MH-60R Sea Hawk helicopters assigned to Helicopter Maritime Strike Squadron (HSM) 48 as they prepare to depart Naval Station Mayport. Commander, Naval Air Force Atlantic ordered aircraft at Naval Station Mayport to sortie ahead of Hurricane Dorian. Dorian is expected to bring high winds and heavy rain to the East Coast.
Hurricane Dorian is a strong tropical cyclone currently affecting the East Coast of the United States. The fourth named storm, second hurricane, and first major hurricane of the 2019 Atlantic hurricane season, Dorian developed from a tropical wave on August 24 in the Central Atlantic. The system gradually intensified while moving toward the Lesser Antilles, before becoming a hurricane on August 28. On the morning of September 3, Dorian began to move slowly towards the north-northwest. Dorian subsequently completed its eyewall replacement cycle and moved over warmer waters, regaining Category 3 intensity by midnight on September 5.
The Sikorsky SH-60/MH-60 Seahawk (or Sea Hawk) is a twin turboshaft engine, multi-mission United States Navy helicopter based on the United States Army UH-60 Black Hawk and a member of the Sikorsky S-70 family. The most significant modifications are the folding main rotor and a hinged tail to reduce its footprint aboard ships. Crews from HSM-48 operate the MH−60R Seahawk, a helicopter manufactured by Sikorsky Aircraft and equipped with two front-drive T700−GE−401C turboshaft engines manufactured by the General Electric Company. The helicopter has fixed landing gear, an external cargo hook, a rescue hoist, and bomb racks for carrying and launching external stores. In addition, it is equipped with a sonobuoy launch system, a Helicopter In−Flight Refueling (HIFR) system, and the necessary avionics and instrumentation for instrument flight and mission accomplishment. The helicopter can operate from a variety of naval ships.
U.S. Navy video by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Anderson W. Branch/Released
Helicopters Evacuate Naval Station Mayport Ahead of Hurricane Dorian
