Historical Helicopter Operations

Black and white images document helicopters in flight operations, including training and exercises, showcasing military aviation history and utility.

DF-SN-85-08882. Country: Unknown

An SH-2 Seasprite light airborne multi-purpose system (LAMPS) helicopter is taking off from the frigate USS TRIPPE (FF-1075) during exercise Unitas XX. Subject Operation/Series: UNITAS XX Base: Porto De Heirro Country: Venezuela (VEN)

DF-SN-85-08882. Country: Unknown

Helicopters at Marine Corps Air Station (MCAS), Quantico. United States Marine Corps helicopter at Marine Corps Air Station (MCAS), Quantico, Virginia.

A cameraman records activity taking place around a CH-46 Sea Knight helicopter on the flight line at Point Salines Airfield during the multiservice, multinational Operation URGENT FURY. Subject Operation/Series: URGENT FURY Country: Grenada (GRD)

DN-SN-87-00483. Base: USS Coral Sea (CV 43) Country: Mediterranean Sea (MED)

A UH-60 Black Hawk helicopter lands at the Racetrack Landing Zone during Operation URGENT FURY. Subject Operation/Series: URGENT FURY Country: Grenada (GRD)

DN-SN-88-01786. Base: USS Guadalcanal (LPH 7)

Troops aboard the amphibious assault ship USS BELLEAU WOOD (LHA 3) board a CH-46 Sea Knight helicopter en route to the beach during TEAM SPIRIT '84. TEAM SPIRIT is a joint/combined operation designed to test and improve techniques to defend the Republic of Korea Peninsula and increase combat readiness of Republic of Korea and US armed forces. Subject Operation/Series: TEAM SPIRIT '84 Base: USS Belleau Wood (LHA 3) Country: Republic Of Korea (ROK)

DF-SN-85-08884. Country: Unknown

An SH-60B helicopter from Helicopter Light Anti-Submarine Squadron 42 lands aboard the guided missile frigate USS HALYBURTON (FFG 40) during Exercise BALTOPS '85. Subject Operation/Series: BALTOPS '85 Country: Baltic Sea

DN-SN-86-00507. Subject Operation/Series: URGENT FURY Country: Grenada (GRD)

A CH-53 Sea Stallion helicopter on the flight deck of the amphibious assault ship USS GUAM (LPH 9) during Operation URGENT FURY off the coast of Grenada. Subject Operation/Series: URGENT FURY Base: USS Guam (LPH 9)

H.K.H. Princess Beatrix visits army components at the Artillery Schietkamp Oldebroek, at 't Harde and in Elspeet.

A plane director guides the first operational Mark III LAMPS (Light Airborne Multi-Purpose System) SH-60B Seahawk helicopter to a landing on the flight deck of the guided missile frigate USS CROMMELIN (FFG 37). The helicopter is undergoing flight deck landing qualifications off the coast of San Clemente, California. Country: Pacific Ocean (POC)

DN-SN-04-17189. Country: Pacific Ocean (POC)

An HH-46 Sea Knight helicopter takes off as another stands on the flight deck aboard the nuclear-powered aircraft carrier USS NIMITZ (CVN-68). Both helicopters, part of the helicopter combat support squadron aboard the ammunition ship USS SHASTA (AE-33), are delivering supplies to the carrier during vertical replenishment operations between the two vessels. The NIMITZ is taking part in WestPac '93. Country: Pacific Ocean (POC)

An air-to-air left side view of an RH-53D Sea Stallion helicopter from Helicopter Mine Countermeasures Squadron 12 (HM-12). Base: Cape Hatteras State: North Carolina (NC) Country: United States Of America (USA)

U.S. Marines offload supplies and equipment brought in by a CH-46 Sea Knight helicopter. U.S. Marines have been assigned to Lebanon as part of a multinational peacekeeping force following a confrontation between Israeli forces and the Palestine Liberation Organization. Base: Beirut Country: Lebanon (LBN)

A Marine Utility/Attack Helicopter Squadron 369 (HMLA-369) UH-1N Iroquois helicopter is secured on the flight line prior to a mission during Operation Desert Shield. Subject Operation/Series: DESERT SHIELD Country: Saudi Arabia (SAU)

Two Types Of Rescue Aircraft -- Two types of 3rd Air Rescue Squadron aircraft are shown here. The H-5 helicopter in the foreground is used primarily to pick up downed crewmen and wounded personnel from Frontline areas as well as behind enemy lines. In the rear are SA-16 amphibians which are used in rescuing UN personnel downed at sea. Over 4800 rescues have been made by these rescue aircraft during the two years of the Korean war. June 21, 1952. (Photo by U.S. Air Force Photo).

