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B-Roll of the last flight of the CH-53D by the "Ugly Angels" of HMH-362,
in Helmand province, Afghanistan, Aug. 16.

Video by Sgt. James Mercure

The United States Marine Corps (USMC) has flown its last CH-53D Sea Stallion sorties in Afghanistan, marking the end of its Marine Corps service.

The last flight took place on 16 August from Camp Bastion airfield in
Helmand Province, the aircraft flown by crews from Hawaii-based Marine
Heavy Helicopter Squadron (HMH) 362, known as the 'Ugly Angels'. The
aircraft are now being dismantled, ready for decommissioning, while the
unit will be deactivated at the end of the year.

'It’s bittersweet, but it’s a step forward,' said Lt Col Christopher
Oliver, the CO of HMH-362 and a pilot for the final mission.
'We sent this aircraft out on a high note and if it had to go out, it might as well have gone out in a combat zone.’

Many of the CH-53Ds are 40 years old, having joined the USMC during
the Vietnam War. In Afghanistan, engineers were often working an average
of 20 hours to provide one flight hour while their relatively poor 'hot
and high' capabilities meant the type was relegated to operating at
night in the cooler temperatures.

The aircraft was officially retired from the USMC inventory in
February, leaving just the CH-53Ds of HMH-362 in Afghanistan to complete
their tour.

Nearly all the remaining CH-53Ds were based with the marines at
Kaneohe Bay in Hawaii, but the type is now being replaced with the
three-engined Super Stallion which began arriving in late February.


Text - http://www.shephardmedia.com/news/rotorhub/marine-corps-fly-last-ch-53d-sea-stallion-sortie/



After the final flight of the CH-53D Sea Stallion, the “Ugly Angels” of
Marine Heavy Helicopter Squadron 362, 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing (Forward)
take moment to remember the historic day.
Photo by Sgt James Mercure

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