Helicopter Military Operations

Images of military helicopters in flight, emphasizing their roles in humanitarian operations, combat readiness, and air support missions.

A U.S. Marine Corps CH-53E prepares for landing.

A US Marine Corps CH-46 Sea Knight Helicopter Flies Above Baghdad, Iraq

An Alaska Army National Guard UH-60L Black Hawk helicopter passes over Geronimo Drop Zone while supporting airborne training at Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson, Alaska, Aug. 31, 2022. Air Force special warfare Airmen from Detachment 1, 3rd ASOS, and Detachment 3, 1st Combat Weather Squadron, supported by Alaska Army National Guard aircrew from the 207th Aviation Troop Command, conducted the training to demonstrate airborne and mission-readiness skills in austere conditions.

January 5, 2012 - An airborne change of command in the sky over the South China Sea.

Airmen from the New York Air National Guard's106th Rescue Wing display an American flag from an HH-60 Pave Hawk helicopter after conducting a water rescue demonstration on the Hudson River in New York City, Aug. 19, 2012. This demonstration was one of several demonstrations performed during Air Force Week.

22040-N-VI910-3165 PHILIPPINE SEA (April 8, 2022) An SH-60K Sea Hawk helicopter, assigned to Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force (JMSDF), prepares to land on the flight deck of the Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN 72). During bilateral exercises between Abraham Lincoln Carrier Strike Group and JMSDF, the two navies strengthened all-domain awareness and maneuvers across a distributed maritime environment. Bilateral operations like this one reassure our allies and partners of the U.S. commitment to maintaining a free and open Indo-Pacific region.

An HH-60G Pave Hawk helicopter taxis for departure from Patrick Space Force Base, Florida, Sept. 26, 2022, in preparation for the arrival of Hurricane Ian. The decision was made to relocate the aircraft to areas that would prevent them from being damaged. In less than 24-hours, all of the wing's HC-130J Combat King II aircraft and HH-60G Pave Hawk helicopters were prepared, pre-flight checked, then flown or loaded to be transported off of the installation. This movement was the equivalent of a rapid deployment of the wing's Personnel Recovery Task Force-Heavy, which utilizes multi-capable Airmen from across the wing to mobilize rapidly for rescue operations around the world.

An Mh-60R Seahawk attached to Helicopter Maritime Strike Squadron (HSM) 46 flies a daytime familiarization flight during a training detachment at Naval Air Station Fallon, April 20, 2022. Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 7 is the offensive air and strike component of Carrier Strike Group (CSG) 10 and the George H.W. Bush CSG. The squadrons of CVW-7 are Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 143, VFA-103, VFA-86, VFA-136, Electronic Attack Squadron (VAQ) 140, Carrier Airborne Early Warning Squadron (VAW) 121, HSC-5, and Helicopter Maritime Strike Squadron (HSM) 46.

Two Alaska Air National Guard HH-60G Pave Hawks fly in formation over Alaska on March 14, 2012. The primary mission of the Pave Hawk helicopter is to conduct day or nightpersonnel recoveryoperations into hostile environments to recover isolated personnel during war.

MISAWA, Japan (April 28, 2022) - Aviation Electronics Technician 3rd Class Pierina Toledo, assigned to the WARLORDS of Helicopter Maritime Strike Squadron 51, prepares to taxi an MH-60R as it prepares for take off from Naval Air Facility (NAF) Misawa. NAF Misawa provides aviation and ground logistic support and services to all permanent and transient U.S. Navy and U.S. Marine Corps forces in Northern Japan.

U.S. Army UH-60M helicopter of the 3rd Combat Aviation Brigade deployed to Europe.

Formation of German Army CH-53GS and NH-90 transport helicopters.

A Spanish Army AS332 Super Puma preparing to take off.

Right front view of an OH-58D Kiowa Warrior helicopter at Chick Do Island. Base: Kunsan Air Base Country: Republic Of Korea (KOR)

A UH-60 Black Hawk helicopter assigned to 2-158 Assault Helicopter Battalion, 16th Combat Aviation Brigade, departs Hillsboro, Ore. on May 20, 2022. The four woman crew was on hand to represent the U.S. Army at the all-woman Oregon International Airshow.

