3 minute read
Historical Society
Helo on a Stick
By CAPT Bill Personius, USN (Ret.) LTM-#46, R-16213 President
I am both pleased and honored to announce what is the initial step (and normally the most difficult one to achieve) of our most recent NHAHS project. After what has been about 5 months of hard work, we have finally been authorized to take custody of a SH-60F Oceanhawk Helicopter to display on a pedestal (affectionately called a “helo on a stick”) here at the front gate at NAS North Island / Naval Base Coronado. A display that is long overdue from many people’s perspective given that NASNI / NBC Coronado is a “Master Helicopter Base!”
The aircraft, (BUNO 164073), is the Clyde Lassen Medal of Honor (MOH) aircraft used at the 100th Year Celebration of Naval Aviation in 2011. 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 AFB “Aircraft Boneyard” in Tucson, Arizona.
RADM John “Mac” McLaughlin, USNR (Ret.), 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 Officer CAPT John W. “Cosmo” De Pree, USN, supports the effort and has asked in return the Wings and Squadrons on base continue to maintain the aircraft at Flag Circle and at the Front Gate in pristine condition. USS Midway is going to fund the initial repairs as well as provide the required long-term maintenance to include (area / section painting) to keep all the display aircraft looking good. The Squadrons and Wings will do quarterly inspections, minor repairs, and wash jobs every six months.
We are exploring options with local Active Duty / Retired / Chief Selects to organize an ongoing “Community Service Project” (continually improving the event and results each year) that will occur on Memorial and Veteran’s Day long weekends with volunteers doing the wash jobs and with NHA / NHAHS providing lunch and cold beverages for those who help out. The idea is that 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 an already long weekend once they finish-up the wash jobs.
At this time, we are asking you to $upport the effort by making a donation toward what we estimate is going to be a $100K+ price tag to engineer and construct the stanchion to hold the aircraft directly across from the VADM Stockdale A-4 Skyhawk at the front gate. Placing the SH-60F aircraft in this location will produce a “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 also a MOH recipient.
Use your credit card or Pay Pal Account and click this link https://www.nhahistoricalsociety.org/help-bring-the-lassensh-60f-to-north-island/ You can also click on the “Make a Donation” on the yellow box on the adjoining page advertisement/ flyer (if viewing the magazine electronically) to make your donation. You can also write a check to the Naval Helicopter Association Historical Society, Inc., (NHAHS) - NASNI “Helo On A Stick Project” and drop it off at the NHA Office in building 654 next door to the NEX Uniform Shop on base or mail it to:
Naval Helicopter Association Historical Society, Inc. (NHAHS) Attn: NASNI “Helo On A Stick Project” P.O. Box 180578 Coronado, CA 92178-0578
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
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Computer Rendition of NASNI Stockdale Entrance with SH-60F on a Pedestal
