The CH-53 Sea Stallion (Sikorsky S-65) is an American family of heavy-lift transport helicopters designed and built by the American manufacturer Sikorsky Aircraft. The Sea Stallion was originally developed in response to a request from the United States Navy's Bureau of Naval Weapons made in March 1962 for a replacement for the Sikorsky CH-37 Mojave helicopters flown by the United States Marine Corps (USMC).

In July 1962, Sikorsky's proposal, which was essentially a scaled-up S-61R fitted with twin General Electric T64 turboshaft engines and the dynamic system of the S-64/CH-54, was selected. On October 14th, 1964, the YCH-53A performed its maiden flight; the first deliveries of production CH-53s to operational units commenced on September 12th, 1966. The first combat use of the type occurred during the following year when it was deployed to the Vietnamese theater; the CH-53 quickly proved its value for moving heavy payloads, particularly in the recovery of damaged aircraft.

Several variants of the type were promptly introduced. The United States Air Force introduced the HH-53 "Super Jolly Green Giant", configured for special operations and combat search and rescue (CSAR) missions, during the latter part of the Vietnam War; the majority of these were subsequently rebuilt into the MH-53 Pave Low. The visually similar CH-53E Super Stallion is a heavier-lifting improved version of the rotorcraft, designated S-80E by Sikorsky; its third engine makes it more powerful than the Sea Stallion and thus displaced it for the heavy-lift mission. Furthermore, many early-build CH-53s were refitted with more powerful engines, while others were reconfigured for different mission roles, such as US presidential flights, training, and airborne mine countermeasures (AMCM) operations.

Pictured here is a 1:72 scale replica of a USMC CH-53 Sea Stallion heavy lift helicopter that was attached to HMH-464 "Condors", then deployed to MCAS New River, North Carolina, during April 2008. Sold Out!

Dimensions:
Rotor Span: 10-inches
Length: 10-inches

Release Date: September 2025

Historical Account: "Condors" - Marine Heavy Helicopter Squadron 464 (HMH-464) is a United States Marine Corps helicopter squadron consisting of CH-53E Super Stallion transport helicopters. The squadron is known as the "Condors" and is based at Marine Corps Air Station New River in North Carolina. They fall under the command of Marine Aircraft Group 29 (MAG-29) and the 2nd Marine Aircraft Wing (2nd MAW).

Following the September 11th, 2001, attacks, a four-plane detachment from HMH-464 deployed with the Blue Knights of HMM-365 (Rein) as the ACE for the 26th MEU. The MEU transited to a position off the coast of Pakistan to begin combat operations in support of Operation Enduring Freedom. HMM-365(Rein), in concert with HMM-163(Rein), launched (6) CH-53Es to secure Camp Rhino, nearly 800 nautical miles (1,500 km) inland. After securing Camp Rhino, Kandahar Airport was secured deep in Afghanistan.

In January 2003, the Condors were joined by Marines from HMH-461, HMT-302, and MAWTS-1 and deployed (16) CH-53E's and the entire squadron on amphibious ships to Kuwait as part of Marine Aircraft Group 29 which was the Aviation Combat Element of Task Force Tarawa and the 2nd Marine Expeditionary Brigade all in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom. Over the course of the operation, HMH-464 flew over 2,300 hours, transported 4,695,950 pounds of cargo and 6,751 passengers, and had flown 1086 combat sorties in three months. Additionally, the squadron had operated from the austere Forward Operating Base (FOB), Jalibah in Southern Iraq, and supported a Forward Arming and Refueling Point (FARP) in Al Kut, Iraq. Missions executed included Assault Support (Movement of personnel and cargo), covertly inserting and extracting USMC Force Reconnaissance teams.

On their return home aboard USS Kearsarge, HMH-464 was tasked to bypass the scheduled liberty port in Malta and proceed to the African countries of Liberia and Sierra Leone to conduct Non-Combatant Evacuation Operations (NEO) and the Liberian Embassy reinforcement Operation Shining Express. After being stood down from this contingency, the squadron returned home in late June, 2003.

During November 2003, the squadron was tasked with sending a Detachment of 78 Marines to support a 4-plane detachment from MCAS New River to Camp Lemonnier, Djibouti in support of Combined Joint Task Force Horn of Africa (CJTF-HOA). The detachment deployed to Djibouti for a six-month deployment ending in May 2004.

The Condors earned the 2003 Chief of Naval Operations (CNO) Safety Award, the 2004 Department of the Navy (DON) Safety Excellence Award for Active Duty Marine Corps Squadron, and the 2004 Marine Corps Aviation Association (MCAA) Commandant's Trophy in recognition of the best overall performance and accomplishment of all assigned tasks by a Marine Corps Squadron.

The Condors returned to Camp Lemonnier a year later with Detachment Alpha in support of CJTF-HOA from May to October 2005.

On August 29th, 2005, HMH-464 was ordered to deploy with 18 hours notice in support of relief operations for Hurricane Katrina. HMH-464 joined Marines from HMH-461 (Rein), HMM-365 and HMH-772 to support Joint Task Force Katrina. HMH-464 self deployed to NAS Pensacola and started relief operations the next day in New Orleans and Mississippi. After working out of NAS Pensacola HMH-464 moved to Keesler Air Force Base and continued relief operations from there. On September 20th, 2005, HMH-464 departed Keesler Air Force Base and returned home to MCAS New River. The Condor's flew 162 flight hours, transported 452 Evacuees, 1182 Passengers and 412,850 lb (187,270 kg) of Cargo in support of Hurricane Katrina relief operations.

HMH-464 Detachment Bravo relieved Detachment Alpha in Camp Lemonnier during October 2005. On February 17th, 2006, tragedy struck as two CH-53E helicopters from Detachment Bravo crashed into each other off the northeast coast of Djibouti killing eight Marines (two pilots and six crew members) from the detachment and 2 Air Force Airmen that were on board providing satellite communications. Two Marine pilots survived the crash with injuries. Detachment Bravo was relieved by HMH-461.

The Condors returned to Camp Lemonnier with Detachment Alpha in support of CJTF-HOA from April to September 2007 and was relieved by Detachment Bravo September 2007 to January 2008.

During August 2008, Detachment Alpha returned to Camp Lemonnier in support of CJTF-HOA and will return to MCAS New River in January 2009.

From August to December 2008, the Condors deployed six CH-53E's aboard the USS Kearsarge in support of a Humanitarian Mission Continuing Promise. The flag deployed to the Southern Command's Area of Operation. During the four month deployment the squadron provided support to Nicaragua, Colombia, Haiti, Dominican Republic, Trinidad and Tobago and Guyana.