This video was filmed by a friend and squadronmate of mine, named Raymond. I was the Plane Captain for this flight. The helicopter is a Sikorsky SH-3H Sea King of HELANTISUBRONNINE (HS-9 Sea Griffins) squadron based at Naval Air Station Jacksonville, Florida (NAS JAX) and was filmed in February 1993. Much of the flight takes place over the St. John's River, which flows past the helicopter flight line at NAS JAX. Several other aircraft types are seen taxiing or parked, such as F/A-18 Hornet's, SH-60 Seahawk helo's, TA-4 Skyhawk's, T-2 Buckeye's, an A-7E Corsair II and P-3 Orion's. The video goes from "chocks out" to "chocks in" and also seen is a "hot" refueling of the helicopter (rotors still turning) after it returns to NAS JAX and then taxi's to its spot for shutdown.
HS-9 was the U.S. Navy's first All-Weather Helicopter Squadron. During the Gulf War (Operation Desert Storm/Operation Provide Comfort) HS-9 performed a myriad of tasks, including retrieving downed aviators, working closely with US Navy SEAL's and other Special Operations personnel in delivering their teams to neutralize Iraqi crews manning anti-ship and anti-air missiles installed on Kuwaiti oil platforms and the in-air destruction of Anti-Ship mines by SEAL snipers. HS-9 is credited with taking 35 Iraqi prisoners of war and with discovering and destroying 13 Anti-Ship mines. The squadron also air-dropped relief supplies to our Kurdish allies in Iraq.
HS-9 squadron was Disestablished in April of 1993.
