AFTER NEARLY 45 years of flying Sikorsky's family of H-53 Sea Stallion helicopters in US Navy service, Helicopter Mine Countermeasures Squadron 14 (HM-14) 'Vanguard' has completed its final operational MH-53E Sea Dragon flight ahead of the unit's planned deactivation in July 2023. HM-14's last MH-53E sortie from its home base, Naval Station Norfolk in Virginia, was on December 8. It will be the first of the US Navy's three Anti Mine Countermeasures (AMCM) squadrons-comprising two operational units, HM-14 'Vanguard' and HM-15 'Blackhawks; and a Fleet Replacement Squadron (FRS), HM-12 'Sea Dragons'-to be formally disbanded as the MH-53E enters its twilight years of US military service. Following its disbandment, some Sea Dragons and personnel will be transferred to the HM-12 and HM-15, which are also based at Naval Station Norfolk.
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