USS Iwo Jima Conducts Flight Operations with CH-53K King Stallion

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Video by Petty Officer 2nd Class Savannah Hardesty

USS Iwo Jima (LHD 7)

July 10, 2025 | 1:32

ATLANTIC OCEAN (July 10, 2025) Sailors recover and launch a CH-53K King Stallion, assigned to the Marine Heavy Helicopter Squadron (HMH) 461, from the flight deck of the Wasp-class amphibious assault ship USS Iwo Jima (LHD 7). The Iwo Jima Amphibious Ready Group (ARG) and embarked 22nd Marine Expeditionary Unit (Special Operations Capable) are underway executing Composite Training Unit Exercise (COMPTUEX), which tests the amphibious ready group’s ability to deliver combat power wherever the nation’s leadership requires, and is informed by U.S. Navy Fleet Commander requirements and assessment of ongoing operations around the globe. COMPTUEX is the Department of the Navy’s commitment to deliver highly capable, integrated naval forces to promote our nation’s prosperity and security, deter aggression and provide tailorable options to our nation’s leaders. COMPTUEX also allows the Navy to assess all aspects of prior readiness generation activities, which provides leaders information needed for process and resource allocation decisions for future warfighting development. (U.S. Navy video by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Savannah L. Hardesty)