CH-53E Super Stallion

A CH-53E Super Stallion assigned to the Red Dragons of Marine Medium Helicopter Squadron (HMM) 268 Reinforced prepares to hoist an AV-8B Harrier engine from the flight deck of the amphibious assault ship USS Makin Island (LHD 8) during a vertical replenishment. Makin Island and embarked Marines assigned to the 11th Marine Expeditionary Unit (11th MEU) are deployed supporting maritime security operations and theater security cooperation efforts in the U.S. 5th Fleet area of responsibility. (U.S. Navy photo by Chief Mass Communication Specialist John Lill/Released)

CH-53D Sea Stallion

An Aviation Boatswain's Mate signals the launches of a CH-53D Sea Stallion from the ship’s flight deck. Saipan is currently deployed in the Arabian Gulf conducting combat missions in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom. Operation Iraqi Freedom is the multinational coalition effort to liberate the Iraqi people, eliminate Iraq's weapons of mass destruction and end the regime of Saddam Hussein. (U.S. Navy photo by Photographer's Mate 3rd Class Robert M Schalk)

CH-53 Sea Stallion

Aviation Boatswain’s Mate 3rd Class Kelvin Banchon directs a CH-53 “Sea Stallion” helicopter as it departs the ship’s flight deck during the onload of the Second Marine Expeditionary Brigade in Onslow Bay, North Carolina. Kearsarge has received orders to deploy, to support Operation Enduring Freedom and the war on terrorism. (U.S. Navy photo by Photographer’s Mate 3rd Class Angel Roman-Otero)

CH-53 Sea Stallion

Air Department Sailors prepare to transport a CH-53 “Sea Stallion” helicopter from the portside elevator into the ship’s hangar bay. Kearsarge has received orders to deploy, to support Operation Enduring Freedom and the war on terrorism. (U.S. Navy photo by Photographer’s Mate 3rd Class Angel Roman-Otero)

CH-53 Sea Stallion

An CH-53 Sea Stallion assigned to the “Condors” of Helicopter Light Squadron Four Six Four (HMH 464) makes its approach for a landing on the flight deck of the amphibious assault ship USS Kearsarge (LHD 3). Kearsarge is currently deployed as the flagship of Amphibious Task Force East (ATF-E) in support of Operation Enduring Freedom. (U.S. Navy photo by Photographer's Mate 2nd Class Alicia Tasz)

CH-53E Sea Stallion

A CH-53E Sea Stallion launches from the flight deck aboard amphibious assault ship USS Essex (LHD 2). Essex is the only permanently forward-deployed amphibious assault ship and serves Task Force 76. Task Force 76 is headquartered at White Beach Naval Facility, Okinawa, Japan, with an operating detachment in Sasebo, Japan. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Drae Parker)

CH-53E Super Stallion

A sailor aboard amphibious assault ship USS Bataan (LHD 5), guides a CH-53E Super Stallion helicopter during a Carrier Qualification evolution. Marines and Saliors assigned to the 26th Marine Expeditionary Unit are on board Bataan as part of their current deployment in support of the global war on terrorism. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Sgt. Freddy G. Cantu)

CH-53E Sea Stallion

A CH-53E Sea Stallion helicopter assigned to Marine Medium Helicopter Squadron Three Six Five (HMM-365) launches from the flight deck aboard the amphibious assault ship USS Iwo Jima (LHD 7). Iwo Jima is underway on a six-month deployment and is operating in the U.S. European Command and U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) areas of responsibility in support of Maritime Security Operations (MSO) and the global war on terrorism. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist Seaman Joshua T. Rodriguez)

CH-53E Sea Stallion

A CH-53E Sea Stallion helicopter assigned to Marine Medium Helicopter Squadron Three Six Five (HMM-365), lands on the flight deck of the amphibious assault ship USS Iwo Jima (LHD 7). Iwo Jima is currently assisting in the departure of U.S. citizens from Lebanon. (U.S. Navy Photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Julianne Metzger)

