The Marine Corps’ last CH-46 Sea Knight helicopters, a Vietnam-era design affectionately known as a “Phrog,” were phased out this week, replaced by the faster, tilt-rotor V-12 Osprey.
The venerable helicopters made a final appearance at the Miramar Air Show, then were officially deactivated at a ceremony Thursday at Camp Pendleton.
“I know it is time for the Phrog to retire, but I’m not happy to see it go,” said Capt. Brett Bishop, a Phrog pilot at Camp Pendleton. “I want people to remember that wherever the battle Phrog was needed, she was there and performed in a manner that the American people would expect from an aircraft with ‘MARINES’ written on the side.”
The first model of the twin-turbine, tandem-rotor Sea Knight was designed for the Marine Corps in 1961 as a medium assault transport helicopter and made its first flight in 1962. Nearly 600 were built over three decades for the Navy and Marines.
In August, the last active duty squadron at Camp Pendleton, Marine Medium Helicopter Squadron 364, posted on its Facebook page:
“We are the last active duty squadron with the Mighty Battle Phrogs! This is our last squadron group photo as HMM-364…Phrogs Forever!”
