Since it does not seem possible to purchase F-400B fighter aircraft for the TCG ANADOLU (L-35) Amphibious Assault Ship, we will only be able to deploy S-70B Seahawk DSH (Submarine Defense War) helicopters on the ship. In the early 2000s, there was a project for the purchase of 6 CH-60 transport helicopters for the Naval Forces Command, but this zamdid not come to life until now. In addition, there are CH-11F Chinook Heavy Transport Helicopters in the inventory of the Turkish Armed Forces, which were purchased for the Land Forces Command and were thought to be in insufficient number (47).
As the delivery date of TCG ANADOLU approaches, there is an uncertainty about the aircraft to be used on it. The Land Forces Command's S-70 Blackhawk helicopters are not suited for long-term marine use - due to corrosion - just like our T-129 ATAK helicopters. We will also need armed helicopters on TCG ANADOLU LHD. The marine model of the T-129 is at the level of rumors, yet there is no official explanation. The Land Forces Command inventory includes 9 AH-1W Super Cobra attack helicopters, which are also used by the US Marine Corps. These helicopters, helicopters made suitable for use in marine conditions and can be used temporarily on LHD.
For educational purposes, activities similar to those done by Greek helicopters with Egyptian LHDs of Land Forces on T-129, CH-47F and S-70 helicopters should be done. In this way, we can deploy the Land Forces helicopters temporarily on the LHD when necessary.
For example, in the recent period, against the threat posed by Iran with the fast armed boats around the Persian Gulf and the Strait of Hormuz, the USA made training flights with AH-90000E Apache and UH-233 helicopters on the USS Lewis B Puller floating base ship, which has a displacement of 64 tons and a length of 60 meters. . The base ship is used to meet logistics needs in the offshore operations of the U.S. Navy. In addition to the fuel, ammunition and other necessities carried by the ship, it can provide runway service to heavy transport helicopters such as MV-22 and CH / MH-53 with its long runway.
Attack helicopters such as AH-64 Apache deployed on the ship, Iran-Iraq war in the 80s zamIt can be used to prevent and protect ships from attacks on oil tankers, and can also be used for special operations.
The U.S. used naval forces in the Persian Gulf during the Iran-Iraq War between 1980 and 1988, especially to protect ships transporting oil. During this mission, on May 17, 1987, Oliver Hazard Perry class (Gabya class in ours), USS Stark frigate, 2 Exocet anti-aircraft missiles fired from Iraqi aircraft were shot and 37 seafarers were killed and 21 were injured.
Between August 1987 and June 1989, he carried out Prime Chance Operation only in secret with Operation Earnest Will, which was carried out by the US Special Operations Command Navy. In this operation, instead of using the bases of the countries of the region, naval platforms were used every few days against possible Iranian attacks. These platforms, rented for 6 months, were Hercules and Wimbrown VII barges used for oil extraction and converted to a floating base.
In October 1987, on the platforms active, SEAL teams affiliated to the Special Operations Command (SOAR), helicopters such as AH / MH-6 Little Bird, OH-58D Kiowa and UH-60, and MARK II / III troop and armed patrol boats were deployed. Each barge had 10 boats, 3 helicopters, 150+ staff, ammo and fuel.
In some sources, this operation is stated as the operation where helicopters fly 30 feet (9,1 meters) above the sea surface and the night vision goggles and night vision systems are used for the first time in combat.
Iranian anti-aircraft missiles were threatening the ships with their speedboats and sea mines pouring into the gulf, and Iran's mine-laying activity was detected on August 8.
On September 21, 1987, 2 AH-6 and 1 MH-6 helicopters took off from the USS Jarret frigate to capture the Iranian Ajr landing ship, which was found to be laying mines in international waters. The ship personnel left the ship due to the fire opened from the helicopters, and the SEAL team got on board and seized the ship and the mines it carried. Iran Ajr was sunk at the end of the operation.
On the night of October 8, 3 AH / MH-6 and 2 patrol boats were sent against Iranian boats following the oil tankers. When the first helicopter reaching the region was fired from the boats, 3 Iranian boats were sunk in the clash and 5 Iranian sailors were rescued from the boats that were hit. While the operations continued, Iran attempted to attack against floating bases with Silkworm anti-aircraft missiles and F-4 aircraft, but failed.
Source: A. Emre SİFOĞLU / SavunmaSanayiST
Be the first to comment