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NORTHERN TRAINING AREA, Japan – Landing support personnel from Combat Logistics Regiment 3, 3rd Marine Logistics Group invested two training days to external cargo load operations at the Northern Training Area Oct. 11-12.
The eleven Marines and one sailor from Landing Support Company focused on improving their ability to prepare external loads and secure them to CH-46 Sea Knight helicopters for speedy transportation.
"Vehicles, trailers, generators, spare parts, palettes of ammo, chow or water — basically anything that needs to get somewhere fast, we help take it there," said Sgt. Will Hardin, the non-commissioned officer in charge of the company's Helicopter Support Team.
External cargo loading is the solution when certain terrain can not be accessed by ground vehicles but critical supplies must be delivered, Hardin said.
During the training, three helicopters from Marine Medium Helicopter Squadron 262 took turns hovering at about 10 feet above the ground while HST Marines connected loads to the belly of the aircraft.
External load operations require a two-man hook team beneath the helicopter. The "static man" touches a static wand to the helicopter's hook, which grounds the static electricity that builds up while the aircraft is in flight. The "link-up man" then connects the load to the hook. Meanwhile, a safety non-commissioned officer positioned about 10 yards behind the team watches to ensure a proper connection.
He also keeps an eye on the helicopter wheels and load to make sure neither hits the hook team.
Having a 17,000-pound helicopter hovering over their heads is just another day at the office for the HST Marines, but Lance Cpl. Alex Castano, a landing support specialist, said the HST Marines enjoy the training.
"The first time I did an external load and had the helicopter over me, I thought, 'A little over a year ago I was waiting tables,'" Castano said. "Now, I'm standing under a helicopter flying over my head."
| Date Taken: | 10.19.2007 |
| Date Posted: | 10.19.2007 03:02 |
| Story ID: | 13103 |
| Location: |
| Web Views: | 257 |
| Downloads: | 242 |
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