Sand 'Phrogs': An Interview With A Former USMC CH-46 Pilot

Skip to main content Cookies are required to watch videos and view magazine page-turners. Close Sand 'Phrogs': An interview with a former USMC CH-46 pilot

Primary tabs

• View

1. Aviation Features
2. Sand 'Phrogs': An interview with a former USMC CH-46 pilot

The Boeing Vertol CH-46 Sea Knight was designed to replace early piston-powered helicopters, using gas turbine engines to increase performance and lifting capacity. Under the Vertol company designation V-107, the first prototype made its initial flight on April 22, 1958.

In June that year, the US Army placed an initial order for 10 YHC-1A test aircraft, but, concerned that the type would be unable to meet its requirement, pursued the larger Vertol Model 114 instead, developing it into the H-47 Chinook. In 1961, the US Marine Corps (USMC) selected the V-107 for service as its new medium-lift assault helicopter, while the US Navy chose it for vertical replenishment (VERTREP).

Initially designated HRB-1 under the US Navy designation system, on September 18, 1962 it became the CH- 46A, under the newly-introduced unified US Department of Defense nomenclature. The ‘A’ model had made its first fli…

Topics

Read more about

• CH-46 Sea Knight
• US Marine Corps (USMC)
• Operation Desert Storm
• Operation Desert Shield
• Middle East
• Transport Helicopter
• United States (US)
• Interview

Become a Premium Member to Read More

This is a premium article and requires an active Key.Aero subscription to view.

I’m an existing member, sign me in!

I don’t have a subscription…

Enjoy the following subscriber only benefits:

• Unlimited access to all KeyAero content
• Exclusive in-depth articles and analysis, videos, quizzes added daily
• A fully searchable archive – boasting hundreds of thousands of pieces of quality aviation content
• Access to read all our leading aviation magazines online - meaning you can enjoy the likes of FlyPast, Aeroplane Monthly, AirForces Monthly, Combat Aircraft, Aviation News, Airports of the World, PC Pilot and Airliner World - as soon as they leave the editor’s desk.
• Access on any device- anywhere, anytime

Choose from our offers below

Related articles

News

US State Department abandons seven CH-46Es in Kabul

27th August 2021

Seven Boeing Vertol CH-46E Sea Knight helicopters operated by the US Department of State Air Wing (DoSAW) have been abandoned in Afghanistan

News

US Navy orders more CH-53Ks for USMC and Israel

20th September 2023

The US Navy has awarded Sikorsky a $2.7bn contract to build and deliver 35 additional CH-53K King Stallion heavy-lift transport helicopters – comprising 12 Lot 7 and 15 Lot 8 aircraft for the USMC, along with a further eight examples for Israel (adding to the four announced in 2022)

News

Nine more CH-53Ks ordered for USMC

26th June 2021

Lockheed Martin subsidiary Sikorsky has been awarded a contract to build nine more CH-53K King Stallion in a deal which also includes a contract option for a further nine of these heavy-lift transport helicopters

News

NAVAIR completes 50th RESET maintenance process on CH-53E

10th October 2022

US Naval Air Systems Command (NAVAIR) announced on September 28 that it has completed the 50th RESET maintenance process on the USMC's Sikorsky CH-53E Super Stallion heavy-lift transport helicopter fleet



Originally published in Combat Aircraft Journal

More about Combat Aircraft Journal and where to buy.

Find out more

Get the Key.Aero newsletter

Receive exclusive content, offers, competitions and more.

Sign Up

Most Liked Past Month

News Premium

Hawker Hurricane moves to Old Warden

9th January 2026

After almost 40 years at IWM Duxford, the Historic Aircraft Collection’s Hawker Hurricane G-HURI officially moved to a new home with Old Warden’s Shuttleworth Collection on November 26.

Feature Premium

The tragic crash of an Eighth Air Force B-17 Flying Fortress

16th July 2022

The valiant actions of an American B-17 pilot saved the lives of his crew – but at the expense of his own. Anthony Moor details the tragic crash of an Eighth Air Force Flying Fortress

Feature Premium

Airliner World October 2025

11th September 2025

October 2025 issue of Airliner World in page-turning format features Singapore Airlines on its cover. Editor Thomas Haynes charts the flag carrier’s history, from its origins as Malayan Airways through to becoming one of the world’s most respected premium airlines.