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Description
| Notes: HH-53B modified to cargo configuration. | ||
| Manufacturer: | Sikorsky | |
| Base model: | H-53 | |
| Designation: | CH-53 | |
| Version: | C | |
| Designation System: | U.S. Air Force | |
| Designation Period: | 1948-Present | |
| Basic role: | Helicopter | |
| Modified Mission: | Transport | |
Specifications
| Not Yet Available |
Known serial numbers
Recent comments by our visitors
| Larry Belton Mocksville, NC | I was the crew chief on 626 during the incident described. 02/19/2013 @ 05:40 [ref: 67595] |
| Rick Sullivan Folsom, CA | I went to NKP Thailand in 1974 assigned to the 56th CAMS Hydraulic Shop I was involved in Operations Eagle Pull, Frequent Wind,and the Mayaquez Incident in April and May 1975. I was at Ubon for operation Eagle Pull, On the USS Midway for Operation Frequent Wind, and on the USS Coral Sea and USS Kiska for the Mayaquez Incident. I remember Lt Lykens and many of the other crew members during the operations. I remember the Heroic actions of the Air Crews and Maintenance Crews in the performance of thier duty.I remember Jon Harston Flight Engineer who recieved the Air Force Cross for his Heroic Actions and the Three other Pilots who recieved the Air Force Cross. many others recieved medals for thier Heroic Actions during the Mayaquez Incident. The last names on the Vietnam wall are form the Mayaquez Incident. The CH-53C is very special to all the veterans of the 21st SOS and 56th CAMS at NKP Thailand 1975. 03/22/2012 @ 08:36 [ref: 54383] |
| Rick Sullivan Folsom, CA | I went to NKP Thailand in 1974 assigned to the 56th CAMS Hydraulic Shop I was involved in Operation Frequent Wind,Eagle Pull,and the Mayaquez Incident in April and May 1975. I believe I know Dave Cullen and worked with him during these operations and at NKP. He was a good friend of Paul Raber who was lost on 933 crash during the Mayaquez operation. I retired from Travis AFB in 1999. You can contact me at ricky.sullivan@att.net 03/22/2012 @ 07:46 [ref: 54382] |
| John Hatch , CA | Hello Again
Did any of you know Glen Snyder at NKP Maintenance for the 21st SOS? I never really knew him there and never saw him after my NKP Change of Station. He was a kind of Skiny guy, went shirtless all the time and worked on the Flight Line fixing our 21st Birds. He was Killed 3 years ago in a BAD Car Crash. My Daughter met a Guy in 1999, and they started dating, she said that his Dad used to work on Helicopters, and was in Thailand too, but so were allot of other people. When I finally meet him, He was the same Glen Snyder from NKP. They Married in 2000 and have 3 Children, 2 Boys and 1 Girl now. I guess you could say that it is a very small world sometimes. Anyhow, just trying to let anyone who might have known Glen that he was a great guy and really loved to BBQ He Sure will be missed by us all. Take Care, John Hatch 01/07/2012 @ 17:57 [ref: 51844] |
| John Hatch , CA | Hello
Great Site I really enjoy the information here. I flew as a Flight Mechanic/Flight Engineer/Gunner on 626 while stationed at NKP RTAFB Thailand in the 21st SOS Circa 72-73 On 6 June 72 I was getting my LAOS Cross the Fence Check Ride, moving about 1200 Tropes and equipment into a large LZ. While rolling it on, the right main gear fell into a soft spot and we plowed the earth, we also had blade to Fuselage contact on 625 in the middle of the LZ. 626 behind us had it's nose gear go into the same soft spot and collapse the nose gear, they off-loaded their tropes, did a hover check, it felt OK, lead told them to RTB for repairs with an escort. About 2 hours into the flight back to NKP 626 was having flight control problems, they made an emergency decent and landing and took out a tree in the LZ as they landed, as if they had a choice. The next day the Maintenance guys found out that the under floor nested interconnecting Cyclic Torque Tubes had BROKEN while in flight allowing the cyclic sticks to move independently of each other. They managed to get it on the ground somehow without getting even a scratch. They were DAMN LUCKY So it is very amazing thet 626 was even able to make it to Retirement after going through that experience. I guess that after that everything else was a piece of cake. It is Great that she made it though, I only whish that 625 had also, It has a special place in my Heart Still. Anyhow Great Site Take Care, John Hatch Msgt. Ret. 1982 and still Kicking 01/07/2012 @ 17:29 [ref: 51843] |
