Sikorsky CH-53 D Sea Stallion (Heavy Lift)
The CH-53’s primary mission is to move cargo and equipment, but they play a key role in special operations, making rapid insertion and extraction of troops possible and effective. Navy RH-53Ds were used to sweep mined areas and tow ships.
USAF HH-53 Super Jolly Green Giants saved many lives on rescue missions in Vietnam. In 1980 the USAF converted 53s to MH-53H/J/M Pave Low helicopters, (Pave: precision avionics vectoring equipment. Low: aircraft could fly close to the earth to avoid detection) and last flew in 2008.
This CH-53D went to Vietnam, crashed in 1970, and returned to duty with the Marines, serving in all major conflicts, most recently Afghanistan in February 2012. It was retired from Heavy Marine Helicopter Squadron HMH-363 at Kaneohe Bay. The Marines have retired most CH-53Ds, depending on Super Stallion CH-53Es until the CH-53Ks arrive). Retired CH-53Ds used for firefighting are called Fire Stallions. Original public domain image from Flickr