DN-SN-85-11090. Country: Pacific Ocean (POC)

A CH-46D helicopter from Helicopter Combat Suppot Squadron Six deliveres a pallet of powder canisters to the flight deck of the battleship USS IOWA (BB-61). Country: Unknown

The field parade, a weapons display by all units of the Bundeswehr and NATO on 22 March 1972 in Wunstorf, Lower Saxony, Germany, Europe

An SH-60B helicopter from Helicopter Light Anti-Submarine Squadron 42 conducts an in-flight helicopter refueling operation with the guided missile frigate USS HALYBURTON (FFG 40) during Exercise BALTOPS '85. Subject Operation/Series: BALTOPS '85 Country: Baltic Sea

A UH-46 Sea Knight helicopter transports a load of supplies. The helicopter is providing replenishment service to ships positioned off the coast of Lebanon in support of US Marines assigned to the multinational peacekeeping force in Beirut. Country: Mediterranean Sea (MED)

DN-ST-88-04078. Base: Persian Gulf

A crewman performing maintenance sits atop a CH-53E Super Stallion helicopter from Marine Heavy Helicopter Squadron 466 (HMH-466) during Exercise Gallant Eagle '88. Subject Operation/Series: GALLANT EAGLE '88 Base: Twentynine Palms State: California (CA) Country: United States Of America (USA)

A CH-46 Sea Knight helicopter takes off after leaving supplies and equipment. U.S. Marines have been assigned to Lebanon as part of a multinational peacekeeping force following a confrontation between Israeli forces and the Palestine Liberation Organization. Base: Beirut Country: Lebanon (LBN)

A seriously wounded U.S. Marine is rushed to helicopter by the Corpsmen. He will receive emergency treatment at an aid station located in the Teng-Mak area in Korea. Feb. 25, 1953. Korean War, 1950-53. (BSLOC_2014_11_192)

Flight deck crew members signal the pilot of a Helicopter Combat Support Squadron 4 (HC-4) CH-53E Sea Stallion helicopter as he prepares to land on the amphibious assault ship USS IWO JIMA (LPH 2). Another HC-4 Sea Stallion is parked on the flight deck. Country: Mediterranean Sea (MED)

12/31/1960. Army pontoons sail through the waters of the Ebro River, overflowing as it passes through Zaragoza - see the Torres del Pilar in the background - to rescue the people who were blocked by the flood in some neighborhoods of the city. On the Right, one of the Helicopters of the North American Forces that Participated in the Rescue Work - Approximate date.

Squadron members stand by as a Helicopter Light Anti-submarine Squadron 94 (HSL 94) SH-2F Seasprite helicopter retrieves a refuleing cable from the flight deck of the guided missile frigate USS CLARK (FFG 11). Base: USS Clark (FFG 11)

DN-SN-88-01779. Base: USS Guadalcanal (LPH 7)

General Robert H. Barrow, Commandant of the Marine Corps, salutes after exiting a UH-1 Iroquois helicopter aboard the amphibious transport dock USS NASHVILLE (LPD 13) during the first deployment of Marines to participate in a multinational peacekeeping operation. Base: Beirut Country: Lebanon (LBN)

A rear-gunner of a British bomber, taken at a bomber station before leaving for a raid on Germany. October 15, 1940.

Visit of drs. W.K. Hoekzema, State Secretary for Defense at the MarineLiegkamp de Kooy. Mr Hoekzema is in a flyer overall in a Lynx helicopter.

Anefo photo collection. Royal family in Middelburg. May 8, 1962. Middelburg, Zeeland

A Marine UH-1E Huey Cobra helicopter lifts off during exercise Team Spirit '82. Subject Operation/Series: TEAM SPIRIT '82 Base: Pohang Country: Korea

Exercise people deposit on a floating platform with the sling (hoisting cable) from the Westland SH-14D Navy Lynx helicopter with registration 283 (1981-approx. 2012) in May 1990.

