Military Helicopter Operations

Images depict various military helicopters in flight, performing rescue and transportation duties across different eras, highlighting their significance in operations.

May 16, 1975-A Marine and Air Force pararescueman of the 40th Aerospace Rescue and Recovery Squadron (in wet suit) run for an Air Force helicopter during an asualt on Koh Tang Island to rescue the U.S. Merchant ship Mayaguez and its crew May 15, 1975.

DN-SN-86-00824. Country: Unknown

The Helicopter is one of the most important units of the modern fleet. It has many duties. In Korean, waters it is being used to rescue Naval Pilots who have crashed in enemy territory: It is performing important air-sea rescue work when aircraft come down in the sea, and it is being used for transferring official mail from ship to ship. Frequently it becomes an "Admirals Barge" when Commanders transfer at sea from one ship to another to discuss tactical problems. It was announced by the Admiralty in March last that all aircraft carriers and air stations in the Royal Navy would eventually be equipped with Westland Sikorsky Dragonfly Helicopters. April 04, 1952. (Photo by British Official Photograph).

A Helicopter Combat Support Squadron 6 (HC-6) UH-46A Sea Knight helicopter hovers over the flight deck of the aircraft carrier USS FORRESTAL (CV-59) as a deck crewman reaches to attach a sling to its external cargo hook. Ordnance is being transferred from the FORRESTAL to the nuclear-powered aircraft carrier USS THEODORE ROOSEVELT (CVN-71) during the allied forces exercise Team Work '88. Subject Operation/Series: TEAM WORK '88 Country: North Atlantic Ocean

Helicopter's Successful Deck Landing Trials -- A Bristol Type 171 helicopter has successfully completed preliminary take-off and landing trails on board the aircraft carrier, H.M.S. Triumph.These trials were conducted on behalf of the Royal Australian Navy, and extended over two days. At times wind speeds over the deck reached 37 knots, and no undesirable blade behaviour was apparent. During the tests the helicopter was called back to the flight deck, its rotor blades were folded and it was "struck down" into the carrier's hangar in only six minutes. March 5, 1952.

A Russian AN-72 Coaler aircraft parked on the tarmac behind the UH-1N Iroquois "Huey" helicopter from the amphibious assault ship USS GUADALCANAL (LPH-7). The helo has dropped off passengers at the completion of NATO Exercise Teamwork '92. Subject Operation/Series: TEAMWORK '92 Base: Onslow International Airport Country: Norway (NOR)

Dutch soldiers travel for exercises from Oirschot to La Courtine. Pay attention! The above description is a generic series description based on the information stated by the army film and photo service. In the long term, this global description will be specified.

May 16, 1975-A Marine and Air Force pararescueman of the 40th Aerospace Rescue and Recovery Squadron (in wet suit) run for an Air Force helicopter during an asualt on Koh Tang Island to rescue the U.S. Merchant ship Mayaguez and its crew May 15, 1975.

A QF-4B Phantom II remotely piloted drone aircraft is lowered to the ground after being transported from the center's sea test range by a CH-53E Super Stallion helicopter from Marine Heavy Helicopter Squadron 466 (HMH-466). Base: Naval Air Station, Point Mugu State: California (CA) Country: United States Of America (USA)

The Royal Navy during the Second World War A helicopter attached to the British Naval Air Arm (marked with the letter A), demonstrating how it could be used in a confined space and how it is possible to almost converse with the pilots while the machine hovers overhead, at Floyd Bennett airfield, New York. The British Naval Air Arm pilots shown are (in aircraft) Sub Lieutenant Page of Lennoxville, Quebec, Canada and Lieutenant Sharpe from Bradford, Yorks, England. On the ground: Lieutenant Stewart from Montreal, Canada; Sub Lieutenant Penfold of Cardiff, Wales; Lieutenant Marshall, Mount Royal Quebec, Canada; Sub Lieutenant Andrews from London; and Sub Lieutenant Little from Auckland, New Zealand.

