Marine Aircraft Group 40

Story by Lance Cpl. Samuel Nasso

CAMP BASTION, Helmand Province, Islamic Republic of Afghanistan – The 'Hustlers' of Marine Heavy Helicopter Squadron 772 lived up to their squadron nickname as they completed a whirlwind of predeployment training and aircraft preparation in May prior to deploying as part of Marine Aircraft Group 40, Marine Expeditionary Brigade-Afghanistan.

Less than 60 days before their June arrival in Afghanistan, the Marines, members of the Marine Corps Reserve scattered across the United States left their civilian jobs, said goodbye to their families, and reported to Naval Air Station Willow Grove Joint Reserve Base, Penn.

In addition to numerous predeployment training requirements, including rifle qualification, health assessments and humvee-egress training, the squadron also received new helicopters before leaving for Afghanistan. The Hustlers worked 24 hours a day to prepare their old aircraft for transition to another command and ready the new aircraft for deployment.

"The Marines handled this exceptionally well," said Lt. Col. Michael Ulses, commanding officer of the Hustlers, "with a well thought out and executed plan, and an unbelievable amount of motivation. All key tasks were completed with everything being ready on time and transported to theater."

Since arriving in Afghanistan in June, the Marines of the squadron traded the whirlwind of training for a sandstorm of combat support operations and long hours dedicated to aircraft maintenance.

"We have been working 12 hours on, 12 hours off for five months now," said Master Sgt. Corey Shafer, the maintenance chief for HMH-772. "Our Marines are busting their butts and making it happen."

The CH-53E Super Stallion helicopters flown by the Hustlers are one of two types of heavy-lift helicopter operated by Marines in Afghanistan. Heavy-lift helicopters are essential to vital re-supply missions and personnel transport in a combat zone.
"Heavy-lift helicopters are like gold," said Sgt. Bill Franceschini, an operations clerk with HMH-772. "We drop troops into landing zones, then come back and bring whatever they need. Food, water, ammo, you name it."

From assault support to combat re-supply, the Hustlers have conducted seemingly non-stop missions in support of troops on the ground. Supporting ground troops "has to be the most gratifying of all missions," said Ulses.

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