Military Helicopters in Action

Photos of military helicopters during operations, maintenance, and training exercises, highlighting their significance in naval and air force missions.

Flight deck crewmen prepare a Tactical Electronic Warfare Squadron 136 (VAQ-136) EA-6B Prowler aircraft for launch on the flight deck of the aircraft carrier USS INDEPENDENCE (CV-62). The INDEPENDENCE is participating in Operation Southern Watch, a multinational effort establishing a no-fly zone for Iraqi aircraft south of the 32nd parallel in Iraq. Subject Operation/Series: SOUTHERN WATCH Country: Unknown

A squadron member hoses down a Helicopter Light Anti-submarine Squadron 94 (HSL 94) SH-2F Seasprite helicopter aboard the guided missile frigate USS CLARK (FFG 11). Base: USS Clark (FFG 11)

DN-SN-90-02249. Country: Atlantic Ocean (AOC)

DA-SN-85-02961. Base: Mcchord Air Force Base State: Washington (WA) Country: United States Of America (USA)

DN-SN-87-11166. Subject Operation/Series: SAFE HAVEN Base: Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton State: California (CA) Country: United States Of America (USA)

An SH-3 Sea King helicopter from Helicopter Anti-submarine Squadron 9 (HS-9) lifts off the flight deck of the nuclear-powered aircraft carrier USS NIMITZ (CVN-68) during the NATO exercise Display Determination '81. In the foreground is an A-6A Intruder aircraft (with folded wings) from Carrier Air Wing 8 (CVW-8). Subject Operation/Series: DISPLAY DETERMINATION '81 Country: Mediterranean Sea (MED)

Marines and Air Force personnel load a CH-46 Sea Knight helicopter into a C-5A Galaxy aircraft at MCAS (H) Futenma. Three CH-46's are being loaded aboard the C-5A for transport to MCAS (H) Tustin, California, via Hawaii. The helicopters are from Marine Medium Helicopter Squadron 163 (HMM-163). State: Okinawa Country: Japan (JPN)

A plane director signals to the pilot of an Air Anti-submarine Squadron 24 (VS-24) S-3B Viking aircraft as the pilot prepares to taxi away from the arresting gear after landing aboard the nuclear-powered aircraft carrier USS THEODORE ROOSEVELT (CVN-71). The ROOSEVELT is on station in the eastern Mediterranean in support of Operation Provide Comfort, a multinational effort to aid Kurdish refugees in southern Turkey and northern Iraq. Subject Operation/Series: PROVIDE COMFORT Country: Mediterranean Sea(MED)

Flight deck crewmen prepare a Tactical Electronic Warfare Squadron 136 (VAQ-136) EA-6B Prowler aircraft for launch on the flight deck of the aircraft carrier USS INDEPENDENCE (CV-62). The INDEPENDENCE is participating in Operation Southern Watch, a multinational effort establishing a no-fly zone for Iraqi aircraft south of the 32nd parallel in Iraq. Subject Operation/Series: SOUTHERN WATCH Country: Unknown

2LT Herbert Winkeller and LTC John W. Meservey, left to right, check over their F-4D Phantom II aircraft before leading the first flight of F-4's from the base. The 13th Tactical Fighter Squadron, "Panther Pack," was deactivated on June 30, 1975. Base: Udorn Royal Thai Air Force Base Country: Thailand (THA)

Helicopters at Marine Corps Air Station (MCAS), Quantico. United States Marine Corps helicopter at Marine Corps Air Station (MCAS), Quantico, Virginia.

Air Rescue 'Chopper' Shows Pickup Technique -- An H-19 helicopter of the U.S. Air Force 3rd Air Rescue Group demonstrates, for members of the 67th Tactical Reconnaissance Wing at a forward air base in Korea, the technique of snatching a man from enemy hands beyond the battleline. The 8,000-pound chopper, which can be on its way to a downed airman two minutes after an alert is received, is the combat pilot's bestfriend when he goes down in Communist territory. Since the beginning of the Korean wa

Repeat exercises from the Mariniers corps in the Veluwe in the Elspeet area. A few mariniers are moved with a helicopter of the Agusta Bell UH-1 type.

