine Aerial Refueler/Transport Squadron 352 (VMGR-352) took delivery of the first KC-130R Hercules refueler/transport.

Inchon Evacuates US Citizens From Lebanon

October 27, 1975–Inchon and five surface vessels served as a contingency evacuation force, with Kennedy in support, as U.S. citizens were advised to evacuate their dependents from Lebanon due to prolonged government instability and increased armed skirmishing among political factions in the country.

Whidbey Island SAR H-46s Conduct Search and Rescue During Washington State Floods

December 6-, 1975-H-46 Sea Knight helicopters from NAS Whidbey Island began search and rescue operations in the northwestern Washington state areas flooded by heavy rains. Four days of this humanitarian work saw a total of 113 people evacuated after being stranded by the flood waters.

First Production Prototype Sikorsky CH-53E Flight

December 8, 1975–The first production prototype of Sikorsky’s three-engine, multi-mission CH-53E transport helicopter made its first flight at the company’s Connecticut plant. The flight of about 30 minutes, consisted of low-altitude hovering and limited maneuvering.

S-3Aa Viking Land Aboard USS Saratoga

March 2, 1976-Two VS-22 Lockheed S-3A Viking aircraft landed aboard the Saratoga, off the coast of Italy, completing the first Atlantic crossing by the S-3A Vikings. The S-3A Vikings departed NAS Cecil Field and made stops at NAS Bermuda, NAS Lajes and NS Rota before landing on Saratoga. Their flight across the Atlantic proved that rapid augmentation of S-3A Viking carrier antisubmarine assets was possible from long distances.

Bell AH-1T Helicopter Makes First Flight

May 20, 1976–Bell Helicopter’s AH-1T made its first flight. The following week the AH-1T flew to 120 KIAS and did mild sideslips, climbs and descents.

Helicopters From HS-4 and HC-3 Help with Disaster Relief in the Philippines

May 28, 1976–Helicopter crews from HS-4 aboard Ranger; detachments from HC-3 on Camden, Mars (AFS 1) and White Plains; and helicopters from NAS Cubi Point assisted in the Philippine disaster relief effort in the flood ravaged areas of Central Luzon. Over 1,900 people were evacuated; more than 370,000 pounds of disaster relief supplies and 9,340 gallons of fuel were provided by Navy and Air Force helicopters.

USS Tarawa Commissioned

May 29, 1976–Tarawa was commissioned at Ingalls Shipbuilding Division of Litton Industries in Pascagoula, Mississippi. Tarawa was the first of five in a class of amphibious assault ships to join the fleet.

Brown Shoes Go Away

June 30, 1976–A Naval Aviator tradition came to an end when brown shoes were stricken from the officers’ and chiefs’ uniforms. The tradition initially distinguished the Brown Shoe Navy of the aviators from the black shoes of the surface officers.

USS Coral Sea Receives MUC for SS Mayaguez Criss in 1975

July 6, 1976-Coral Sea was presented the Meritorious Unit Commendation for her actions during the Mayaguez crisis in May 1975. Coral Sea played a major role in the return of SS Mayaguez after Cambodian gunboats had seized the merchant ship on the high seas off the coast of Cambodia. Coral Sea provided air support to the landing of Marines at Koh Tang Island as CVW-15 conducted strikes on specified military targets.

CH-46E Sea Knight Introduced

July 9, 1976–The CH-46 Sea Knight helicopter’s effectiveness and life were extended with the delivery of the first two CH-46E prototypes. The major modifications to the CH-46E helicopters were new T-58-GE-16 engines, an Omega-Doppler navigation system, new crashworthy pilot and copilot seats, a combat crashworthy fuel system, a new rescue hoist and an infrared suppressor for engine exhaust.

C-117 Phased Out

July 12, 1976–The Navy phased out the last C-117 (Douglas DC-3), perhaps the most famous transport plane of all time. The last C-117 was flown from Pensacola to Davis Monthan Air Force Base, Arizona, the boneyard for obsolete military aircraft.

Task Force 61 and USS Nimitz Support Beirut Evacuation

July 27, 1976–America and other elements of Task Force 61, with Nimitz standing by, supported the evacuation of 160 Americans and 148 other nationals from Beirut, Lebanon. The amphibious transport ship Coronado removed the evacuees from Lebanon and arrived in Athens on 29 July. During January through July 1976 the contingency evacuation force for the “Lebanon Civil-war Crisis” involved, at different intervals, the support of America, Nimitz, Iwo Jima, Independence, Guadalcanal and Saratoga.

DOD Approves Program to Develop the AV-8B Harrier for the Marine Corps

July 27, 1976–The first phase of a program to develop the AV-8B Harrier, a version of the current AV-8A with improved payload and range was approved by the Department of Defense.

HU-16 Albatross Last Flight

August 13, 1976–An HU-16 Albatross, the Navy’s last operational seaplane made its final water landing in Pensacola Bay. After two touch-and-go landings the aircraft was flown to Sherman Field where it was turned over to the Naval Aviation Museum in Pensacola, Florida.

USS Midway Show of Force Off Korea

August 21, 1976–A Navy task force headed by Midway made a show of force off the coast of Korea in response to an unprovoked attack on two U.S. Army officers who were killed by North Korean guards on 18 August. Midway’s response was in support of a U.S. demonstration of military concern vis-a-vis North Korea.

S-2 Tracker Last Flight

August 29, 1976–The Navy’s last S-2 Tracker aircraft, operating with VS-37, was withdrawn from active service. Many of the pilots who flew the Tracker credit it with being the Navy’s most versatile airplane of its era. The S-2 entered service with VS-26 in February 1954 and provided the Navy with 22 years of active service.

Test Flights on New East Coast Aiar Combat Maneuvering Range (ACMR)

September 15, 1976–Test Flights began on the east coast air combat maneuvering range (ACMR) under construction off the coast of Cape Hatteras, North Carolina. This follow-on system to the Navy ACMR at Yuma, Arizona, will provide air combat training for east coast squadrons.

NASA Unveils New Space Shuttle Program

September 17, 1976–The new space shuttle program was unveiled by NASA. Of the 28 astronauts in the space program 12 had either a Navy or Marine Corps aviator background.

RPV STAR Achieves First Closed Loop Recovery

September 29, 1976–The Navy’s Ship-Deployable, Tactical, Airborne Remotely-Piloted Vehicle (RPV) (STAR) achieved the first automatically closed-loop recovery of a RPV into a net-encapsuled arresting assembly. The test occurred at the National Parachute Test Range, El Centro, California.

USS Oriskany De-Commissioned

September 30, 1976–Oriskany, the last of the Essex-class attack carriers, was decommissioned at San Francisco and placed in the mothball fleet. Oriskany saw extensive action in the Korean and Vietnam conflicts.

VMA-231 with AV-8A Harriers Make First Operational Deployment Aboard Roosevelt

October 6-,1976-VMA-231, embarked in Franklin D. Roosevelt, was en route to the Mediterranean Sea for a Sixth Fleet deployment. VMA-231 was equipped with the AV-8 Harrier and this was the first overseas operational commitment on a carrier for the AV-8 aircraft.

Bell AH-1T Helicopter Turned Over to the Marine Corps For Testing

November 5, 1976–The latest model of the Sea Cobra helicopter, the AH-1T, was turned over to the Marine Corps from Bell Helicopter Textron for further testing. The new version offers an improved payload of 4,392 pounds over the previous payload of 2,739 pounds.

NAF China Lake Dis-Established

December 1, 1976–Naval Air Facility, China Lake, California was disestablished after more than 30 years, as a separate command, and became part of the Naval Weapons Center.

Saufley Field Disestablished

December 1, 1976–NAAS Saufley Field was disestablished. The closing of the basic tactical and combat flying base brought to an end one of the early fields used in association with the training of Naval Aviators at NAS Pensacola. The primary training installation was opened for flight purposes in 1940 and named after Naval Aviator #14, who was killed while on a record endurance flight on 9 June 1916 after being in the air eight hours and 51 minutes. Saufley Field was initially used by aviation students practicing landings and takeoffs away from the normal flight pattern at NAS Pensacola. Established as NAAS Saufley Field in 1943, aviation students in basic training received instructional courses in ground training, formation flying, and cross-country flying employing the SNJ Texan and T-28 aircraft.

VR-24 Received Four RH-53Ds For Vertical Onboard Delivery (VOD)

January 1, 1977. – VR-24, operating in the Mediterranean theater, received four RH-53Ds to be used as Vertical Onboard Delivery (VOD) aircraft. This event ushered a new era in combat logistics support. The “VOD Squad” provided service to ships of the Sixth Fleet until 1983.

First General Electric F404 Engine Tested Successfully

January 6, 1977–The first F404 development engine was tested successfully at the General Electric plant in Lynn, Massachusetts approximately a month ahead of schedule.

Marine Corps Harriars Make First Bow ON Approach and Landing on a Carrier

January 13, 1977–NAS Jacksonville announced the two AV-8A Harrier aircraft had made a bow on approach and landing aboard Franklin D. Roosevelt. This may have been the first time in Naval aviation history that a fixed-wing aircraft made a bow on, downwind landing aboard a carrier at sea. This landing, with jets facing aft, demonstrated that V/STOL aircraft could be landed aboard a carrier without many of the conditions necessary for fixed-wing, non-V/STOL aircraft.

All Nuclear Task Force

January 14, 1977–For the first time, an all-nuclear-powered task group was operating in both deployed fleets. The Seventh Fleet task group was composed of Enterprise and her nuclear-powered escort ships, while the Sixth Fleet task group had Nimitz with her nuclear-powered escort ships.

EnterpriseOperates off East Africa

February 27, 1977–Enterprise and her escort ships were directed to operate off the east African coast in response to public derogatory remarks against the U.S. by the President of Uganda and his order that all Americans in Uganda meet with him.

NARF/NAS Lake Hurst Dis-Established

March 1, 1977–The Naval Air Rework Facility (NARF) and Naval Air Station (NAS) at Lakehurst, New Jersey were disestablished and the mission of the Naval Air Engineering Center (NAEC) was modified to absorb their functions.

Initial Acceptance Trials of Marine Corps CH-53E Completed

March 24, 1977–Initial service acceptance trials for the CH-53E Super Stallion were completed at NATC. The growth version of the CH-53E has three turbine engines instead of two. The Super Stallion carries mission loads of 16 tons compared to nine tons for the CH-53D. It has seven rotor blades instead of six and can accommodate 56 troops.

NAVAIR Announces Advanced Concepts Division

March 25, 1977–The Naval Air Systems Command announced that its Advanced Concepts Division, and the Naval Air Development Center, were testing a lighter-than-air craft known as Aerocrane. This project represented the first government-sponsored study of lighter-than-air flight in several years.

Night Vision Established as Operational Requirement

April 12, 1977–An operational requirement was established for night vision capability in U.S. Marine Corps transport helicopters.

USS Franklin D. Roosevelt Returns From Deployment for Decommissioning

April 21, 1977–Franklin D. Roosevelt, the first carrier to launch a jet plane, 21 July 1946, returned to the U.S. from its last overseas deployment prior to her decommissioning on 1 October 1977.

HC-16 Established

May 2, 1977—HC-16 established at Pensacola, Florida.

First Prototype of the Bell XV-15 Tilt-Rotor Performed Hover Test

May 3, 1977. – The first prototype of the Bell XV-15 tilt-rotor convertiplane performed its first hover test on 3 May 1977. The aircraft featured an H configured tail and two 25-foot diameter three-bladed rotors powered by two Lycoming LTC1K-4K 1,550 shp engines. During the decade that followed, Bell, NASA, and the military services tested the two XV-15 prototypes. After more than 350 flight-testing hours, including sea trials aboard USS Tripoli (LPH-10) and more than 400 conversions and re-conversions, the XV-15 categorically proved the tilt-rotor concept.

Night Vision Tested on Marine Corps OV-10D Bronco

June 22, 1977–The new OV-1OD Bronco series, undergoing test and evaluation at NATC’s Strike Aircraft Test Directorate, Patuxent River, was equipped with a night vision sensor which allowed the two-man crew to pinpoint targets in the dark. Called FLIR, for Forward Looking Infrared Radar, the sensor could detect the thermal radiation from all objects in its field of view, including individual soldiers. While primarily designed to provide a “night eyes” capability, FLIR also offered various degrees of vision through camouflage, dust, smoke, haze and light fog. It was also to be used for navigation, terrain avoidance, terrain surveillance, target detection, target recognition, target tracking, gun laying and as a landing aid.

First Microwave Landing System Landing Accomplished

June 13, 1977–An F-4J Phantom II landed for the first time using the microwave landing system (MLS) at the FAA Test Facility at Atlantic City, New Jersey. A pilot from the Naval Air Test Center was at the controls. The MLS was designed to reach out electronically and catch the target aircraft and fly it to a safe landing without the aircraft’s pilot touching the craft’s controls.

