Sat, May 23, 2009
Three mine countermeasure ships, USS Champion (MCM 4), USS
Devastator (MCM 6) and USS Pioneer (MCM 9) participated in Navy
search efforts May 21 for the HH-60 Seahawk helicopter that went
down May 19 off the coast of Southern California and Mexico.
Pioneer has been tasked to remain on station to continue search
efforts Friday using its variable-depth sonar and
mine-neutralization vehicle (MNV) with attached camera system.
Explosive Ordnance Disposal Mobile Unit (EODMU) 1 also continues
its search with unmanned underwater vehicles (UUVs) using their
side-scan sonar.
Sonar is one of the best technologies for mapping the sea floor
and detecting man-made material in an underwater environment.
Yesterday officials concluded that aircrew survivability was
unlikely and suspended search and rescue efforts. The U.S. Navy's
search efforts now focus on determining the feasibility of salvage
operations.
Champion and Devastator will arrive in port at Naval Station San
Diego as scheduled with Pioneer arriving later in the day.
Three deceased crewmembers were recovered from the crash site on
Wednesday during search and rescue operations conducted by assets
from the U.S. Navy, U.S. Coast Guard, San Diego Harbor Police,
Customs and Border Protection and the Mexican Navy. There were five
crewmembers on board the HH-60 conducting combat search and rescue
training.
The HH-60 Seahawk helicopter went down while conducting training
operations with USS Nimitz (CVN 68) during a composite training
unit exercise (COMPTUEX). The helicopter was from Helicopter
Anti-submarine Squadron (HS) 6 located in San Diego. HS-6 is part
of Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 11 assigned to the USS Nimitz Carrier
Strike Group (CSG). The Navy is investigating the cause of the
incident.
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