Flying Tigers carry heavy load

Photo By Cpl. Deanne Hurla | Marines from 7th Marines Communications Platoon inspect their communications Humvee after it was lifted to the top of a mountain by CH-53E crews of Marine Heavy Helicopter Squadron 361. The lift is in support of 7th Marines training, but also served as training for the HMH-361 flight crews. The Flying Tigers of HMH-361 lifted more than 2,000 pounds of cargo and two Humvees.  

TWENTYNINE PALMS, CA, UNITED STATES

05.12.2011

Story by Sgt. Deanne Hurla 

Marine Corps Air Station Miramar

MARINE CORPS AIR GROUND COMBAT CENTER TWENTYNINE PALMS, Calif. – One of the CH-53E Super Stallion’s many jobs is to transport vehicles to areas that cannot be reached on the ground.

The Flying Tigers of Marine Heavy Helicopter Squadron 361 lifted more than 2,000 pounds of cargo and two humvees to the top of a steep, rocky mountain in support of a 7th Marines Communications Platoon field training exercise.

This is the support the squadron provides while deployed, explained Capt. Jeff Menne, a CH-53E pilot with the Flying Tigers and a St. Louis native. To his knowledge, there is no way for the communications Marines to get the Humvees on top of the mountain without the Super Stallion’s support. The mountain is steep, which makes it impassable, but high enough that it is a great place for their communications gear.

Although not described as a training event for the squadron, getting to lift actual Marine Corps equipment is always good practice for the pilots and crews.

During their own training, pilots and crews use concrete blocks that weigh the same as Humvees or other cargo for external lift training.

“This is different from blocks because there is more wiggle room with the blocks,” said Cpl. Brian Thompson, a Flying Tigers crew chief. “These are working trucks, so if you snap an axle or it rolls off the mountain, it is bad. We also have to monitor the hooks closer to ensure we don’t crack a windshield or damage the truck in any way.”

The big difference is the value of what the Marines are lifting, explained Menne. If something goes wrong and you drag the concrete block or drop it on the ground, it is easily replaced. A Humvee, particularly communication humvees, are very expensive, so pilots and crews have to be gentler with them.

To ensure the safety of crews, the helicopter support team and all the equipment, crew chiefs inspect the set up of all lifting cables and ensure equipment is properly secured on the vehicles.

HST Marines and the helicopter crews check all the equipment, and only after they are complete does the actual flight take place.

One crew chief stands at the helicopter’s windows and another lays on the floor. The crew chiefs guide the pilots into position over the cargo. Once the helicopter is hovering directly over the cargo, the HST Marines quickly hook the cargo to the tow straps connected to the aircraft.

With cargo secured the helicopter takes off to lift the load where ever it needs to go. In this case, to the top of a mountain.

This evolution went well because everything went as planned, explained Menne. It was great training for the crews and supported the communications training as well.

The Super Stallion had a successful day, completing one of its main functions by using its powerful engines to lift the vehicles where they cannot drive themselves.

• Date Taken: 05.12.2011
• Date Posted: 05.18.2011 12:00
• Story ID: 70595
• Location: TWENTYNINE PALMS, CA, US