An official website of the United States government
Here's how you know
A .mil website belongs to an official U.S. Department of Defense organization in the United States.
A lock (lock ) or https:// means you’ve safely connected to the .mil website. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites.

News from around the Fleet

Norfolk-based HM-12 Successfully Trains Squadron on Aerial Firefighting Capability

09 October 2020

From Commander, Naval Air Force Atlantic Public Affairs

Helicopter Mine Countermeasures Squadron (HM) 12 successfully tested, trained, and qualified their squadron and aircrew from three separate squadrons on the use of the Bambi Bucket to support aerial firefighting missions, if tasked, on the East Coast, Oct. 8.

Helicopter Mine Countermeasures Squadron (HM) 12 successfully tested, trained, and qualified their squadron and aircrew from three separate squadrons on the use of the Bambi Bucket to support aerial firefighting missions, if tasked, on the East Coast, Oct. 8.

The MH-53E is the only rotary aircraft in the U.S. Navy with the capability to airlift a large-scale bucket of this size, which weighs 11,000 pounds when transporting water.

“The East Coast now has the aerial firefighting capability to provide airborne fire suppression efforts when called upon,” said Lt. Cmdr. Jeffrey Spencer, HM-12 pilot. “This airborne firefighting training is similar to other mission areas to include lifting of heavy equipment, and cast and recovery in support of expeditionary forces.”

Spencer added that the capability HM-12 brings would be a game changer if called upon. For aerial firefighting support, the bucket is capable of transporting 1,300 gallons.

“Sailors from three different Helicopter Mine Countermeasures squadrons provided the necessary expertise to execute the required training in September,” said Spencer.  “We qualified eight crews, and now have the capability to provide two aircraft with buckets for firefighting response efforts.”

Master Chief Naval Air Crewman (Helicopters) Lance Howarth (NAC/AW/SW) emphasized the proper storage of these buckets more than 14 years ago enabled the squadron to start training. 

“With more than 14 years of time passed since actively using this capability on the East Coast prior to the disestablishment of Helicopter Combat Support Squadron 4, there were no airborne firefighting qualified pilots assigned on the East Coast,” said Howarth, who had civilian experience aerial fighting fires prior during a break in his naval service.  “However, aircrewmen still serving in the community had experience flying these missions and we were able to leverage that experience.”

HM-12 is tasked to support two primary missions, Airborne Mine Counter Measure (AMCM) mission and the Navy Vertical Onboard Delivery (VOD) mission to support expeditionary forces.

 

Google Translation Disclaimer

  • Google Translate, a third party service provided by Google, performs all translations directly and dynamically.
  • Commander, U.S. Navy Region Korea, cnrk.cnic.navy.mil has no control over the features, functions, or performance of the Google Translate service.
  • The automated translations should not be considered exact and should be used only as an approximation of the original English language content.
  • This service is meant solely for the assistance of limited English-speaking users of the website.
  • Commander, U.S. Navy Region Korea, cnrk.cnic.navy.mil does not warrant the accuracy, reliability, or timeliness of any information translated.
  • Some items cannot be translated, including but not limited to image buttons, drop down menus, graphics, photos, or portable document formats (pdfs).
  • Commander, U.S. Navy Region Korea, cnrk.cnic.navy.mil does not directly endorse Google Translate or imply that it is the only language translation solution available to users.
  • All site visitors may choose to use similar tools for their translation needs. Any individuals or parties that use Commander, U.S. Navy Region Korea, cnrk.cnic.navy.mil content in translated form, whether by Google Translate or by any other translation services, do so at their own risk.
  • IE users: Please note that Google Translate may not render correctly when using Internet Explorer. Users are advised to use MS Edge, Safari, Chrome, or Firefox browser to take full advantage of the Google Translate feature.
  • The official text of content on this site is the English version found on this website. If any questions arise related to the accuracy of the information contained in translated text, refer to the English version on this website, it is the official version.

Commander, U.S. Navy Region Korea   |   PSC 478 Box 1   |   FPO AP, 96212-0001
Official U.S. Navy Website