I am both pleased and honored to announce what is the initial step (and normally the most difficult) of our most recent Naval Helicopter Association Historical Society, Inc. (NHAHS) project. After what has been about 5 months of hard work, we have finally been authorized by the National Naval Aviation Museum (NNAM) in Pensacola at a Strike Board held at Davis Monthan AFB in Tucson, AZ on 17 June 2021 to take custody of a SH-60F Oceanhawk helicopter to display on a pedestal (affectionately called a “Helicopter on a Stick”) here at the front gate at Naval Air Station (NAS) North Island (NI)/Naval Base Coronado (NBC). A display that is long overdue from many people’s perspective given that NASNI is a “Master Helicopter Base!”
The aircraft we have been authorized is…what was the Clyde Lassen Medal of Honor (MOH) aircraft at the 100th Year Celebration of Naval Aviation in 2011 BUNO 164073. This same aircraft was also the display aircraft at the HS-10 Disestablishment Ceremony on 14 July 2012. Currently the aircraft is in long term preservation status in the Davis Monthan Boneyard in Tucson, Arizona.
So you might ask… why are we using a SH-60F Seahawk and not a single engine UH-2A Seasprite that Clyde and his crew flew? The simple answer is…there are no more H-2 Seasprites available to place on display. The H-2’s in the Davis Monthan Boneyard in Tucson, AZ are designated to support the H-2G’s sold as part of the foreign military sales program. NHAHS was involved with the restoration of the last H-2 that was completed by Kaman Industries and placed in the National Naval Avaition Museum in Pensacola. If you know of a H-2 aircraft that might be available to be restored and displayed please contact me as the USS Iowa Museum is looking for one.
RADM John “Mac” McLaughlin, USNR (Ret.) the President and CEO of the USS Midway Museum (and previous Chairman of NHA) is supporting this effort both monetarily and with his artisans in NASNI Hangar 805 who will perform the actual restoration of the aircraft once it gets to North Island. The Base Commanding and Executive Officers support this effort and have asked that in return that the Wings and Squadrons on Base continue to maintain the 7 aircraft located at Flag Circle and at the Front Gate. USS Midway is going to fund the initial restoration as well as provide required long-term maintenance support to include (area/section painting) to keep all the display aircraft looking good. The Squadrons and Wings will do quarterly inspections, minor repairs, and routine wash jobs every six months.
The plan is to have the Chief Selects organize an ongoing “Community Service Project” (continually improving the effort each year) that will occur in Sept with volunteers doing the wash jobs and with NHA/NHAHS and the Scholarship Fund providing lunch and some cold beverages for those that volunteer their time to help out with the effort. The idea is the volunteers will get credit for “Community Service Time” toward their Military Outstanding Volunteer Service Medal while also being able to take advantage of some additional time off tacked onto a long weekend once they finish-up the work.
At this time… we are asking you to support the effort by making a donation toward what we estimate is going to be ~$100K+ price tag to engineer and construct the stanchion to place the aircraft directly across from the VADM Stockdale A-4 Skyhawk at the front gate. Placing the SH-60F aircraft directly across from the VADM Stockdale A-4 Skyhawk will produce a professional “Bookend/Mirror Image Effect” at the front gate of the base with the Lassen SH-60F MOH aircraft paying tribute to one of our helicopter heroes like the A-4 pays tribute to VADM Stockdale who is also a MOH recipient.
Donations can be made NOW and you can track the progress of the project by visiting this website. We are asking you to make a donation to the project on-line. You can use your credit card or Pay Pal account and Click Here.
You can also write a check to the Naval Helicopter Association Historical Society, Inc., (NHAHS) – NASNI “Helicopter On A Stick Project” and drop it off at the NHA Office in building 654 next door to the NEX Uniform Shop or mail it to:
Naval Helicopter Association Historical Society, Inc. (NHAHS)
Attn: NASNI “Helicopter On A Stick” Project CO CAPT Bill Personius, USN (Ret.)
PO Box 180578
Coronado, CA 92178-0578
Writing a Check to NHAHS is the PREFERRED method of payment as ALL the funds go toward the project vice some (although a small percentage) going to the Credit Card Company or PayPal to cover their expenses.
Please Consider Paying By Check!
Let’s make this project a success as this is a win-win for NASNI, Rotary Wing and Naval Aviation overall. I am excited about making this happen and so should you! Thank you for your continued support of NHA and NHAHS!!!!
Keep your turns up!
Regards,
Bill Personius
CAPT USN (Ret.) LTM-#46, R-16213
President
Naval Helicopter Association Historical Society (NHAHS)
PO Box 180578
Coronado, CA 92178-0578
858-449-1726