HH-53C Super Jolly Green Giant - hard working warbird

[Larry Wielgosz]

These aircraft left the factory and were sent very quickly to Vietnam and were used hard right up to the end.
These aircraft started out as HH-53C Super Jolly Green Giants and after mods became a MH-53J or MH-53M Pavelow. All USAF H-53s are retired.


HH-53C 68-8286 at Kadena AB Okinawa, Japan May 1979. 33rd ARRS. I was the crew chief of this aircraft but the way manning was we worked them all. Our squadron only had 4 helicopters plus some HC-130s. This bird was on the Son Tay mission to rescue POWs. It took out the guard towers. The aircraft also took a 37mm hit in the belly (cargo hook well) while in Vietnam. This aircraft also had many rescue saves in Vietnam. The aircraft crashed in Virginia and was repaired. It also crashed in Afghanistan and I don't know what they did with her.



HH-53C 68-10363 at Clark AB Philippines during Cope Thunder. June 1979. 33rd ARRS. Approx. 8 hour flight between Okinawa and the Philippines with 2 aerial refuelings. One way. A lot of water. This aircraft had many rescue saves in Vietnam.


Larry

[dred]

Thanks, I've been enjoying all of your pics!

[JBoyle]

A super machine.
I had a chance to fly as a passenger in one when it "beat-up" the Ipswich airport during an airshow...fast and very agile.
Always a fun flight.

[SIDSIKO]

Hi Larry,

68-8286 was said to have been written off on the 19th of March 2002 with the 20th SOS.
68-10363 went into storage at D-M and is probably still there.

Sid