RADM Alan B. Shepard Jr Inducted in Aviation Hall of Fame

June 23, 1977–Rear Admiral Alan B. Shepard, Jr., was inducted into the Aviation Hall of Fame. He was cited for outstanding contributions to aviation as a Naval Aviator, instructor and test pilot, and his contributions to space technology. He was the first American launched into space and the fifth to walk on the moon.

CH-46 E Sea Knight Flies with New Fiberglass Rotor Baldes

August 11, 1977–The first CH-46E Sea Knight with newly developed fiberglass rotor blades was flown by Marine Corps helicopter pilots. The helicopter was the first of 400 to be retrofitted with new rotor blades which were less susceptible to corrosion and fatigue damage.

Navy Unveiled New XFV-12A Verticla/Short Takeeoff and Landing Research Aircraft

August 26, 1977–The Navy unveiled its new XFV-12A vertical/short takeoff and landing research aircraft at the Rockwell International facility in Columbus, Ohio. The XFV-12A, a single engine, single seat, thrust-augmented wing prototype high-performance fighter aircraft was designed to operate from small ships.

Sikorsky S-70L Won LAMPS MK-III Competition

September 1, 1977. – The winners of the LAMPS MK-III competition were announced. The Sikorsky S-70L won over the Boeing Vertol Model 237 proposal. General Electric Aircraft Engine Division was contracted to further develop the T-700-GE-401 engine. IBM received the contract to continue development of the avionics package.

Naval Aviation Logistics Center Fully Operation at Pax River

October 1, 1977–The Naval Aviation Logistics Center became fully operational at Patuxent River, Maryland. The new center was responsible for the implementation, coordination and management of Navy-wide depot-level aviation maintenance programs.

HC-11 Established at North Island

October 1, 1977—HC-11 established at Naval Air Station North Island. “Oh Thank Heaven for HC-11” Cdr. Mike Reber Commanding Officer. The Gun Bearers “VR”

National Parachute Test Range Moved to China Lake

October 31, 1977–The Department of Defense directed a significant relocation of the essential mission of the National Parachute Test Range at El Centro, California. The Range had been responsible for RDT&E for parachute systems and for providing common airfield support to aviation units. With today’s change, the RDT&E mission was moved to the Naval Weapons Center at China Lake, California. The airfield support mission remained at El Centro with the existing Naval Air Facility there.

Navy T-34C Formally Accepted

November 14, 1977–The Chief of Naval Air Training formally accepted the T-34C aircraft manufactured by Beech Aircraft Corporation. The T-34C, a turboprop, two-place trainer, was to replace the T-34B and T-28 training aircraft.

First Satellite of New Navy Fleet Satellite Communications System

February 9, 1978–The first satellite of the new Navy Fleet Satellite Communications System was launched. This system satisfies the need for worldwide tactical command control and communications for the entire fleet.

11 Navy Selected for NASA Space Shuttle Program

February 16, 1978–Eleven of the 35 astronaut candidates selected to participate in NASA’s space shuttle program were Navy personnel. Eight of the Navy selectees were in the pilot training program and the other three were trained as mission specialists.

Sikorsky Wins Full Scale Production Contract for the CH-53E Helicopter

February 27, 1978–A contract for the CH-53E Super Stallion helicopter was awarded to Sikorsky Aircraft to begin full scale production. The CH-53E provided the Navy and Marine Corps with a heavy-lift helicopter. It lifts twice as much as the earlier D model.

DOD Authorized Development of Sikorsky’s SH-60B, the LAMPS MK-III Helicopter

February 28, 1978. – The Department of Defense authorized full-scale development of Sikorsky’s SH-60B, the LAMPS MK-III helicopter. NAVAIR awarded Sikorsky a contract to build five prototypes. The final assembly of the first prototype began in March 1979. The aircraft first flew on 12 December 1979. The other four prototypes began flying in early-1980.

NASA Selects Four Two Man Crews

March 17, 1978–NASA selected four two-man crews for early orbital flights of the space shuttle. CAPT John W. Young, USN, was selected as commander and Commander Robert L. Crippen, USN, as pilot for the first scheduled orbital test. Colonel Joe H. Engle, USAF, and Commander Richard H. Truly, USN, were selected as the backup crew. Also included in the first group of two-man crews was Lieutenant Colonel Jack R. Lousma, USMC.

RADM William L. Harris Accepts Daedalian Weapons System Award

June 9, 1978–Rear Admiral William L. Harris, NWC Commander, accepted the Daedalian Weapons Systems Award in San Antonio, Texas, on behalf of the Naval Weapons Center (NWC) and the Naval Air Systems Command (NAVAIR). The Order of Daedalians, a national fraternity of military pilots, selected NWC and NAVAIR as co-winners of the 1978 award in recognition of the success of these two Navy commands in working together as a team in the development and improvement of a family of heat-seeking guided missiles known as Sidewinder. The Daedalian Weapons System Award and accompanying perpetual trophy was presented annually by the Order of Daedalians to the individual, group or organization, military or civilian, judged to have developed the most outstanding weapon system. The recipient was selected from nominations submitted by the Departments of the Army, Navy, and the Air Force on a rotating basis.

Naval Air Test and Evaluation Museum Opens

July 8, 1978–The Naval Air Test and Evaluation Museum at NAS Patuxent River opened its doors to the public for the first time. Its premier exhibition depicted the full scope of test and evaluation in Naval Aviation. The displays were varied, showing the many different types of aircraft which have passed through the Patuxent River test facility over the years.

Final Flight of Service Acceptance Trails of AH-1T Flown

July 21, 1978–The final flight of the service acceptance trials for the AH-1T Cobra helicopter gunship was made at Naval Air Test Center, Patuxent River. The helo carried an increase of more than 200 percent in its armament payload and was designed to fly farther and fight longer and harder over a target than previous models of the Cobra.

Captain Holden C. Richardson Inducted into the National Aviation Hall of Fame

July 22, 1978–Captain Holden C. Richardson was inducted into the National Aviation Hall of Fame at Dayton, Ohio. Naval Aviator number thirteen, Captain Richardson was the first Naval aviation engineering officer to be so honored.

SH-60B Mock-Up Put Thru Shipboard Compatibility Trials

August 2-3, 1978 –The mock-up of the SH-60B ASW helicopter was put through shipboard compatibility trials aboard Arthur W. Radford. Earlier trials were conducted July 25-26 aboard Oliver Hazard Perry. The SH-60B was being developed by Sikorsky Aircraft.

Major Advance in Escape Systems Reported

August 3, 1978–The Naval Air Systems Command reported a major advance in the technology of escape systems. During the summer, the Naval Weapons Center at China Lake successfully tested a vertical-seeking ejection seat. While carrying a dummy crew member, the seat was fired downward from a suspended test module. It traveled downward less than 45 feet before reversing direction and traveling upward; it then parachuted safely to the ground. These tests demonstrated that the vertical-seeking seat would make it possible to safely eject upside down, within 50 feet of the surface, thus greatly increasing the safety envelope of ejection seats.

Tech Eval Completed on CH-53E Helicopter

September 14, 1978–A Navy technical evaluation was completed on the CH-53E Super Stallion helicopter to determine if performance had been altered by changes made since the initial trials conducted by the Board of Inspection and Survey. The Super Stallion successfully completed the 60-hour test program.

P-3C Update III Program

September 15, 1978–The test-bed P-3C Orion was delivered to the Naval Air Development Center for the Update III program. The aircraft featured an advanced signal processor developed by IBM which provided a four-fold improvement in isolating sounds of submerged targets from ocean background noise. Lockheed California Company was the prime contractor of the P-3C and had been involved with its development over the past 17 years.

First Flight Marine Corps AV-8B Harrier

November 9, 1978–The U.S. Marine Corps’ newest light attack aircraft, the AV-8B, flew for the first time at McDonnell Douglas Corporation in St. Louis. The AV-8B Harrier had more than double the payload and radius of its predecessor, the AV-8A.

NAVAIR Established Jet Pilot Training System (VTXTS) Project

December 18, 1978–The Commander, Naval Air Systems Command formally established the undergraduate Jet Pilot Training System (VTXTS) Project. This Project was designed to provide Naval aviation with an integrated training program consisting of aircraft, simulators, academics, and training management. VTXTS was aimed at the intermediate and advanced jet training levels.

Constellation Battle Group Held in I.O Due to Iran Crisis

December 27, 1978–Constellation and her escort ships were directed to the vicinity of Singapore in response to the internal crisis in Iran and because of vital U.S. interests in the Persian Gulf area. On 2 January 1979, the President directed Constellation and her escort ships to remain on station in the South China Sea and not enter the Indian Ocean.

Constellation Remains in Indian Ocean

January 2, 1979–Task Group 77.7 composed of Constellation and her escort ships were directed to remain on station in the South China Sea in preparation for possible operations in the Indian Ocean due to the internal crisis in Iran.

Harmon International Aviation Trophy Presented

January 24, 1979–Vice President Walter P. Mondale presented Lieutenant Colonel Herbert Fix with the Harmon International Aviation Trophy. Colonel Fix received the award for his role as Commanding Officer of USMC Helicopter Squadron HMH-463 during the evacuations of Phnom Penh and Saigon in 1975. The citation praised Colonel Fix for carrying out his missions “without casualties among the aircrews of 16 rotary wing aircraft in HMH-463, although the operations took place under combat conditions involving anti-aircraft fire, machine gun and small arms fire, and in part at night with few navigational aids.” Colonel Fix was the first U.S. Marine Corps pilot to receive the Harmon Trophy. At the time of the award, he was Project Manager for the H-1/H-3 Helicopters Project Office at the Naval Air Systems Command.

YAV-8B Arrives at Pax River

January 25, 1979–The Navy’s YAV-8B, the Harrier prototype built by McDonnell Douglas, arrived at the Naval Air Test Center to test its aerodynamic improvements not found in the AV-8A. 28–Constellation and her escort ships were released from contingency operations in the South China Sea. The contingency operations had been issued in response to the internal crisis in Iran. The crisis abated when the Shah of Iran departed for exile on 16 January. Due to the uneasy situation in Iran all U.S. government dependents and non-essential American citizens were ordered to evacuate the country on 30 January.

LAMPS Mark III To Be Known as Seahawk

February 9, 1979–The Secretary of the Navy announced that the helicopter portion of the Navy’s LAMPS MK III was to be known officially as the Seahawk. Designated SH-60B, the Sikorsky helicopter took its name from the Curtiss SC-1 Seahawk which was a catapult launched, non-carrier, ASW float plane of late World War II.

Last A-4 Skyhawk Delivered

February 27, 1979–The Navy took delivery of the last A-4 Skyhawk from the McDonnell Douglas Corporation, setting a record for the longest production run for any U.S. military aircraft. Built as an attack bomber and as a two-place trainer, the A-4 had been in continuous production for 26 years. The final Skyhawk off the production line was an A-4M attack bomber built for operation by the Marine Corps. It was the 2960th Skyhawk manufactured by McDonnell Douglas and was delivered to VMA-331.

Constellation and Escort Ships Ordered to Gulf of Aden

March 7, 1979–Constellation and her escort ships were ordered to the Gulf of Aden in response to the conflict between North and South Yemen. The Gulf of Aden and the Persian Gulf were considered vital waterways for the passage of petroleum products to the U.S. and her allies.

P-3B Makes Flight Guided by NavStar

March 11, 1979–A P-3B Orion from NATC Patuxent River flew the first transoceanic flight guided by NavStar, the space-based radio navigation system. The six-hour flight was from NAS Barbers Point to NAS Moffett Field. The NavStar system comprised 24 satellites in earth orbit providing radio navigational information.

Last P-2 Variant Rolls Off Japanese Assembly Line

March 20, 1979–The last variant of the P-2 Neptune rolled off the production line at ceremonies in Japan. This was the longest production run of any aircraft type in history, 34 years from the first model which was built in 1945 in Burbank, California by the Lockheed Corporation. The P-2 was the mainstay of the U.S. Navy’s ASW patrol fleet during the 1950s and early 1960s until it was replaced by the P-3 Orion.

AV-8A Test Ski Jump at Pax River

March 26, 1979–The AV-8A Harrier was used at NATC Patuxent River to test a new ski jump ramp developed by the British to cut down the takeoff distance for the Harrier. The new ski jump ramp was designed with a 12-degree angle of elevation and was 130 feet long. The total takeoff distance for a Harrier using the new ramp was 230 feet compared with the 930-foot runway necessary for a Harrier to make a no-catapult, flat-surface launch. NATC Patuxent River was evaluating the ramp for possible use in the fleet.

USS Midway Relieve USS Constellation In Indian Ocean

April 16, 1979–Midway relieved Constellation as the Indian Ocean contingency carrier. Midway and her escort ships continued a significant American naval presence in the oil-producing region of the Arabian Sea and Persian Gulf.

