US helicopter down, all 25 military personnel safe

(Arabian Sea) A CH-53E Super Stallion has ditched into the sea whilst while attempting to land on the USS Mesa Verde n the Gulf of Aden, near Djibouti, during a training mission. Everybody on board have been rescued and are safe. The Navy press release reads:

A U.S. Marine Corps CH-53E Super Stallion helicopter assigned to the 22nd Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU) crashed at 2:00 p.m. (GMT), today, at sea in the Gulf of Aden as it attempted to land aboard USS Mesa Verde (LPD 19).

All 25 persons aboard the helicopter; 17 Marines and eight Navy Sailors, were safely recovered and are aboard USS Mesa Verde. Personnel who sustained minor injuries in the crash were treated aboard USS Mesa Verde.

The crash was not a result of hostile activity. The aircraft was transferring the Marines and Sailors back to USS Mesa Verde from training ashore in nearby Djibouti. The Mesa Verde is part of a  amphibious group assigned the 22nd Marine Expeditionary Unit, which includes the USS Bataan amphibious assault ship and the USS Gunston Hall dock landing ship.

A CH-53E Super Stallion helicopter prepares to land aboard the amphibious transport dock ship USS the Mesa Verde

The Sikorsky CH-53E Super Stallion is the largest and heaviest helicopter in the United States able to transport up to 55 troops or 30,000 lb of cargo and can carry external slung loads up to 36,000 lb. The Super Stallion has a cruise speed of 173 mph and a range of 621 miles. It can carry three machine guns: one at the starboard side crew door; one at the port window, just behind the copilot; and one at the tail ramp.

USS Mesa Verde (LPD-19) is the third San Antonio-class amphibious transport dock and the first ship of the United States Navy to be named for Mesa Verde National Park in Colorado. The ship is designed to deliver a fully equipped battalion of up to 800 Marines.