Press release:
The National Naval Aviation Museum will acquire a new aircraft to add to its collection with the delivery of an SH-60B Seahawk, the third example of this helicopter transferred to the Museum, but the first of its type to be displayed in Pensacola. Rear Admiral Gary Jones, Commander, Naval Education and Training Command, will be the guest speaker at a ceremony scheduled for 10 a.m. on Thursday, July 30 in the Blue Angels Atrium at the National Naval Aviation Museum.
Since its Navy Acceptance flight on February 28, 1986, this Seahawk has accumulated a total of 8,785 flight hours and more than 28,000 landings. The aircraft was utilized in several deployments aboard USS Thomas S. Gates (CG-51), USS McInerney (FFG-8) and USS Boone (FFG-28), the latter ship known for its interception of the merchant vessel Caribe Star in a Counter Narcotics Operation in 1999.
Helicopter Anti-Submarine Squadron Light (HSL) 48 is the last squadron to be assigned this Seahawk. After 4,974 flight hours with the HSL-48 VIPERS, “Venom 500†will take to the skies one last time on Wednesday, July 29 en route to its final resting place at the Museum.