U.S. Air Force Tech. Sgt. Andrew Bongiovi, Crew Chief from the 124th Fighter Wing, Gowen Field Air National Guard Base, Boise, Idaho, prepares the A-10 Thunderbolt II for a mission on the flightline during Agile Rage 22 at Alpena Combat Readiness Training Center in Alpena, Mich., June 13, 2022. Agile Rage 22 is a National Guard Bureau-led exercise that provides realistic training opportunities, mimicking current and future combat environments dictated by the National Defense Strategy.

White House Communications Agency (WHCA) staff advance trip to Maine. Three unidentified men unload equipment from a United States Marines helicopter on the grounds of the private island residence of former heavyweight boxing champion, Gene Tunney, as White House Communications Agency (WHCA) staff prepare for President John F. Kennedys trip to Maine. Johns Island, Johns Bay, Maine.

A ground crew member hooks an O-1 Bird Dog aircraft to a Vietnamese Air Force H-34 Choctaw helicopter, hovering overhead. Base: Da Nang Air Base Country: Viet Nam (VNM)

A view looking down from the island of the amphibious assault ship USS GUADALCANAL (LPH-7) at a snow covered UH-1N Iroquois "Huey" helicopter tied down on the flight deck. The GUADALCANAL is taking part in NATO Exercise Teamwork '92. Subject Operation/Series: TEAMWORK '92 Base: Trondheim Fjord Country: Norway (NOR)

Helicopters at Marine Corps Air Station (MCAS), Quantico. United States Marine Corps helicopter at Marine Corps Air Station (MCAS), Quantico, Virginia.

A Fighter Squadron 14 (VF-14) F-14A Tomcat aircraft sits armed and ready on the flight deck of the aircraft carrier USS JOHN F. KENNEDY (CV 67) during FLEET EX 1-90. The aircraft is carrying two AIM-9 Sidewinder missiles on the wing pylon at left, a drop tank under the engine intake, an AIM-54 Phoenix missile under the fuselage and an AIM-7 Sparrow missile on the wing pylon at right. Subject Operation/Series: FLEET EX 1-90 Country: Atlantic Ocean (AOC)

DF-SN-87-07981. Base: Seymour Johnson Air Force Base State: North Carolina (NC) Country: United States Of America (USA)

A Helicopter Light Anti-submarine Squadron 94 (HSL-94) SH-2F Seasprite helicopter hovers over the flight deck of the guided missile frigate USS CLARK (FFG 11). Base: USS Clark (FFG 11)

G-2-120 Nike Asp

A front view of the Navy's first operational Mark III LAMPS (Light Airborne Multi-Purpose System) SH-60B Seahawk helicopter hovering over the flight deck of the guided missile frigate USS CROMMELIN (FFG 37). The helicopter is undergoing flight deck landing qualifications off the coast of San Clemente, California. Country: Pacific Ocean (POC)

An A-7 Corsair II aircraft prepares to land aboard the aircraft carrier USS KITTY HAWK (CV-63). A catapult officer and two crewmen are seen in the foregorund. Country: Unknown

A crane is used to lift an F-4 Phantom II aircraft away from the port side deck edge of the aircraft carrier USS MIDWAY (CV 41). The F-4 was damaged when the MIDWAY collided with the Panamanian freighter CACTUS. Base: Naval Station, Subic Bay State: Luzon Country: Philippines (PHL)

A UH-1E Iroquois helicopter takes off from the deck of the amphibious assault ship USS TRIPOLI (LPH-10) during exercise Team Spirit '82. Subject Operation/Series: TEAM SPIRIT '82 Base: Pohang Country: Republic Of Korea (KOR)

AVRO CF 100s, NATO Manuevers (Canadian Forces). Photographs of Marshall Plan Programs, Exhibits, and Personnel

Arrival Standing Naval Force Atlantic.