Four CH-46E Sea Knight helicopters of Marine Medium Helicopter Squadron 263 (HMN-363) warm engines on the flight deck of the amphibious assault ship USS GUADALCANAL (LPH-7) before taking part in a training assault during NATO Exercise Teamwork '92. Subject Operation/Series: TEAMWORK '92 Base: Trondheim Fjord Country: Norway (NOR)

DN-SC-86-00875. Base: USS Fahrion (FFG 22)

An AH-1 Cobra helicopter in low-level flight during the multiservice, multinational Operation URGENT FURY. Subject Operation/Series: URGENT FURY Country: Grenada (GRD)

A CH-53E Super Stallion helicopter from Helicopter Combat Support Squadron 1 (HC-1) lifts off with a damaged Attack Squadron 52 (VA-52) A-6E Intruder aircraft slung beneath it. The helicopter will carry the aircraft to the Naval Air Rework Facility, Alameda, California, for repairs. The Intruder was damaged when a hydraulic failure forced it to land with its landing gear retracted. Base: Naval Air Station, North Island State: California (CA) Country: United States Of America (USA)

A view of an SH-2F Seasprite helicopter from Light Helicopter Anti-submarine Squadron 34 (HAL-34) in flight during exercise Unitas XXI. The Seasprite is equipped with the light airborne multi-purpose system (LAMPS). Subject Operation/Series: UNITAS XXI Country: Pacific Ocean (POC)

A Helicopter Combat Support Squadron 11 (HC-11) HH-46D Sea Knight helicopter assigned to the replenishment oiler USS KANSAS CITY (AOR-3) passes the guided missile cruiser USS VALLEY FORGE (CG-50) as it carries a load of supplies to the aircraft carrier USS RANGER (CV-61) during a vertical replenishment. The RANGER and its battle group are on station in the Persian Gulf region following Operation Desert Storm. Subject Operation/Series: DESERT STORM Country: Unknown

A crew member shovels snow from the flight deck of the amphibious assault ship USS GUADALCANAL (LPH-7) during NATO Exercise Teamwork '92. A UH-1N Iroquois "Huey" helicopter is parked in the background. Subject Operation/Series: TEAMWORK '92 Base: Trondheim Fjord Country: Norway (NOR)

Members of the amphibious assault ship USS TRIPOLI (LPH-10) beach detachment load a Helicopter Combat Support Squadron II (HC-11) HH-46D Sea Knight helicopter during the multinational relief effort Operation Restore Hope. Subject Operation/Series: RESTORE HOPE Base: Modadishu Country: Somalia (SOM)

Coast Guard Helicopter Rescues Ill Sailor. This image depicts the rescue of an ill sailor, Randolph Foskey from the tanker TEXACO NEVADA by a Coast Guard helicopter in which he was taken to a hospital.

DN-ST-92-00319. Subject Operation/Series: PROVIDE COMFORT Base: Incirlik Air Base, Adana Country: Turkey(TUR)

A view of an SH-2F Seasprite helicopter from Light Helicopter Anti-submarine Squadron 34 (HAL-34) in flight during exercise Unitas XXI. The Seasprite is equipped with the light airborne multi-purpose system (LAMPS). Subject Operation/Series: UNITAS XXI Country: Pacific Ocean (POC)

DM-SN-88-07924. Subject Operation/Series: BEAR HUNT Base: Uncheon Country: Republic Of Korea (KOR)

A squad of Marines boards a Marine Medium Helicopter Squadron 261 (HMM 261) CH-46E Sea Knight helicopter on the grounds of the US Embassy. Marines of the 22nd Marine Expeditionary Unit (22nd MEU), deployed aboard the amphibious assault ship USS SAIPAN (LHA 2), were sent to augment security at the embassy as part of Operation SHARP EDGE. Subject Operation/Series: SHARP EDGE Base: Monrovia Country: Liberia (LBR)

A left side view of an RH-53D Sea Stallion helicopter being refueled by a KC-130F Hercules aircraft from Marine Refueler-Transport Squadron 252 (VMGR-252), not visible. Base: Cape Hatteras State: North Carolina (NC) Country: United States Of America (USA)

A right rear view of an HH-3E helicopter assigned to the 33rd Aerospace Rescue and Recovery Squadron. Visible in the background is an F-15 Eagle aircraft parked on the flight line. Base: Kadena Air Base State: Okinawa Country: Japan (JPN)

A Westland Lynx helicopter from the Royal Navy.