DN-SN-88-01784. Base: USS Guadalcanal (LPH 7)

An SH-60B helicopter from Helicopter Light Anti-Submarine Squadron 42 conducts an in-flight helicopter refueling operation with the guided missile frigate USS HALYBURTON (FFG 40) during Exercise BALTOPS '85. Subject Operation/Series: BALTOPS '85 Country: Baltic Sea

An SH-2F Seasprite light airborne multi-purpose system (LAMPS) helicopter hovers above the aft deck of the guided missile destroyer USS DEWEY (DDG-45) while refueling during exercise Unitas XX. The helicopter is assigned to Light Helicopter Anti-submarine Squadron 36 (HSL-36). Subject Operation/Series: UNITAS XX Base: Rio De Janeiro Country: Brazil (BRA)

DN-ST-85-03996. Subject Operation/Series: INTENSE LOOK Base: USS Shreveport (LPD 12) Country: Gulf Of Suez

A CH-53 Sea Stallion helicopter approaches for a landing on the flight deck of the amphibious assault ship USS GUAM (LPH 9), during operations off the coast of Beirut, Lebanon. Country: Mediterranean Sea (MED)

Crewmen from the ammunition ship USS MOUNT HOOD (AE-29) unload supplies from a U.S. Air Force helicopter during search and rescue operations for the beached and overturned Filipino frigate RPS DATU KALANTIAW (PS-76). The frigate was overtaken by Typhoon Clara. Base: Calayan Island Country: Philippines

A marine (unidentified) backs in one of three "mighty mites" into the cargo hold of the new Sikorsky twin engined S-56. The ship is capable of carrying 26 fully equipped marines. January 18, 1954. (Photo by AP Wirephoto).

A Lynx Mark 88 helicopter from the West German guided missile frigate FSG KARLSRUHE (F-212) delivers intership mail and supplies to the guided missile frigate USS STARK (FFG-31) during FLEET EX 1-90. Subject Operation/Series: FLEET EX 1-90 Country: Atlantic Ocean (AOC)

A view of an SH-2F Seasprite helicopter from Light Helicopter Anti-submarine Squadron 34 (HAL-34) in flight during exercise Unitas XXI. The Seasprite is equipped with the light airborne multi-purpose system (LAMPS). Subject Operation/Series: UNITAS XXI Country: Pacific Ocean (POC)

A U.S. Army helicopter takes off on an airborne mission during OPERATION BALIKATAN '92, the 12th year U.S. Army and Filipino service members have worked side by side to "shoulder the load together," the Tagalog interpretation of "balikatan." Medical as well as other aid such as engineering and construction is given the Filipino villagers. Subject Operation/Series: BALIKATAN '92 Country: Philippines (PHL)

A right front view of a CH-53 Sea Stallion helicopter on the flight deck of the amphibious assault ship USS GUAM (LPH 9), during operations off the coast of Beirut, Lebanon. Base: USS Guam (LPH 9) Country: Mediterranean Sea (MED)

A CH-46 Sea Knight helicopter brings supplies to the ammunition ship USS SHASTA (AE-33). Country: Pacific Ocean (POC)

A pararescueman from the 56th Rescue Squadron, Keflavik NAS, jumps from an HH-60G into the coastal waters of Iceland to assist a simulated downed pilot into the basket so they may be hoisted from the water. Once the pilot has been hoisted into the helicopter he will be flown to Keflavik NAS hospital for medical attention. The simulated mission is part of NORTHERN VIKING '95, an exercise to test the plans to defend Iceland should the country ever be attacked. Subject Operation/Series: NORTHERN VIKING '95 Base: Naval Air Station, Keflavik Country: Iceland (ISL)

A CH-53 Sea Stallion helicopter takes off from the flight deck of the amphibious assault ship USS GUAM (LPH 9), during operations off the coast of Beirut, Lebanon. Base: USS Guam (LPH 9) Country: Mediterranean Sea (MED)

A US Navy (USN) Sikorsky SH-3 Sea King Helicopter is prepared for a night time combat Search and Rescue (SAR) exercise at Mountain Home Air Force Base (AFB), Idaho (ID). Base: Mountain Home Air Force Base State: Idaho (ID) Country: United States Of America (USA)

A bottom view of an SH-3 Sea King helicopter hovering over the battleship USS IOWA (BB-61). Exact Date Shot Unknown. Country: Unknown

DN-SN-86-03128. Country: Unknown

S69-20621 (26 May 1969) --- A member of the Apollo 10 crew is hoisted into a helicopter from the prime recovery ship, USS Princeton, during recovery operations in the South Pacific. Astronauts Thomas P. Stafford, commander; John W. Young, command module pilot; and Eugene A. Cernan, lunar module pilot, were picked up and flown to the deck of the USS Princeton where a red-carpet welcome awaited them. The spacecraft was later retrieved from the water and put aboard the recovery ship. The Apollo 10 splashdown occurred at 11 53 a.m. (CDT), May 26, 1969, about 400 miles east of American Samoa, and about four miles from the recovery ship, to conclude a successful eight-day lunar orbit mission. U.S. Navy underwater demolition team swimmers assisted in the recovery operations.

