Croatian Mi-8 HIP

Croatia, 25 September 2000 — An Mi-8 Croatian helicopter lands on the flight deck of USS Austin’s. The landing marked the first time the Croatian aircraft have ever touched an American ship’s flight deck. The landing was part of many first during a bilateral training exercise held in Croatia, scheduled to end September 29, between the Marines and Sailors of USS Austin’s the 26th Marine Expeditionary Unit (Special Operations Capable) and the Croatian military. The purpose of the exercise is to improve the U.S. and Croatia’s interoperability by cross training their military forces. This is one the first U.S./Croatian military exercises in history, and the first in the in the Year 2000.

U.S. Marine Corps photo taken by: Cpl. Derek A. Shoemake

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