The Final Touchdown: 5 Key Facts About The TH-57 Sea Ranger's Historic Landing On The USS Lexington
The United States Navy’s Bell TH-57 Sea Ranger, a cornerstone of rotary-wing pilot training for over five decades, officially closed the book on its storied career with a poignant final flight. As of December 24, 2025, the legacy of the "Sea Ranger" continues to resonate across naval aviation, but the most symbolic moment of its retirement occurred with a historic landing on the deck of the legendary USS Lexington (CV-16) Museum in Corpus Christi, Texas. This final touchdown was not just a transfer of property; it was a deeply symbolic ceremony marking the end of the Vietnam-era helicopter’s 57 years of dedicated service, ushering in the new age of the advanced TH-73A Thrasher.
This monumental event on July 30, 2025, saw the final operational TH-57C Sea Ranger—tail number 162684/E-122—make its last approach, landing perfectly on the hallowed flight deck of the decommissioned World War II-era aircraft carrier. The unique pairing of a Vietnam-era trainer and the "Blue Ghost" carrier served as a powerful tribute to generations of Navy, Marine Corps, and Coast Guard aviators who earned their wings through the rigorous training syllabus centered around the reliable TH-57.
The TH-57 Sea Ranger: A 57-Year Legacy of Naval Aviation Training
The TH-57 Sea Ranger, a militarized version of the commercial Bell 206 JetRanger, has been the backbone of introductory rotary-wing training for the U.S. Navy since 1968. Its longevity in service is a testament to its reliability, ease of maintenance, and suitability for the demanding environment of primary flight instruction. The helicopter was instrumental in teaching basic flight maneuvers, instrument flying, and, crucially, shipboard operations—a skill set that culminated in the historic landing on the USS Lexington.
Key Entities and TH-57 Sea Ranger Specifications
- Aircraft Type: Bell TH-57C Sea Ranger (Instrument Trainer Variant)
- Commercial Base: Bell 206 JetRanger
- Primary Operator: Chief of Naval Air Training (CNATRA)
- Main Base of Operations: Naval Air Station (NAS) Whiting Field, Milton, Florida
- Training Units (Squadrons): Helicopter Training Squadron 8 (HT-8) "Eightballers," HT-18 "Vigilant Eagles," and HT-28 "Sea Wolves"
- Service Span: 1968–2025 (57 Years)
- Replacement Platform: Leonardo TH-73A Thrasher
- Engine: Allison 250-C20J Turboshaft
- Role: Primary Rotary-Wing Aviator Training
For decades, the Sea Ranger fleet was operated by the Helicopter Training Squadrons (HT) based at NAS Whiting Field. These units, including the HT-28 "Sea Wolves," were responsible for qualifying all Navy, Marine Corps, and Coast Guard pilots, as well as several international students, in the fundamentals of rotary-wing flight before they transitioned to more advanced aircraft. The TH-57 was the first taste of naval aviation for countless future helicopter pilots, including those who would go on to fly the MH-60 Seahawk, AH-1 Cobra, and CH-53 Super Stallion.
The Historic Final Landing on USS Lexington (CV-16)
The USS Lexington (CV-16), a celebrated Essex-class aircraft carrier and a veteran of World War II, holds a unique place in naval training history. After its combat service, the carrier was recommissioned as an Auxiliary Training Aircraft Carrier (AVT-16) in 1962, earning the nickname "The Blue Ghost." For nearly 30 years, until its decommissioning in 1991, the Lexington served as the Navy’s primary training platform for carrier qualifications, particularly for fixed-wing aircraft, but also for early helicopter operations.
The July 30, 2025, landing was meticulously planned and executed by Helicopter Training Squadron 28 (HT-28) from NAS Whiting Field. The specific TH-57C (Bureau Number 162684) chosen for this mission was one of the last in the fleet, having been in active service just days before its final flight. The commanding officer of HT-28, Commander James Gelsinon, highlighted the significance of the moment, noting that the carrier had not received a naval aircraft landing in a long time, making the TH-57's arrival a powerful connection to the ship's training past.
The event was a public ceremony held at the USS Lexington Museum on the Bay in Corpus Christi, Texas, a fitting location as the ship itself is a symbol of naval aviation heritage. The transfer of the helicopter was a joint effort between the Chief of Naval Air Training (CNATRA), Training Air Wing 5 (TAW-5), and the museum staff, ensuring that the legacy of the Sea Ranger is preserved for future generations.
The Dawn of the TH-73A Thrasher Era
The retirement of the TH-57 is a direct result of the Navy’s modernization effort, transitioning to the advanced Leonardo TH-73A Thrasher. The Thrasher is a technologically superior platform designed to meet the complex demands of 21st-century naval aviation. This shift is part of a broader plan to divest older airframes and invest in modern, digital training systems.
Key Differences: TH-57 Sea Ranger vs. TH-73A Thrasher
| Feature | TH-57C Sea Ranger | TH-73A Thrasher |
|---|---|---|
| Era | Vietnam-era (1960s) | Modern (2020s) |
| Engine Configuration | Single-Engine | Twin-Engine (Enhanced Safety) |
| Avionics | Analog/Electromechanical | Digital Glass Cockpit (Modernized Training) |
| Manufacturer | Bell Helicopter | Leonardo (AgustaWestland) |
| Mission Profile | Basic Flight & Instrument Training | Advanced Flight & Instrument Training, Shipboard Ops |
The shift to the twin-engine, glass-cockpit Thrasher provides student aviators with a more realistic training environment that mirrors the advanced aircraft they will ultimately fly, such as the V-22 Osprey and the MH-60. While the TH-57 was an incredibly reliable workhorse, its analog systems were no longer adequate for preparing pilots for modern, digitally-integrated combat and utility helicopters. The transition is a crucial step in maintaining the superior quality of naval rotary-wing aviators.
Preserving the TH-57’s Historical Significance
The final landing of the TH-57C on the USS Lexington ensures that the helicopter’s story will continue to be told. The aircraft is now a permanent exhibit at the museum, joining other historic naval aircraft that served aboard the carrier. This placement is particularly meaningful because the USS Lexington, as AVT-16, was the very deck where many early TH-57 pilots practiced their crucial shipboard landings and takeoffs in the 1970s and 1980s.
The retirement ceremony was a heartfelt salute to the Sea Ranger’s 57 years of service, acknowledging its role in training over 10,000 aviators across three generations. The presence of the TH-57 on the Lexington’s flight deck will serve as a tangible link between the past, present, and future of naval helicopter training, allowing visitors to appreciate the evolution of rotary-wing aviation from the Vietnam era to the modern age of the Thrasher. The event successfully merged two significant pieces of naval history—a legendary aircraft carrier and an iconic training helicopter—into a single, enduring exhibit.
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