As a new snow storm passes over the amphibious assault ship USS GUADALCANAL (LPH-7), an M-3D tow tractor respots a CH-46E Sea Knight helicopter of Marine Medium Helicopter Squadron 263 (HMM-263) on the flight deck. The GUADACANAL is taking part in NATO Exercise Teamwork '92. Subject Operation/Series: TEAMWORK '92 Base: Trondheim Fjord Country: Norway (NOR)

DM-SN-85-10500. Base: Tinley Park State: Illinois (IL) Country: United States Of America (USA)

A U.S. Marine with III Marine Expeditionary Force (MEF), jumps from a CH-53E Super Stallion helicopter assigned to Heavy Marine Helicopter Squadron (HMH) 361 during a helocasting masters course conducted by Expeditionary Operations Training Group (EOTG) at Camp Hansen, Okinawa, Japan, Sept. 7, 2022. Helocasting is an airborne technique used by small unit special operations forces to insert into hard to reach areas via bodies of water.

DA-ST-86-06282. Country: Unknown

Crew members observe activity on deck from the flight control center aboard the amphibious assault ship USS PELELIU (LHA 5) during PACEX '89. Subject Operation/Series: PACEX '89 Base: USS Peleliu (LHA 5)

A CH-46 Sea Knight helicopter lands as a 374th Tactical Air Wing C-130 Hercules aircraft prepares for take-off at Chittagong Air Base. The aircraft are taking part in Operation Sea Angel, a U.S. military effort to provide disaster relief to victims of a cyclone which devastated Bangladesh on April 30th.. Subject Operation/Series: SEA ANGEL Country: Bangladesh(BGD)

Two US Army UH-60 Blackhawk helicopters maneuver to land in a tactical landing zone in central Thailand. Their mission is to insert soldiers from the B Comapany, 1ST Battalion, 27th Infantry, 2nd Brigade, 25th Infantry Division (Light), Schofield Barracks, Hawaii, for their first day's joint field training with the Royal Thai Army. Exercise COBRA GOLD '97, Tak Province, THA, 9 May 1997. Subject Operation/Series: COBRA GOLD '97 State: Tak Province Country: Thailand (THA)

NAVAL SUPPORT ACTIVITY SOUDA BAY, Greece (July 18, 2022) File photo from Dec. 1959 captioned, President Eisenhower arrives on board USS Des Moines”. Naval Support Activity Souda Bay is an operational ashore base that enables U.S., Allied, and Partner nation forces to be where they are needed when they are needed to preserve security and stability in the European, African, and Central Command areas of responsibility.

An MD-3A tow tractor stands by in preparation for positioning a CH-46 Sea Knight helicopter on the flight deck of the amphibious assault ship USS GUADALCANAL (LPH-7). Helicopters and other equipment are being readied for use during Operation Provide Comfort, an Allied effort to aid Kurdish refugees who fled from the forces of Saddam Hussein in northern Iraq. Subject Operation/Series: PROVIDE COMFORT Base: Iskenderum Country: Turkey (TUR)

An air-to-air view of an SH-3 Sea King helicopter taken from the cockpit window of another SH-3. Both the helicopters are assigned to Fleet Composite Squadron 5 (VC-5). Country: Philippines (PHL)

Three-quarter right front view of a Sikorsky H-19 Chickasaw on the ground. Two air crewmen are also pictured, one standing beside the helicopter, the other inside sitting in the pilot's seat.. Three-quarter right front view of a Sikorsky H-19 Chickasaw on the ground. Two air crewmen are also pictured, one standing beside the helicopter, the other inside sitting in the pilot's seat..

DN-SN-89-05090. Subject Operation/Series: VALIANT USHER 88 Base: Unknown

Technicians examine a disabled CH-34 Seahorse helicopter on the beach at Cua Viet. Country: Viet Nam (VNM)

A view of an Iraqi Mi-8 helicopter at an air field attacked by coalition aircraft during Operation Desert Storm.. Subject Operation/Series: DESERT STORM Base: Tallil Air Base State: Dhi Qar Country: Iraq(IRQ)

Anefo photo collection. Busy island, the first police officer is dropped down on the platform. December 17, 1964

A Marine Corps CH-53E Super Stallion helicopter lifts a Canadian armored vehicle, general purpose (AVGP), Cougar, with ease. The vehicle can be fielded under 14 tons. Base: Marine Corps Base, Quantico State: Virginia (VA) Country: United States Of America (USA)

Marine UH-1N Iroquois helicopters are parked in a rock hangar. This area was once used by the Norwegians for aircraft washdowns, repairs and concealment. Country: Norway (NOR)

Coast Guard Helicopter Assists Plane Crash. This image depicts a Coast Guard helicopter assisting a crashed plane.

