SUPSALV Recovers MH-60S Helicopter from Ocean Floor

The Navy's Supervisor of Salvage and Diving (SUPSALV) has successfully recovered the MH-60S helicopter that crashed in the ocean off the Calif. coast on Jan 26. The helicopter wreckage is now on board the USNS Sioux (T-ATF 171) and will be transported to North Island Naval Air Station, San Diego so that investigators can examine the wreckage in order to determine the cause of the aviation mishap.

Before the helicopter was recovered yesterday, the human remains of Navy personnel lost in the mishap were recovered and brought to the surface on the evening of Feb.16 and delivered to San Diego Naval Medical Center the same day. Final arrangements are being made with the Sailor's families for funeral honors and internment. The purpose of this salvage operation is to assist Commander Naval Air Forces with the mishap investigation into the cause of the MH-60S crash at sea. The ultimate goal of the recovery is to help determine the cause of the crash in the hope that lessons learned from this accident will prevent future aviation mishaps.