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NEW RIVER, N.C. - Marines with Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron (VMM) 365 returned from training Kirtland Air Force Base, N.M., March 24.
VMM-365 Marines conducted training in the dry, desert terrain above Kirtland AFB as one of many pre-operational steps for their deployment as the Aviation Combat Element (ACE) for the 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU) later this year.
“One of the biggest reasons for conducting this training where we did is because of the elevation there,” said Lt. Col. Christian Harshberger, VMM-365 commanding officer. “Kirtland AFB is about 5,000 feet above sea level, and a lot of our landing areas were about 6,000 feet. It is good to train in those different altitudes because of the difference in aircraft performance.”
While at the higher elevation, VMM-365 conducted different training flights including ground threat reaction and mountain area terrain training.
“Another major reason for conducting this training at Kirtland AFB is because of the reduced visibility landing (RVL) training opportunities,” said Harshberger. “RVLs, or more commonly known as brown-outs, are a unique training opportunity that New Mexico offers that you cannot find here in North Carolina.”
While in New Mexico, the VMM-365 pilots amassed more than 300 flight hours and accomplished more than 120 training certifications.
“While we were in New Mexico, the training in regards to maintenance on the aircraft went quite well,” said Staff Sgt. David K. Dennis, VMM-365 crew chief. “The tempo while we were out there was a bit faster, and that made for a good training environment, and we still maintained a high level of aircraft readiness.”
While at Kirtland, VMM-365 also had the opportunity to work with the Air Force’s 58th Special Operations Wing and the 71st Special Operations Squadron, as well as Marine Reserve 4th Reconnaissance Battalion, which all provided a great training opportunity for the whole squadron.
“The overall training operation was fantastic and a complete success,” said Harshberger. “While we were out there we had excellent aircraft readiness and succeeded in getting all of the training we set out for. This training exercise has a great positive impact on the squadron’s overall mission readiness.”
| Date Taken: | 04.08.2014 |
| Date Posted: | 04.08.2014 10:41 |
| Story ID: | 124888 |
| Location: | NC, US |
| Web Views: | 48 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
This work, VMM-365 returns from training at Kirtland AFB, by Cpl Jorden Wells, identified by DVIDS, must comply with the restrictions shown on https://www.dvidshub.net/about/copyright.
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