DA-SN-88-00655. Subject Operation/Series: ARDENT GROUND '87 Country: England / Great Britain (ENG)

Arrival ceremonies for William Vacanarat Shadrach Tubman, President of Liberia, 10:00 AM. Arrival ceremonies for William V.S. Tubman, President of Liberia. United States Marine Corps helicopter. Andrews Air Force Base, Maryland.

DN-SN-88-07099. Subject Operation/Series: TEAM SPIRIT Base: USS Juneau (LPD 10) Country: Republic Of Korea (KOR)

Kurdish refugees unload supplies from a CH-53E Super Stallion helicopter as Allied forces make a food delivery to the refugee camp as part of Operation Provide Comfort. The operation is an Allied effort to aid the refugees who fled the forces of Saddam Hussein in northern Iraq. Subject Operation/Series: PROVIDE COMFORT Country: Iraq (IRQ)

DN-SN-88-07085. Subject Operation/Series: TEAM SPIRIT Country: Republic Of Korea (KOR)

Dedication ceremonies, Dulles International Airport, 11:12AM. President John F. Kennedy (center, holding hat) arrives at Dulles International Airport to attend dedication ceremonies for the airport named after the late Secretary of State, John Foster Dulles. Also pictured: White House Secret Service agent, Floyd Boring; Virginia Rusk (wife of Secretary of State, Dean Rusk); Governor of Virginia, Albertis S. Harrison, Jr.; Air Force Aide to the President, Brigadier General Godfrey T. McHugh; Administrator of the Federal Aviation Agency (FAA), Najeeb Halaby. A United States Army helicopter sits in background. Chantilly, Virginia.

White House, arrival of President Lyndon B. Johnson (LBJ). President Lyndon B. Johnson and First Lady Lady Bird Johnson arrive aboard a United States Army helicopter on the South Lawn from Dallas, Texas, via Andrews Air Force Base. Secret Service agent, Rufus Youngblood, stands right of stairs. White House, Washington, D.C.

A left side view of a UH-46 Sea Knight helicopter approaching the fast combat support ship USS DETROIT (AOE 4). The helicopter is being used to replenish ships positioned off the coast of Lebanon in support of US Marines assigned to the multinational peacekeeping force in Beirut. Country: Mediterranean Sea (MED)

Member of Battery A, 2nd Battalion, 31st Field Artillery, hook an M-198 155 mm howitzer to the underside of a CH-47 Chinook helicopter during Exercise EAGLE STRIKE III. Subject Operation/Series: EAGLE STRIKE III Base: Fort Campbell State: Kentucky (KY) Country: United States Of America (USA)

Vice President Lyndon B. Johnson (LBJ) departs White House via helicopter. Vice President Lyndon B. Johnson (far right) steps into a United States Marines helicopter prior to his departure from the White House; others unidentified. The Washington Monument is visible in the background. South Lawn, Washington, D.C.

Helicopters CH-46 during the Vietnam War. This image showcases American military activities from January. The CH-46 helicopters were commonly used by the United States during the conflict, primarily for troop transportation and medical evacuation purposes.

Photo collection Government information service. Rijks river police. undated

Historic Traversing of Previously Impassable McClure Strait by U.S. Icebreakers CGC Northland and Navy USS Burton Island. 17 August 1954 - A helicopter from the Coast Guard icebreaker Northwind lights near the remains of Captain Robert McClure's cache on the west shore of Mercy Bay, Banks Island, Canadian Northwest Territory. The old camp site was discovered by the Northwind during its historic passage (August 13-21, 1954) from the Arctic Ocean through previously impassable McClure Strait. It was used by Captain McClure when he was forced to abandoned HMS Investigator in 1833, about half way through the Strait, while exploring Banks Island in search of the lost party of 105 men headed by Sir John Franklin. Franklin and his men perished in their search for the famous Northwest Passage. McClure Strait was named for Captain McClure.

A left side view of an SH-3H Sea King helicopter from Helicopter Anti-submarine Squadron 17 (HS-17) in-flight. Country: Mediterranean Sea (MED)

Commencement Address at the US Naval Academy, Annapolis, Maryland, 11:04AM. President John F. Kennedys helicopter lands at the United States Naval Academy heliport, Annapolis, Maryland.

