HC-4 Black Stallions CH-53E Model
Fly with the HC-4 Black Stallions again with this 16 inch wooden CH-53E helo model. Carefully carved from Mahogany and painted, it will provide a unique treasure that you’ll be proud to display.
Being a forward-deployed squadron, HC-4 stands ready for many short fused missions. The MH-53E has the ability to meet these requirements swiftly, with its unique lifting capability of 25,000 pounds external and 18,000 pounds internal, a range of up to 600 miles or further with aerial refueling and ability to self lift virtually anywhere in NAVCENT/NAVEUR Areas of Responsibilities (AORs). The helicopter squadron for fleet logistical support is headquartered at the Naval Air Station, Sigonella, Sicily referred to the “Hub of the Med”. The Black Stallions and their fleet remain on call to employ their unique lift capability and range to all theater commanders.
The 1977 arrival of four RH-53D helicopters to Fleet Logistics Support Squadron TWO FOUR (VR-24) ushered in a new era in combat logistics support. Entitled Vertical Onboard Delivery (VOD), the “VOD Squad” of VR-24 possessed a helicopter heavy lift capability never before seen in the Mediterranean Theater. The “VOD Squad” provided service to ships of the SIXTH FLEET until 1983 when their helicopters were transferred to the Airborne Mine Countermeasures (AMCM)community.
Foreseeing an expansion of the VOD mission, the Navy purchased the new, three engine, seven blade, Sikorsky CH-53E “Super Stallion” and on 6 May 1983, HELSUPPRON FOUR was established as the Navy’s first heavy lift, helicopter combat support squadron. At the helm was CDR R.A. McDaniels, a VR-24 pilot, joined by many of his old squadron-mates as “HC-4 Plankowners.”
In Norfolk Va., HC-4 Detachment ONE took delivery of five of the squadron’s initial aircraft and embarked aboard the USS INCHON (LPH-12) for the maiden voyage of the massive airframe. Departing the USS INCHON in the English Channel, the Black Stallions self-lifted across Europe and on 25 August 1983 arrived at NAS Sigonella.
In the early years, the Black Stallions’ mission was defined as day/night, all weather, heavy combat logistics support to the SIXTH FLEET. Routinely deploying one or two aircraft detachments to strategic locations throughout the littoral Mediterranean, HC-4 became integral in sustaining the fleet.
The reputation of the Black Stallions was quickly established with their first detachment. In December 1983, HC-4 began its support mission for the Multinational Peacekeeping Force in Beirut, Lebanon from Larnaca, Cyprus. Soon after this historic detachment, HC-4 became the “prime movers” of air deployed logistics by transporting over 16,000 passengers and 6.5 million pounds of mail and cargo during its first year in commission.
The year 1990 marked the beginning of the end of the Cold War and with the new decade, HC-4’s geographic position and the unique characteristics of the CH-53E broadened the mission of the squadron. In May 1990, HC-4 set out on an eight month detachment to Sierra Leone in support of Operation Sharp Edge. Combating the harsh environment of the monsoon season, HC-4 provided critical logistics support to the American Embassy in Monrovia, Liberia. During the height of tension in the region, the Black Stallions evacuated over 1,900 American citizens and refugees in the largest noncombatant evacuation since the fall of Saigon in 1975.
Also in 1990, HC-4 deployed to Jeddah, Saudi Arabia in support of Operation Desert Shield and subsequently Desert Storm. Self-lifting to Hurgada, Egypt, the Black Stallions significantly decreased the logistics support response time to three Red Sea Battle Groups. Augmented by four aircraft from HC-1 and HC-2, the fleet of ten CH-53E aircraft amassed record statistics in flying over 1,655 mishap free hours while mo