CH-53E Super Stallion

A CH-53E Super Stallion helicopters, assigned to the "Sea Elks" of Marine Medium Helicopter Squadron One Six Six (HMM-166) prepare to land on the flight deck aboard the amphibious Assault ship USS Peleliu (LHA 5). Peleliu and Expeditionary Strike Group Three (ESG-3) are underway off the coast of Southern California conducting their Joint Task Force Exercise (JTFEX) in preparation for an up coming deployment. (U.S. Navy photo by Photographer’s Mate 3rd Class Nathaniel J. Karl)

CH-53E Sea Stallion

Aviation Boatswain’s Mates assigned to the amphibious assault ship USS Boxer (LHD 4) air department, direct a CH-53E “Sea Stallion” as it maneuvers for landing on the ship’s flight deck. (U.S. Navy photo by Photographer's Mate 3rd Class Christopher Elmini)

CH-53E Super Stallion

A CH-53E Super Stallion helicopter, assigned to the "Sea Horses" of Marine Medium Helicopter Squadron Two Six Five (HMM-265), flies near the Iraqi/Syrian Border. The CH-53E transported Marines assigned to the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU) to conduct a site survey of an Iraqi National Guard border fort. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Christopher R. Rye)

CH-53E Super Stallion

A CH-53E Super Stallion stands by for takeoff on the flight deck of the aircraft carrier USS Theodore Roosevelt (CVN 71). Roosevelt and her embarked Carrier Air Wing Eight (CVW-8) are conducting operations in support of Operation Enduring Freedom. (U.S. Navy photo by Photographer's Mate Airman Brad Garner)

CH-53E Super Stallion

A CH-53E Super Stallion from Marine Heavy Helicopter Squadron Four Sixty Four (HMH-464) takes off from the flight deck aboard the amphibious assault ship USS Kearsarge (LHD 3). Kearsarge is on her way home from a deployment in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom. (U.S. Navy photo by Photographer’s Mate Airman Apprentice Finley Williams)

CH-53E Super Stallion

A CH-53E “Super Stallion” assigned to the “Condors” of Marine Helicopter Light Squadron Four Six Four (HMH-464) flies over the Atlantic Ocean at sunrise during Deck Landing Qualification's (DLQ's). Saipan is on a regularly scheduled six month deployment with Amphibious Task Force-East (ATF-E) in support of Operation Enduring Freedom. (U.S. Navy photo by Photographer's Mate 3rd Class Robert M. Schalk)

CH-53E Sea Stallion

A CH-53E “Sea Stallion” assigned to the “Heavy Haulers” of Helicopter Light Squadron Four Six Two (HMH-462) takes off to demonstrate an amphibious assault during “Cobra Gold 2002.” Cobra Gold 2002 is the 21st U.S. Pacific Command exercise conducted in Thailand demonstrating the ability of U.S. Forces to rapidly deploy and conduct Joint-combined operations with the Thai and Singaporean armed forces. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Jerry Morrison)

CH-53 Sea Stallion

A 669 Airborne Combat Evacuation & Rescue Unit soldier prepares to rescue a wounded ground combat soldier, during a demonstration on the course ending ceremony of the unit. (Photo: Israeli Air Force/Carmel Horowitz)

CH-53 Sea Stallion

The Yassur (Sikorsky CH-53) flying above smoke clouds during cadet graduation ceremony, June 2010. (Photo: Israeli Air Force/Carmel Horowitz)

CH-53 Sea Stallion

The Sikorsky CH-53 (Yassur) copter landing during cadet graduation ceremony, June 2010. (Photo: Israeli Air Force/Carmel Horowitz)

CH-53 Sea Stallion

The Yassur (Sikorsky CH-53) copter flying in the Negev desert, during an exercise. (Photo: Israeli Air Force/Carmel Horowitz)