Courtesy Photo | Marines and sailors lay "EasyRider 52," a Navy SH-60B Seahawk, onto a cement platform...... read more read more
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MARINE CORPS BASE HAWAII - As visitors enter the main gate aboard the base, they will now see a new addition to the lawn of static displays.
Marines and sailors spent the early morning hours transporting a SH-60B Seahawk from Hangar 103 to the grassy area near the H-3 gate Dec. 13 and 14.
In the future, Helicopter Anti-Submarine Squadron Light 37 plans to replace their aircraft with the new MH-60R. But the aging SH-60Bs will still hold a special place in history. Several weeks ago, another Seahawk, “EasyRider 60,” was flown to its new home at the Pacific Aviation Museum on Ford Island.
But “EasyRider 52” remains close to home, on a cement platform near the Lodge at Kaneohe Bay. Service members were already transporting the helicopter before the sun peeked over the horizon. Four Marines from Combat Logistics Battalion 3 lifted the helicopter onto its platform via crane.
“[The project was] fairly simple,” said Sgt. Samuel Sepulvado, licensing noncommissioned officer, CLB-3. “[We] just had to coordinate a lot of moving parts.”
Four Navy Seabees from Construction Battalion Maintenance Unit 303 installed hardware into the cement to hold the craft in place.
“As a Seabee, it’s always a special honor to work with Marines and we’re looking forward to more work on some upcoming projects at MCBH!” said Lt. j.g. John Daly, officer in charge, CBMU-303.
“EasyRider 52” was built in 1983, and previously flew with Helicopter Anti-Submarine Squadron Light 41 (now Helicopter Maritime Strike Squadron 41).
Over the years this helicopter was used in missions during Operations Desert Shield and Desert Storm. The helicopter also participated in relief efforts in the southern United States after Hurricane Katrina, and has accrued 10,399 flight hours.
In 2008, “EasyRider 52” found a home with HSL-37. With HSL-37, the helicopter was considered a “home guard aircraft,” meaning it was primarily used for training purposes and not deployments.
“It can do some pretty amazing things,” said Lt. Cmdr. Lou Faiella, detachment officer in charge, Detachment 3, HSL-37.
A ceremony for the Seahawk’s retirement will be scheduled for a later date.
“I think it’s important to leave behind a legacy,” Faiella said.
| Date Taken: | 12.16.2010 |
| Date Posted: | 12.16.2010 18:38 |
| Story ID: | 62134 |
| Location: | KANEOHE, HAWAII, US |
| Web Views: | 334 |
| Downloads: | 3 |
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