LastKaanishi H8K2 Flying Boat Transferred to Japan

April 23, 1979–In a ceremony at NAS Norfolk, Vice Admiral Forrest S. Petersen transferred ownership of the last Kawanishi H8K2 flying boat to the Japanese Museum of Maritime Science. Code named Emily by the allies during World War II, the big craft was brought to the United States by the Navy late in 1945 to undergo tests at Patuxent River. When the tests were completed, the Emily was stored at Norfolk and outlasted all its sister aircraft. In July 1979, the Museum of Maritime Science transported the Emily to Tokyo.

Navy RH-53D Helicopter Flies Non-Stop Norfolk to San Diego

April 30, 1979–A RH-53D Sea Stallion from HM-12 set a new nonstop, transcontinental flight by flying from Norfolk, Virginia, to San Diego, California. The helicopter flew 2,077-nm in 18.5 hours, air refueling from an Air National Guard HC-130 Hercules. The flight demonstrated the long-range, quick-response capability of the RH-53D helicopter and was commanded by Lieutenant Rodney M. Davis.

First Two AV-8C Hrriers Arrive at Pax River

May 22, 1979–The first of two McDonnell Douglas AV-8C Harriers arrived at NATC, Patuxent River for service acceptance trials. Improvements built into this aircraft over the AV-8A include a new UHF radio, a chaff and flare dispensing system, lift improvement devices, a radar warning system and secure voice equipment.

USS Midway and Escort Ships Released From Contingency Ops in IO

May 30, 1979–Midway and her escort ships were released from contingency operations in the Arabian Sea and departed for the Pacific.

DOD Approves Mission Element Statement for VTXTS

June 12, 1979–The Deputy Secretary of Defense approved the mission element need statement for the Undergraduate Jet Flight Training System known as VTXTS. This system represented a major step toward meeting the continuing requirement to provide undergraduate pilot training for student naval aviators and transition students of the U.S. Navy and Marine Corps.

First Femail Naval Aviator to CQ in a FixedWing Aircraft

June 20, 1979–Lieutenant Dona Spruill became the first Navy woman pilot to carrier qualify in a fixed-wing aircraft. Lieutenant Spruill piloted a C-1A Trader to an arrested landing aboard Independence.

HMX-1 Becomes Single Source of Helicopter Support to the President

July 1, 1979–With the disestablishment of U.S. Army Executive Flight Detachment, USMC Helicopter Squadron ONE (HMX-1) became the single source of helicopter support for the White House.

Saipan Off Nicaragua for Possible Diplomats Evacuation

July 17, 1979–Saipan was operating off the coast of Nicaragua for possible evacuation of American diplomats and others due to the turmoil surrounding the fall of that government.

7th Fleet to Aid Vietnamese Boat People

July 19, 1979–The President announced he had instructed the U.S. Seventh Fleet to aid the Vietnamese “boat people” and assist them to safety. U.S. naval aviation and surface units of the Seventh Fleet stepped up patrolling, assistance and rescue efforts in support of the Vietnamese “boat people”.

Neil Armstrong Inducted into Aviation Hall of Fame

July 21, 1979–Neil A. Armstrong, a Navy pilot during the Korean War, was inducted into the Aviation Hall of Fame in Dayton, Ohio. He served as an experimental test pilot for the National Advisory Committee for Aeronautics (NACA) and flew a variety of high speed aircraft including the X-15. Later, after being selected as an Astronaut by the NASA, he served as Command Pilot of the Gemini 8 mission, during which he participated in the first docking of a spacecraft. His most notable achievement came as Commander of the Apollo 11 Lunar Landing Mission when he became the first man to step upon the moon.

Bell XV-15 Successfully Converts from Helicopter Mode to Fixed Wing Mode in Flight

July 24, 1979–The Bell XV-15 successfully converted in flight from the helicopter mode to the fixed-wing mode. The XV-15 flight test program was founded as a joint U.S. Navy/NASA/Army research effort to evaluate the tilt rotor concept.

Northrop BQM-74C Completes First Flight

July 27, 1979–The Navy’s newest turbo-jet-powered aerial target, the Northrop BQM-74C, successfully completed its first flight over the Pacific Missile Test Center, California. The 33 minute flight also marked the first airborne launch of the BQM-74C when the target was launched from under the wing of an A-6 Intruder. Following completion of the flight, the BQM-74C was safely landed at sea, retrieved, and returned to Point Mugu for inspection, refurbishment, and eventual reuse. The BQM-74C is the only target in the world using a Digital Avionics Processor which allows it to provide realistic low cost anti-ship cruise missile simulation in training.

Prototype Navy SH-60B Unveiled

August 30, 1979–The first prototype of the Navy’s SH-60B Seahawk helicopter was unveiled at the Sikorsky Aircraft Division at Stratford, Connecticut. The SH-60B was designed to operate from destroyers, frigates and cruisers in performing its role in the LAMPS mission which was detecting, classifying, locating and destroying hostile submarines and surface vessels over extended ranges. Secondary missions for the helicopter included search and rescue, medical evacuation and general fleet support. The SH-60B was officially dubbed the Seahawk in February 1979.

Navy RH-53D Makes Heavy Lift In Italy

August 30, 1979–A U.S. Navy CH-53D Sea Stallion helicopter of VR-24 lifted a 12-foot bronze statue of the Madonna and Child to the top of Mt. Tiberius on Capri, Italy, to replace one which had been destroyed by lightning. The statue was too large to be transported overland.

Circulation Control Rotor (CCR) Made First Flight

September 18, 1979–The Circulation Control Rotor (CCR) made its first flight using the airframe and propulsion system from an HH-2D helicopter. This CCR was initiated by the Navy as an advanced rotor system with improved performance, reduced maintenance requirements, and reduced vibration levels from extant rotor systems.

AV-8C Shipboard Trails

October 1-8, 1979–The AV-8C Harrier shipboard trials were conducted aboard Saipan. Testing consisted of 33 flights involving short take-offs, vertical take-offs and vertical landings by the AV-8C.

Nassau Sent to Cuba in Show of Force

October 11, 1979–Nassau and other amphibious ships headed for Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, in a show of force ordered by the President in response to maneuvers by a Russian combat brigade in Cuba. On 17 October 1,800 Marines landed in Guantanamo Bay as a demonstration of naval power in the wake of the Soviet refusal to withdraw the Russian combat brigade in Cuba.

Kitty Hawkl and Escort ships Sent to Korea

October 28, 1979–Kitty Hawk and her escort ships were directed to operate south of the Korean peninsula in response to the assassination of South Korean President Park on 26 October.

Americans Taken Hostage in American Embassy in Iran

November 4, 1979–One Naval aviator and 14 Marines were among the more than sixty Americans taken hostage when the United States embassy in Tehran, Iran, was seized by a mob of Iranian hoodlums. Spokesmen for the mob demanded that the United States return to Iran the deposed Shah who was in a New York hospital at the time.

USS Midway and Escort Ships Northern Arabian Sea

November 18, 1979–Midway and her escort ships, which had been operating in the Indian Ocean, arrived in the northern part of the Arabian Sea in connection with the continuing hostage crisis in Iran.

Kitty Hawk Moved to Indian Ocean

November 21, 1979–Kitty Hawk and her escort ships were directed to sail to the Indian Ocean to join Midway and her escort ships which were operating in the northern Arabian Sea. The two carrier forces provided the U.S. with attack aircraft, the A-6 and A-7 and fighter aircraft, the F-4 and the modern F-14, which could respond to a variety of situations if called upon during the Iranian hostage crisis.

Kitty Hawk and Escork Ships Arrive Onstation Northern Arabian Sea

December 3, 1979–Kitty Hawk and her escort ships arrived on station in the northern Arabian Sea for contingency operations during the Iranian hostage crisis. This was the first time, since WW-II, that the U.S. Navy had two carrier task forces in the Indian Ocean in response to a crisis situation.

Navy SH-60B First Flight

December 12, 1979–The development program for the LAMPS MK III SH-60B Seahawk helicopter reached a major milestone when the aircraft completed its first flight at the Sikorsky test facility in West Palm Beach, Florida.

Sixth Fleet Nimitz and Escort ships to Relieve Kitty Hawk

December 21, 1979–The Defense Department announced a three-ship nuclear-powered carrier battle group from the Sixth Fleet would deploy to the Indian Ocean to relieve the Seventh Fleet carrier battle group led by Kitty Hawk. The Sixth Fleet carrier battle group consisted of the nuclear-powered Nimitz and her nuclear-powered escort ships.

Russians Send Troops to Afghanistan

December 24, 1979–A massive Soviet airlift of 5,000 Russian airborne troops and equipment into the Afghanistan capital of Kabul was conducted. The U.S. protested the large influx of Soviet troops which the Soviet Union claimed were at the request of the Afghanistan government. On 27 December a Soviet-backed coup installed a new President in Afghanistan. The two carrier task forces consisting of Midway and Kitty Hawk continued contingency operations in the northern Arabian Sea.

Navy Carrier Forces Respond to Five Crisis Around the World in 1979

December 31, 1979–During 1979, Navy carrier forces responded to five crisis situations around the world. The following carriers responded for contingency operations: Constellation responded to the crisis which involved North and South Yemen; Saipan responded during the Nicaraguan turmoil; Nassau was involved in the response to Russian combat troops in Cuba; Kitty Hawk responded to the alert in Korea; and Midway and Kitty Hawk conducted contingency operations during the Iranian hostage crisis.

7th Fleeet Ships and Aircraft Continue Helping Rescue Vietnamese Boat People

December 31, 1979–U.S. Navy surface and aviation forces of the Seventh Fleet continued their patrols and rescue assistance efforts connected with the Vietnamese boat people following the President’s order in July. During the last six months of 1979, Navy ships embarked over 800 Vietnamese refugees. Vietnamese refugees picked up by merchant vessels with the aid of P-3 patrol aircraft totaled over 1,000.

THE DIAMOND ANNIVERSARY DECADE 1981-1990

THE DIAMOND ANNIVERSARY DECADE 1981-1990

The eighth decade of Naval Aviation was characterized by a buildup of its forces, the rise of world-wide acts of terrorism and Naval Aviation’s involvement in response to the various crises throughout the world.

During the 1980s, Naval Aviation saw a resurgence in its strength and capabilities. There was an increase in its building programs and new technology research. Many of Naval Aviation’s aircraft for the 1990s and the 21st century were introduced in the 1980s. They included the F/A-18 Hornet, the SH-60B LAMPS MK III Seahawk and its derivatives, the MH-53E and the AV-8B Harrier II. A new aircraft concept was introduced with the rollout of the V-22 Osprey, a fixed-wing, tilt-rotor aircraft capable of vertical take-off and landing and horizontal flight (VTOL). Additional nuclear-powered aircraft carriers were commissioned and more were authorized for construction. A new class of multipurpose amphibious assault ship (LHD) was commissioned with more scheduled for completion or under construction.

Naval Aviation’s involvement in international events-major highlights of the 1980s-began with Iran and the continuing hostage crises, 1979-1981. Libyan operations in 1981, 1986 and 1989 demonstrated Naval Aviation’s air-to-air and strike capabilities. In 1983, a carrier and amphibious task force took part in Operation Urgent Fury and the re-establishment of democracy in the Caribbean island of Grenada. Operations in and around Lebanon kept Naval Aviation occupied during the mid-1980s. Responding to hijacking and terrorism in the Mediterranean basin was an ongoing requirement for most of the 1980s. The other hot spot for Naval Aviation was the Persian Gulf and the Iran-Iraq war. Naval Aviation was involved in numerous periods of short-lived combat operations in the Persian Gulf area. The escorting of re-flagged oil tankers and the monitoring of the Iran-Iraq war kept Naval Aviation on the line from the mid-1980s. As the decade ended, a new crises appeared when Iraq invaded Kuwait and the UN imposed an economic blockade on Iraq to force its withdrawal from Kuwait.

The activities of Naval Aviation were not limited to a combat role. Other activities included continued involvement in the manned space program and assistance during natural disasters, both at home and abroad.

Midway and Kitty Hawk Continued on Contingency Operations in the Arabian Sea

January 1, 1980–Midway and Kitty Hawk continued on contingency operations in the Arabian Sea in response to 53 Americans held hostage at the American Embassy in Teheran, Iran, since 4 November 1979.

Nimitz Heads to the Indian Ocean

January 4, 1980–Nimitz rendezvoused with her nuclear-powered escort ships in the Mediterranean and headed to the Indian Ocean via Africa’s Cape of Good Hope to relieve Kitty Hawk which was on contingency duty. This left Forrestal the only carrier with the Sixth Fleet in the Med.

Nimitz Joins Midway and Kitty Hawk in Arabian Sea

January 22, 1980–Nimitz and her escort ships joined Midway and the Kitty Hawk and their escort ships on station in the Arabian Sea. The following day Kitty Hawk departed for Subic Bay, Philippines, having spent 64 days in operations connected with the Iranian crisis.

Coral Sea Relieves Midway

February 5, 1980–Coral Sea relieved Midway which had been on contingency operations in the Arabian Sea since the Iranian hostage crisis broke out in November 1979.