Armed crew members aboard the amphibious transport dock USS RALEIGH (LPD-1) escort Iranian detainees from the mine-laying ship IRAN AJR to an awaiting CH-46 Sea Knight helicopter. Country: Unknown

NATO Airbase in France. Photographs of Marshall Plan Programs, Exhibits, and Personnel

A US Navy (USN) Special Warfare crewman carries a 5.56 mm M16A1 rifle as he exits a USN Sikorsky SH-3 Sea King Helicopter while participating in a 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)

SGT Rex Ely makes adjustments for the true north reading on a TRN-29 tactical air navigation (system) at Bogue Field. In the background, an AV-8A Harrier Aircraft is landing. Base: Mcas, Cherry Point State: North Carolina (NC) Country: United States Of America (USA)

NATO Airbase in France. Photographs of Marshall Plan Programs, Exhibits, and Personnel

Crew chain an F/A-18 Hornet aircraft to the deck of the aircraft carrier USS Constellation (CV-64). Country: Unknown

An Attack Squadron 34 (VA-34) pilot conducts a preflight check of the bombs hung on a wing pylon of his A-6E Intruder aircraft aboard the nuclear-powered aircraft carrier USS DWIGHT D. EISENHOWER (CVN-69) during Fleet Ex '90. Country: Atlantic Ocean (AOC)

DN-SN-86-10299. Base: USS Coral Sea (CV 43) Country: Mediterranean Sea (MED)

A plane captain stands beside an Attack Squadron 72 (VA-72) A-7E Corsair II aircraft 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)

An F-14 Tomcat aircraft lands on the flight deck of the aircraft carrier USS INDEPENDENCE (CV 62) during operations off the coast of Beirut, Lebanon. Country: Mediterranean Sea (MED)

Lynx helicopter from the Marine Aviation Service in De Kooy.

A Helicopter Light Anti-submarine Squadron 94 (HSL 94) SH-2F Seasprite helicopter refuels from the guided missile frigate USS CLARK (FFG 11). Base: USS Clark (FFG 11)

Of Spey-Class Fregat Hr.ms.thok Hiddes (1967-1986).

A UH-46 Sea Knight helicopter from Helicopter Combat Support Squadron 6 (HC-6) delivers supplies to the aircraft carrier USS INDEPENDENCE (CV 62). The INDEPENDENCE is providing support to US Marines assigned to the multinational peacekeeping force in Beirut. Country: Mediterranean Sea (MED)

A convary TF-102A Delta Dagger, trainer of the American 32 TFS, on the platform on Soesterberg airbase. The two pilots step into the cockpit. The TF-102a is equipped with the text 'Bubbles' and two clogs on the nose.

DN-SN-86-03927. Base: USS Coral Sea (CV 43) Country: Mediterranean Sea (MED)

Flight line personnel work around a visiting F-111 aircraft of the U.S. Air Force's 48th Tactical Fighter Wing. The aircraft is based in England. Base: Naval Air Station, Sigonella State: Sicily Country: Italy (ITA)

Photo collection Service for army contacts Indonesia. DLC Landing exercises I Infantry Brigade 7-December Division in Tjilinting. Exercises on Java's North Coast. The landing boats in full sea on the way to the point where the landing will be carried out .. May 1947. Indonesia, Dutch East Indies

Members of Helicopter Mine Countermeasures Squadron 14 (HM-14) unload an RH-53D Sea Stallion helicopter from a C-5A Galaxy transport aircraft assigned to the 436th Military Airlift Wing based in Dover Air Force Base, Delaware. The Norfolk-based squadron is taking part in Operation INTENSE LOOK. Subject Operation/Series: INTENSE LOOK Base: Rota Country: Spain (ESP)

NATO Airbase in France. Photographs of Marshall Plan Programs, Exhibits, and Personnel

DN-SN-89-04647. Subject Operation/Series: COPE THUNDER Base: Naval Air Station, Cubi Point Country: Philippines (PHL)

British Army Shows New "Ship To Shore" Fuel Technique - A helicopter picks up the pipeline and carries it out to the waiting oil-tanker and "Dracone" where crews are waiting to connect. October 23, 1950. (Photo by Sport & General Press Agency, Limited).

