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.