Nassau and Marines show the Flag in Support of the 1979 Treaty With Panama

March 6, 1980–Nassau began a month-long cruise to the Caribbean to demonstrate U.S. capability to defend the Panama Canal in accordance with the 1979 treaty with Panama. Nassau had a 400-man Marine detachment, CH-46 Sea Knight and CH-53 Sea Stallion helicopters and AV-8A Harriers on board.

IKE Deploys to the Indian Ocean

April 16, 1980–Eisenhower and her nuclear-powered escort ships departed East Coast ports en route to the Indian Ocean to relieve Nimitz task force. This was the second all nuclear-powered task force to head for the Indian Ocean since the beginning of the Iranian hostage crisis. Two days later, Constellation with her escort ships departed Subic Bay Philippines, steaming to the Indian Ocean to relieve Coral Sea task group.

IRAN Hostage Helicopter Rescue Mission

April 24, 1980–Eight RH-53D Sea Stallions operating from Nimitz in the Arabian Sea took part in a joint task force operation to rescue the American hostages in Tehran, Iran. The mission was later aborted at a desert refueling site. Subsequently, one of the helicopters collided with a C-130 Hercules aircraft resulting in the loss of eight lives. All other personnel were evacuated on the remaining C-130s.

Connie Relieves Coral Sea

April 30, 1980–Constellation and her task group relieved Coral Sea and her escort ships. Coral Sea had been on station for 89 days in connection with the Iranian crisis.

Saipan and other Navy ships Conduct Search and Rescue of Cuban Refugees

May 5, 1980–Saipan and other Navy ships provided humanitarian search and rescue support operations for the vast sealift of Cuban refugees heading for the U.S. through the Florida Straits. The Navy ships had been diverted from the annual combined training exercise Solid Shield to undertake the mission.

IKE Relieves Nimitz

May 8, 1980–Arriving in the Arabian Sea from the U.S., via the Cape of Good Hope, Eisenhower conducted turnover with Nimitz, which had been involved in Iranian contingency operations for 115 consecutive days.

President Embarks on Nimitz to Thanks Crew

May 26, 1980–The President embarked on Nimitz off Norfolk, Virginia, thanked the men of Nimitz and her escort ships for their sacrifice during an extended nine-month deployment to the Mediterranean and the Indian Ocean. Nimitz had spent 144 straight days at sea in connection with the Iranian hostage crisis.

Coral Sea Diverted To Korea in Response to Civil Unrest

May 27, 1980–Coral Sea was diverted to standby duty south of Cheju-Do Islands in the Sea of Japan in response to conditions of civil unrest in the Republic of Korea. She was relieved by Midway three days later.

Navy Granted Approval For Service Use (ASU) for Two Advanced Sonobuoys

June 23, 1980–The Navy granted Approval for Service Use (ASU) for two advanced sonobuoys. The AN/SSQ-2 Directional Command Active Sonobuoy System (DICASS) and the AN/SSQ-77 Vertical Line Array DIFAR(VLAD) represent the first major improvements in the sonobuoy field since the AN/SSQ-53 DIFAR was introduced in 1968. These sonobuoys reinforce their article’s unique position as the vital link between the search aircraft and “enemy in liquid space”. They provide a three-to-five fold improvement over existing active and passive airborne sensors.

Navy Stops Support at Key West For Cuban Refugees

July 8, 1980–The Navy terminated its support operations at Key West for the Cuban refugees. Eleven Navy ships as well as P-3 Orion patrol aircraft assisted the unofficial freedom flotilla which involved civilian boats crossing the Florida Straits to transfer Cuban refugees to the U.S. Over 115,500 had arrived from Mariel, Cuba, since the freedom flotilla began.

CNO Names 12 for the Naval Aviation Hall of Honor at the Naval Aviation Museum in Pensacola

July 10, 1980–The names of 12 men were selected by the CNO for enshrining in the Naval Aviation Hall of Honor at the Naval Aviation Museum in Pensacola. In order of their selection they were: Admiral John H. Towers, Eugene B. Ely, Lieutenant Colonel Alfred A. Cunningham, Rear Admiral Richard E. Byrd, Jr., Commander Theodore G. Ellyson, Glenn H. Curtiss, Vice Admiral Patrick N.L. Bellinger, Rear Admiral William Adger Moffett, Rear Admiral Albert C. Read, Lieutenant Commander Godfrey deC. Chevalier, Captain Holden C. Richardson and Warrant Officer Floyd Bennett. 18–Charles “Pete” Conrad, former Navy pilot and NASA astronaut, became the twelfth former Naval Aviator to be enshrined in Dayton’s prestigious Aviation Hall of Fame.

Automatic Parachute Release System Developed by Vought Corporation

July 30, 1980–An automatic parachute release system developed by Vought Corporation was designed to save the lives of pilots who eject from their aircraft under adverse conditions. The new system, developed with U.S. Navy funding, was called SEAPAC, for Sea Activated Parachute Automatic Crew Release. It had seawater activated switches which automatically released the parachute harness when a pilot entered the water.

T-2C Buckeye Launched from Ski Ramp

July 31, 1980–A T-2C Buckeye was successfully launched from a fixed-angle, three-degree ski jump at Naval Air Test Center, Patuxent River, Maryland. This launch was the first part of feasibility demonstrations to evaluate the use of ramps for takeoffs by conventional, as opposed to V/STOL aircraft.

LDO Aviator Program Established

July 31, 1980–A Limited Duty Officer aviator program for second class, first class and chief petty officers, paygrades E-5 through E-7, was established, with the first 35 enlisted personnel selected and scheduled to report to NAS Pensacola in April 1981. After completing aviation officer indoctrination, primary flight and maritime (prop) training, the new officers were assigned to an initial three-year tour as primary flight instructors. Major objectives of the program were to improve utilization and retention of aviators, provide further upward mobility for enlisted personnel, improve the flight instructor program and provide for replacement of aviators in selected shipboard billets.

Midway Relieves Constellation

August 17, 1980–Midway relieved Constellation to begin another Indian Ocean deployment and complement Eisenhower task group still on contingency duty in the Arabian Sea.

Eisenhower and Midway Continue Contingency Operations

September 22, 1980–Eisenhower and Midway continued contingency operations in the northern Arabian Sea as war erupted between Iraq and Iran.

Guadalcanal and Sixth Fleet Ships Assist Earthquake Victims of the Algerian city of Al Asnam

October 12, 1980–Ships of the Amphibious Force, Sixth Fleet, including Guadalcanal, began assisting the victims of the massive earthquake which devastated the Algerian city of Al Asnam. The ships took up positions 20-25 miles offshore to render helicopter support in the disaster relief efforts.

Ranger Relieves Midway

November 6, 1980–Ranger and accompanying ships of her task group relieved the Midway in the northern Arabian Sea. Midway thus completed its second Indian Ocean deployment in connection with the Iranian crisis, for a total of 157 days “on the line”.

LAMPS SH-60B Seahawk Uses Recovery Assist, Securing and Traversing (RAST) System

November 11, 1980–For the first time, the LAMPS SH-60B Seahawk worked with the Recovery Assist, Securing and Traversing (RAST) system aboard a ship underway. The guided-missile frigate Mclnerney (FFG 8) conducted the shipboard aspect of the exercise which included mainly electronic communications and not an actual landing. This test was conducted from the Bath Ironworks and Yard at Bath, Maine.

VR-24 H-53s Provide Disaster Relief in Italy

November 25, 1980–RH-53D Sea Stallions from VR-24, together with units of the U.S. Army and Air Force, began disaster relief assistance to victims of the devastating earthquake at Avellino, Italy, on November 23, which killed over 3,000 persons and made many more homeless. Commander Fleet Air, Mediterranean, headquartered at Naples, was director of U.S. Military support efforts.

Independence Relieves IKE

December 8, 1980–Independence and her escort ships relieved Eisenhower and her task force which had been involved in Iranian contingency operations since 8 May. Eisenhower returned to Norfolk, Virginia on 22 December, after a 251-day deployment, the longest underway deployment for a Navy ship since World War II. She had been underway for 152 continuous days.

Carrier Operations in 1980

December 31, 1980–Carrier operations during 1980 in connection with the Iranian crisis consisted of 10 tours by eight attack carriers (two with two tours each) in the Indian Ocean/Arabian Sea. The carriers accumulated a grand total of 723 days on station. Those with over 100 contingency days on station during the year included Eisenhower, whose two tours totaled 199 days; Midway, with two tours representing 118 days; Constellation with 110 days and Nimitz with 108 days. Other carriers involved in contingency operations in the Indian Ocean were Coral Sea, Ranger, Independence and Kitty Hawk.

LAMPS MK III ASW System Goes to Sea

January 6, 1981 – The LAMPS MK III ASW system went to sea for the first time. Off the northeastern coast of Florida, the SH-60B Seahawk landed aboard McInerney (FFG 8) underway by using the new RAST gear. RAST was designed to recover a helicopter in seas with ship movements up to a 28-degree roll, 5 degrees of pitch and heaving of 15 feet per second. The primary mission of the SH-60B was antisubmarine warfare. It also provided surveillance and targeting information on surface vessels, performed search and rescue (SAR) operations and was used for vertical replenishment and gunfire support.

HC-1 Rescues Downed Helicopter Crew in the South China Sea

March 16, 1981 – An A-6 Intruder from VA-115 on board Midway sighted a downed civilian helicopter in the South China Sea. Midway immediately dispatched HC-1 Det 2 helicopters to the scene. All 17 people aboard the downed helicopter were rescued and brought aboard the carrier. The chartered civilian helicopter was also plucked out of the water and lifted to Midway’s flight deck.

HMH-464 Receives the CH-53E Super Stallion

July 1, 1981. – HMH-464 began to receive the CH-53E Super Stallion. HM-12 received its first Super Stallion in November 1982. It was used for Vertical Onboard Delivery (VOD) operations. The MH-53E, a modification of the CH-53E to the minesweeper configuration, began service in 1986.

XV-15 Conducts Shipboard Landings

August 2, 1982 – The XV-15, Bell Helicopter’s experimental vertical lift aircraft, piloted by Navy test pilot Lieutenant Commander John Ball and Bell’s test pilot Dorman Cannon, conducted its first at-sea shipboard landings and takeoffs on Tripoli. A tilt-rotor aircraft, the XV-15 had a conven-tional fixed wing, with engines and rotors mounted on the wing tips, which were capable of swiveling to provide either vertical or horizontal flight.

Helicopter Tactical Wing One was Established

October 1, 1982 – Helicopter Tactical Wing One was established at NAS Norfolk, Va. The new wing consisted of HC-6, HC-16, HM-12, HM-14 and HM-16. It was responsible for the administrative and operational activities of these helicopter squadrons with regard to training, material support and overall readiness. Captain John W. Osberg was its first commander.

HSL-41 was Established

January 21, 1983 – HSL-41 was established with Commander Michael B. O’Connor Jr., as the Seahawks’ first commanding officer. The squadron would be flying the new Sikorsky SH-60B Seahawk and, as the LAMPS MK III fleet readiness squadron, would train pilots, aircrew and maintenance personnel for SH-60B fleet squadrons.

First CH-53E Super Stallion Delivered to HM-12 Sea Dragons

March 11, 1983 – The first fleet CH-53E Super Stallion was delivered to the HM-12 Sea Dragons. The CH-53E could transport heavier loads over longer distances than previous helicopters used for logistics in the fleet. Modifications included the addition of a third engine, a larger main rotor system and changes to the tail rotor. These changes would allow the CH-53E to carry three times the payload of its predecessor, the RH-53D.

Navy’s First Heavy Lift Helicopter Combat Support Squadron, HC-4 was Established

May 6, 1983. – The Navy’s first heavy lift Helicopter Combat Support Squadron, HC-4 was established at Norfolk, VA. This was the second helicopter squadron to carry this designation. It was equipped with the new, three-engine, seven-blade rotor CH-53E Super Stallion. The squadron moved to its home base, NAS Sigonella, Italy, on 25 August 1983. It immediately took over the VOD mission in the Mediterranean.

Marine Corps CH-53E Flies Coast To Coast

July 6, 1983 – A Marine Corps CH-53E Super Stallion flew coast to coast in a 15-hour flight from Patuxent River, Md., to MCAS Tustin, Calif. It was refueled four times by a Marine Corps KC-130 Hercules.

MH-53E Super Stallion Production Prototype Made its First Flight

September 1, 1983 – The MH-53E Super Stallion production prototype made its first flight. The MH version of the CH-53E heavy-lift helicopter was developed to meet the Navy’s needs for airborne mine countermeasures missions. The MH versions would also augment the VOD requirements of the Navy.

HSL-41 Received First SH-60B Seahawk

September 28, 1983 – The Seahawks of HSL-41 received their first production SH-60B. HSL-41 was the Navy’s first LAMPS MK III squadron.

