U.S. Helicopters Train with Korean Vessel
Navy NewsStand
Story Number: NNS090515-30
Release Date: 5/15/2009 11:03:00 PM
By Lt. Ian McColley, Helicopter Mine Countermeasures Squadron 14 Public Affairs
AT SEA (NNS) -- Two MH-53E "Sea Dragon" helicopters from Helicopter Mine Countermeasures Squadron (HM) 14, Detachment 1 practiced operating with Republic of Korea (ROK) ship Dokdo (LPH 6111) May 1 off the coast of Pohang.
The landing practice is part of combined amphibious operations training with Korean Amphibious Squadron (CPR) 53, April 29 - May 4.
Lt. Nicklaus Smith, an MH-53 pilot, said the training was the first time HM-14 practiced landing and taking off from the Korean amphibious assault ship since the detachment's 2008 arrival in-country.
"It's always great to work with our Korean allies on a professional level," said Smith. "As operations officer, I am able to interact with them every day. They go full throttle all the time, and today they did not disappoint."
The exercise was meant to give the Koreans and the Americans a better understanding of how to operate together at sea.
"The crew of Dokdo went out of their way to accommodate us. The professionalism they exhibited during every aspect of this exercise truly made it an honor for us to be a part of," said Lt. Cmdr. Tony Monell, detachment officer in charge. "I look forward to strengthening the bonds we have already forged as we continue to develop our future combined training and readiness exercises."
The training lasted about 10 hours. Taking off from Pohang Airport and escorted by Korean UH-60s, helicopters traveled over water about 50 miles for landings on the amphibious assault ship - the newest ship in the ROK Navy inventory.
Every pilot in the detachment was able to complete deck landing qualifications as well as participate in a photo exercise.
For more news from Commander, Amphibious Force, U.S. 7th Fleet, visit www.navy.mil/local/ctf76/.
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