An Alaska Army National Guard UH-60 Black Hawk from the 1-52d General Support Aviation Battalion transports U.S. Air Force tactical air control party specialists from the 3rd Air Support Operations Squadron during a joint forces demonstration for Arctic Thunder Open House at Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson, Alaska, July 29, 2022. This biennial event hosted by JBER is one of the largest in the state and one of the premier aerial demonstrations in the world. The event features multiple performers to include the JBER Joint Forces Demonstration Team, U.S. Air Force F-22 Raptor Demonstration Team, Pacific Air Forces C-17 Demonstration Team and U.S. Air Force Thunderbirds demonstration team.

Marines from Brazil, Ecuador, Paraguay, United States, and Uruguay, perform static line parachute training from a UH-1Y Venom with Marine Light Attack Helicopter Squadron (HMLA) 773, 4th Marine Aircraft Wing, Marine Forces Reserve, in support of Special Purpose Marine Air-Ground Task Force UNITAS LXIII, as part of exercise UNITAS LXIII at Santa Cruz Air Force Base, Rio De Janeiro, Sept. 6, 2022. UNITAS develops and sustains relationships that improve the capacity of our reemerging and enduring maritime partners to achieve common objectives. Additionally, the military-to-military exchanges foster friendly, mutual cooperation and understanding among participating navies and marine corps.

A U.S. Air Force HH-60W Jolly Green II, from the 41st Rescue Squadron, conducts air combat maneuvers in the skies of Lancaster, Texas, June 29, 2022. This week-long training was the first time the 41st RQS executed training air combat maneuvers with the HH-60W Jolly Green II helicopter against an Mi-24 Hind.

A pair of Cyprus National Guard Air Wing Mi-35 Hind attack helicopters in flight over Cyprus.

U.S. Army Spouses apart of the 10th Combat Aviation Brigade participate in the brigade spouse flight on Fort Drum, NY May 12, 2022. Spouses had the oppurtunity to fly in UH-60M Black Hawk and CH-47F Chinook helicopters.

A Marine CH-53 Sea Stallion with Helicopter Marine Medium Squadron 265, 26th Marine Expeditionary Unit (Special Operations Capable) (MEU (SOC)) sits at the end of the runway at Kandahar International Airport, Kandahar, Afghanistan, during OPERATION ENDURING FREEDOM. Subject Operation/Series: ENDURING FREEDOM Base: Kandahar International Airport Country: Afghanistan (AFG) Scene Major Command Shown: 26 MEU

030225-F-1798W-005. Subject Operation/Series: COPE TIGER 2003 Base: Korat Royal Thai Air Force Base Country: Thailand (THA)

BALTIMORE (Sept. 10, 2022) - Two MH-53E Sea Dragon helicopters from Helicopter Mine Countermeasures Squadrons 14 & 15 (HM-14; HM-15) perform a flyover above Baltimores Inner Harbor for Maryland Fleet Week and Flyover 2022. Maryland Fleet Week and Flyover is the citys celebration of the sea services with this year marking the City of Baltimore's third time hosting Navy Fleet Week.

The CH-46E has been the staple helicopter for numerous aerial operations during its 40-year tenure. The CH-46E is most famous for its extraction of the U.S. ambassador in Saigon. When Lady Ace 09 left Saigon that day, the U.S. ended its involvement in the Vietnam War.

DN-ST-92-00313. Subject Operation/Series: PROVIDE COMFORT Base: Incirlik Air Base, Adana Country: Turkey(TUR)

A CH-46 Sea Knight Idles on a Makeshift Helicopter Landing Zone

Italian Air Force HH-101A helicopter during rescue training operations.

DF-ST-86-08032. Base: Cairo West Country: Egypt (EGY)

The 1-228 Aviation Regiment Sugar Bears assigned to Joint Task Force-Bravo conduct a multi-ship CH-47 Chinook launch Sept. 15, 2022, as part of a training exercise at Soto Cano Air Base, Honduras. This exercise builds readiness and postures JTF-Bravo to provide the best support to our Central American partners whenever and wherever help is needed.