Improved CH-46 First Flight

November 23, 1983 – A modified CH-46 lifted off Boeing Vertol’s flight ramp at Philadelphia, Pa., for its first flight. The modified CH-46 carried improvements that, when incorporated in all the H-46s, would extend the service life of the Navy/Marine Corps fleet of H-46 aircraft through the 1990s.

SECNAV Names First LHD-1 USS Wasp

December 27, 1983 – The Secretary of the Navy announced the assignment of the name Wasp to LHD 1. The LHD 1 was the first of a new class of amphibious assault ships designed to accommodate new air-cushioned landing craft, as well as conventional landing craft, the AV-8 Harrier and all types of helicopters.

HC-1 Received First Two CH-53E helicopters

January 10, 1984 – HC-1 received its first two CH-53E helicopters. Capable of lifting over 16 tons, the Super Stallion was the largest and most powerful helicopter in the western world. HC-1 was the only Navy West Coast squadron to fly the CH-53E. The squadron would also continue to fly the SH-3G Sea King in its current role.

First Female Pilot to Land H-46 on a Battleship

March 20, 1984 – Lieutenant Catherine H. Osman was the first female pilot to land a helicopter (HH-46A) aboard the battleship Iowa (BB 61).

HM-14 Conducts Minesweeping Operations in the Gulf of Suez

August 17, 1984 – HM-14, after receiving a Joint Chiefs of Staff notice of tasking for rapid deployment to the Gulf of Suez, commenced mine-hunting operations that continued for 22 consecutive days in the troubled area. Earlier, on 6 August, HM-14 had embarked aboard Shreveport (LPD 12) with four RH-53Ds which were later augmented by others from the squadron’s detachment, as well as an RH-53D from HM-12.

HM-14 Conducts Flight Ops in Support of Embassy Bombing in Lebanon

September 22, 1984 – HM-14 conducted flight operations to support logistics, medevacs and embassy personnel evacuation after a terrorist bombing of the U. S. Embassy Annex in Beirut, Lebanon.

HC-8 was Established

December 3, 1984 – HC-8 was established at Naval Air Station, Norfolk, Va

F/A-18 Hornet strike fighter and the LAMPS SH-60B Seahawk ASW Helicopter, Deploy

February 21, 1985 – The F/A-18 Hornet strike fighter and the LAMPS, which used the SH-60B Seahawk ASW helicopter, deployed overseas for the first time. Both systems operated as part of Battle Group Delta headed by Constellation in a routine deployment with the Seventh Fleet to the Western Pacific and Indian Ocean. The Hornets replaced the A-7E Corsair IIs operated by two squadrons assigned to CVW-14, making Constellation the Navy’s first carrier to have F/A-18s assigned to her air wing. The SH-60B Seahawk helicopter operated as the air subsystem of the LAMPS MK III weapon system, deployed aboard Crommelin (FFG 37).

Contract Signed For Carrier Version of the Seahawk, SH-60F

March 6, 1985 – The Naval Air Systems Command and United Technologies’ Sikorsky Aircraft signed a contract for full-scale development and production options for a carrier-borne version of the SH-60B Seahawk. Designated SH-60F, the variant would be used to protect the inner perimeter of carrier battle groups from enemy submarines.

VP-68 Moves

April 1, 1985 – VP-68 completed its move from NAS Patuxent River, Md., to NAF Washington, D.C., located at Andrews AFB. Relocation of the reserve antisubmarine warfare squadron, which operated the P-3B Orion, was to make room for the JVX test program at NAS Patuxent River, but also helped balance base loading at NAF Washington. The V-22 Osprey, formerly the JVX, a multi-service, tilt-rotor V/STOL aircraft, was scheduled for testing at the Naval Air Test Center starting in 1988.

The Keel was Laid for the USS Wasp

May 30, 1985 – The keel was laid for Wasp during ceremonies at Ingalls Shipbuilding in Pascagoula, Miss. First of a new class of amphibious ships, the LHD was designed to accommodate helicopters such as the CH-53E Super Stallion and SH-60B Seahawk, as well as the MV-22 Osprey tilt-rotor aircraft and the AV-8B Harrier II.

HSL-84 Completes Deployment

September 2, 1985 – Reserve squadron HSL-84 completed its deployment of two detachments aboard reserve frigates which marked the first time in Naval Reserve history that a reserve LAMPS detachment was embarked aboard a ship for an extended period of time. While at sea for two weeks beginning 16 August, Det 1 assigned to Grey (FF 1054) and Det 2 assigned to Lang (FF 1060) operated as part of a five-ship all-Reserve squadron.

Bell-Boeing Awarded Navy Contract For The V-22 Osprey

May 3, 1986. – Bell-Boeing was awarded a Navy contract for full-scale development of the V-22 Osprey. This was a major milestone in the Join Service Vertical Take-off/Landing Experimental (JVX) program, which had been initiated in 1981. In response to a request for proposals issued in 1983, Bell Helicopter had teamed up with Boeing Vertol and, on 17 February 1983, submitted a proposal for a bigger version of the Bell XV-15. The first of six prototypes first flew on 19 March 1989. The Osprey successfully completed sea trials aboard USS Wasp (LHD-1) in December 1990. After two crashes in 1991-92, redesigned V-22B models resumed test flights in 1993. Testing continued into 1997. The first pre-production V-22 began testing at NATC on 5 February 1997. In 2000 two fatal crashes that killed 19 Marines delayed significantly the development program. After a long and controversial development process, DoD finally approved full-rate production on 28 September 2005. The first combat deployment of the MV-22 occurred in October 2007.

Helicopter Landing Trainer IX-514 was Approved

May 27, 1986 – The helicopter landing trainer IX-514 was approved for use by student Naval Aviators after testing was conducted using UH-1N, SH-3H, SH-60B, and TH-57 aircraft. The training craft provided a platform to shipboard-qualify student helicopter pilots before they joined the fleet.

The Helistat Crashed at NAEC Lakehurst During Flight Test

July 1, 1986 – The Helistat, a flight demonstrator lighter-than-air aircraft under development by Piasecki Aircraft Company for use by the Forestry Service, crashed at NAEC Lakehurst, N.J., during flight tests. The Helistat was powered by the engines and rotor systems of four SH-34J Seabat helicopters attached to a ZPG-2 airship envelope.

Brown Shoes Are Back

September 20, 1986 – Naval Aviation personnel were authorized by ALNAV message 202001Z Oct to wear brown shoes and khaki socks with summer khaki uniforms to become effective on 1 April 1987. The brown shoes had been removed as part of the uniform on 1 July 1976 after being part of the Naval Aviator’s uniform since 1913.

VC-8 Launches 3 Helicopters for Hotel Fire Rescue Effort in Puerto Rico

December 31, 1986 – VC-8 launched three H-3 helicopters on short notice to support rescue efforts at the Dupont Plaza Hotel fire in San Juan, Puerto Rico. Called the worst hotel disaster in U.S. history, 75 persons stranded on the roof of the hotel were rescued in twilight and darkness by the Redtails.

SH-60F CV-Helo Conducted First Flight

March 19, 1987 – The SH-60F CV-Helo conducted its first flight. It was ordered by the Navy in early 1985 as the replacement for the SH-3H Sea King ASW helicopter utilized for the inner-zone defense of carrier battle groups.

HM-12 First Fleet Squadron to Receive MH-53E Sea Stallion

April 1, 1987 – HM-12 was the first fleet squadron to receive the MH-53E Sea Stallion. This new airborne mine countermeasures helicopter provided a greater tow tension capability, longer on-station time and a new digital automatic flight control system.

Navy Receives First SH-60F

June 30, 1987 – The Navy received its first SH-60F Seahawk (Carrier Inner Zone Helicopter). Operational test and evaluation of the aircraft began in December. The SH-60F would replace the SH-3H Sea King used by HS squadrons.

SH-60B and SH-2F Helicopters Modified for Special Middle East Force Duties

July 6, 1987 – SH-60B and SH-2F helicopters, modified for Special Middle East Force duties, were deployed. The modifications included special mission defensive equipment, such as the M-60 machine gun and special countermeasure and infrared electronic devices.

AIRPAC Initiates Extensive Modifications to LAMPS MK I and MK III aircraft

July 15, 1987 – Commander Naval Air Force, U.S. Pacific Fleet initiated extensive modifications to LAMPS MK I and MK III aircraft to increase survivability and surface surveillance capability during Persian Gulf operations.

HM-14 Called For Rapid Response Deployment to the Persian Gulf

July 27, 1987 – HM-14 was called upon for a rapid response deployment to the Persian Gulf and departed 72 hours later with its RH-53Ds to counter mines being laid by Iranian forces. HM-14 assets were flown by USAF C-5 and C-141 aircraft to Diego Garcia where its helicopters were reassembled and placed aboard Guadalcanal. The squadron conducted sweeping and hunting operations in the Persian Gulf until relieved by surface minesweeping units.

Lamps Dets on Convoy Duty in Arabian Sea

August 1, 1987 – Commander, Naval Air Force, U.S. Atlantic Fleet began support of an average of five to seven LAMPS helicopter detachments operating on convoy duty in the Persian Gulf.

USS Wasp Christened

September 19, 1987 – Wasp was christened. She was the first of a new class of amphibious assault ships (LHD). Her primary mission was to deploy and land elements of a Marine air and ground task force during an assault by employing helicopters, landing craft and amphibious vehicles. The ship would operate the AV-8B Harrier II, as well as various types of helicopters, and the new air cushion land craft (LCAC).

HML(A)-169 First to Deploy with AH-1W Super Cobra

October 8, 1987 – HML(A)-169 became the first Marine Corps squadron to deploy operationally with the new AH-1W Super Cobra. The unit deployed to the Persian Gulf aboard Okinawa (LPH 3). The AH-1W was capable of simultaneously employing the Hellfire, TOW and Sidewinder missiles. It also had a new heads-up display and bigger engines to give the ground support gunship greatly increased mission capabilities.

TPS Receives First Three HH-65 Dolphin Helicopters

December 7, 1987 – The Naval Test Pilot School at NAS Patuxent River, Md., received the first of three HH-65 Dolphin helicopters on loan from the Coast Guard.

V-22 Osprey Rolled Out

May 23, 1988 – The revolutionary tilt-rotor aircraft, the V-22 Osprey, made its debut during rollout ceremonies at Bell Helicopter’s facility in Arlington, Tex. The V-22 combined the attributes of a helicopter and a turbo-prop aircraft and was developed from the start to serve the needs of all four armed services.

Navy HH-60H Makes Maiden Flight

August 17, 1988 – The maiden flight of the Navy’s new Helicopter Combat Support aircraft, HH-60H, was conducted at Sikorsky Aircraft, Stratford, Conn. The helicopter was a derivative of the SH-60F. The primary mission of the new HH-60H would be strike rescue with secondary tasks involving special warfare missions. The HH-60Hs were the first new aircraft purchased for and operated exclusively by the Naval Air Reserve.

HCS-5 was Established

October 1, 1988 – HCS-5 was established at NAS Point Mugu, Calif., the first squadron of its kind. HCS-5 was a Reserve squadron with a primary mission of combat search and rescue (strike rescue) and special warfare support. It would operate the HH-60H Seahawk.

First Woman Earn Wings Through the Reinstated NAVCAD Program

November 10, 1988 – Ensign Joy D. Warner became the first woman to earn her Wings of Gold through the newly reinstated NAVCAD program. She joined the program in June 1987 and completed basic flight training with HT-8.

V-22 Osprey Tilt-Rotor Aircraft Make First Flight at Bell

March 19, 1989 – The V-22 Osprey tilt-rotor aircraft made its first flight at Bell Helicopter Textron’s Flight Research Center, Arlington, Tex. The aircraft reached a maximum speed of 20 knots and an altitude of 30 feet during a 15-minute flight in the helicopter mode, which initiated phase one of flight tests. The V-22 was the first modern weapons system designed from conception to meet the requirements of all four U.S. armed services.

USS Iowa Explosion

April 19, 1989 – While operating in the Caribbean, Coral Sea responded to a call for assistance from Iowa (BB 61) due to an explosion in the battleship’s number two gun turret in which 47 crew members were killed. The explosive ordnance disposal team from Coral Sea removed volatile powder charges from the ship’s 16-inch guns and flooded powder magazines. Coral Sea also

dispatched a surgical team and medical supplies. VC-8, using SH-3G helicopters, also performed medevac and logistical support to Iowa.

HS-10 Receives First SH-60F Helicopter

June 22, 1989 – HS-10 accepted the Navy’s first SH-60F CV-Helo inner zone antisubmarine warfare aircraft during a ceremony at NAS North Island, Calif. In October, HS-10 became the Navy’s only SH-60F fleet readiness squadron when it transferred all SH-3 training to HC-1 and HS-1.

HS-10 Receives First SH-60F Helicopter

June 22, 1989 – HS-10 accepted the Navy’s first SH-60F CV-Helo inner zone antisubmarine warfare aircraft during a ceremony at NAS North Island, Calif. In October, HS-10 became the Navy’s only SH-60F fleet readiness squadron when it transferred all SH-3 training to HC-1 and HS-1.

