Aviation Photojournal Summer Issue 2020 | Page 41

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Due to the age of the helicopters, maintenance takes up a lot of time. That means almost no CH-53GS versions are left in Germany since they are all needed for missions abroad, including in Afghanistan. Thanks to its external fuel tanks, the total flight endurance is six hours. As a comparison, the GA model has an endurance of one hour 40 minutes. Aircraft range is critical for operations in hostile environments like Afghanistan because there are not many safe landing sites to refuel.

The CH-53GA is an upgraded CH-53G version. It has a state of the art cockpit with multifunctional displays and a four-axis autopilot system. It is also equipped with satellite radios and satellite phone.

SPECIAL OPERATIONS

The main task of the CH-53 is to transport personnel and material. Nevertheless, this versatile platform is able to fulfill a number of special roles including supporting special forces of the Army, the Kommando Spezialkräfte (Commando Special Forces, KSK) and Navy. Wing Commander Lt Col Mayer explains the role of the CH-53 as “Giving Special Operations Forces the whole spectrum of transport capabilities...there are always missions where there is a need for the transport capabilities the CH-53 can provide."

PERSONNEL RECOVERY

CH-53s of the Air Force are also performing personnel recovery. Especially the CH-53 GS is very fitting for personnel recovery and search and rescue requirements. It is large so it can contain medics as well as an extraction force, has a good range and has machine guns for self-defense. The CH-53s are also equipped with an electronic warfare system to ensure that ground to air rockets will not hit the helicopter. Lt. Col. Schneider gives an example of why the CH-53 is ideal for this type of missions: “When you look at Bosnia, it was of utmost importance to get downed pilots back safely. They were trying to do that with the UH-1 but found out that the UH-1 is not able to fly as far and carry as much personnel. You need an extraction force in there to go outside the helicopter, identify the personnel on the ground and come back with wounded pilots and return to your operating base.”