HMH-461 flies aid to devastated Haiti

Photo By Lance Cpl. Christopher Carroll | Two CH-53E Super Stallions, from Marine Heavy Helicopter Squadron 461 (Reinforced), 22nd Marine Expeditionary Unit aboard USS Bataan prepare to transport Marines and sailors to Haiti Jan. 19, 2010. The 22nd MEU deployed from Camp Lejeune, N.C., aboard the ships of the Bataan Ready Group, Jan. 15, 2010, to help with the relief effort, Operation Unified Response. The MEU has continually run supply missions, delivering tens of thousands of pounds of food and water, to remote areas of Haiti. (Official Marine Corps Photo by Lance Cpl. Christopher M. Carroll)  

ABOARD USS BATAAN, AT SEA

01.22.2010

Courtesy Story

22nd Marine Expeditionary Unit

USS BATAAN, At Sea - One of the most used modes of transportation from ship-to-shore in the Marine Air-Ground Task Force is the helicopter. When ship borne, these maneuverable and durable aircraft provide a quick way of getting troops, supplies and other essential equipment on the ground in a matter of minutes, making the Marine Expeditionary Unit one of the most operationally ready forces in the world.

Using the CH-53E Super Stallion heavy-lift helicopter and the UH-1N Huey medium helicopter, the Marines of Marine Heavy Helicopter Squadron 461 (Reinforced), 22nd Marine Expeditionary Unit, have moved thousands-of-pounds of humanitarian aid as well as hundreds of Marines to the earthquake devastated Caribbean island country of Haiti.

The CH-53E Super Stallion is ideally suited for humanitarian assistance and disaster relief missions during Operation Unified Response, a multi-national relief effort in Haiti, which was struck by a 7.0 magnitude earthquake, Jan. 12, 2010.

"It's probably the best aircraft in the world to have out here," explained Capt. Jaden L. Lowery, a CH-53E pilot with HMH-461 (Rein). "We can move long distances, carry lots of fuel, stuff the back with supplies and land in austere conditions."

Haiti's mountainous terrain, destroyed roads and passageways make the Super Stallion a valuable commodity in the operation to aid Haiti's earthquake victims, he explained. The helicopter has a range of approximately 350 miles and can carry around 15,000 pounds internally, and up to 36,000 pounds externally.

"It's part of our mission essential tasks," Lowery, a New Orleans native, continued. "Yesterday, I was carrying 12,000 pounds of food and water in the back."

Marine Heavy Helicopter Squadron 461 (Reinforced) used nothing but the helicopters to move Marines from Battalion Landing Team, 3rd Battalion, 2nd Marine Regiment, 22nd MEU, to the island for their initial operations around the Haitian capital of Port-au-Prince.

The UH-1N Huey has a slightly different role in the operation than its larger counterpart the Super Stallion.

"Our mission runs the gambit," explained Capt. Austin T. Jones, a UH-1N pilot attached to HMH-461(Rein). "We do reconnaissance, carry some passengers and we can carry a limited number of supplies."

The New Bern, N.C., native added the helicopter can be used in command and control and when the first Marines from BLT, 3/2 went ashore to Haiti, their mission commander observed the evolution using the smaller, more maneuverable helicopter.

Another key capability for the Huey is its suitability as a means of evacuating casualties. In other theaters of operation, the helicopter is also often armed with an array of weapons for security operations.

The squadron has run daytime operations consistently since the 22nd MEU started conducting humanitarian assistance missions, Jan. 19, 2010.

Both Lowery and Jones agree the missions in Haiti are a unique opportunity to help people in need.

"This is my first contingency operation," Lowery said. "Get up, pack up the mules and ride south ... I've never done anything like this, even though it's not great with what happened down here ... it's great that we could come help out."

The 22nd MEU deployed from Camp Lejeune, N.C., aboard the ships of the Bataan Ready Group, Jan. 15, 2010, to help with the relief effort, Operation Unified Response. The MEU has continually run supply missions, delivering tens of thousands of pounds of food and water, to remote areas in Haiti.

• Date Taken: 01.22.2010
• Date Posted: 01.24.2010 10:52
• Story ID: 44366
• Location: ABOARD USS BATAAN, AT SEA