A Seahawk S-70B (SH-16 in Brazilian service) is positioned to be loaded into a C-17 Aug. 8 . Built by Sikorsky Aircraft, the Brazilian Seahawks feature a low-frequency dipping sonar, digital automatic flight control and dual flight management systems and a GPS inertial navigation system. Additional features include a glass cockpit compatible with night-vision goggles, a survivability suite combining missile warning and countermeasure dispensing systems and Kongsberg's Penguin Mk 2 Mod 7 anti-ship missile. Capable of reaching speeds of more than 180 miles per hour, the helicopter can be used to perform coastal and oceanic missions in addition to anti-submarine and anti-surface warfare, surveillance, gunfire support and search-and-rescue operations. (U.S. Air Force photo/Staff Sgt. William A. O’Brien)

Senior Airman Garrett Hampton, 437 Aerial Port Squadron freight loading supervisor, guides a team of Airmen and representatives from General Dynamics and Sikorsky Aircraft as they load the final shipment of Seahawk S-70B (SH-16 in Brazilian service) onto a C-17 Aug. 8. The shipment, included two SH16s and associated parts and was worth more than $100 million. These helicopters were the last of six being shipped as part of the modernization of the Brazilian helicopter fleet. A team of several Brazilian helicopter pilots who were in Maryland receiving training on how to operate their newest aircraft traveled to Charleston to oversee the shipment. Doing so allowed them to meet with the team that made this delivery possible. “I really enjoy loading things like that,” said Hampton. “We rarely get to see who it is we are loading cargo for, so opportunities like that are fun.” (U.S. Air Force photo/Staff Sgt. William A. O’Brien)

Curtis Grant, 437th Aerial Port Squadron lead freight loader, pulls a Seahawk S-70B (SH-16 in Brazilian service) onto a C-17 Aug. 8. The shipment, worth more than $100 million, was the last of six being shipped to the Brazilian Navy as part of Brazil’s modernization of their helicopter fleet. The Brazilian Navy received a total of 6 new SH-16 helicopters along with seven years of training as they replace the SH-3A/B Sea King helicopters, which have been used for more than 40 years. (U.S. Air Force photo/Staff Sgt. William A. O’Brien)