A CH-53 Sea Stallion helicopter rests on a recently installed landing mat at a mountain-top fire support base. The base is under construction by members of the 3rd Marine Division. Country: Viet Nam (VNM)

Catapult steam rises around an SH-3H Sea King helicopter of Helicopter Anti-submarine Squadron 7 (HS-7) on the flight deck of the aircraft carrier USS JOHN F. KENNEDY (CV-67) during Fleet Ex 1-90. Subject Operation/Series: FLEET EX 1-90 Country: Atlantic Ocean (AOC)

South Vietnam, October 16, 1969 - A UH-1D Medevac helicopter takes off to pick up an injured member of the 101st Airborne Div. near the demilitarized zone. Photo by L.T. Gault, SPC4

A search and rescue diver jumps from a hovering SH-3H Sea King helicopter of Helicopter Anti-submarine Squadron 5 (HS-5) during a drill. Country: Mediterranean Sea (MED)

A U.S. Army UH-1 Iroquois helicopter recovers C-rations from Drop Zone Sampoo, located on mountainous terrain. A U.S. Air Force C-130 Hercules aircraft airlifted the supplies to the 25th Infantry Division during training exercise Team Spirit '83. Subject Operation/Series: TEAM SPIRIT '83 Country: South Korea

Hr.Ms Poolster (A 835) Mariniersoefening

A UH-46 Sea Knight helicopter approaches an auxiliary ship to pick up a load of supplies. The helicopter is providing replenishment service to ships positioned off the coast of Lebanon in support of US Marines assigned to the multinational peacekeeping force in Beirut. Country: Mediterranean Sea (MED)

Vintage photograph. Marine helicopter lands on indicated square and takes a board of wounded rifleman for a evacuation to hospital ship

After dropping off infantrymen in a landing zone, two UH-60A Black Hawk helicopters proceed out of the open area to avoid "enemy" fire, during Exercise Ocean Venture '82. Subject Operation/Series: OCEAN VENTURE '82 Base: Fort Campbell State: Kentucky (KY) Country: United States Of America (USA)

S65-63646 (18 Dec. 1965) --- The crew of the Gemini-7 spaceflight, astronauts Frank Borman, command pilot, and James A. Lovell Jr., pilot, arrive aboard the aircraft carrier USS Wasp. The astronauts were picked up from the ocean, following successful splashdown, by recovery helicopter and flown to the carrier to begin postflight medical and technical debriefings.

S69-27919 (13 March 1969) --- Immediately after splashdown a recovery helicopter from the USS Guadalcanal hovers over the Apollo 9 spacecraft. Still inside the Command Module (CM) are astronauts James A. McDivitt, David R. Scott, and Russell L. Schweickart. Splashdown occurred at 12:00:53 p.m. (EST), March 13, 1969, only 4.5 nautical miles from the USS Guadalcanal, the prime recovery ship, to conclude a successful 10-day Earth-orbital mission in space.

A left side view of a Helicopter Anti-submarine Squadron 10 (HS-10) SH-3H Sea King helicopter hoisting an aircrewman out of the water during a Deep Water Environmental Survival Training (DWEST) class. Forty Navy, Marine Corps, and Army pilots and aircrew personnel are participating in the last DWEST class to be conducted by the Fleet Aviation Specialized Operational Training Group, Pacific Fleet. Country: Pacific Ocean (POC)

DN-ST-88-02716. Country: Unknown

Arrival at and departure by helicopter from Bader Field, Atlantic City, New Jersey. A United States Army helicopter prepares to depart Bader Field, following President John F. Kennedy's trip to Atlantic City, New Jersey. Army presidential helicopter pilot, Barney Hulett, sits in front of helicopter (near side, face hidden); an unidentified man walks up stairs at right. Bader Field, Atlantic City, New Jersey.

Interested parties during the fleet days in July 1989 looking at Maneuvers from Mine Sweeper Hr.Ms. Hoogeveen (M 827, Left) and the patrol / Training vessel Hr.Ms. Bulgia (A 880, Right) with a Westland SH-14D Navy Lynx Helicopter (1976-approx. 2012) of the Marine Aastery Agency (MLD).

DM-SN-89-11236. Base: Marine Corps Base, Quantico State: Virginia (VA) Country: United States Of America (USA)

Visitors with a Sikorsky UH-3 Sea King Helicopter (probably from the Royal Air Force) during the 1989 fleet days.

Group photo of Vldgsquadron 7 with mid front the CDT LTZ1 F.M.P. 't heart. In the background Westland Lynx helicopter, links type MK. 25 (UH-14A) Air Sea Rescue Helicopter, right Mk. 81 (SH-14C) Subdue boat control helicopter

DN-SN-89-03433. Country: Unknown

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