Formation landing of AH-1 Tzefa helicopters from the Israel Air Force.

ZHUKOVSKY, RUSSIA - SEPTEMBER 01, 2019: Demonstration of the Kamov Ka-52 Alligator attack helicopter of the Russian Air Force at MAKS-2019, Russia.

AH-64E Apache attack helicopters assigned to 1st Air Cavalry Brigade, 1st Cavalry are moored online in case of high winds at a forward arming and refueling point, Milroslawiec, Poland, April 4, 2022. Maintenance operations are conducted to enhance mission readiness, reassuring allies, and deterring potential adversaries.

U.S. Army Soldiers with 20th Special Forces Group (Airborne), Alabama Army National Guard (ARNG), and 2nd Squadron, 107th Cavalry Regiment, Ohio ARNG, conduct helocast operations from a CH-47 Chinook, 111th General Support Aviation Battalion, Florida ARNG, into Lake Margrethe during Northern Strike 22-2, at Camp Grayling, Mich., Aug. 11, 2022. Units visiting Northern Strike regularly use Lake Margrethe to conduct littoral operations

030424-N-2819P-044. Subject Operation/Series: IRAQI FREEDOM Country: Unknown

U.S. Marines with Marine Heavy Helicopter Squadron 361, Marine Aircraft Group 36, 1st Marine Aircraft Wing conduct landing drills with a CH-53E Super Stallion at Kamifurano Maneuver Area, Hokkaido, Japan, Sept. 30, 2022. Resolute Dragon 22 is an annual bilateral exercise designed to strengthen the defensive capabilities of the U.S.-Japan Alliance by exercising integrated command and control, targeting, combined arms, and maneuver across multiple domains.

A U.S. Marine Corps MV-22 Osprey from Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron 363, Marine Corps Base Hawaii, air inserts 2nd Battalion, 35th Infantry Regiment, 3rd Infantry Brigade Combat Team, 25th Infantry Division opposing forces on Pohakuloa Training Grounds, Nov. 7, 2022. Bilateral and multilateral exercises strengthen relationships and enhance interoperability with allies and partners through shared experiences and tough, realistic training. We routinely invite and encourage allies and partners to participate in JPMRC rotations.

DF-ST-89-04178. Subject Operation/Series: CABANAS 88 Country: Honduras (HND)

220713-N-EQ038-3016 PEARL HARBOR (July 13, 2022) A U.S. Navy MH-60R Sea Hawk lifts off during touch-and-go flights in preparation for the Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief (HADR) exercise for Rim of the Pacific (RIMPAC) 2022. Twenty-six nations, 38 ships, four submarines, more than 170 aircraft and 25,000 personnel are participating in RIMPAC from June 29 to Aug. 4 in and around the Hawaiian Islands and Southern California. The world's largest international maritime exercise, RIMPAC provides a unique training opportunity while fostering and sustaining cooperative relationships among participants critical to ensuring the safety of sea lanes and security on the world's oceans. RIMPAC 2022 is the 28th exercise in the series that began in 1971.

BABADAG TRAINING AREA, Romania-- A UH-60M Black Hawk assigned to 3-227 AHB approaches the pickup zone during personnel recovery training with the U.K. 140th Expeditionary Air Wing, July 12, 2022.Regular interoperability training with NATO partners and allies builds trust and readiness, increasing the capacity for deterrence and defense.

MEDITERRANEAN SEA (March 15, 2013) Sailors prepare to hook cargo to an SH-60F Sea Hawk helicopter assigned to the Nightdippers of Helicopter Anti-submarine Squadron (HS) 5 aboard the aircraft carrier USS Dwight D. Eisenhower (CVN 69) during a vertical-replenishment. Dwight D. Eisenhower is deployed to the U.S. 5th Fleet area of responsibility conducting maritime security operations, theater security cooperation efforts and support missions as part of Operation Enduring Freedom.

