Sikorsky CH-53E Super Stallion
(U.S. Marine Corps Photo by Lance Cpl. Ryan Sotodavila)
U.S. Marines with a Sikorsky CH-53E Super Stallion from Marine Aircraft Group 36, 1st Marine Aircraft Wing and Japan Ground Self-Defense Force members establish a forward arming refueling point on Yonaguni, Japan, Oct. 27, 2025. The FARP training enhanced interoperability and strengthened the ability of U.S. Marines and the JGSDF to control and defend key maritime terrain.
The Sikorsky CH-53E Super Stallion is a heavy lift helicopter operated by the United States military. As the Sikorsky S-80, it was developed from the CH-53 Sea Stallion, mainly by adding a third engine, adding a seventh blade to the main rotor, and canting the tail rotor 20°. It was built by Sikorsky Aircraft for the United States Marine Corps. Developed in the 1970s, it entered service in 1981, and is planned to be in service into the 2030s. It is one of the largest military helicopters in service, and is operated from U.S. Navy ships or from land.
The US Navy also operates the Sikorsky MH-53E Sea Dragon which fills the United States Navy’s need for long-range minesweeping or airborne mine countermeasures missions, and performs heavy-lift duties for the Navy. The Sikorsky CH-53K King Stallion, which has new engines, new composite rotor blades, and a wider aircraft cabin, is set to replace the CH-53E and enter service in the 2020s. Most of the Super Stallions in service are configured as MH-53E Sea Dragons. (Wikipedia)
(U.S. Marine Corps Photo by Sgt. Austin Hazard)
U.S. Marines with Battalion Landing Team 1st Battalion, 6th Marine Regiment, 22nd Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU), and Portuguese and Spanish marines practice fast roping from a CH-53E Super Stallion helicopter with Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron (VMM) 263 (Reinforced), 22nd MEU, at a training range in Sierra del Retín, Spain, during Spanish Amphibious Bilateral Exercise (PHIBLEX) , 24 Feb 2014.
(Alan Radecki Photo)
USMC Sikorsky CH-53E at Mojave, California, 9 Sep 2007.
(Acroterion Photo)
Sikorsky CH-53E Super Stallion, U.S. Marine Corps HMH-722 squadron 165503 at Frederick Municipal Airport, Maryland, 29 May 2024.
(U.S. Navy Photo by Chief Mass Communication Specialist Edward G. Martens)
A Sikorsky MH-53E Sea Dragon assigned to Helicopter Mine Counter Measure Squadron (HM) 15 conducts a mine sweeping exercise. HM 15, deployed in support of operations in the Central Command area of responsibility (AOR), is homeported at Corpus Christi, Texas, 16 April 2007.
(Sgt. Seth Star, DVIDS.net Photo)
A CH-53E Super Stallion with the 22nd Marine Expeditionary Unit approaches the refueling hose of a Marine Aerial Refueler Squadron – 352 C-130 Hercules for air-to-air refueling over the Red Sea, July 30, 2016. VMGR – 352 is currently a component of Special Purpose Marine Air-Ground Task Force-Crisis Response-Central Command, forward deployed to the U.S. Central Command area of responsibility supporting a variety of missions. VMGR-352 supported aerial refuel training for multiple 22nd MEU CH-53s demonstrating synergy between the two MAGTFs. 21 Nov 2025.
(U.S. Navy Photo by Photographer’s Mate 3rd Class Jay C. Pugh)
An Aviation Boatswain’s Mate prepares an MH-53E Sea Dragon helicopter assigned to the “Vanguards” of Helicopter Mine Countermeasures Squadron One Four (HM-14) for take off on the flight deck aboard USS Harry S. Truman (CVN 75), 13 Sep 2005.
(U.S. Navy Photo by Photographer’s Mate 1st Class Jeffrey Truett)
A Sikorsky CH-53E Super Stallion assigned to the “Condors” of Helicopter Light Squadron Four Sixty Four (HMH-464) lifts off the deck of USS Kearsarge (LHD 3) for another combat mission to re-supply the Marines fighting for control of Southern Iraq. Kearsarge is deployed to the Arabian Gulf in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom, 23 March 2003.
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(U.S. Navy Photo by Mass Communication Specialist Seaman Sarah E. Bitter)
Sikorsky CH-53E Super Stallion helicopter assigned to Marine Medium Helicopter Squadron (HMM) 165 prepares to land on the flight deck of the amphibious assault ship USS Peleliu (LHA 5). Peleliu is deployed supporting maritime security operations in the U.S. 5th Fleet area of responsibility, 10 July 2008.
(Author Photo)
The author had the privilege of serving two tours of duty in Germany, first as a Reservist with HQ CFE in Lahr (1981-1983), and again as the Regular Force G2 Ops for 4 CMBG (1989-1992). During the first tour we took a military K-bus up to Calw, south of Pforsheim to jump with the German 521st Fallschirm Brigade, hosted by French Para/Marines from Carcassonne and the R22eR. Six Canadians including myself and five R22eR soldiers took part in the visit. We made two Static line jumps from a Sikorsky Sea Stallion helicopter shown here, onto a DZ in Malmsheim near an old walled town called Weil-an-der-Stadt. We were required to make six jumps to earn their wings and they only permitted two per day, so it took a few visits. We also parachuted from their Bell UH-1 Iroquois helicopters. After the jumps, 756 troops lined the parade square (300 French Marines, 450 German paras and 6 Canadians) for their wings parade, followed by a huge party in the evening, with a tug-of-war contest.