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Friday, November 04, 2005

U.S. Navy Sends Helicopters to Help Army in Iraq

MH-53E Sea Dragon

November 3, 2005: The U.S. Navy is retrofitting eight MH-53E helicopters for use as Army troop transports and/or medical evacuation in Iraq. In addition, the Navy is assigning helicopter squadrons flying their version of the Army's UH-60 Blackhawk helicopter for Army duty in medical evac. Currently, the MH-53E helos based in Italy are assigned to mine sweeping duties, and delivering supplies and personnel to U.S. Sixth Fleet ships at sea. A joint Pentagon panel decided to reassign the helicopters after evaluating the force needs for Iraq.

The MH-53E Sea Dragon is the largest helicopter in the Navy and has a greater lift capability than the Army's CH-47 Chinook. The Sea Dragon can lift up 32,000 pounds to the Chinook 26,000 pounds, or 55 troops as compared to the Chinook's 33 troops. Currently, the Sea Dragons are armed with two .50 caliber machine guns, but those destined for duty in Iraq will receive a GAU-21 .50 caliber machine gun on the rear cargo ramp.

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