CH-53K's first fleet mission was a tough operation to lift a MH-60S at 12,000 ft

The CH-53K King Stallion has executed its first fleet mission on Sept. 5 in California. The heavy-lift helicopter help to recover a Navy MH-60S Knighthawk helicopter from Mount Hogue.

A Marine Corps CH-53K King Stallion lifts a Navy MH-60S Knighthawk Helicopter from a draw in Mount Hogue, California, Sept. 5, 2021. The Knighthawk conducted a hard landing during a search-and-rescue mission, which resulted in no casualties or injuries of its crew. The two day operation was the first official fleet mission for the CH-53K King Stallion, as it is currently undergoing an operational assessment while the Marine Corps modernizes and prepares to respond globally to emerging crises or contingencies. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Therese Edwards)

The MH-60S had been stuck on the mountain since Jul. 16 after a hard landing during a search and rescue mission. It was sitting on a high altitude ridge at 12,000 ft above mean sea level. The Naval Safety Center had exhausted all options for recovering the rotorcraft using Army, Marine and Navy helicopters before turning to the CH-53K community.

A detachment from VMX-1 happened to be at Marine Corps Air Ground Combat Center Twentynine Palms for Initial Operational Test and Evaluation of the CH-53K. Two CH-53Ks were then deployed to Bishop after two weeks of planning.

The MH-60S weighed approximately 15,200 lbs and was within the lift capacity of the King Stallion. It was safely transported over 23 nautical miles to the Bishop airport.

“This is exactly what the K is made to do,” said Lt. Col. Luke Frank, CH-53K Detachment Officer in Charge for VMX-1.

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