| John Hatch , CA | Hello
Great Site I really enjoy the information here. I flew as a Flight Mechanic/Flight Engineer/Gunner on 626 while stationed at NKP RTAFB Thailand in the 21st SOS Circa 72-73 On 6 June 72 I was getting my LAOS Cross the Fence Check Ride, moving about 1200 Tropes and equipment into a large LZ. While rolling it on, the right main gear fell into a soft spot and we plowed the earth, we also had blade to Fuselage contact on 625 in the middle of the LZ. 625 behind us had it's nose gear go into the same soft spot and collapse the nose gear, they off-loaded their tropes, did a hover check, it felt OK, lead told them to RTB for repairs with an escort. About 2 hours into the flight back to NKP 626 was having flight control problems, they made an emergency decent and landing and took out a tree in the LZ as they landed, as if they had a choice. The next day the Maintenance guys found out that the under floor nested interconnecting Cyclic Torque Tubes had BROKEN while in flight allowing the cyclic sticks to move independently of each other. They managed to get it on the ground somehow without getting even a scratch. They were DAMN LUCKY So it is very amazing thet 626 was even able to make it to Retirement after going through that experience. I guess that after that everything else was a piece of cake. It is Great that she made it though, I only whish that 625 had also, It has a special place in my Heart Still. Anyhow Great Site Take Care, John Hatch Msgt. Ret. 1982 and still Kicking 01/07/2012 @ 17:25 [ref: 51842] |
| Mike Rowland Robins AFB, GA | My name is Mike Rowland and I'm the curator at the Museum of Aviation (see www.museumofaviation.org). We have 70-1626 on display here. If you flew or maintained 626, please contact me at michael.rowland@robins.af.mil or 478-926-6712. Col Gary Stevens saw the comments on this website and contacted us. He came and visited, we interviewed him next to 626, and he sent us some pictures and personal memorabilia. That went a long way to filling in the history but we need more. Please, we need your help--we want to hear your stories about this amazing helicopter. 01/04/2012 @ 07:57 [ref: 51787] |
| Dave Cullen Redding, CA | Hi guy's,I just got through reading some of your stories and loved them.It's only been a few months sense I started using the internet for a research tool on my short,but interesting time in the Air Force.I was at Hill AFB. from 73-74,1550 OMS.I think I was the first E-3 to ever be a crew chief on an H-3 there.Then I went to NKP Thailand in the 21 SOS,and was crew chief on 626 and 926.I was involved in Operation Frequent Wind,Eagle Pull,and the Mayaquez Incident.Quite a lot for a 21 year old kid huh.After that I went to Wright Patterson with the 4950 test wing,where I worked on the first Pave Low bird.I sure would like to hear from some old friends. 01/01/2012 @ 17:53 [ref: 51768] |
| Dennis Howerton Dyersburg, TN | Greetings to Knife 52, Dave Lykens, from Knife 10. Long time, no see, Dave. I arrived at the 21st SOS, NKP in March 1974 and departed a year later. My log book shows a total of 466.4 hours in the CH-53. That includes 129.3 hours of initial training at Hill AFB, UT. I flew the following tail numbers: 355, 356, 369, 429, 431, 435, 625, 626, 627, 628, 629, 630, 631, 790, 791, 926, 927, 928, 930, 932, and 933 beginning 10/23/73 at Hill AFB and ending with my Sawadee Flight at NKP on 02/26/75. When it was healthy, the CH-53 was a great machine to fly; a complicated mechanical beast, it gave me a few heart-stopping moments I'm glad I am able to recall years later. Some of my friends weren't so fortunate. I drink a beer for them every year on Veterans Day...the only one I drink. 11/06/2011 @ 17:19 [ref: 50019] |
| Norbert Beilman Grand Junction, CO | Yo Sam, Scott, Jet Lag Joe and Larry. Greetings from the Grand Valey if you guys aint busy drop me a line.
Nasty Norb 09/02/2011 @ 14:07 [ref: 48395] |
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