Landing Support Specialist lift standards to new heights

Photo By Gunnery Sgt. Santiago G. Colon Jr. | Landing support specialists with Combat Logistics Battalion 26, 26th Marine Expeditionary Unit, connect a target to a CH-53E Super Stallion Helicopter, hovering above them, during Realistic Urban Training aboard Fort A.P. Hill, Va., June 5, 2010. The CH-53E crew with Medium Tiltrotor Squadron 266 (Reinforced), 26th MEU, worked in partnership with CLB-26 Marines to move 19 targets to several ranges aboard Fort A.P. Hill. During the 18-day training evolution, the MEU will conduct several urban training exercises as part of its pre-deployment training. The urban environment is among the most challenging tactical environments MEU Marines may face. The 26th MEU is scheduled to deploy later this fall.  

FORT A.P. HILL, VA, UNITED STATES

06.10.2010

Story by Lance Cpl. Santiago G. Colon Jr. 

26th Marine Expeditionary Unit (Special Operations Capable)     

FORT A.P. HILL, Va. - With a 70-foot helicopter roaring ten feet above his head, Cpl. Tra C. Neal hooks together the two cables that will complete his unit's mission and connect the load to the aircraft. With dust and debris swirling in the air, the team gives the thumbs up for the aircraft to make its ascent with the multi-ton package secured to the CH-53E Super Stallion Helicopter.

As hectic as this may seem, for landing support specialist with Combat Logistics Battalion 26 this is what they do.

Alongside the Marines with CLB-26 were flight crews from Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron 266, both units are with 26th Marine Expeditionary Unit and provided logistical support to the MEU and base by transporting 19 tank hull targets to ranges aboard Fort A.P. Hill, Va., June 5.

The mission was the first for both CLB-26 and VMM-266 during Realistic Urban Training.

During the operation, landing support specialists on the ground communicate with the crew in the air to plan the order the targets will be transported. As each helicopter began to close in on the target area, the landing team would stand near the targets and brace for the winds swept down by the helicopter rotors. While fighting the winds generated by the helicopter, the Marines connected the transport cables they had hooked to the targets onto cables hanging from the helicopter.

The intensity of this type of mission is high and the importance of transporting the targets is great considering the objective of the mission, said Staff Sgt. Michael D. Stevens, landing support chief for CLB-26. The targets needed to be transported to other ranges aboard Fort A.P. Hill to be used by MEU Marines.

"All of these targets that are moving forward to Range Zion and Range Daniel will actually support all three elements of the MEU," Stevens said. "MEU Marines will be shooting at these targets during RUT."

From combat to humanitarian relief, moving tons of equipment over great distances regardless of terrain provides the MEU with a logistical reach and capability that enables the Marine Air Ground Task Force to support itself as it projects its power ashore under virtually any condition.

The heavy lift capability these Marines bring to 26th MEU exponentially increases the unit's ability to execute any of its potential missions.

"As the logistics battalion we have numerous responsibilities to the MEU," Stevens added. In a combat situation, the heavy lift capability could put Light Armored Vehicles, tanks, artillery, or a number of other assets exactly where an enemy doesn't want them. It could quickly resupply units in the field or bring heavy replacement parts to Marine mechanics miles away. It can also bring tons of food, water and medical supplies where they're needed during humanitarian assistance and disaster relief missions.

With the possibility of any of these missions on deployment, it is important for Marines to practice and sustain skills needed to effectively and efficiently carry out their duties, said Stevens. By moving these tank hulls, the Marines were training and testing their skills.

"They are getting good sustainment training by performing this mission," Stevens said.

Cpl. Neal agreed, adding that performing the day's mission served to train all the landing support specialists and prepare them to perform their duties under more stressful conditions.

"The first time I had to perform an external lift was pretty nerve-wrecking," said Neal, a landing support specialist with 26th MEU.

"You really get used to it after awhile and become better at your job."

The Camp Lejeune-based MEU which is comprised of Battalion Landing Team 3/8, CLB-26, and VMM-266, is preparing for a deployment aboard USS Kearsarge, USS Ponce, and USS Carter Hall in the fall.

USMC

• Date Taken: 06.10.2010
• Date Posted: 06.10.2010 08:45
• Story ID: 51166
• Location: FORT A.P. HILL, VA, US