MH-53M Pave Low IV - Valparaiso, FL
N 30° 27.970 W 086° 33.727
16R E 542034 N 3370523
MH-53M S/N 73-1652 was last assigned to the 16th Special Operations Wing (AFSOC) at Hurlburt Field, FL.
Waymark Code: WMH0QD
Location: Florida, United States
Date Posted: 05/03/2013
Views: 4
MH-53M S/N 73-1652 was assigned to the 55th Air Rescue and Recovery Squadron at Eglin AFB, FL, from June 1976 - July 1980. During its stay at Eglin, it was part of the Recovery Team that was sent to Jonestown, Guyana for the recovery of the 903 American bodies in the Jim Jones incident. This helicopter was flown for 34 years before being retired from service.
Air Force special operations forces used the Sikorsky MH-53M to covertly enter enemy territory. Capable of operating at day or night or in bad weather, these helicopters conducted long-range, low-level missions to insert, extract, and resupply special operations forces.
The MH-53 helicopters were originally HH-53 "Super Jolly Green Giants" used by the U.S. Air Force in the Southeast Asia War. Over the years, however, they received many upgrades and improvements. After the 1960s, they were completely re-skinned and had their engines and rotors replaced. Along with these improvements came a new designation, MH-53 ("M" for Multi-mission and "H" for helicopter).
The most significant enhancement to the Super Jollies was the Pave Low program, which modified them for operating at night or during bad weather. Equipped with forward-looking infrared (FLIR) sensors, inertial global positioning systems (GPS), Doppler radar navigation systems, and terrain-following and terrain-avoidance radar, the MH-53 could fly clandestine, low-level missions in any weather, day or night.
The MH-53M Pave Low IV has a system that greatly increased the aircraft's capabilities. This system gave the aircrew instant access to the total battlefield situation on a color, digital map screen that was compatible with night vision goggles. Using feeds from satellite links, the system displayed nearly real-time information about potential hazards along the flight route such as power lines or enemy electronic threats.
In 2008 the Air Force Special Operations Command (AFSOC) retired the MH-53 from active service.
Type of Aircraft: (make/model): MH-53M Pave Low IV
Tail Number: (S/N): 73-1652
Construction:: original aircraft
Location (park, airport, museum, etc.): USAF Armament Museum
inside / outside: outside
Access restrictions:
The plane is one of 25 located outside the USAF Armament Museum just off Eglin AFB. There is no fence around the museum so the outdoor planes are accessible every day.
Other Information:: Not listed
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Visit Instructions:
Photo of aircraft (required - will be interesting to see if the aircraft is ever repainted or progress if being restored)
Photo of serial number (required unless there is not one or it is a replica)
Photo(s) of any artwork on the aircraft (optional but interesting)
Tell why you are visiting this waymark along with any other interesting facts or personal experiences about the aircraft not already mentioned.