Shot of an HH-60 Seahawk helicopter from the 41st Rescue Squadron (RQS), Moody Air Force Base, Georgia, preparing to refuel in preparation for a training exercise. Country: Unknown

German Tiger Eurocopters at Fritzlar Airfield, Germany, in preparation for Afghanistan deployment.

An AH-64E Apache attack helicopter assigned to Alpha Company, 1-229 Attack Battalion, 16th Combat Aviation Brigade, flies near Ellensburg, Wash. on Jun. 9, 2022. Brigade Commander Col. Shane Finison and Executive Officer Maj. Merritt Thomas were piloting the aircraft returning to Joint Base Lewis-McChord from Yakima Training Center.

UH-1Y Venoms and AH-1Z Vipers from Marine Light Attack Helicopter Squadron 369, Marine Aircraft Group (MAG) 39, 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing, are staged awaiting flight at Camp Roberts, San Miguel, California, August 1, 2022. MAG-39 is participating in exercise Summer Fury 22, designed to enhance Marine-Air-Ground Task Force integration and increase aviation operations proficiency with realistic, relevant training to ensure the Marine Corps largest aircraft wing remains operationally excellent, interoperable, deployable on short notice and lethal when called into action.

110630-N-WL435-710MANAMA, Bahrain (June 30, 2011) A Navy explosive ordnance disposal technician assigned to Task Group (TG) 56.1 jumps from a helicopter during a tactical personnel insertion during helicopter rope suspension training. TG 56.1 supports maritime security operations and theater security cooperation efforts in the U.S. 5th Fleet area of responsibility.

MARINE CORPS BASE HAWAII, Hawaii (Aug. 1, 2022) Royal Australian Army Soldiers and Sri Lankan Army personnel depart a CH-53E Super Stallion during an amphibious raid for a multinational littoral operations exercise as part of Rim of the Pacific (RIMPAC) 2022, Aug. 1. Twenty-six nations, 38 ships, three submarines, more than 170 aircraft and 25,000 personnel are participating in RIMPAC from June 29 to Aug. 4 in and around the Hawaiian Islands and Southern California. The world's largest international maritime exercise, RIMPAC provides a unique training opportunity while fostering and sustaining cooperative relationships among participants critical to ensuring the safety of sea lanes and security on the world's oceans. RIMPAC 2022 is the 28th exercise in the series that began in 1971.

An Alaska Army National Guard CH-47F Chinook helicopter, foreground, and a UH-60L Black Hawk helicopter stage on Bryant Army Airfield flight line during sling-load training at Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson, Alaska, Feb. 28, 2024. U.S. Army Soldiers from the Alaska Army National Guard Aviation Battalion conducted the sling-loaded training to enhance their ability to operate in Alaskas harsh environment. (Alaska National Guard

A U.S. Air Force pilot from the 55th Rescue Squadron, assigned to the 355th Wing at Davis-Monthan Air Force Base, Arizona, flies an HH-60G Pavehawk towards simulated targets at Gowen Field Air National Guard Base, Idaho, Sept. 15, 2022. Members from the 55th RQS and the 34th Weapons Squadron, assigned to the USAF Weapons School, stationed at Nellis Air Force Base, Nevada utilized an Army tank gunnery range for terminal employment training.

Col. Shane Finison, commander of the 16th Combat Aviation Brigade, flies an AH-64E Apache helicopter near Mount Rainier, Wash. on Jul. 11, 2022. This was the final flight for Col. Finison as the brigade commander.

DF-ST-86-10437. Subject Operation/Series: OPPORTUNE JOURNEY 85-3 Base: Wheeler Air Force Base State: Hawaii (HI) Country: United States Of America (USA)

An Army CH-47 Chanook helicopter moves in to pick up detainees during a simulated Non-Combatant Evacuation scenario for exercise DESERT RESCUE IX. Desert Rescue is the premiere Search And Rescue (SAR) training exercise involving Navy, Army, Air Force, and Marine personnel. It is conducted at the ranges of Fallon Naval Air Station, Nevada. Subject Operation/Series: DESERT RESCUE IX Base: Naval Air Station, Fallon State: Nevada (NV) Country: United States Of America (USA)

Special Forces soldiers and a German Army NH90 helicopter

Ka-52 Alligator attack helicopter of the Russian Air Force, Kubinka, Russia.

