Photo By Staff Sgt. S.T. Stewart | Lance Cpl. Stephen D. Bargar, a Crew Chief with Marine Transport Squadron 1, looks out...... read more read more
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MARINE CORPS AIR STATION CHERRY POINT, N.C. – The MV-22 Osprey began replacing HH-46 Sea Knights throughout the Marine Corps in 2006, but because of their unique nature, the helicopters will continue to be a cornerstone of operations aboard Cherry Point.
Marine Transport Squadron 1 is the only squadron in the Marine Corps that uses Sea Knights, commonly known as ‘Pedro’ among members of the squadron, to conduct search and rescue missions. In addition to search and rescue operations VMR-1 conducts in support of Cherry Point based aircraft, the unit provides short and medium range rapid response and high speed multipurpose light transport of key personnel and critical logistics support to the Department of Defense.
The twin-turbine, tandem-rotor, medium-lift helicopter is especially advantageous here at Cherry Point, the sole home in Marine Corps aviation to EA-6B Prowlers.
“This helicopter is not only beneficial to our mission but also a necessity,” said Maj. Bryan Donovan, a Sea Knight pilot and the director of safety and standardization of the squadron. Donovan said if an EA-6B Prowler crew needed to be rescued, Pedro is the best aircraft for the job.
The Prowler, an electronic warfare aircraft, seats a four-man team of one pilot and three electronic countermeasures officers, and the HH-46 Sea Knight is the only rescue helicopter in the Corps’ inventory that can carry four passengers with room to provide medical assistance.
As long as we have Prowlers, we will have the Sea Knight,” said Donovan.
The Navy mainly uses the SH-60 Seahawk and the CH-53 Sea Stallion, said Petty Officer 3rd Class John H. Nelson, a hospital corpsman with Pedro. He said they are better suited for other things like heavy lifting and search and rescue missions concerning fewer than two victims.
Donovan said the CH-53 can carry four people but because it is a heavy-lift helicopter it produces too much “down-wash,” air forced downward by the helicopter’s powerful rotor blades. The down-wash from a Sea Stallion can cause harsh waves in the water, making it harder for victims to stay afloat.
“With the Sea Knight we can get closer to the people who are being rescued without causing any further complications from the down-wash,” said Donovan. “Also, the 46 can land a lot faster because of the way it is built.”
Nelson said the Sea Knight was nicknamed "the frog" during Vietnam because of the way it sits, "as if it is ready to hop away," and because of how fast it can land and take off without any damage being done to the helicopter.
The Sea Knight is built with its front sitting higher than the back and has two rotors. Donovan said it is built without a tail so it can land quickly without having to worry about the rear end dragging on the ground.
All these factors combine to solidify the helicopter’s continued operation in a variety of scenarios the squadron supports.
“It is smooth-riding, quick and spacious,” said Donovan. “This helicopter is an important asset for Cherry Point and the most important asset for this squadron.”
| Date Taken: | 10.03.2012 |
| Date Posted: | 10.03.2012 15:05 |
| Story ID: | 95657 |
| Location: | CHERRY POINT, NORTH CAROLINA, US |
| Web Views: | 503 |
| Downloads: | 1 |
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