Anefo photo collection. Helicopters on Ypenburg. May 10, 1948. The Hague, Ypenburg, South Holland

DA-SC-88-04600. Base: Fort Irwin State: California (CA) Country: United States Of America (USA)

A tow tractor moves an A-7 Corsair II aircraft into parking position aboard the nuclear-powered aircraft carrier USS NIMITZ (CVN-68) during the NATO exercise Display Determination '81. Subject Operation/Series: DISPLAY DETERMINATION '81 Country: Mediterranean Sea (MED)

Sideboys salute as Secretary of the Navy H. Lawrence Garrett III, in white vest, greets John A. Betti, undersecretary for acquisition, aboard the nuclear-powered aircraft carrier USS DWIGHT D. EISENHOWER (CVN-69) during FLEET EX '90. Subject Operation/Series: FLEET EX '90 Country: Atlantic Ocean (AOC)

Soldiers leave their Agusta-Bell 204B (registration number 226) from the Royal Navy on November 18, 1965.

Anefo photo collection. Students Tiengemeten island Helicopter school South Beijerland Island insulated cold. January 19, 1987. Zuid-Beijerland, South Holland

S65-51654 (29 Aug. 1965) --- Long range view of astronaut L. Gordon Cooper Jr. being hoisted up to a Navy helicopter during recovery operations in the Atlantic Ocean of the Gemini-5 spacecraft.

Aircraft of the Royal Air Force 1939-1945- Cierva C.30a (rota. 1). Rota Mark I, possibly K4239 of No. 5 Radio Maintenance Unit Calibration Flight, being wheeled into position by groundcrew at Duxford, Cambridgeshire, before a flight

DM-SN-88-07512. Subject Operation/Series: WILD BOAR Base: Fort Hunter Liggett State: California (CA) Country: United States Of America (USA)

Members of the 101st Airborne Division Airmobile team unload a UH-60 Black Hawk helicopter from a C-5 Galaxy aircraft during Operation Sand Eagle '88. Subject Operation/Series: SAND EAGLE '88 Base: Mcdill Air Force Base State: Florida (FL) Country: United States Of America (USA)

An Army Special Forces Zodiac raft is loaded into an MH-53J Pave Low III helicopter of the 20th Special Operations Squadron during Jaguar Bite '89, a joint Army-Air Force exercise conducted by the U.S. Special Operations Command. Subject Operation/Series: JAGUAR BITE '89 State: North Carolina (NC) Country: United States Of America (USA)

DF-SN-86-12898. Base: Rio Hato Military Reservation Country: Panama (PAN)

An SH-3 Sea King helicopter takes off from the flight deck during flight operations aboard the nuclear-powered aircraft carrier USS DWIGHT D. EISENHOWER (CVN-69). The SH-3 is assigned to Helicopter Squadron 5 (HS-5). Note: First view in a series of five. Base: USS Dwight D Eisenhower (CVN 69)

U.S. Army personnel from the 287th Military Police Company and Aviation Detachment, Berlin, rappel from a hovering helicopter during troop recovery training at Tempelhof Central Airport. Base: West Berlin Country: Deutschland / Germany (DEU)

A CH-46 Sea Knight helicopter is loaded with supplies for the Marine compound at Beirut International Airport. Country: Mediterranean Sea (MED)

970628-N-9315S-019. Subject Operation/Series: KERNEL BLITZ '97 Base: Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton State: California (CA) Country: United States Of America (USA)

010331-N-0271M-001. Base: Uss Kitty Hawk (CV 63) Country: South China Sea

DA-ST-88-05988. Subject Operation/Series: SAND EAGLE '88 Base: Macdill Air Force Base State: Florida (FL) Country: United States Of America (USA)

