CH-46E Sea Knight

A crew member of the Military Sealift Command dry cargo and ammunition ship USNS Matthew Perry (T-AKE 9) attaches cargo to a CH-46E Sea Knight helicopter assigned to the Flying Tigers of Marine Medium Helicopter Squadron (HMM) 262 during a vertical replenishment. The Flying Tigers are conducting humanitarian assistance missions in Northern Japan as part of Operation Tomodachi. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Charles Oki/Released)

CH-46 Sea Knight

Airmen remove chocks and tie-down chains from a CH-46 Sea Knight helicopter assigned to the Evil Eyes of Marine Medium Helicopter Squdron (HMM) 163 during flight operations aboard the amphibious transport dock ship USS Green Bay (LPD 20). Green Bay and the embarked 13th Marine Expeditionary Unit (13th MEU) are underway supporting maritime security operations and theater security cooperation efforts in the U.S. 5th Fleet area of responsibility. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Stephen M. Votaw/Released)

CH-46E Sea Knight

Two CH-46E Sea Knight helicopters assigned to the Dragons of Marine Medium Helicopter Squadron (HMM) 265 land on the flight deck of the amphibious transport dock ship USS Denver (LPD 9). Denver is part of the forward-deployed Essex Amphibious Ready Group and is underway conducting operations in the western Pacific ocean. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Bryan Blair/Released)

CH-46E Sea Knight

A CH-46E Sea Knight helicopter assigned to the Red Dragons of Marine Medium Helicopter Squadron (HMM) 268 (Reinforced) lands aboard the amphibious transport dock ship USS New Orleans (LPD 18) during flight quarters. New Orleans and embarked Marines from the 11th Marine Expeditionary Unit (11th MEU) are deployed as part of the Makin Island Amphibious Ready Group. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Dominique Pineiro/Released)

CH-46 Sea Knight

A Marine assigned to the Marine Corps Training Division at Expeditionary Warfare Training Group Pacific jumps from a CH-46 Sea Knight helicopter, assigned to the "Knightriders" of Marine Medium Helicopter Training Squadron (HMMT) 164 during a training exercise. The exercise was the conclusion of the Infantry Company Small Boat Raid Course. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist Seaman Tim Godbee/Released)

CH-46 Sea Knight

Marines and Sailors remove chocks and chains from a Marine Corps CH-46E Sea Knight helicopter aboard the amphibious transport dock ship USS New Orleans (LPD 18) during a fast-rope exercise with the Maritime Raid Force of the 11th Marine Expeditionary Unit (11th MEU). New Orleans and embarked Marines assigned to the 11th MEU are conducting operations in the U.S. 7th Fleet area of responsibility as part of the Makin Island Amphibious Ready Group commanded by Capt. Humberto Quintalla II. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Dominique Pineiro/Released)

CH-46 Sea Knight

Sailors aboard the amphibious dock landing ship USS Pearl Harbor (LSD 52) secure a CH-46 Sea Knight helicopter from Marine Medium Helicopter Squadron (HMM) 268 Reinforced, to the flight deck. Pearl Harbor and embarked Marines from the 11th Marine Expeditionary Unit (11th MEU) are on deployment conducting operations in the U.S. 7th fleet area of responsibility as part of the Makin Island Amphibious Ready Group. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Jason Behnke/Released)

CH-46E Sea Knight

Aviation Boatswain's Mate Airman Daniel Moreno directs a CH-46E Sea Knight helicopter to take off from the flight deck of the forward-deployed amphibious assault ship USS Essex (LHD 2). Essex, the amphibious dock landing ships USS Harpers Ferry (LSD 49) and USS Germantown (LSD 42), with the embarked 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit (31st MEU), are off the coast of Akita Prefecture, Japan, in support of Operation Tomodachi. (Photo: U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Eva-Marie Ramsaran/Released)

CH-46E Sea Knight

CH-46E Sea Knight helicopters aboard the forward-deployed amphibious assault ship USS Essex (LHD 2) prepare to deliver humanitarian assistance supplies in support of Operation Tomodachi. Essex and ships in the U.S. 7th Fleet area of responsibility are operating off the coast of Hachinohe in northeastern Japan supporting Operation Tomodachi. (Photo: U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Adam M. Bennett/Released)

CH-46 Sea Knight

A CH-46 “Sea Knight” helicopter carries supplies to the Mobile Bay during a replenishment at sea (RAS) with the USS Camden (AOE 2). The Mobile Bay is on a regularly scheduled six-month deployment to the Western Pacific, Indian Ocean and Arabian Gulf regions. (Photo: U.S. Navy photo by Photographer’s Mate 2nd Class Aaron Peterson)

CH-46 Sea Knight

Flight deck personnel remove chock and chain aircraft tie-down equipment, followed by the clear for launch signal by the Landing Signal Enlisted (LSE) to the pilots of a Navy CH-46 “Sea Knight” assigned to the “Hustlers” of Helicopter Combat Support Squadron Six (HC-6), during flight quarters on board the amphibious assault ship. Nassau is home ported in Norfolk, Va., and is on a regularly scheduled six-month deployment in the Central Command area of responsibility, conducting missions in support of Operation Enduring Freedom. (Photo: U.S. Navy Photograph by Photographer’s Mate 2nd Class Michael Sandberg)

CH-46 Sea Knight

A CH-46 “Sea Knight” from Helicopter Combat Support Squadron Three (HC-3) approaches the aft flight deck on board the Military Sealift Command ship USNS Guadalupe during routine training. (Photo: U.S. Navy photo by Photographer’s Mate 2nd Class Michael Kennedy)