DN-SN-86-00066. Base: USS Kitty Hawk (CV 63)

Transmission of marines and equipment per helicopter to H.M.s. Invincible.

89C - Loading Bombs And Ammunition - Bombing Crew At Work, Gunners Etc. January 15, 1945. (Photo by Commonwealth Of Australia Department Of Air).

Apollo command module boilerplate hoisted above a recovery ship in the Atlantic Ocean during a practice recovery exercise. The exercise was conducted in preparation for the forthcoming Apollo-Saturn 201 (AS-201) mission.

Marines exit from a CH-53 Sea Stallion helicopter aboard the amphibious assault ship USS GUAM (LPH 9), as the 22nd Marine Amphibious Unit redeploys from Beirut at the conclusion of a multinational peacekeeping operation. Base: USS Guam (LPH 9) Country: Mediterranean Sea (MED)

Alarm message investigation and rescue service. 39 nautical miles to the west of Helgoland is a collision between the Norwegian tanker Anne Mildred Brøvig and the English coastal Pentland. The Norwegian tanker is sinking. Tugboat Bugsier 27 of the German shipping company Bugsier is standby. Around 16,000 tons of crude oil in the North Sea has ended up in the collision. A grumpman tracker of airplane squadron 2 (4) and a Neptune of airplane squadron 320 are on the spot.

A view of the twin Mark 10 Mod O launcher for Terrier/Standard-ER missiles on board the guided missile destroyer USS KING (DD-41) during exercise Unitas XXI. Subject Operation/Series: UNITAS XXI Country: Pacific Ocean (POC)

DF-SN-87-04075. Country: Japan (JPN)

DF-SN-87-04076. Country: Japan (JPN)

Two members of the helicopter maintenance crew make some adjustments on a Marine CH-46 Sea Knight helicopter. Base: Naval Station, Subic Bay State: Luzon Country: Philippines (PHL)

DN-SN-87-11123. Base: USS Crommelin (FFG 37)

A ground crew member directs a Fighter Squadron 32 (VF-32) F-14A Tomcat aircraft as it taxis on the flight line following its arrival on base. Personnel from Carrier Air Wing 3 and Carrier Air Wing 17 are returning home after serving in the Persian Gulf during Operation Desert Storm. Subject Operation/Series: DESERT STORM Base: Naval Air Station, Oceana State: Virginia (VA) Country: United States Of America (USA)

Sailors move and maintain CH-46 Sea Knight helicopters from Marine Medium Helicopter Squadron 265 (HMM-265), aboard the amphibious assault ship USS TRIPOLI (LPH-10) during the trip to South Korea to participate in exercise Team Spirit '82. Subject Operation/Series: TEAM SPIRIT '82 Country: East China Sea

A left front view of a U-2 reconnaissance aircraft parked on the flight deck of the aircraft carrier USS AMERICA (CV 66). Base: USS America (CV 66)

Repeat exercises from the Mariniers corps in the Veluwe in the Elspeet area. A few mariniers are moved with a helicopter of the Agusta Bell UH-1 type.

