The third and fourth of six Argentine Navy Sea King helicopters are off-loaded from the USS Oak Hill in Puerto Belgrano, Argentina June 26. (U.S Army Photo by Spc. Corey Idleburg/Released)
NAVAL AIR SYSTEMS COMMAND, PATUXENT RIVER, Md. (July 21, 2009)—A second pair of former U.S. Navy UH-3H Sea King helicopters were delivered to the Argentine Navy June 26 in Puerto Belgrano, Argentina.
NAVAIR’s Tactical Airlift, Adversary and Support Programs office, PMA-207, here, has the lead on managing the Argentine Navy H-3 Sea King program.
“The delivery of aircraft three and four continues and solidifies our relationship with the Argentine Navy,” said Capt. James “Walleye” Wallace, program manager, Tactical Airlift, Adversary and Support Programs office, PMA-207. “The work the team is doing strengthens our friendship with the Argentine Navy by living up to our word and delivering their helicopters and equipment on time and on budget.”
After intensive pre-coordination, the two helicopters were loaded onto the amphibious dock landing ship USS Oak Hill (LSD 51) that got underway June 3 for South America to take part in a joint exercise with several South American countries, including Argentina.
The first two Sea Kings were delivered to the Argentine Navy in September 2008. They are being flown by the Second Naval Air Helicopter Squadron based at the “Comandante Espora” Naval Air Base near Bahia Blanca, Argentina.
The two recently transferred UH-3H helicopters are part of a package of six, four of which will be flown, while the other two will be used for spare parts.