Croatian Mi-8 HIP

Croatia, 25 September 2000 — An Mi-8 Croatian helicopter flies over USS Austin Sept. 25 preparing to land. The landing was one of the first times the Croatian aircraft have ever touched an American ship's flight deck. The landing was also part of many first during a bilateral training exercise held in Croatia Sept. 25-29 between the Marines and Sailors of USS Austin the 26th Marine Expeditionary Unit (Special Operations Capable) and the Croatian military. The purpose of the exercise is to improve the U.S. and Croatia's interoperability by cross training their military forces. This is the first U.S./Croatian military exercise in the Year 2000.

U.S. Marine Corps photo taken by: Cpl. Derek A. Shoemake

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