An F/A-18A Hornet aircraft from Strike Fighter Squadron 25 taxis to a catapult on the aircraft carrier USS CONSTELLATION (CV 64) during Fleet Exercise 85. Among the aircraft parked on the flight deck are S-3A Vikings, F/A-18A's and A-6E Intruders. Base: USS Constellation (CV 64) Country: Pacific Ocean (POC)

Vintage photograph. Air Force North American Aviation F-86D Sabre Jet Interceptor

A view of several F-14 Tomcat aircraft parked on the flight deck of the aircraft carrier USS INDEPENDENCE (CV 62) during operations off the coast of Beirut, Lebanon. Base: USS Independence (CV 62) Country: Mediterranean Sea (MED)

Hose teams take their positions on the flight deck of the aircraft carrier USS JOHN F. KENNEDY (CV-67) as a firefighting drill is conducted during Fleet Ex 1-90. Subject Operation/Series: FLEET EX 1-90 Country: Atlantic Ocean (AOC)

Crewmen aboard the guided missile frigate USS HALYBURTON (FFG 40) extract a Helicopter Light Anti-Submarine Squadron 42 SH-60B Seahawk helicopter from its hangar during Exercise BALTOPS '85. Subject Operation/Series: BALTOPS '85 Base: USS Halyburton (FFG 40) Country: Baltic Sea

S61-02821 (21 July 1961) --- Attempted recovery of Mercury spacecraft at end of the Mercury-Redstone 4 (MR-4) mission. View shows the Marine helicopter dropping a recovery line to the capsule. In the upper left corner of the view, the recovery ship and another helicopter can be seen.

A right side view of an H-53 Sea Stallion helicopter on the flight deck of the nuclear-powered aircraft carrier USS NIMITZ (CVN-68) during the NATO exercise Display Determination '81. Subject Operation/Series: DISPLAY DETERMINATION '81 Country: Mediterranean Sea (MED)

Men from Marine Fighter Attack Squadron 235 (VMFA-235) load an AIM-7 Sparrow III missile aboard an F-4 Phantom II aircraft. Base: Marine Corps Air Station Kaneohe State: Hawaii (HI) Country: United States Of America (USA)

A Sea Sparrow missile is launched from the eight-tube base point defense surface missile system (BPDSMS) launcher aboard the frigate USS TRIPPE (FF-1075) during exercise Unitas XX. Subject Operation/Series: UNITAS XX Base: Rio De Janeiro Country: Brazil (BRA)

DM-SN-85-02945. State: Hawaii (HI) Country: United States Of America (USA)

Trip to South America: La Morita, Venezuela agrarian reform site, 12:15PM. President John F. Kennedy and President of Venezuela Rómulo Betancourt arrive at a land grant ceremony at La Morita Resettlement Project in La Morita, Venezuela, aboard a United States Marines helicopter.

Three Marine Corps CH-53 Sea Stallion helicopters, accompanied by two AH-1 Sea Cobra helicopters, at left and second from right, approach a landing zone near the coast during the combined South Korean/U.S. exercise Team Spirit '90. Subject Operation/Series: TEAM SPIRIT '90 Country: Republic Of Korea (KOR)

A UH-46 Sea Knight helicopters provide replenishment support 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)

DA-ST-88-05973. Subject Operation/Series: SAND EAGLE '88 Base: Venice Airfield, Venice State: Florida (FL) Country: United States Of America (USA)

Private First Class B. S. Niniger, from Marine Light Attack Squadron 513 (VMA-513), works on a AV-8C Harrier aircraft on the hangar deck of the amphibious assault ship USS GUADALCANAL (LPH 7) during Exercise AHUAS TARA II. This is the first time the GUADA. Subject Operation/Series: AHUAS TARA II Base: USS Guadalcanal (LPH 7) Country: Caribbean Sea

Anefo photo collection. Celebration of the 40th anniversary Aircraft quadron 320 v / d Marine at Valkenburg Airport Bernhard with the com. LTN. Sea wolf. May 23, 1980

Several CH-46E Sea Knight helicopters approach Beirut International Airport as Marines from the 32nd Marine Amphibious Unit arrive to participate in a multinational peacekeeping operation. Base: Beirut Country: Lebanon (LBN)

