Helicopters Being Replaced By MH-60R

Helicopter Maritime Strike Wing Pacific hosted a Sundown Ceremony for the SH-60B Sea Hawk helicopter at Naval Air Station North Island in Coronado, California, Monday afternoon.

The Sundown Ceremony commemorated 30 years of active service for the SH-60B.
 
The SH-60B joined the operational fleet in 1985 when the aircraft made its initial deployment with a Helicopter Anti-Submarine Squadron Light 43 detachment aboard the guided-missile frigate USS Crommelin (FFG 37).

Since joining the fleet, the aircraft has completed more than 3.6 million flight hours in support of operations and training.
 
The last active-duty SH-60B detachment, which was a detachment from Helicopter Maritime Strike Squadron 49 at Naval Air Station North Island, returned from a seven-month deployment aboard the guided-missile frigate USS Gary (FFG 51) to the U.S. 4th and 3rd Fleet areas of operation April 17.

The SH-60B Sea Hawk is being replaced by the MH-60R Sea Hawk, which is capable of executing the same missions as the SH-60B, but with significant advancements in mission systems that dramatically enhances its effectiveness. MH-60R aircraft carry out various missions including anti-submarine warfare, anti-surface warfare, vertical replenishment, search and rescue, humanitarian relief and medical evacuation.

(US Navy images)

FMI: www.facebook.com/bravosundown, www.navy.mil/local/airpac