U.S. Navy MH 53E Sea Dragon

Umm Qasr, Iraq, 28 March 2003 — A member of Commander Task Unit (CTU-55.4.3) directs an MH 53E Sea Dragon helicopter assigned to the “Vanguards” of Helicopter Mine Countermeasures Squadron Fourteen (HM-14) for launch at the port of Umm Qasr, Iraq. CTU-55.4.3 consists of U.S. Naval Special Clearance Team-1, Explosive Ordnance Disposal Mobile Units 6 and 8, Fleet Diving Unit 3 from the United Kingdom, and a Clearance Dive Team from Australia, all are conducting deep/shallow water mine counter measure operations to clear shipping lanes. The unit was instrumental in clearing the way for the British Royal Fleet Auxiliary, Landing Ship Logistic RFA Sir Galahad (L 3005), which delivered the first wave of humanitarian aid in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom. Operation Iraqi Freedom is the multi-national coalition effort to liberate the Iraqi people, eliminate Iraq's weapons of mass destruction, and end the regime of Saddam Hussein.

U.S. Navy photo Photographer's Mate 2nd Class Bob Houlihan

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