U.S. Air Force combat controllers conduct fast-rope insertion training using a U.S. Navy HH-60H Seahawk helicopter assigned to Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron (HSC) 84 at Hurlburt Field, Fla., May 2, 2014, during Emerald Warrior 2014. Emerald Warrior is a U.S. Special Operations Command-sponsored two-week joint/combined tactical exercise designed to provide realistic military training in an urban setting.

A UH-60 Black Hawk helicopter assigned to Bravo Company, 2-158 Assault Helicopter Battalion, 16th Combat Aviation Brigade, takes off at Joint Base Lewis-McChord, Wash. on May 20, 2022. The unit was conducting a "show of force" flight to send off their Maintenance Test Pilot.

020503-A-2549S-003. Base: Fort Carson State: Colorado (CO) Country: United States Of America (USA) Scene Major Command Shown: FORSCOM

Herat, Afghanistan - 07 June 2014: Aerial view of an A129 'MANGUSTA' helicopter of the Italian Army with anti-tank functions during training in Afghanistan.

A right front view of three AH-1 Cobra gunship helicopters in use during Operation Ocean Venture '84. They are assigned to the Army's 17th Cavalry. Subject Operation/Series: OCEAN VENTURE '84 Base: Nas, Roosevelt Roads State: Puerto Rico (PR) Country: United States Of America (USA)

This CH-46 Sea Knight helicopter's crew chief evaluates the area around Landing Zone Albatross before lift-off during a MCCREE field excercise. The 6th Marine Regiment conducted a MCCREE (Marine Corps Combat Readiness Evaluation) for the 1ST Battalion, 6th Marine Regiment. A MCCREE encompasses an evaluation of the overall combat readiness skills of an infantry battalion. Base: Marine Corps Base, Camp Lejeune State: North Carolina (NC) Country: United States Of America (USA)

Sikorsky Military Helicopters Aviat UH-60A Black Hawk Army USS Juneau aircraft carrier USN U.S. Navy landing takeoff nose head on

A Marine Heavy Helicopter Squadron 362 (HMH-362) AH-1W Sea Cobra helicopter lifts off from the amphibious assault ship USS SAIPAN (LHA-2) as the vessel is underway in support of maritime interdiction operations. Country: Unknown

U.S. Marines assigned to the 22nd Marine Expeditionary Unit, board a CH-53E Super Stallion during Exercise EFES 2022, near Izmir, Turkey, May 28, 2022. EFES22 is an international Combined Joint Live-Fire Exercise focused on increasing force readiness, promoting stability and prosperity in the region, and interoperability between the U.S., Turkey, and allied nations.

United States Marine Corps MV-22 Osprey and a line of Marine Corps CH-53 heavy lift helicopters, Camp Bastion, Helmand Province, Afghanistan

An MH-53 Pavelow Helicopter from the 20th Special Operations Squadron, Hurlburt Field, Florida, is used to test Hurlburt Field, Florida's, newly constructed clear water rinse facility. Base: Hurlburt Field State: Florida (FL) Country: United States Of America (USA)

Three US Army AH-64 Apache helicopters in a row might be too much for the Opposition Forces (OPFOR) during a sweep of the battle area during ASCIET (All Service Combat Identification Evaluation Test) training; held at the US Army's Training and Support Center, Fort Stewart, Georgia. Base: Fort Stewart State: Georgia (GA) Country: United States Of America (USA)

A Moroccan C130J prepares to land while training in Tifnit, Morocco, during African Lion 22, June 27, 2022. African Lion 22 is U.S. Africa Command's largest, premier, joint, combined annual exercise hosted by Morocco, Ghana, Senegal, and Tunisia, June 6 - 30. More than 7,500 participants from 28 nations and NATO train together with a focus on enhancing readiness for U.S. and partner-nation forces. AL22 is a joint all-domain, multi-component, and multinational exercise, employing a full array of mission capabilities with the goal to strengthen interoperadurbility among participants and set the theater for strategic access.

