Seahawks Strike Back and a squadron of SR-71 Blackbirds gets activated.
Navy Seahawks respond in the Red Sea and looking back on the squadron of SR-71 Blackbirds which were activated.
“Every gain in speed increases not only the attacker’s security but the defender’s insecurity. For the higher the speed the greater the chance of, and scope for, surprise. Speed and surprise are not merely related; they are twins.”
-B.H. Liddell Hart
Mission Briefing
Happy New Year! 2024 is shaping up to be a significant year on many fronts, and 2023 certainly ended with a bang of sorts. Early in the morning hours of December 31st, the waters around the Arabian Peninsula were suddenly disrupted by a distress call. It's the containership Maersk Hangzhou, under siege for the second time in less than 24 hours. This time, the attackers are four small boats, manned by Iranian-backed Houthi forces, emerging from Yemeni territories under Houthi control.
The Maersk Hangzhou's crew, facing a dire situation, watched as these boats, armed with crew-served and small arms weapons, advanced and fired on the ship. These boats would get dangerously close, just 20 meters away, and even attempted to board the ship. In response, the ship's security team fights back, but the situation escalated rapidly.
Enter the heroes of our story: US Navy H60 Seahawk helicopters. These powerful machines, part of the USS Eisenhower and Gravely's compliment, fly to the rescue. They issue verbal warnings, but the small boats, undeterred, fire upon the helicopters. The Navy pilots and crew, trained for such moments, return fire in self-defense. Their precision and skill are undeniable as they sink three of the four boats and drive the fourth away. Remarkably, the US personnel and equipment remain unscathed.
The exact H60 squadrons involved remain unconfirmed by US Central Command. However, among them were likely several helicopters from HSC 7, aka the "Dusty Dogs" of Carrier Airwing 3 aboard the USS Dwight D. Eisenhower. These pilots, flying the Sierra model of the Seahawk, probably relied on the formidable .50 caliber machine gun mounted on the aircraft's starboard side.
While I normally do videos and newsletter articles about fighter planes, we need to take a moment to appreciate the Navy’s MH-60 Seahawk, which is an incredibly versatile machine and somewhat underrated. The Sikorsky SH-60/MH-60 Seahawk is a marvel of modern aviation technology. It's a twin-engine helicopter equipped with turboshaft engines, skillfully designed for multiple missions by the United States Navy. This impressive bird is derived from the U.S. Army's UH-60 Black Hawk and is part of the renowned Sikorsky S-70 family. What sets the Seahawk apart are its unique design tweaks – the main rotor blades can fold, and it has a hinged tail, making it a perfect fit for the confined spaces on ships.
In the vast blue expanses where the U.S. Navy sails, the H-60 airframe takes on various roles, embodied in the models SH-60B, SH-60F, HH-60H, MH-60R, and MH-60S. This helicopter is incredibly versatile, able to operate from virtually any air-capable naval vessel – be it a frigate, destroyer, cruiser, fast combat support ship, expeditionary transfer dock, amphibious assault ship, littoral combat ship, or even an aircraft carrier.
The Seahawk's mission profile is impressively diverse. It's a master of anti-submarine warfare (ASW) and anti-surface warfare (ASUW), making it a formidable foe against underwater and surface threats. For more covert operations, it excels in naval special warfare (NSW) insertion. In times of crisis, the Seahawk is a guardian angel, performing search and rescue (SAR) and combat search and rescue (CSAR) missions. It's also a lifeline for logistical support through vertical replenishment (VERTREP) and plays a crucial role in medical evacuations (MEDEVAC). All in all, the Sikorsky SH-60/MH-60 Seahawk is a multi-mission powerhouse, essential to the U.S. Navy's operations across the globe.
Looking ahead to 2024, given the ongoing events unfolding around the world, you can expect more mini documentaries not just on fixed wing aircraft, but helicopters like the Seahawk and other support aircraft.
This week in aviation history
1 January 1965: The Cold War is at its peak, and the United States Air Force is in dire need of a reconnaissance aircraft that can outrun and outmaneuver any threat. Enter the SR-71A, a marvel of engineering, capable of flying at speeds over Mach 3 and at altitudes above 85,000 feet.
On New Year’s Day in 1965, a significant day at Beale Air Force Base in California. On this day, the 4200th Strategic Reconnaissance Wing was activated, specifically to operate this groundbreaking aircraft. The SR-71A wasn't just a plane; it was a statement of technological prowess, capable of gathering crucial intelligence while remaining virtually untouchable by enemy defenses.
The wing's mission was clear: strategic reconnaissance, a vital component in the high-stakes game of the Cold War. The SR-71A's capabilities were unprecedented. It could cover vast distances incredibly fast, capturing detailed photographs of enemy territories without being detected or intercepted. This wing, with its Blackbirds, was a key player in the strategic balance between the superpowers.
Fast forward to January 25, 1966, the wing underwent a significant change, being redesignated as the 9th Strategic Reconnaissance Wing. This wasn't just a change of name; it signified an evolving and enduring role in strategic reconnaissance. The 9th Wing continued to operate the SR-71A, playing a crucial role in gathering intelligence during many Cold War flashpoints and beyond.
The SR-71A's service under these wings is a tale of technological achievement and strategic importance. It set numerous flight speed and altitude records, some of which remain unbroken. The aircraft itself became an icon, symbolizing speed, stealth, and the cutting-edge of aerial reconnaissance technology. Nearly 60 years later, the Blackbird still looks futuristic.
In case you missed it
I made this video as soon as I heard the news:
Photo Outlet
The Navy Blue Angels are always a sight (and sound) to behold. If you haven’t seen their routine with the Super Hornets, you should in 2024 - they put on a great show!
Post Flight Debrief
New Years are often about new beginnings, here’s to hoping for a productive, fulfilling, and healthy New Year to you and yours.
That’s all for this week, thanks for reading! If you know a fellow aviation enthusiast that would enjoy these weekly newsletters, then please forward this along. Now you know!
-Tog