HCS-5 Accepts the First Sikorsky HH-60H Helicopter

July 8, 1989 – HCS-5, NAS Point Mugu, Calif., accepted the first Sikorsky HH-60H strike rescue and special warfare operations helicopters. The HH-60H was the first aircraft to be produced specifically for the Naval Air Reserve.

Ranger Rescues 39 Vietnamese Refugees

August 3, 1989 – Ranger rescued 39 Vietnamese refugees, adrift for 10 days on a barge in heavy seas and monsoon rains in the South China Sea, about 80 miles from NAS Cubi Point, R.P. SH3-s from HS-14 assisted. An A-6 from VA-145 spotted the barge, which had apparently broken loose from its mooring near a small island off the coast of Vietnam with 10 men on board. Twenty-nine other refugees from a sinking refugee boat climbed aboard the barge when it drifted out to sea. After examination by medical personnel, all were flown to NAS Cubi Point for further processing.

Coast Guard Retires Last Sikorsky HH-52A Sea Guard Helicopter

September 12, 1989 – The Coast Guard retired its last Sikorsky HH-52A Sea Guard. The HH-52A served over 26 years as the Coast Guard’s primary short-range, search and rescue helicopter. It was replaced by the Aerospatiale HH-65A Dolphin.

First Coast Guard Sikorsky HH-60J Jayhawk Helicopter Rolles Out

September 14, 1989 – The first Sikorsky HH-60J Jayhawk medium-range, search and rescue helicopter rolled out in Stratford, Conn. It would replace the Sikorsky HH-3F in Coast Guard service.

V-22 Osprey Makes First Flight in Full airplane Mode

September 14, 1989 – The V-22 Osprey made its first flight in full airplane mode. The part helicopter, part airplane tilt-rotor aircraft was airborne for about one hour at Bell Helicopter Textron’s Arlington, Tex., facility.

Navy Air supports Hurricane Hugo Relief Ops in Caribbean

September 17-21, 1989 – Under the direction of Commander, Fleet Air, Caribbean, a number of Navy and Marine Corps squadrons-including HC-2 (Det VI), VP-93, and VC-8-responded to the destruction brought by Hurricane Hugo to the Caribbean by flying in needed supplies to Puerto Rico and evacuating the seriously injured to hospitals.

HAL-4 Redesignated HCS-4

October 1, 1989 – HAL-4, a Naval Reserve squadron, was officially redesignated HCS-4 with an added mission of strike rescue. HAL-4 was the last Navy gunship squadron.

HM-15 and HC-1 Support Earthquake Relief Operations in San Francisco

October 17, 1989 – An earthquake in northern California brought response from HM-15 Detachment 3 and HC-1. Both conducted lifts of food, water, and relief materials to the heavily damaged areas. HC-11 Det 3 also participated in the disaster relief. The amphibious assault ship Peleliu provided food and shelter to homeless earthquake victims.

VH-60N was Approved for Executive Transport

November 3, 1989 – The designation VH-60N was approved for the version of the H-60 helicopter to be used as the worldwide executive transport. Personnel from HMX-1 were responsible for flying the President and his staff in this helicopter.

Helicopter crew from Guadalcanal Rescues Three Fishermen

January 25, 1990 – A helicopter crew from Guadalcanal rescued three fishermen after their boat went under three miles off Cape Henry, Va.

Navy Helicopters Respond to Merchant Ship Distress Call

January 25, 1990- HSL-45 Detachment 10; HSL-33 Detachment 3; and HSL-35 Detachment 1 responded to a distress call from the Chinese merchant vessel Hauzhu, reported to be sinking 40 miles off the northern coast of the Philippines. Nineteen crewmembers were recovered.

SH-2G helicopter was Introduced

March 21, 1990 – The SH-2G helicopter was introduced at a flyout ceremony at the Kaman Aerospace Corporation’s production facility in Bloomfield, Connecticut. The SH-2G was an upgraded version of the SH-2F helicopter, which was part of the LAMPS MK I. Improvements included a sonobuoy data processing system, changes in the tactical navigation system, more powerful engines, composite rotor blades, an infrared target detection system and several countermeasures systems.

HS-2 Receives First SH-60F Helicopter

March 27, 1990 – HS-2 became the first Navy squadron to receive the SH-60F inner-zone combat aircraft for operational deployment with the fleet at a ceremony at NAS North Island, Calif. The SH-60F, made by Sikorsky, was a derivative of the SH-60B Seahawk LAMPS MK III helicopter.

First Ship Launch of the SLAM

June 26, 1990 – The first ship launch of the SLAM was conducted from a Harpoon canister aboard the guided missile cruiser Lake Champlain (CG 57). The launch was controlled from a LAMPS MK III helicopter, with video images downlinked to the ship’s command information center via the helicopter’s Walleye data link pod. The test was conducted at Pacific Missile Test Center’s sea test range.

Large Earthquake Strikes the Philippines

July 16, 1990 – The largest earthquake to strike the Philippines in 14 years rocked Manila and left many northern areas of Luzon destroyed. Marine helicopters assigned to Marine Corps Air Group Task Force 4-90 of HMM-164 (C) hauled food, water and medical supplies. CH-46E, CH-53D, and CH-53E helicopters were used for transports, while searches for survivors were conducted by UH-1N and AH-1W helicopters and OV-10 observation planes. Navy SH-3G helicopters assigned to VC-5 at NAS Cubi Point also flew re-supply and medical missions. VC-5 helicopters delivered cement-cutting saws and trained operators in rescue parties to help free victims trapped in the rubble.

HC-9 Disestablished

July 31, 1990 – HC-9, the Navy’s only combat search and rescue helicopter unit, was disestablished. Its mission passed to two Navy Reserve special operations squadrons: HCS-5 at Point Mugu, Calif., and HCS-4 at NAS Norfolk, Va. HC-9 had been established in August 1975.

Operation Sharp Edge

August 5, 1990 – January 9, 1991 – Operation Sharp Edge was authorized by the State Department on 5 August to evacuate noncombatants caught in the civil war in Liberia. Saipan and other ships were stationed off the Liberian coast. Marines from 22nd Marine Expeditionary Unit were flown into the American embassy compound in Monrovia, Liberia. The MEU’s air combat element, HMM-261 (C), was comprised of CH-46E’s from HMM-261, CH-53Ds from HMH-362, UH-1Ns and AH-1Ts from HMLA-167, and AV-8Bs fromVMA-223. On 28 November a cease-fire was accepted by the opposing Liberian factions and on 30 November the limited evacuation of noncombatants from Monrovia terminated, with a total of 2,609 evacuated, including 330 U.S. citizens. Operation Sharp Edge concluded on 9 January 1991.

Maritime Intercept Operation Against Iraq and Iran

August 16, 1991 – Consistent with UN Security Council Resolution 661, a multinational maritime intercept operation involving Naval Aviation forces began intercepting ships going to or from Irag and Kuwait.

Marine Corps Looses Two Hueys at Sea

October 8, 1991 – The two U.S. Marine Corps UH-1N Huey helicopters based on the amphibious assault ship Okinawa in the Gulf of Oman disappeared with eight men aboard during “routine night training operations.” No survivors were found

Marines Board Iraqi Merchant

October 28, 1991 – U.S. Marines from the amphibious transport ship Ogden (LPD 5) boarded the Iraqi vessel Amuriyah, bound for Iraq through the Gulf. The vessel refused to halt despite summons from U.S. and Australian ships. The allied ships fired shots across Amuriyah’s bow and warplanes from Independence buzzed low in warning passes. The Marine boarding party found no banned cargo and the Iraqi craft was allowed to proceed.

1991-1995

1991-1995
The first half of the 1990s has been characterized by changes in the world order, containment of localized fighting and a revamped naval strategy. As 1991 began, the 15 January deadline for the UN-ordered withdrawal of Iraqi troops from Kuwait neared; and U.S. aircraft carriers advanced to locations near the Persian Gulf. On 16 January, (the night of 17 January in the Middle East), Tomahawk cruise missiles were launched at pre-programmed targets by nine U.S. Navy ships in the Mediterranean, Persian Gulf and Red Sea; just in time to be shown on the evening news. Later that same evening, President George H. W. Bush addressed the nation and announced that the liberation of Kuwait had begun and a massive armada of naval, air force and Allied aircraft struck targets in Iraq.

The Gulf War was short and on 27 February, President Bush declared that Kuwait had been liberated. However, UN economic sanctions against Iraq remained in effect. Naval Aviation was actively involved in patrolling Iraq during the remainder of the first half of the decade.

In August 1991, an attempted coup triggered the dissolution of the Soviet Union into its component republics. On 25 December 1991, Mikkail Gorbachev formally resigned as president of a Soviet Union that no longer existed.

The new global situation called for the downsizing of the Navy’s personnel and material. With the Soviet Union no longer a threat, the Clinton administration supported a smaller defense budget. For Naval Aviation it was the largest drawdown since WW II. Many aviation squadrons and naval shore facilities were disestablished, reorganized or consolidated.

The break-up of the composite state of Yugoslavia into its constituent republics presented the first major challenge to the Navy’s “…From the Sea” strategy. In a referendum in the spring of 1992, a majority of those in the Republic of Bosnia-Herzegovina voted for independence from the remains of Yugoslavia. The Bosnian Serbs reacted by proclaiming that the Republic of Bosnia-Herzegovina was a constituted part of Yugoslavia, now only consisting of Serbia and Montenegro. Fighting broke out between the Serbs, Croats, and Slavic Moslems in Bosnia-Herzegovina and the republic was divided along ethnic lines.

Along the coastline of Bosnia-Herzegovina, aircraft carriers kept watch over the situation from the Adriatic Sea and provided support for Operation Provide Promise-the United Nations relief effort-and Operations Deny Flight, which monitored the air space over Bosnia-Herzegovina to prevent the warring parties from using it in warfare.

On 30 August 1995, aircraft from Theodore Roosevelt carried out the initial early morning strikes that began Operation Deliberate Force, action against Serb military targets in Bosnia.

The Dayton Accords, signed in Paris in December 1995, by the Bosnian Federation and the Bosnian Serbs, brought a hope for peace in Bosnia-Herzegovina. Operation Joint Endeavor enforced the military aspects of this peace by providing a stable environment in which the civil aspects could proceed.

The initial half of the 1990s marked a first for women in the Navy by dropping most of the restrictions that prohibited women from engaging in aerial and naval combat. In October 1994, Dwight D. Eisenhower became the first aircraft carrier to deploy with women permanently assigned on board.

HC-4 Relocated its Detachment from Jeddah, Saudi Arabia

January 1, 1991 – HC-4 relocated its detachment from Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, to Hurghada, Egypt, constructed an airhead operating site within 48 hours, and began transporting passengers, cargo, and mail to the Red Sea battle groups during Operation Desert Shield.

Marines Inserted to US Embassy in Somalia By Helicopter

January 2-5, 1991 – CH-53E helicopters from Guam helped insert Marines into the U.S. Embassy compound in Mogadishu, Somalia, during Operation Eastern Exit, which rescued U.S. Ambassador James K. Bishop, the Soviet ambassador, and other foreign nationals caught in the Somali civil war.

Amphibious Group Three arrives on station in the Arabian Sea

January 12 – Amphibious Group Three (with the Fifth Marine Expeditionary Brigade embarked) arrived on station in the Arabian Sea. Eighteen ships, including Okinawa, Tarawa, Tripoli and New Orleans were to join the 13-ship Amphibious Group Three, to comprise the largest amphibious task force since the Korean War.

Nicholas' HSL-44 (Det 8) SH-60Bs Provides Air Targeting

January 18, 1991 – Nicholas’ HSL-44 (Det 8) SH-60Bs provided air targeting while a Kuwaiti patrol boat, two Army helicopter gunships, and Nicholas (FFG 47) engaged and neutralized Iraqi forces on nine oil platforms in the Durrah oil field. The Iraqi forces were manning antiaircraft artillery sites on the platforms. This was the first combined helicopter, missile, and surface ship gun engagement of the war and resulted in the destruction of the positions and capture of the first Iraqi prisoners of wars.

Tripoli Sustains Damage During Mine Clearance Operations

February 18, 1991 – An Iraqi mine blasted a 20-by-30 foot hole in the forward section of the 18,000-ton helicopter carrier Tripoli during mine clearance operations in the northern Persian Gulf. After continuing her duty for five days, Tripoli, the flagship of the minesweeping operation, returned to a shipyard drydock in Bahrain for a month of repairs.

Lemoore SAR Saves 19 Year Old Male Missing Five Days

February 23, 1991 – The SAR team from NAS Lemoore, Calif., saved a 19-year-old male who had been missing for five days. He was found on a 6,000-foot elevation in very rocky terrain at the southern edge of Sequoia National Park. The SAR team was called in to assist the Tulare County Sheriff’s Department.