An Army National Guard CH-47 Chinook helicopter from Company B, 1st Battalion, 168th Aviation Regiment, 40th Combat Aviation Brigade, sling-loads a decommissioned vehicle, March 31, 2016, to transport it to a training range where it can be used as a mortar target. Oregon Army National Guard pilots and crewmembers, based out of Pendleton, Oregon, performed heavy helicopter airlift operations throughout the U.S. Central Command area of operations while deployed to the Middle East.

DF-ST-85-11567. Subject Operation/Series: KINDLE LIBERTY 83 Base: Howard Air Force Base Country: Panama (PAN)

Low angle view of a military helicopter taking off, MH-53M Pave Low, US Air Force

Three US Navy UH-46 Sea Knight helicopters warm-up on the flight deck of the Aircraft carrier USS ENTERPRISE (CVN 65). Several F/A-18 (Hornet) aircraft and a EA-6B (Prowler) aircraft are parked in the background. Base: USS Enterprise (CVN 65) Country: Mediterranean Sea (MED)

A pair of Cyprus National Guard Air Wing Mi-35 Hind attack helicopters in flight over Cyprus.

Three United States Marine Corps CH-46E Sea Knight helicopters depart Shaw Air Force Base, South Carolina after a brief refueling stop. The USMC CH-46E's, assigned to Marine Medium Helicopter Squadron One Six Two (HMM-162), Marine Corps Air Station, New River, North Carolina, have just been hot pit refueled by a USMC KC-130 of Marine Aerial Refueling/Transport Squadron Two Five Two (VMGR-252) from MCAS Cherry Point, NC. The hot pit refueling, where one or more aircraft refuel with their engines running, occured as the helicopters transited the area while deploying to Naval Air Station Atlanta, Georgia for an exercise, 14 August 2000. Base: Shaw Air Force Base State: South Carolina (SC) Country: United States Of America (USA)

U.S Army Lt. Col. Dan Allen, commander of the 1st Battalion, 147th Aviation Regiment, Wisconsin Army National Guard, poses with a UH-60 Black Hawk on Fort McCoy, Wisconsin, Aug. 11, 2022. Allen and his flight crew were preparing to transport instructors of the Wisconsin Challenge Academy.

UH-60 Blackhawk Undergoing Maintenance

Sailors aboard Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS George Washington (CVN 73) from Nightdippers Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron (HSC 5), perform maintenance on a MH-60S Seahawk while underway in the Atlantic Ocean, Jan. 17, 2024. George Washington is underway in support of carrier qualifications.

U.S. Army National Guard Soldiers with 1-111th General Support Aviation Battalion, South Carolina National Guard, perform sling load training with a UH-60L Black Hawk, Army Aviation Flight Facility (Loc. 1), Eastover, South Carolina, Jun. 7, 2020.

A U.S. Air Force HH-60G Pave Hawk helicopter assigned to the 1st Expeditionary Rescue group scans the desert during a combat search and rescue and personnel recovery agile combat employment exercise within the U.S. Central Command area of responsibility, Dec. 3, 2022. The ACE exercise enabled pilots, loadmasters, special warfare airmen, and special mission aviators to increase their combat search and rescue proficiency by working as a rescue triad consisting of HH-60s, HC-130s, and Pararescue forces in unison to rescue isolated personnel in a hostile environment.

The Indiana Helocopter Aquatic Rescue Team participated in a multi-agency exercise in College Station, Texas, Wednesday, June 22, 2022. Despite the Texas-summer heat, Indiana HART showcased their aquatic rescue skills alongside other National Guard, law enforcement, fire rescue and first responder agencies from various states.

