No Country for Old Helicopters

The CH-53D Sea Stallion, 40 years old but with alot of fight left in them, return to Iraq after leaving in late 2007. 10 years ago, they were scheduled to be replaced already by newer and more technologically advanced helicopters (i.e. CH-53E, V-22 Osprey). The Sea Stallions show their age, but I am proud to fly on aircraft that flew in the Vietnam War, and are approaching 10,000 flight hours. Filmed - July 2008 to January 2009. Squadron - HMH-363 (US Marines)

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News & Politics

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[illinimarine7]

Was this before or after they put 25 into a college building?

[TitoBandito1]

That was October 2004. This video is from 363's 2nd Iraq tour from July 08 to Feb 09.

[illinimarine7]

I figured, I was a Red Lion from 02-04, finished out my tour with the Uglies. Actually Tillman down there was my XO before Witczak took over. CO was Yarnell when i first got there, who gave way to Erb and then Fortunato, that squadron still a career killer?

[TitoBandito1]

Not from what I've seen. As far as the guys upstairs it seems they move on to bigger things and alot of guys on their 2nd or 3rd enlistments try to stay in Hawaii as long as they can until HQMC eventually pushes them along.

[bc1969214]

I understand that these airframes have many hours and even the E models are pushing 20 years old and more. Not sure the year on the newest and oldest E model off the assembly line but probably half the age of the D models which are all around 40 years, right? What surprises me from what I've read is that the E models have almost as many hours on each airframe as the older D models.

How close to their useful lifespan are these and is there a life extension program planned for D or E models?

[TitoBandito1]

I don't think the E's are approaching the hours our birds have. And both D and E models seem to keep getting life extensions. New engines on the Deltas now and soon we'll have new blades.

[335pro]

I served in HMH363 in 1982, great video !! Thanks for posting it !! Semper Fi

[Stickman53fe]

Wish my mighty Pave Lows were still flying. Great to see the US still flying two engine 53s.

[agapen56]

I was a red lion twice: from '75-78 and 81-83. Its great to see that these shitters can still do their thing. I still believe in durability ofd these old gals----just keep up with the PMs!

[michaeljcannell]

@illinimarine7 Sweet video guys...I was a Red Lion from Feb. 87 to May 93...got my wings in 88 and put hours on probably every Delta airframe in the states...lol Great to see this stuff.

[poopmypants4]

good vid good music

[ZenMonkey81]

@farrelljohnson You obviously are completely oblivious to polyrhythms or good music.

[ZenMonkey81]

ahaha....Awesome dude....TOOL!!!!!!! Outstanding!!! HOORRAHH!!!!

[ZenMonkey81]

ahaha....Awesome dude....TOOL!!!!!!! Outstanding!!!

[farrelljohnson]

The fottage is amazing but the music is the gayest I have ever heard!!!

[make1up726]

I wanted to fly helos so bad, but when I was 16 I had to get my entire colon removed, now Im lucky if any branch lets me push papers, it looks so fun, do you and the guys flyin planes ever debate which ones cooler? =P