CH-53D Leaves USMC Service

摘要

The US Marine Corps (USMC) has flown its last Sikorsky CH-53D Sea Stallion sorties in Afghanistan, marking the end of the type's service career. The last official flight took place on August 16 from Camp Bastion airfield in Helmand Province, the aircraft being flown by crews from Hawaii-based Marine Heavy Helicopter Squadron (HMH) 362 Ugly Angels. The aircraft are now being dismantled, ready for decommissioning, while the unit will be deactivated at the end of the year. It is due to be reactivated at a later date with CH-53Ks.