CH-46 Helicopters with Loudspeakers Rounded Up Surrendering Iraqi Troops

March 3, 1991 – CH-46 helicopters with loudspeakers rounded up surrendering Iraqi troops on Faylaka Island. The enemy prisoners of war were ferried by helicopter to Ogden (LPD 5) for further transport to Saudi prisoner of war facilities.

USS New Orleans Leads Mine Sweeping Operations in Arabian Sea

March 6, 1991 – New Orleans, with a mine-countermeasures squadron on board and four mine-countermeasures ships, led minesweeping activities.

War is Over

March 6, 1991 – President George H. W. Bush reported to a joint session of Congress, “Aggression is defeated. The war is over.”

HC-4 Flies Secretary of State

April 8, 1991 – Having left from both NAS Sigonella, Sicily, and Hurghada, Egypt, for Diyarbakir, Turkey, on April 6, HC-4 detachments flew Secretary of State James A. Baker III and his party of 60 along the border between Turkey and civil war-torn Iraq to a remote Kurdish refugee camp. A popular uprising in Kurdistan had taken place in March against Saddam Hussein, but the Iraqi forces quickly recaptured the main towns and cities of Kurdistan. The Iranians had allowed the Kurds to flee into their country, but the Turks had not, and the Kurds were stranded in the mountains in the cold.

HC-4 SupportsOperation Provide Comfort.

April 9, 1991 – HC-4 returned to Incirlik, Turkey, to become the primary and first helicopter combat logistics support asset for Operation Provide Comfort. The squadron delivered massive amounts of relief aid to Kurdish refugees and flew needy people to safe havens.

NAVAIR established the HH-1N Designation

April 15, 1991 – NAVAIR established the HH-1N designation for many of the H-1 Huey helicopters. The re-designation was to be completed by 30 September.

Tarawa Leads Large-Scale Relief Effort in Bangladesh

May 12, 1991 – Eight ships of an amphibious assault group headed by Tarawa arrived to begin a large-scale relief effort in Bangladesh, which had been devastated by a cyclone on 30 April. During Operation Sea Angel, CH-53 Sea Stallions, CH-46 Sea Knights, UH-1N Iroquois and AH-1T Sea Cobras carried food, medical supplies, and rescued people who had been isolated by the floods.

Mount Pinatubo in the Philippines Erupts

June 12-27, 1991 – After rumbling for three days, Mount Pinatubo in the Philippines began erupting. Subic Bay Naval Complex suffered major damage. Abraham Lincoln with CVW-11 aboard; Midway and her battle group; plus three ships from the Amphibious Readiness Group Alpha, led by Peleliu, participated in Operation Fiery Vigil to evacuate the disaster victims. VFA-94, HSL-47, and VC-5 were among those who assisted with the effort.

VP-4 and Coast Guard SAR Mission

June 18-19, 1991 – VP-4, in combination with the Coast Guard, carried out a SAR mission and saved two men and one woman who had been forced to ditch from their Grumman Albatross seaplane, approximately 600 miles east of Oahu.

Engine Fire Leads to Shoot Down of E-2C and Rescue of Crew

July 8, 1991 – An E-2C Hawkeye from Norfolk, Va., based VAW-122 aboard Forrestal was ordered to be shot down after suffering an engine fire that could not be extinguished. All five aircrewmen parachuted from the aircraft and were recovered within minutes by helicopters from Forrestal and Yorktown (CG 48). The incident occurred during a routine flight in support of Operation Provide Comfort.

SH-60F Introduced on East Coast

August 27, 1991 – A ceremony at NAS Jacksonville, Fla., marked the introduction of the SH-60F Seahawk into operational service with the Atlantic Fleet. HS-3 was the first East Coast squadron to trade its SH-3H Sea Kings for the new helicopter.

USS New Orleans Arrives Home From War

August 2, 19917 – The last U.S. Navy participants of the Persian Gulf War arrived home, including New Orleans, with HMM-268 embarked.

Navy Aviation Units Provide Firefighting Assistance in Bay Area

October 20-23, 1991 – Naval Aviation units based in the San Francisco Bay area at NAS Alameda, NAS Moffett Field, and NS Treasure Island provided assistance to the fire-fighting efforts during the fire in the Oakland-Berkeley, Calif., area. HS-85 provided airlift support with SH-3s. Reservists were put on alert.

HS-9 Recues Three Commerical Fisherman

November 9, 1991 – Two HS-9 helicopter crews of CVW-17 assigned to Saratoga rescued three commercial fishermen from their sinking boat 50 miles off Mayport, Fla. A Coast Guard helicopter saved a fourth. The fishermen were taken aboard Saratoga for medical care.

HSL-37 Transitions to SH-60B

February 6, 1992 – A ceremony at NAS Barbers Point, Hawaii, marked the beginning of HSL-37’s transition from SH-2F Seasprite helicopter to the SH-60B.

Marine and Navy CH-53s Help Move Materials to Block Lava Flow

March 13-25, 1992 – In response to a request from Italian authorities to save the town of Zafferana from a lava flow advancing from Mount Etna, two Marine CH-53E Super Stallions from HMM(C)-226 aboard Inchon augmented by a CH-53E from Sigonella-based HC-4 placed 8000-pound concrete blocks in the path of the lava. As geologists had hoped, the concrete forced open another lava vent further down the mountain away from the town.

Helicopter Sea Control Wing 3 was Redesignated

July 1, 1992 – Helicopter Sea Control Wing 3 was redesignated Helicopter Antisubmarine Light Wing 1 absorbing Helicopter Sea Control Wing 1 at the same time, placing all Atlantic Fleet Helicopter Antisubmarine Light squadrons (HSLs) under one wing.

V-22A Osprey Tilt-Rotor Aircraft Crashed into the Potomac River on Approach to MCAF Quantico

July 20, 1992 – The fourth prototype of the V-22A Osprey tilt-rotor aircraft crashed into the Potomac River on approach to MCAF Quantico, Va., killing three Marines and four Boeing employees. The remaining three prototypes were grounded pending the results of the mishap investigation. The mishap was blamed on mechanical failure.

DOD Looking at Less Expensive Tilt Rotor Aircraft

August 5, 1992 – The Pentagon announced that it would ask contractors to develop a less expensive version of the V-22 Osprey tilt-rotor aircraft.

Hurricane Andrew

August 22-26, 1992 – Hurricane Andrew, the most expensive natural disaster ever to strike the U.S., ravaged the Bahamas, Florida and Louisiana, leveling Homestead AFB, Fla. Naval Aviation units were called into action to help relieve the suffering of hundreds of thousands of Americans. Navy ships with supplies and repair capabilities steamed from East Coast ports for Florida.

Typhoon Omar Devastates Guam

August 28, 1992 – Typhoon Omar devastated Guam. Joint Task Force Marianas coordinated the relief efforts of all the military services. Naval Aviation units involved in relief efforts included NAS Agana, Guam, HC-5, VRC-50, VQ-1, VR-59 and VQ-5.

Marine Helicopters In Support of Bosnian Operations

September 4, 1992 – Two CH-53E and two AH-1W helicopters from Iwo Jima, stationed in the Adriatic in support of the UN relief efforts to the Bosnian capital of Sarajevo, rushed to the scene of an Italian Air Force G.222 transport downed by a SAM. The helicopters drew fire from the ground, but were undamaged.

VP-1 and HSL-37 Support Hurricane Iniki Relief in Hawaiian Islands

September 11, 1992 – Hurricane Iniki, the strongest storm to hit the Hawaiian Islands in 90 years, devastated 75 to 80 percent of the island of Kauai. NAS Barbers Point and its tenant commands provided volunteers and assisted local residents. Belleau Wood sailed to Kauai with troops and relief supplies. Pacific Missile Range Facility, Barking Sands on Kauai was only slightly damaged and served as a hub of relief flight operations. Navy and Marine Corps aircraft flew in supplies and personnel. VP-1 and HSL-37 also participated in the relief effort.

Tarawa Amphibious Ready Group Sent to Somalia

September 16, 1992 – President George H. W. Bush dispatched the Tarawa Amphibious Ready Group to the coast of Somalia as part of Operation Provide Relief, a multinational effort to relieve the massive starvation in the country. The Marine Harrier (AV-8B) aircraft and helicopters from HMM-161 (R) stood ready offshore to protect relief teams and transport aircraft bringing in a contingent of Pakistani peace-keeping troops to Mogadishu, the capital city.

Four Functional Wings Disestablished

September 30, 1992 – The four functional wings (Helicopter Wings, Atlantic; Patrol Wings, Atlantic; Strike-Fighter Wings, Atlantic; and Tactical Wings, Atlantic) of COMNAVAIRLANT were disestablished in a sweeping change that eliminated an entire echelon of command in the administrative structure of Naval Aviation on the East Coast.

HS-14 Lands SH-3H Seaking on Russian Warship

October 15, 1992 – HS-14 became the first U.S. squadron to land aircraft (the SH-3H Sea King) on the deck of a Russian warship, RNS Admiral Vinogradov, a Udaloy-class destroyer.

DOD Awards Contract For V-22 Derivative

October 22, 1992 – The Department of Defense announced the awarding of a contract to the Bell-Boeing Joint Program Office for the modification and test of a V-22 derivative. The aircraft was in consonance with the Secretary of Defense letters of 2 July 1992 to Congressional leadership. It was a scaled-down version of the V-22 tilt-rotor aircraft.

Operation Provide Promise

November 7, 1992 – In support of Operation Provide Promise, an ARG centered on Guam with HMM-261 (reinforced) embarked, relieved Iwo Jima ARG, with HMM-365 (reinforced) aboard, in the Adriatic.

Operation Restore Hope Begins

December 9, 1992 – Under the leadership of U.S. Armed Forces, Operation Restore Hope began in the early morning darkness. The pre-announced landing of U.S. Marines was witnessed by millions of U.S. prime-time television viewers. Initially HMM-164 (reinforced from Tripoli) provided all of the Marine helicopter support to ground forces in Somalia.

LAMPS MK-III Block I Upgrade

January 1, 1993. – The LAMPS MK-III Block I Upgrade was successfully completed. The Block II Upgrade began that same year. The SH-6B sensor package included radar, electronic support measures (ECM), forward-looking infrared (FLIR), passive/active underwater acoustic sensors, magnetic anomaly detector (MAD), antisubmarine acoustic torpedoes, the Penguin missile, and the data links that allowed the ship’s CIC operators to view sensor data in real time and even control helicopter systems remotely. The LAMPS MK-III program was a great success that bred a new generation of HSL squadrons.

Tripoli was relieved as Commander, Naval Forces Somalia

February 4, 1993 – Commander, Amphibious Squadron 43 embarked on Tripoli was relieved as Commander, Naval Forces Somalia (COMNAVFOR SOMALIA) by DESRON 17 embarked on William H. Standley (CG 32). COMNAVFOR SOMALIA was charged with providing direct support for Operation Restore Hope, the UN embargo directed by Security Council Resolution 733. Tripoli amphibious task unit was the first U.S. military presence on station near the Horn of Africa. It set the base of operations for Operation Restore Hope, the largest peacetime humanitarian mission ever undertaken.

Wasp arrived off Somalia

March 23, 1993 – The ARG centered around Wasp arrived off Somalia to support UN relief efforts in Operation Restore Hope. Marine helicopters and Harriers from HMM-263 embarked on Wasp flew sorties in support of Marines in Somalia.

Tripoli amphibious task force arrived in Pearl Harbor

April 8 – Tripoli amphibious task force arrived in Pearl Harbor, Hawaii, after a five-month deployment in support of Operation Restore Hope-the UN effort to relieve mass starvation in Somalia. During the support, task force units recovered 30,000 pieces of ordnance and disposed of more than 100,000 pounds of explosives collected from caches throughout the Somali countryside; launched more than 2,000 aircraft sorties from Tripoli and Juneau (LPD 10); delivered more than 175,000 meals and 25,000 gallons of water.

Commander, Helicopter Antisubmarine Light Wing, U.S. Pacific Fleet (COMHSLWINGPAC) was established

May 5, 1993 – Commander, Helicopter Antisubmarine Light Wing, U.S. Pacific Fleet (COMHSLWINGPAC) was established in a ceremony at NAS North Island, Calif.; Captain John R. Brown was the first commander of the new type wing.

The NAVCAD program was disestablished

October 1, 1993 – The NAVCAD program was disestablished. The program was begun during World War II, and initially called the V-5 and then the V-12 program. It was disestablished in 1966, but later reinstated in 1986 to help train more pilots for the planned 600-ship fleet.

V-22 Osprey returned to Patuxent River

December 9, 1993 – The V-22 Osprey returned to Patuxent River, Md., from facilities in Wilmington, Del., to begin full engineering manufacturing development testing at the Naval Air Warfare Center Aircraft Division. The new program would usher in a new Integrated Test Team concept of test and evaluation for Naval Aviation.

Peleliu ARG joined the Inchon ARG off the coast of Somalia

March 3, 1994 – Peleliu ARG joined the Inchon ARG off the coast of Somalia to support the withdrawal of U.S. troops from Somalia.

