Flight Quarters, Operational Tests Conducted Aboard San Antonio
Navy NewsStand
Story Number: NNS061206-01
Release Date: 12/6/2006 9:17:00 AM
By Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Anthony C. Tornetta, USS San Antonio Public Affairs
USS SAN ANTONIO, At Sea (NNS) -- USS San Antonio's (LPD 17) air crew landed not one but four different air craft during the completion of Dynamic Interface Testing, Phase One, April 11 and 12.
During the first day of flight operations, the air crew successfully landed two different aircraft, the first being a CH-53 Super Stallion helicopter. A CH-53 is generally used as a heavy lift cargo helicopter designed to deliver troops and supplies to the beach. The Super Stallion landing marked the first time an aircraft landed operationally aboard San Antonio.
“This is a very large air craft and our guys handled the landing very well,” said San Antonio’s Air Boss, Lt. Cmdr. Allen Linn.
Once the Stallion was safely chocked and chained down, the air crew conducted a few drills. The aircraft was hooked up and moved from landing space to landing space on the flight deck. Finally, the CH-53 was backed into San Antonio’s hangar and parked.
The next aircraft to land shortly there after was a multi-mission helicopter called the MH-60S Blackhawk.
At 7:15 Wednesday morning, flight operations began again. This time it was an MV-22 Osprey touching down on the flight deck of San Antonio. Once the Osprey was safely secured onboard, operational testing began quickly.
The final aircraft to land during flight quarters was an AH1-Cobra. Some of the tests conducted were moving the aircraft around the flight deck, checking the ships refueling hoses along with checking to see if each aircraft fit into the hangar.
With Dynamic Interface Testing Phase 1 complete, officers and crew of San Antonio now know they are fully capable of handling the Navy’s high-tech helicopters.
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