Helicopter squadron, naval gunfire liaison hone in on communication during training

Photo By Sgt. Samuel A. Nasso | Lance Cpl. Edward M. Romanovich, a UH-1N Huey crew chief with Marine Light Attack Helicopter Squadron 467, fires a GAT gun at a target called in by Second Air Naval Gunfire Liaison Company, II Marine Expeditionary Force, during an exercise Aug. 4.  

CAMP LEJEUNE, NC, UNITED STATES

08.04.2011

Story by Cpl. Samuel A. Nasso 

II Marine Expeditionary Force   

CAMP LEJEUNE, Calif. - Traveling at a smooth 100 knots and altitude of 1,000 feet over a vast patch of marshland on Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune, a UH-1N Huey and AH-1W Super Cobra with Marine Light Attack Helicopter Squadron 467, 2nd Marine Aircraft Wing, cruised in the clear sky, anticipating a call from Second Air Naval Gunfire Liaison Company, II Marine Expeditionary Force, Aug. 4.

Once the call came, the aircrafts quickly maneuvered to identify the grid coordinates they received from 2nd ANGLICO. As the helicopters honed in on the coordinates via laser-designation, the two crew chiefs on the Huey left a piercing static sound that reverberated throughout the kill zone.

“Mine and Lance Cpl. Romanovich’s mission was to deliver effective rounds on target with our GAU-17a [mini-gun] and GAU-16 [.50 caliber machine gun] while helping the pilots clear the aircraft from obstacles, other aircraft, and any other potential threats that occur with keeping situational awareness as our top priority,” said Sgt. Travis P. Trahan, a UH-1N Huey crew chief with HMLA-467. “I think the flight went exceptionally well and 2nd ANGLICO met all their training requirements.”

The mission of 2nd ANGLICO is to provide Marine air ground task force commanders a liaison capability with foreign area expertise to plan, coordinate, employ and conduct terminal control of fires in support of joint, allied and coalition forces.

In this mission specifically, HMLA-467 allowed 2nd ANGLICO’s Joint Terminal Attack Controllers to call and coordinate close-air support.

“Flights like this are extremely important in respect to the training of the air crew, the pilots, and the affiliating units because the training missions simulate combat scenarios,” said Trahan.

To become highly qualified UH-1N Huey crew chiefs, like Trahan and Lance Cpl. Edward M. Romanovich, Marines must to endure in-depth schooling. Upon completion, the Marines arrive to the Fleet Marine Force and face an extensive training syllabus that takes many day and night flights to continually progress as a crew chief.

After thousands of rounds were expended on target, the Marines of Cherry Point returned after a successful test of what happens in combat every day.

• Date Taken: 08.04.2011
• Date Posted: 08.12.2011 14:33
• Story ID: 75261
• Location: CAMP LEJEUNE, NC, US