A Helicopter Combat Support Squadron 6 (HC-6) HH-46D Sea Knight helicopter comes in for a landing aboard the British light aircraft carrier HMS INVINCIBLE (R 05) during the NATO Southern Region exercise DRAGON HAMMER '90. Subject Operation/Series: DRAGON HAMMER '90 Country: Mediterranean Sea (MED)

First helicopter to land at NAS , Helicopters. Photographs of the First Naval District

Parachutist - Major "Dumbo" Willans.Split- second shot. Dumbo making the first of his summer display jumps from a naval helicopter. As it hovers over Lee-on-solent he steps calmly into space, calling it "A nice dignified way of jumping.". December 3, 1955.

DA-SN-85-13504. Country: Unknown

Anefo photo collection. On Palace Soestdijk the Nature Emergency Fund Nederland installed by His Royal Highness Prince Bernhard /. January 17, 1963

A front view of an HC-130P Hercules aircraft refueling an HH-53 Super Jolly helicopter in flight. The 67th Aerospace Rescue and Recovery Squadron is participating in pararescue training. Country: England / Great Britain (ENG)

S68-49661 (22 Oct. 1968) --- A member of the Apollo 7 crew is hoisted up to a recovery helicopter from the USS Essex during recovery operations. The Apollo 7 spacecraft splashed down at 7 11 a.m., Oct. 22, 1968, approximately 200 nautical miles south-southwest of Bermuda.

An S-3B Viking aircraft of Air Anti-submarine Squadron 22 (VS-22) approaches for a landing on the flight deck of the aircraft carrier USS JOHN F. KENNEDY (CV-67) during Fleet Ex 1-90. Subject Operation/Series: FLEET EX 1-90 Country: Atlantic Ocean (AOC)

Crewmen prepare to remove the severed tail section of an F-4 Phantom II aircraft from the port side deck edge of the aircraft carrier USS MIDWAY (CV 41). The F-4 was damaged when the MIDWAY collided with the Panamanian freighter CACTUS. (Substandard image). Base: Subic Bay Country: Philippines (PHL)

Air Force pararescuemen from the 31st Rescue Squadron and HH-60 Pave Hawks from the 33rd Rescue Squadron rescue simulated survivors during exercise Keen Sword 17 on Nov. 9, 2016, near Okinawa, Japan. KS17 involved U.S. forces and the Japan Self-Defense Forces from all components of both militaries, training to conduct bilateral operations in support of the defense of Japan.

A Helicopter Anti-submarine Squadron 9 (HS-9) SH-3 Sea King helicopter from the U.S. Navy and a Helicopter Anti-submarine Squadron 1 (HS-1) SH-3 Sea King helicopter from the Brazilian navy lower AQS-13 dipping sonar during Exercise Topex 1-87, an anti-submarine warfare exercise in which four inter-mixed U.S. and Brazilian helicopter flight crews participated. Subject Operation/Series: TOPEX 1-87 Country: Atlantic Ocean (AOC)

Weekend in Newport, Rhode Island: Kennedy family arrives at Hammersmith Farm, Newport, Rhode Island. President John F. Kennedy and First Lady Jacqueline Kennedy walk away from a United States Marine Corps helicopter as they arrive at Hammersmith Farm in Newport, Rhode Island. The President leans over to greet his daughter Caroline; Naval Aide to the President Tazewell Shepard, Jr. stands near the helicopter.

Members of the 82nd Airborne Division inspect a captured Iraqi Mil Mi-24 helicopter gunship armed with two 57mm S-5 rocket pods and an AT-2 Swatter anti-tank missile on the wing tip pylon during Operation Desert Storm.. Subject Operation/Series: DESERT STORM Country: Unknown

A Carrier Airborne Early Warning Squadron 117 (VAW-117) E-2C Hawkeye aircraft and a Fleet Logistics Support Squadron 30 (VRC-30) C-2 Greyhound aircraft stand on an elevator aboard the nuclear-powered aircraft carrier USS ABRAHAM LINCOLN (CVN-72). Base: Rio De Janeiro Country: Brazil (BRA)

DM-SN-85-02948. State: Hawaii (HI) Country: United States Of America (USA)

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