Old CH-53's

Very cool John..

What company is that, and are they hiring?  Alpha, Bravo, Charlie, Delta, What is it?  I know it's not an Echo.   I had no idea that a civilian company could afford the upkeep on 53's. 

I don't know which company flies those or which model, I first spotted it on the news but could make no clear id. Picture in the paper confirmed my suspitions. Could be Erickson though, I have seen one of the Crane's here a couple of weeks ago, flew right over my place of employment which is a couple of miles from one of our regional airports

Ch-53D Fire Stallion

Operated by Heavy Lift Helicopters in Apple Valley, CA.  Here is an article about it posted at HKN last year when they were repainting it and getting it ready to go.  http://www.agairupdate.com/airfireforestry/Articles/2005/AprMay05.html

Apparently, they have 2 of them.  They are the only civilian firefighter CH-53s out there.  Full rebuild and more info at Heavy Lift Helos website:  http://www.heavylifthelicopters.com/