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Video by Petty Officer 1st Class Paul Seeber

CH-46 Sea Knight on its Way to Retirement

Fleet Combat Camera Pacific

Aug. 22, 2014 | 1:49

The CH-46 Sea Knight Helicopter was used during Partnerships of the Americas 2014 in what could be its last operational deployment.

00:00:00 [SOT, LCpl Ranieri Fotelli, HMM 364 crew chief] It’s what people think of when Marine Corps aviation is mentioned in any conversation.”

00:06:00 [VO, SGT Adwin Esters, Public Affairs, 4th Marine Logistics Group. ] The Marines of Medium Helicopter Squadron 364 are flying in what is very likely the final deployment for the CH-46 Sea Knight helicopter as they support Partnership of the Americas in Chile. The significance of this milestone is not lost on these Marines.

00:27:00 [SOT, Cpl Vidal Gonzalez HMM 364 flightline mechanic] The 46 going away is a sad, sad thing to think about. I’ve been working on these helicopters for four years now and they’ve been in the Marine Corps for quite some time. Over fifty years of service. The day that they have to go away is gonna be a sad one.

00:40:00 [VO] After five decades of venerable service to the Marine Corps, the Sea Knight is being phased out in favor of the MV22 Osprey.

00:50:00 [SOT, Sgt Carmen Zangari, HMM 364 crew chief] The tactics are changing, the future of warfare is evolving, the battlefield is evolving, and the new aircraft is designed to kind of fulfill the role we see in the future.

00:59:00 [VO] The end of an era brings with it memories that stretch back for generations.

01:05:00 [SOT, Capt William Norris, A Co. 1/23] My father was actually a 46 pilot back in the day for the Navy, so I made sure to get a couple of pictures of them so he doesn’t cry when I go home and tell him that it’s gone forever.

01:15:00 [VO] Few still serving in the Marine Corps have as long a history with the Sea Knight as Brigadier General David Coffman, Commander, United States Marine Corps Forces South.

01:24:00 [SOT, BGen David W. Coffman Commander, United States Marine Corps Forces, South] If I could have stayed a 1st Lieutenant, functional check pilot and flight leader and flight instructor in HMM-262 Flying Tigers at Kaneohe Bay for the entire 30 years I would still be there doing that. It’s such great fun, it’s such a great effect and such a great contribution to the Marine Corps team.

01:42:00[VO] Sgt Adwin Esters, Public Affairs, 4th Marine Logistics Group