MH-60S Went Down During Training Mission

Navy salvage crews participated in a noble mission February 16, when they recovered the remains of three aircrewmen lost at sea in the fatal January 26 downing of their MH-60S Knighthawk helicopter.

The remains of Lt. j.g. Laura Mankey, Lt. Adam Dyer and Petty Officer 1st Class Cory Helman arrived at Naval Air Station North Island via helicopter, and were transported to Naval Medical Center San Diego. The salvage crew will remain on station and continue to work to recover the helicopter for follow on analysis.

“It’s a great example of teamwork, dedication and technology, all working together to execute this important mission,” said Capt. John Hardison, Commodore, Helicopter Sea Combat Wing Pacific.

As Aero-News reported, the crew was conducting routine training operations with Expeditionary Strike Group (ESG) 5 in the vicinity of San Clemente Island, 50 miles off the California coast, when it crashed into the Pacific Ocean. Navy salvage teams, including the ocean-going fleet tug USNS Sioux (T-ATF-171) and the Remotely Operated Vehicle (ROV) Deep Drone 8000 will recover as much of the helicopter's wreckage as possible to assist in the investigation.

“It’s vital that we recover the aircraft now to determine the causal factors of this mishap, with the goal of preventing this from happening again," said Hardison. "We’re also pleased to be able to offer some closure for the families. These were our shipmates, our friends; we are proud to have served with them, and to now have them home.”

The wreckage was recovered approximately 16 miles northeast of San Clemente Island.

(ANN thanks Lt. Ron Flanders, Naval Air Forces Public Affairs, for his report)

FMI: www.navy.mil