Recon falls from sky

Photo By Lance Cpl. Claudia Palacios | Gunnery Sgt. Lawrence T. O'Conner conducts inspections here Sept. 22 during parachute operations training with Marine Medium Helicopter Squadron 268 (Reinforced). O'Conner, 32, hails from Indianapolis and serves as a platoon sergeant with Battalion Landing Team 3/1. The landing team and squadron are the 11th Marine Expeditionary Unit's ground-combat element and aviation-combat element respectively.  

CAMP PENDLETON, CA, UNITED STATES

09.29.2011

Story by Lance Cpl. Ryan Carpenter 

11th Marine Expeditionary Unit   

CAMP PENDLETON, Calif. — A reconnaissance platoon jumped from a CH-46E Sea Knight helicopter 2,500 feet above mountainous terrain here Sept. 22 during parachute training with the 11th Marine Expeditionary Unit.

The platoon was supported by the unit's aviation-combat element, Marine Medium Helicopter Squadron 268 (Reinforced). About 20 Marines and a Navy corpsman conducted two daytime and two nighttime low-level static-line parachute jumps.

A cord anchored to the aircraft and attached to the top of the parachute automatically deployed the chutes when the jumpers exited.

“We're learning to build our insert capabilities for reconnaissance missions and jump proficiency before deploying,” said Master Sgt. Joshua Lind, the operations chief for Company A, 1st Reconnaissance Battalion, based at Camp Pendleton, Calif.

The platoon conducted two jumps with basic parachute safety equipment and two jumps with combat gear, including body armor, a full pack and weapon.

The reconnaissance Marines reinforce the unit's ground-combat element, Battalion Landing Team 3/1.

The unit is preparing for its final sea-based exercise before deploying this fall.

• Date Taken: 09.29.2011
• Date Posted: 09.29.2011 19:47
• Story ID: 77797
• Location: CAMP PENDLETON, CA, US