Camp Shelby in Forrest County, Mississippi — The American South (East South Central)

CH-54 Tarhe Heavy Lift Helicopter

CH-54 <i>Tarhe</i> Heavy Lift Helicopter Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed by James Hulse, January 3, 2026

1. CH-54 Tarhe Heavy Lift Helicopter Marker

Inscription. The CH-54 was at one time the US Army's largest helicopter. It had a ceiling of 6,900 feet and an operational range of 230 miles. During the Vietnam War, Tarhe cranes recovered more than 380 downed American aircraft which yielded a savings of an estimated $210 million. Two 4,800 shaft horsepower T73-700 engines powered the CH-54B.

Nicknamed the "Sky Crane," the CH-54 often acted as a troop transport by using a special troop van attached by cables under the fuselage. Using the van, the Tarhe could carry a total of 87 combat-loaded troops.

Vehicle Specifications
Armament: None (organic)
Crew: 3
Weight: 9.62 tons
Speed: 105 mph
Year entering service: 1962
Production: Over 100

Captions
(Photo #1) CH-54 shown transporting an M551 Light Tank

Erected by Mississippi Armed Forces Museum Camp Shelby. (Marker Number 41.)

Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: War, Vietnam. A significant historical year for this entry is 1962.

Location. 31° 11.843′ N, 89° 13.435′ W. Marker is in Camp Shelby, Mississippi, in Forrest County. It is at the intersection of Forrest Ave W and Museum Street, on

Paid Advertisement

Click or scan to see
this page online

the left when traveling north on Forrest Ave W. The marker is located on the grounds of the Mississippi Armed Forces Museum at Camp Shelby. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 850 Forrest Ave W, Hattiesburg MS 39401, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in Mississippi’s Pine Belt.

It is also in the American South,

specifically in the Deep South,

and in the Piney Woods.

Globally, it is in North America,

a Gulf of Mexico state,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once New Spain,

the territory of the Mississippian Culture,

one of the Confederate States of America,

and the Antebellum South.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: M114 Armored Reconnaissance Vehicle (here, next to this marker); UH-1H Iroquois Utility Helicopter (a few steps from this marker); Elton Mac Huddleston, U.S. Army Aviator (a few steps from this marker); M1860 Trubia Cannon (a few steps from this marker); M48 Patton Medium Tank (within shouting distance of this

CH-54 <i>Tarhe</i> Heavy Lift Helicopter and Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed by James Hulse, January 3, 2026

2. CH-54 Tarhe Heavy Lift Helicopter and Marker

The helicopter is configured to lift an M114 Armored Reconnaissance Vehicle as a part of the static display.

marker); M103A2 Heavy Tank (within shouting distance of this marker); M728 Combat Engineer Vehicle (within shouting distance of this marker); M47 Patton Medium Tank (within shouting distance of this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Camp Shelby.

More about this marker. The marker and the Mississippi Armed Forces Museum are located at the historic Camp Shelby, an active Mississippi National Guard military installation. The museum is open to the public, but appropriate identification is required for access.

Photographed by James Hulse, January 3, 2026

3. CH-54 Tarhe Heavy Lift Helicopter Marker

The front view of the helicopter.

Photographed by James Hulse, January 3, 2026

4. CH-54 Tarhe Heavy Lift Helicopter Marker

The view of the helicopter with several US Army tanks in the background.

Credits. This page was last revised on January 27, 2026. It was originally submitted on January 5, 2026, by James Hulse of Medina, Texas. This page has been viewed 51 times since then. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on January 7, 2026, by James Hulse of Medina, Texas.