A CH-47, assigned to Company B, 1st Battalion, 111th Aviation Regiment, Mississippi Army National Guard, takes off from the Southwest Florida International Airport, Lee County, Florida, October 4, 2022. The 111th is deployed to south Florida to respond to the devastation of Hurricane Ian.

Serbian Air Force H145M at Batajnica Air Base, Serbia.

970211-M-0023H-010. Subject Operation/Series: REVISED CAPABILITIES Base: Op-5, Mcb, Camp Lejeune State: North Carolina (NC) Country: United States Of America (USA)

Two SH-60B Sea Hawk helicopters from Light Helicopter Anti-submarine Squadron 46 (HSL-46) taxi across the ramp after arriving at the air station. The helicopters are returning to their home field after being deployed in the Persian Gulf region aboard the guided missile cruiser USS PHILIPPINE SEA (CG-58) for Operation Desert Shield and Operation Desert Storm. Subject Operation/Series: DESERT STORMDESERT SHIELD Base: Naval Air Station, Jacksonville State: Florida (FL) Country: United States Of America (USA)

DF-ST-87-13085. State: Florida (FL) Country: United States Of America (USA)

A US Marine Corps AV-8B Harrier Taxis Before a Takeoff at Al Asad Air Base in Iraq's Anbar Province

An aircrew with the 106th Aviation Regiment, Illinois Army National Guard, takes part in Army modernization efforts at Fort McCoy, Wis., on Aug. 4, 2022, by operationally testing the UH-60V Black Hawk helicopter while preparing for an upcoming deployment. As the newest helicopter introduced into the Armys inventory, the UH-60V began fielding to the 106th in 2021 following the units selection as the Armys first unit to be equipped with the new Black Hawk. According to the U.S. Army Operational Test Command, aviators, crewmembers, and support personnel with the 106th were at Fort McCoy operationally testing the UH-60V Blackhawk helicopter July 28 to Aug. 5, 2022. The 106th completed their testing operations from the Sparta-Fort McCoy Airport. Victor model testing completes a 24-month process from conception to reality for the Illinois Guard unit, U.S. Army Operational Test Command officials said.

220724-N-YN807-2184PACIFIC OCEAN (July 24, 2022) - An MH-60S Sea Hawk helicopter lands on the flight deck of Zumwalt-class guided-missile destroyer USS Michael Monsoor (DDG 1001) during Rim of the Pacific (RIMPAC) 2022, July 24. Twenty-six nations, 38 ships, three submarines, more than 170 aircraft and 25,000 personnel are participating in RIMPAC from June 29 to Aug 4 in and around Hawaiian Islands and Southern California. The worlds largest international maritime exercise, RIMPAC provides a unique training opportunity while fostering and sustaining cooperative relationships among participants critical to ensuring the safety of sea lanes and security on the worlds oceans. RIMPAC 2022 is the 28th exercise in the series that began in 1971.

A South Carolina Army National Guard UH-60 Black Hawk crew, part of the South Carolina Helicopter Aquatic Rescue Team, return to McEntire Joint National Guard Base, Eastover, South Carolina after conducting a rescue mission of a hiker who had a medical emergency in Oconee County, S.C., June 25, 2015. The SC-HART was notified an individual with a life-threatening emergency was in remote area in Oconee and needed to be extracted to receive urgent medical care. The team successfully completed hoist missions to extract the patient and returned before sunset.

U.S. Army AH-64E Apache helicopter conducts a deck landing on the USS Lewis B. Puller in the Persian Gulf, Nov. 10, 2022. Two U.S. Army UH-60M Black Hawk helicopters with 3-142 AHB, and two AH-64E Apache helicopters with 1st Battalion, 101st Aviation Regiment, Attack Helicopter Battalion, attached to the 36th CAB, conducted deck landing qualifications to learn the operating procedures of the U.S. Navy. 36th CAB, mobilized as Task Force Mustang, provides full-spectrum Army aviation operations for the Combined Joint Task Force - Operation Inherent Resolve mission to advise, assist, and enable partnered forces in the enduring defeat of ISIS.

