Turning towards Los Llanos air base. This Seahawk of Helicopter Maritime Strike Squadron (HSM) 79 is based at Naval Station Rota (Spain). HSM-79 "Griffins" established a new detachment stationed at the Spanish base since 16 June 2022. The HSM augments Forward Deployed Naval Forces-Europe, providing support to FDNF-E guided-missile destroyers stationed in Rota. The squadron adopted its name from two decommissioned squadrons that focused on aircraft carrier-based anti-submarine warfare: Helicopter Anti-Submarine Squadron (HS) 9 "Sea Griffins" and the Sea Control Squadron (VS) 38 "Red Griffins".

From the Naval Air Facility at RAF Mildenhall. Assigned to USMC H&HS Beaufort, SC by 2022

BuNo 160976 (at right) was damaged beyond repair on the ramp at here at its base after being struck by ground equipment during a severe thunderstorm on 23rd October 2002. BuNo 160978 (centre) was converted T-44C and registered N8109J from 2005 to Rockwell-Collins at Cedar Rapids, IA for developmental purposes. Operated for USMC from 2008 to 2021, last reported still with VT-31. BuNo 160981 (left) was modified to T-44C in 2006

Last reported still active with VT-31 at NAS Corpus Christi, now coded G-463

Modified to T-44C in 2006, last reported still current with VT-31 at NAS Corpus Christi

The HTL-7 was a naval training version of the Bell 47J, factory designation 47K. 18 examples were built and delivered from 1958. Redesignated TH-13N in 1962. HU-1 was based at NAS North Island.

Aircraft was struck off charge on November 13 2003

VF-103 "Jolly Rogers"

The first XA2D-1 Skyshark, BuNo 122988, first flew belatedly on 26 May 1950, but crashed on 19 December 1950 due to engine problems when it had made barely 20 hours in 15 flights. The second aircraft, 122989, did not fly until 3 April 1952. Continuing troubles with the Allison T40 turboprop killed the Skyshark. With the war in Korea raging, ten A2D-1 production aircraft were ordered and built, but four of these never even flew. Project terminated in September 1954 but several Skysharks, including this second prototype, were flown by Allison in Indianapolis during 1955. Photo from: US Navy

Aircraft was written off with VF-111 on August 2 1989

Aircraft was struck off at Oceana by September of the following year

Photo by Denis Hughes.

Built as an SNB-2 in 1943 for the US Navy, this Beech was later converted to SNB-5, redesignated UC-45J in 1962. To MASDC for storage in 1967

Preserved here since 1962 (my 2024 photo here)

Photo by Denis Hughes.