Sikorsky® MH-53e Sea Dragon, HM-14 World Famous Vanguard

Sikorsky® MH-53e Sea Dragon, HM-14 World Famous Vanguard Fly with the HM-14 World Famous Vanguard again with this 16-inch wooden MH-53E helo model. Carefully carved from Mahogany and painted, it will provide a unique treasure that you'll be proud to display. Length - 16 inches Made from Mahogany US Veteran-Owned Business Officially Licensed by Sikorsky The product is not intended to be used by children 12 years and younger. Sikorsky®, SEA DRAGON™, associated emblems and logos, and body designs of vehicles are either registered trademarks or trademarks of Sikorsky Aircraft Corporation in the USA and/or other jurisdictions, used under license by Squadron Nostalgia LLC "WORLD FAMOUS VANGUARD" HM-14, flying the MH-53E Sea Dragon, is one of the largest and most unique squadrons in the Navy. It is one of two squadrons Navy-wide that have integrated an Active Duty airborne mine countermeasures squadron with it’s Reserve counterpart, with approximately 400 Active Duty and 250 TAR and Selected Reserve personnel. The "Vanguard" of HM-14 is capable of rapidly deploying and operating to any part of the world within 72 hours via Air Force C-5s. HM-14 was established on 12 May 1978, at Naval Air Station, Norfolk, Virginia. An independent and self-contained operational Airborne Mine Countermeasures (AMCM) Squadron, today the Vanguard consists of approximately 650 enlisted personnel and 50 officers, and is home ported in Norfolk, Virginia. Using the USAF C-5A "Galaxy" and C-141 "Starlifter" transport aircraft, the squadron is capable of providing a rapid response mine countermeasures (MCM) capability to any location in the world where a mine threat may exist. The aircraft used by the squadron in its MCM operations is the Sikorsky MH-53E Sea Dragon helicopter. Since it's establishment, HM-14 has conducted a multitude of operations at home and abroad. In 1978, the squadron participated in exercise OLIVES NOIRES off the coast of Toulon, France and in exercise CRAZY HORSE near La Spezia, Italy. In April 1980, the squadron embarked on USS DWIGHT D. EISENHOWER (CVN 69) and deployed to the Indian Ocean for operation EVENING LIGHT during the Iranian hostage crisis. Elements of the squadron remained in the Indian Ocean until November 1980, when the main body of the squadron rejoined the detachment and established the first AMCM capability in the Indian Ocean/Arabian Gulf theater. In April 1981, the squadron deployed to Europe for 5 1/2 months as the AMCM element of the first integrated MCM Task Group, along with surface and underwater MCM units. They earned two Meritorious Unit Commendations during this period. During 1982, HM-14 participated in two major exercises: OCEAN VENTURE ‘82 at NAS Jacksonville, Florida, and CANUS MARCOT 1-82 at Canadian Forces Base Shearwater, Nova Scotia, and Canada. The Squadron was the recipient of the 1982 Battle "E" Award and the CNO Safety Award. Exercises and AMCM demonstrations in Belgium, Scotland, Spain, Greece, Turkey, Portugal, Japan, Philippines and South Korea graphically demonstrated to NATO Allies that the U.S. Navy is capable of countering diverse mining threats anywhere in the world. In June 1984, HM-14 took delivery of the AN/AQS-14 Mine Hunting Sonar and established the Fleet’s first operational airborne mine hunting capability. In August 1984, the squadron responded to a JCS-directed rapid deployment order in support of operation INTENSE LOOK. HM-14 conducted split site AMCM operations in the Gulf of Suez in support of the Egyptian Government, and in the Red Sea in support of the Saudi Arabian Government. During this period, HM-14 also responded to provide vertical onboard delivery (VOD) support following the Beirut embassy annex bombing. For its performance during these operations, the squadron was awarded the Navy Unit Commendation and the Humanitarian Service Medal. In August 1987, the Squadron executed another JCS-directed rapid deployment order operating off the USS GUADALCANAL (LPH-7) and USS OKI