During an open house held aboard the aircraft carrier USS FORRESTAL (CV 59) as part of Fleet Week, a member of Fighter Squadron 74 (VF-74) talks to some visitors while standing in front of one of his squadon's F-14A Tomcat aircraft. Base: New York State: New York (NY) Country: United States Of America (USA)

Flight deck crew members prepare for the movement of a Strike Fighter Squadron 105 (VFA-105) F/A-18C Hornet aircraft during flight operations aboard the aircraft carrier USS JOHN F. KENNEDY (CV-67). The squadron's name, "Gunslingers," is depicted on the Hornet's fuel tank. Country: Adriatic Sea

DN-SN-85-02146. Subject Operation/Series: URGENT FURY Base: Grenville Country: Grenada (GRD)

A view of damage caused to the deck edge optical landing system platform of the aircraft carrier USS MIDWAY (CV 41) when it collided with the Panamanian freighter CACTUS. Base: Naval Station, Subic Bay State: Luzon Country: Philippines (PHL)

A UH-60 Black Hawk helicopter hovers over a hillside in order to pick up members of Company D, 2nd Light Armored Infantry Battalion, who became heat casualties during Operation CHEYENNE, a reconnaissance patrol through the jungle area west of Howard Air Force Base. Subject Operation/Series: CHEYENNE Country: Panama (PAN)

An M998 High-Mobility Multipurpose Wheeled Vehicle (HMMWV) configured as a command and control vehicle is carried to a landing zone by a UH-60 Black Hawk helicopters from Co. A, 53rd Aviation Bn., 25th Inf. Div. (Light), during the joint Australian/U.S. exercise Kangaroo '89. Subject Operation/Series: KANGAROO '89 Base: Katherine Country: Australia (AUS)

On May 12, 1975, the Khmer Rouge seized the USS Mayaguez and its crew in Cambodian territorial waters as they were en route to Thailand. The US first launched a rescue mission that ended in disaster after a helicopter crashed. A massive assault was launched on May 14-15 and the majority of the crew were rescued from the island of Koh Tang, but not before both sides had lost over a dozen casualties. The Mayaguez Incident marked the last official US involvement in the Vietnam War. It was the only recorded clash between US forces and the Khmer Rouge.

A Strike Fighter Squadron 87 (VFA-87) F/A-18A Hornet aircraft takes to the air as it is launched from the flight deck of the nuclear-powered aircraft carrier USS THEODORE ROOSEVELT (CVN-71). The ROOSEVELT is on station in the eastern Mediterranean in support of Operation Provide Comfort, a multinational effort to aid Kurdish refugees in southern Turkey and northern Iraq. Subject Operation/Series: PROVIDE COMFORT Country: Mediterranean Sea(MED)

Front view of an HH-3 Jolly Green Giant helicopter from the 33rd Aerospace Rescue and Recovery Service, in use during a tactical large force employment exercise. Base: Kadena Air Base State: Okinawa Country: Japan (JPN)

423 - Parachutes - General. August 26, 1940. (Photo by ACME Photo).

A UH-60 Black Hawk helicopter hovers near the position of Company D, 2nd Light Armored Infantry Battalion, as it picks up a Marine who became a heat casualty during Operation CHEYENNE, a reconnaissance patrol through the jungle area west of Howard Air Force Base. Subject Operation/Series: CHEYENNE Country: Panama (PAN)

Flight crew members stand by in case of emergency as a CH-46 Sea Knight helicopter is readied for start up 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)

DN-SN-89-03139. Base: USS Okinawa (LPH 3)

A plane director signals instructions to the pilot of the Navy's first operational Mark III LAMPS (Light Airborne Multi-Purpose System) SH-60B Seahawk helicopter. The helicopter is undergoing flight deck landing qualifications aboard the guided missile frigate USS CROMMELIN (FFG 37), off the coast of San Clemente, California. Country: Pacific Ocean (POC)

DN-SN-89-07438. Base: Naval Air Station, Pensacola State: Florida (FL) Country: United States Of America (USA)

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