In a rare treat for visitors to the National Naval Aviation Museum, an SH-60B Seahawk that is the museum's newest aircraft acquisition ended its flying days with a landing in the museum parking lot. Adorned in a brilliant paint scheme that included a snake coiled around the tail, a reflection of the helicopter's last assignment to the Helicopter Antisubmarine Squadron Light (HSL) 48 "Vipers," "Venom 500" circled over the landing zone once and kicked up dirt and leaves as it descended for its final touchdown. When its engines shut down and rotors stopped turning for the final time, the it ended over 23 years of service.
Accepted by the Navy in 1986, Bureau Number 162137 flew with HSL-40, the SH-60 Atlantic Fleet Replacement Squadron, for six years, meaning that many helo pilots and aircrews of that era have it in their log books. It subsequently joined HSL-44 in January 1992, and deployed with detachments from the squadron and HSL-48 during its fleet service. Among the ships from which it flew were the cruiser Thomas S. Gates (CG 51), frigate McInerney (FFG 8), and frigate Boone (FFG 28). While operating from the latter vessel in 1999, it participated in the interception of the merchant vessel Caribe Star and seizure of a significant amount of illegal narcotics. During its service, Bureau Number 162137 logged 8,785 flight hours and more than 28,000 landings.
On 30 July, in a ceremony in the Blue Angels Atrium, the aircraft was formally turned over to the museum in front of HSL-48 squadron members and Rear Admiral Gary Jones, Commander, Naval Education and Training Command and a veteran of service in HSLs.