SA-330J Puma

Two SA-330J Puma helicopters from the Military Sealift Command dry cargo and ammunition ship USNS Amelia Earhart (T-AKE 6) take turns transferring munitions from the aircraft carrier USS George Washington (CVN 73) during a vertical replenishment. George Washington is conducting a patrol in the western Pacific Ocean. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class David A. Cox/Released)

SA330J Puma

Marines assigned to Combat Cargo attach a hoist to an SA330J Puma helicopter from the Military Sealift Command dry cargo and ammunition ship USNS Richard E. Byrd (T-AKE 4) 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)

SA-330 Puma

A French Puma hugs the ruggest coast line of Northern New Caledonia during troop insertions on Exercise Croix Du Sud. Exercise Croix Du Sud, held in the vicinity of Northern New Caledonia. (Photo: Australia DoD)

SA-330 Puma

French Puma helicopters carrying VIP passengers on HMAS Kanimbla. (Photo: Australia DoD)

SA-330 Puma

A French Marine Puma prepares to land on the flight deck of HMAS Kanimbla during Exercise Croix Du Sud. HMAS Kanimbla conducting exercises in the vicinity of Noumea during Exercise Croix Du Sud, 2008. (Photo: Australia DoD)

SA-300 Puma

A French Puma helicopter takes off from the Flight Deck of HMAS TOBRUK after conducting training for Australian Troops, in Ngo Bay off the coast of New Caledonia during Exercise Croix Du Sud 2006. (Photo: Australia DoD)

SA-330 Puma

Lashings are removed from a French Puma helicopter by the Flight Deck Crew in readiness for takeoff onboard HMAS TOBRUK in Ngo Bay off the coast of New Caledonia during Exercise Croix Du Sud 2006. (Photo: Australia DoD)

SA-330 Puma

Diggers from 4 Field, 108 Battery, rehearse emplaning drills on a French Puma helicopter on the Flight Deck onboard HMAS TOBRUK in Ngo Bay off the coast of New Caledonia during Exercise Croix Du Sud 2006. (Photo: Australia DoD)

SA-330 Puma

Lashings are placed on a French Puma helicopter by the Flight Deck Crew after landing onboard HMAS TOBRUK in Ngo Bay off the coast of New Caledonia during Exercise Croix Du Sud 2006. (Photo: Australia DoD)

SA-330 Puma

A French Puma helicopter approaches the Flight Deck for a landing onboard HMAS TOBRUK in Ngo Bay off the coast of New Caledonia during Exercise Croix Du Sud 2006. (Photo: Australia DoD)

SA-330 Puma

A French Puma helicopter approaches the Flight Deck for a landing onboard HMAS TOBRUK in Ngo Bay off the coast of New Caledonia during Exercise Croix Du Sud 2006. (Photo: Australia DoD)

SA-330 Puma

Puma's from the French Army being prepared for flight off HMAS Manoora's flight deck. Exercise Croix Du Sud (CDS) is a multi-national exercise that takes place bi-annually in New Caledonia. CDS enables nations to develop and exercise their humanitarian and peacekeeping capabilities. Units participating in CDS 2006 include Defence Forces from Australia, France, New Zealand, Papua New Guinea, Tonga, Vanuatu and Fiji. (Photo: Australia DoD)

SA 330B Puma

Rear Adm. Denby H. Starling, Commander, Carrier Group Eight (CCG 8) returns to USS George Washington (CVN 73) in an SA 330B Puma helicopter assigned to the 38,000-ton French nuclear-powered aircraft carrier, Charles de Gaulle. The Norfolk, Va. based nuclear aircraft carrier Washington is on a regularly scheduled deployment in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom (OIF). (Photo: U.S. Navy photo by Photographer’s Mate 1st Class Brien Aho)

SA-330 Puma

Logistics Specialist 3rd Class Koy Castle, from Houston, and Logistics Specialist 1st Class Kristopher Forest, from Watts, Calif., move to safety after hooking a load of cargo nets onto an SA-330 Puma helicopter aboard the aircraft carrier USS Ronald Reagan (CVN 76) during a replenishment at sea. Ronald Reagan is operating in the western Pacific Ocean. (Photo: U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Josh Cassatt/Released)