USN photo by Petty Officer First Class Mark Therien, 14OCT1992.
On the 14th and 15th of October 1992, as the Soviet Union fell apart, two Kamov 27s (Red 46 and Red 53) made history by becoming the first Russian helicopters to land on not one, but two U.S. Navy (USN) ships.
USN photo by Petty Officer Second Class Steven Cooke.
USN photo by Petty Officer Second Class Steven Cooke.
The NATO reporting name Helix was from the destroyer Admiral Vinogradov, it landed on the USS Ranger (CV-61), the ships were taking part in the same multinational wargame (Operation Southern Watch) in the Arabian Sea.
USN photo by Petty Officer Second Class Steven Cooke.
USN personnel got to check-out the ‘enemy’ helicopter.
USN photo by Petty Officer Second Class Steven Cooke.
This USN officer seems very happy about sitting in a ‘enemy’ helicopter (or maybe he just played a nasty joke and crapped in the pilot’s seat?).
USN photo by Petty Officer Second Class Steven Cooke, 15OCT1992.
There were lots of group photos taken with USN personnel and the crew of Red 46. This one shows the happy Captain of the USS Ranger (bald guy giving the thumbs-up sign) with the Soviet, I mean Russian crew of Red 46.
USN photo by Petty Officer First Class Mark Therien, 14OCT1992.
Red 46 also paid a visit to the USS Kinkade (DD-965). USN helicopters also visited the former Soviet ship.
USN photo by Petty Officer First Class Mark Therien, 14OCT1992.
Red 46 back home on the Admiral Vinogradov, after its visit to USS Kinkade.
USN photo by Petty Officer First Class Mark Therien.
Kamov hanger onboard Admiral Vinogradov.
USN photo by Petty Officer Second Class Steven Cooke.
Red 53 onboard USS Ranger, 15OCT1992.
USN photo by Petty Officer Second Class Steven Cooke.
USN photo by Petty Officer Second Class Steven Cooke, 15OCT1992.
Red 53 leaving USS Ranger.
USN photo by Petty Officer First Class Mark Therien.
“For the Long Voyage.”
