RotorheadTX over on ARC posted the search criteria for finding good Grayhawk pix today.
Go to http://www.dodmedia.osd.mil (in fact, bookmark it!)
Search for “Barge Hercules”
Lo Res Samples:
HiRes Samples
(Look familiar? [;)])
Now, to search for a subject matter, you might have to get creative with your search terms. It’s weird and the captions aren’t always accurate - it calls those MH-60As, “SH-60”
Those’re Army birds all right. The Navy didn’t have a -60 with a tailwheel like that until 2005 and these pics are dated 1989!
I would guess 160 A/C. The green T/R paddles aren’t necessarily a giveaway ( we occasionally get gray wheels) but these guys sometimes repaint for a longer term operation.
I’ll ask some questions of one of our old Ops guys next time I see him.
Mac
I’m 99.9999999% sure those are 160th MH-60As. Those aren’t Navy S-70s (tail wheel is wrong for the late 80s, there’s none of the ASW blisters that went with that era’s SH-60Bs, plus there are no Navy markings on the airframe but the tail number treatment is Army-style)
I’m gonna have to agree with Grant on this one. Gear config., lack of main landing gear strut fairing, batwing SATCOM antenna, non-USN type countermeasures (flare bins and aerials on each side of tailboom), FLIR (USAF/Army style mount, not USN), interior, two main cabin doors.
The operators walking around are definately pulling jump/dive/hazerdous duty pay. Haircuts, UDTs and socks bloused over the boots. Damn!!! Looks like the “PT” uniforms we wore in Saudi/Kuwait/Somalia/etc. More than likely SEALs (given the environment and mission), but could be SF or even Delta trying to pass as SEALs.
Lots O’ Stuff to dent primers on the fast boat on deck.
I’d guess that little excursion in the straits of Hormuz…[;)]
Not to mention 23972 is 82-3972, an Army UH-60A tail number. (and a really early one at that!)
Not too early Jon. I came across a 79- at Al Hilla and I saw a 0- that had 78- on the data plate in Kuwait. 23972 is probably a 0- at some lift company now as long as the OPS guys didn’t bend it too bad.
Mac