Last SH-2F Active Squadron HSL-33 Disestablished

March 23, 1994 – Last SH-2F Active Squadron HSL-33 Disestablished

U.S. Navy Penguin (AGM-119B) missile MK-2 Mod 7 reached initial operational capability (IOC)

April 29, 1994 – The U.S. Navy Penguin (AGM-119B) missile MK-2 Mod 7 reached initial operational capability (IOC) and was launched for the first time by a fleet unit on 25 June when an SH-60B from Hewitt (DD 966) fired an operational missile. Penguin is a short-range, inertially guided antiship missile system. HSL-51 Det 6 accomplished the firing at the Pacific Missile Range Facility off the coast of Hawaii as part of RIMPAC 94 exercises.

HC-1 was Disestablished.

April 29, 1994 – HC-1 was Disestablished.

"White Hawk" was established for the VH-60N

July 7, 1994 – The popular name “White Hawk” was established for the VH-60N, whose primary mission was to provide worldwide executive transport in support of the president and his staff.

Five Navy MH-53 minesweeper helicopters arrived at MCAS Tustin, Calif

August 31, 1994 – Five Navy MH-53 minesweeper helicopters arrived at MCAS Tustin, Calif., as the H-53 training of both Navy and Marine Corps personnel began to consolidate. With the disestablishment of HM-12, the Navy’s H-53 fleet readiness squadron, the Marines assumed the training responsibility in HMT-302.

President William Clinton's policy to restore democracy to Haiti

September 12-13, 1994 – A unique operation developed due to the situation in Haiti. Dwight D. Eisenhower and America deployed with a large contingent of Army helicopters on board, but no air wings. The carriers headed for the Caribbean in support of President William Clinton’s policy to restore democracy to Haiti. Dwight D. Eisenhower also embarked Navy squadrons HS-7, HCS-4 and HC-2. This was the first time that carriers deployed operationally with a large contingent of Army helicopters and no air wing on board.

HC-85 established at Naval Air Station Alameda

October 1, 1994 – HC-85 established at Naval Air Station Alameda, Ca.

Naval and Marine forces from Belleau Wood conducted amphibious landings in Mogadishu, Somalia

February 28-March 2, 1995 – Naval and Marine forces from Belleau Wood conducted amphibious landings in Mogadishu, Somalia, to establish a rear guard security perimeter in support of Operation United Shield, which ensured a safe and orderly withdrawal of the UN forces in Somalia. Essex ARG also participated in this operation.

Inchon was redesignated MCS 12

March 1, 1995 – Inchon was redesignated MCS 12 and scheduled for a 13-month overhaul at Pascagoula, Miss., and conversion into a mine countermeasures support ship. Inchon had just completed a year operating off the coasts of Somalia, Bosnia and Haiti.

Marine Air Recover USAF Pilot shot Down During Operation Deny Flight in Bosnia

June 8, 1995 – CH-53 Sea Stallions, AH-1W Sea Cobras and AV-8B Harriers from the 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit aboard Kearsarge rescued Captain Scott O’Grady, USAF, after he was shot down while flying over Bosnia on 2 June in support of Operation Deny Flight.

Antarctic Development Squadron Six (VXE-6) Turned Over Helicopter Operations to a Commercial Company

January 1, 1996 – Antarctic Development Squadron Six (VXE-6) turned over helicopter operations to a commercial company. “Operation Deep Freeze” continued until 1998.

Sikorsky MH-60S (“Sierra”) - was Developed

April 1, 2002 – Sikorsky MH-60S (“Sierra”) – was developed after the Navy decided to phase out the venerable CH-46 Sea Knight helicopter. The Sierra is deployed aboard amphibious assault ships and fast combat supply ships. It has two missions – troop transport and vertical replenishment (VERTREP) but can also perform search and rescue (SAR). The Sierra is the first US Navy helicopter to field the glass cockpit.

Navy Pursues MQ-8B Fire Scout as the Vertical Take-off and Landing Tactical Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (VTUAV)

January 1, 2003. – The Navy notified Northrop-Grumman of its intention to pursue the development of the MQ-8B Fire Scout as the Vertical Take-off and Landing Tactical Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (VTUAV) to provide surveillance, reconnaissance, and targeting support for the new Littoral Combat Ship (LCS). The MQ-8B is a derivative of the Ryan-Schweizer MQ-8A Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV), which in turn was derived from the Schweizer Aircraft Co. Model 330SP three-passenger helicopter, powered by a Rolls-Royce 250-C20 turbine. The MQ-8B improved design includes a four-bladed rotor and upgraded transmission to increase payload capacity to 700 pounds, and stub wings that enhance its aerodynamic performance and provide for armament-carrying stations. Funding was obtained in July 2003, and a formal contract was awarded in March 2004.

September 24, 2004-Navy retires CH-46 Helicopter

September 24, 2004-US Navy retires its last Boeing CH-46 Sea Knight Helicopter after 40 years of service.

HC-11 Re-designated -- HSC-21 established at Naval Air Station North Island.

April 1, 2005 – HC-11 re-designated — HSC-21 established at Naval Air Station North Island.

HC-8 Re-designated – HCS-28 established at Naval Air Station Norfolk.

April 1, 2005 — HC-8 re-designated – HCS-28 established at Naval Air Station Norfolk.

HC-3 re-designated – HCS-3 established at Naval Air Station North Island.

April 1, 2005 –- HC-3 re-designated – HCS-3 established at Naval Air Station North Island.

HC-6 Re-designated – HCS-26 established at Naval Air Station Norfolk.

April 1, 2005 –- HC-6 re-designated – HCS-26 established at Naval Air Station Norfolk.

HC-5 Re-designated – HSC-25 established at Naval Air Station Agana, Guam.

April 21, 2005 – HC-5 re-designated – HSC-25 established at Naval Air Station Agana, Guam.

HSL-41 Re-desginated – HSM-41 established at Naval Air Station North Island.

December 8, 2005 – HSL-41 re-desginated – HSM-41 established at Naval Air Station North Island.

RQ-8A VTUAV Developmental Prototype Completes Two Days of Sea Trials

January 17, 2006. – The RQ-8A VTUAV developmental prototype completed two days of sea trials on USS Nashville (LPD-13) underway in Chesapeake Bay. Operating from NAS Patuxent River, two vehicles were remotely flown to the ship and performed nine landings. The purpose of these tests was to provide design data for the MQ-8B baseline software.

Navy Awarded Northrop-Grumman a Contract for the MQ-8B VTUAV

June 1, 2007. – The Navy awarded Northrop-Grumman a Low Rate Initial Production contract for the MQ-8B VTUAV. Follow-on contracts were awarded in September 2008 and February 2009. The Fire Scout is equipped with electro-optical/infrared sensors and a laser rangefinder/designator to find and identify tactical targets and provide targeting data to strike platforms.

HSM-71 Established at Naval Air Station, North Island, San Diego, Ca.

October 4, 2005 — HSM-71 Established at Naval Air Station, North Island, San Diego, Ca.

Last HH-65C Delivered to Coast Guard

May 31, 2007-Eurocopter delivers the last re-engined HH-65C Dolphin to the US Coast Guard Aircraft Repair and Supply Center in Elizabeth City, North Carolina.

MQ-8B Fire Scout Began Pre-Deployment Operational Suitability Checks and Ship Integration Tests

December 10, 2008. – The MQ-8B Fire Scout began pre-deployment operational suitability checks and ship integration tests aboard USS McInerney (FFG-8) while in port at Naval Station Mayport, Fl. After several months of pre-deployment at-sea exercises, on October 2009 McInerney departed on its long cruise to South America with two Fire Scouts onboard. During its six months deployment, the Fire Scout flew 24 sorties, which included the surveillance and tracking of a “go fast” narcotics vessel until it was captured.

HSM-70 Established at Naval Air Station Jacksonville, Fl.

February 12, 200 – HSM-70 Established at Naval Air Station Jacksonville, Fl.

HSM-77 Established at Naval Air Station, North Island, San Diego, Ca.

April 4, 2009 — HSM-77 Established at Naval Air Station, North Island, San Diego, Ca.

HSM-40 Established at Naval Air Station North Island, San Diego, Ca.

April 2, 2010 – HSM-40 Established at Naval Air Station North Island, San Diego, Ca.

Senator John McCain son John was Winged as a Helicopter Pilot

January 28, 2011 – At NAS Whiting Field, Senator John McCain son John was Winged as a Helicopter Pilot. He has orders to HSC-25 in Agana Guam.

MQ-8B Fire Scout Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV)

February 1, 2011 – The MQ-8B Fire Scout Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) is performing its first blue water deployment on board a U.S. Navy warship, directed by NAS Jacksonville-based Helicopter Anti-Submarine Squadron Light (HSL) 42 Detachment 2.
The detachment consists of two MQ-8B Fire Scouts and one SH-60B Seahawk helicopter on board the NS Mayport-based guided-missile frigate USS Halyburton (FFG-40).
The Fire Scout UAV system provides unprecedented situation awareness and precision targeting support for any aviation-capable warship, or at prepared and unprepared landing zones.
This deployment represents the first time Fire Scout will be used in the 6th and 5th Fleet Areas of Responsibility.
Fire Scout made its first deployment in 2010 on board the guided-missile frigate USS McInerney (FFG-8) where it was utilized for counter-narcotics operations. In November 2010, Fire Scout was certified for blue water operation, which means that the system can fly without a land divert requirement.
The MQ-8B Fire Scout primarily performs surveillance and locates targets. It tracks, designates, and provides accurate targeting data to strike platforms – including fixed wing aircraft, helicopters and ships. With a range of 110 nautical miles radius, plus, five hours on station, it also performs battle damage assessment. Fire Scout has the potential to be a significant force multiplier through this hybrid naval aviation detachment.

Marines take the last flight in a Huey

March 18, 2011 – Marines take the last flight in a Huey at Miramar Marine Corps Air Station, San Diego, Ca.

Marines Who Rescued Downed Pilots in Libya

March 24, 2011 — Exclusive: Marines Who Rescued Downed Pilots in Libya Feared Hostile Fire The Pilot Rescued by U.S. Marines Was ‘Frazzled’

Libyan Pilot Rescue By Marine V-22

March 11, 2011 — ABOARD THE USS KEARSARGE United States Marine Corps captains who rescued two U.S. Air Force pilots in Libya said today they feared hostile fire during the rescue mission but describe an otherwise smooth operation that lasted about an hour and a half. This was the first rescue of downed pilots by the Marine V-22 Osprey.

HMX-1 CH-53’s assigned to Operational Forces.

April 15, 2011 – HMX-1 CH-53’s assigned to Operational Forces.

Navy’s Fire Scout Unmanned Air Vehicle system Begins First Land-Based Deployment

April 20, 2011 — The Navy’s Fire Scout Unmanned Air Vehicle system is about to begin its first land-based deployment to U.S. Central Command this month. The Fire Scout effort is led by the Navy and Marine Corps Multi-Mission Tactical Unmanned Air System program office, PMA-266, at Patuxent River, Md. In response to an urgent needs requirement from DoD’s Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance task force, the team rapidly modified, tested and verified the Fire Scout system to adjust to land-based operations and the demanding environmental conditions in CENTCOM.

HS-6 re-designated HSC-6 at Naval Air Station North Island, San Diego Ca.

July 8, 2011 – HS-6 re-designated HSC-6 at Naval Air Station North Island, San Diego Ca.

BIRTHDAY OF NAVY HELICOPTER AVIATION

October 16, 2011-Birthday of Navy Helicopter Aviation

navyhelicopteraviationbirthdayinstruction24march2011

June 14, 2013-Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron Three (HSC-3) 250,000 Class A Mishap Free Flight Hours.

June 14, 2013-Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron Three (HSC-3)  flew 250,000 Class A Mishap Free Flight Hours.

May 22 2015 Sikorsky S-97 First Flight

May 22, 2015-The Sikorsky S-97 RAIDER scout /attack compound helicopter demonstrator made its first flight.

December 16, 2015-USCG Receives 99th Upgraded MH-65D

December 16, 2015-The USCG receives its 99th upgraded Airbus Helicopters MH-65D Dolphin Short Range Recovery helicopter.

March 8, 2017-AIRBUS Helicopter and the US Coast Guard Celebrate the MH-65 Dolphin Helicopter fleet milestone of 1.5 million flight hours

March 8, 2017-AIRBUS Helicopters and the US Coast Guard celebrate the MH-65 Dolphin Helicopter fleet milestone of 1.5 million flight hours.

July 29 2017 Sikorsky VH-92A First Flight

July 29, 2017-Lockheed Martin VH-92A presidential helicopter Engineering Development Model 1 (EDM-1) makes its maiden flight at the Sikorsky facility in Stratford, Connecticut

March 5, 2023-Sikorsky-A Lockheed Martin Company-100th Year of Sikorsky Aircraft

March 5, 2023-Sikorsky-a Lockheed Martin Company, 100th Year of Aircraft