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USMC CH-53 Sea Stallion conducts qualification trials on French Navy Dixmude LHD off Djibouti

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Naval Forces News - France, USA
 
 
 
USMC CH-53 Sea Stallion conducts qualification trials on French Navy Dixmude LHD off Djibouti
 
Off the coast of Djibouti, a Sikorsky CH-53 "Sea Stallion" from United States Marine Corps (USMC) Marine Heavy Helicopter Squadron 461 (HMH-461) conducted several approaches and landings on the Dixmude, French Navy's newest LHD.

Dixmude is the third ship of Mistral Class and is curently used to form and train future French Navy's Officers.
     

(All pictures: French Navy/Marine Nationale)
     
The French vessel's flight deck directors dubbed "yellow dogs" were present on the flight deck to assist the Marines crew of the Sea Stallion in his deck landing maneuvers. The CH-53 was able to perform all its TAG (Touch and Go), and obtain the landing qualification on this French type of LHD.

Marines mechanics disembarked from the CH-53 to spend some time on the Dixmude and watch the approach of their aircraft. It was an opportunity for sailors of both nations to exchange a few words, visit parts of the French ship and exchange their unit patches.

It was not the first time some United States Armed Forces helicopters landed on this type of vessel. As we reported back in October 2011, some USAF HH60G Pave Hawks were detached onboard French Navy's Tonnerre LHD during NATO operations in Lybia.