A Boeing CH-47 Chinook prepares to land so that U.S Army Soldiers can board during an Air Assault exercise on Fort Campbell, Ky,. July 14, 2022. Chinooks carry people, vehicles, and cargo for quick transportation on the battlefield.

A pair of Croatian Air Force OH-58 Kiowa Warrior attack helicopters captured in flight, Croatia.

U.S. Soldiers assigned to 12th Combat Aviation Brigade hover over the training area in an AH-64D Apache longbow at Grafenwoehr, Germany, Sept. 28, 2022. 12th CAB is among other units assigned to V Corps, America's Forward Deployed Corps in Europe. They work alongside NATO Allies and regional security partners to provide combat-ready forces, execute joint and multinational training exercises, and retain command and control for all rotational and assigned units in the European Theater.

An HH-60G Pave Hawk from the 33rd Rescue Squadron flies along the Okinawa coastline during a training mission out of Kadena Air Base, Okinawa, Japan.

An Arizona Army National Guard UH-60L Black Hawk helicopter assigned to the 2-285th Attack Helicopter Battalion, landson the helipad at HonorHeath Scottsdale Osborn Medical Center in Scottsdale, Ariz. to offload a simulated patient during a joint military/civilian medevac exercise, April 23, 2022. The training, coordinated with the Arizona Guard and the HonorHeath Military Partnership Program, allowed Soldiers and civilian medical personnel a realistic experience loading and offloading patients from the military aircraft while its rotor blades were still in motion. (Arizona Army National Guard photo by Sgt. 1st Class Brian A. Barbour)

A US Air Force MH-53J Pave Low helicopter, from the 31st Special Operations Squadron (SOS), Kadena Air Base, Japan, takes off from Camp Carroll, Republic of Korea, after an infiltration during Exercise FOAL EAGLE 2000. Subject Operation/Series: FOAL EAGLE 2000 Base: Camp Carroll, Taegue State: Waegwan Country: Republic Of Korea (KOR)

Two Helicopter Combat Support Squadron 4 (HC-4) CH-53E Super Stallion helicopters pass over the sea during a flight out of Naval Air Station, Sigonella, Sicily. Country: Mediterranean Sea (MED)

An aircrew with the 1st Battalion, 147th Aviation Regiment of the Wisconsin National Guard operates a UH-60 Black Hawk helicopter for live-hoist training at Big Sandy Lake on June 7, 2022, at Fort McCoy, Wis. Members of the unit regularly complete training operations at Fort McCoy, and the unit also supports numerous training events at the installation each year. This training included hoisting up simulated victims treading water with a basket into the helicopter. The unit completed the training for three hours at the lake on June 7 and Wisconsin National Guard troops complete their annual training at Fort McCoy for 2022.

040409-F-6911G-012. Complete Scene Caption: A US Air Force (USAF) HH-60G Pave Hawk, 66th Rescue Squadron (RS), Nellis Air Force Base (AFB), Nevada (NV), performs a maximum take off during a live fire training exercise held at Ft. Bliss, Texas (TX). The exercise is part of the 57th Wing Weapons School, Nellis AFB, NV, intensive five-month training program. The exercise concentrates on the HH-60 Weapons School Division students performing flying tasks while combining integrated training with the 66th RS as part of the course curriculum. The mission of the USAF Weapons School (USAFWS) is to teach graduate-level instructor courses that provides the world's most advanced training in weapons and tactics employment to officers of the combat air forces. Base: Nellis Air Force Base State: Nevada (NV) Country: United States Of America (USA)

110322-N-5538K-189MIYAKO, Japan (March 22, 2011) A Japanese man moves a pallet of humanitarian assistance and disaster relief supplies from a CH-53E Sea Stallion helicopter from the forward-deployed amphibious assault ship USS Essex (LHD 2). Essex is operating off the coast of Hachinohe in northeastern Japan in support of Operation Tomodachi.

A left side view of an MH-53J Pave Low III helicopter on display during an air show. Base: Eglin Air Force Base State: Florida (FL) Country: United States Of America (USA)

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