Photo By Lance Cpl. Jerrick J. Griffin | Cpl. Cody Kramer, 22, Austin, Nev., Lance Cpl. Cody DeLuz, 21, Hampton, Va., Lance...... read more read more
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MARINE CORPS BASE CAMP PENDLETON, Calif. - In the middle of the night a CH-53D Super Stallion swoops down to pick up its load. Standing in winds blowing more than 300 miles per hour with rock and dirt blowing everywhere makes it difficult for a man in top shape to stand still.
Marines with Landing Support Company, Combat Logistics Regiment 17, 1st Marine Logistics Group participated in a Helicopter Support Team training exercise, May 7, to prepare Marines to attach loads to helicopters at night.
Marines with LS Company perform these types of exercises on a daily basis.
"We don't do this because we want to," said Lance Cpl. Neil Bobal, landing support specialist. "It's because we have to. It's our job," said Bobal, 20, Shelton, Conn. It is important to have HSTs in the 1st MLG because they play a big part in helping move products where they are needed.
The main purpose of an HST is to facilitate the inser¬tion of equipment or supplies to areas that can't be reached by vehicles. During the training exercise the team of Marines had to work together to guide the helicopters to the load and attach them. These loads can contain anything from humvees to howitzers.
"We have to go over these processes over and over again to make sure we grasp the concept of how these things work," said Lance Cpl. Cody DeLuz, landing support specialist, 21, Hampton, Va. "Standing under the bird for the first time is difficult, but as long as you stay in the basic warrior stance you'll be fine."
The need for helicopter support teams has been low because Iraq has mostly flat terrain, but the mountains in Afghanistan may increase the demand. The mountainous region of Afghanistan has places that can't be reached by truck and it is important that HST's are able to get gear into these areas. The rehearsals are crucial to maintain the timely manner in which Marines attach the gear to these helicopters.
"We have to make sure every person in our shop knows what to expect when working with these helicopters," said Cpl. Cody Kramer, landing support specialist, 22, Austin, Nev. "With units going to Afghanistan, the land is very different from Iraq. We probably will be working a lot more than previous times. Some of us have been deployed so we kind of know what to expect, but the new guys don't have a clue, so we have to train them."
| Date Taken: | 05.07.2009 |
| Date Posted: | 05.12.2009 11:33 |
| Story ID: | 33511 |
| Location: | CAMP PENDLETON, CALIFORNIA, US |
| Web Views: | 227 |
| Downloads: | 184 |
This work, Landing Supply Company performs Helicopter Support Team to maintain skills, by LCpl Jerrick J. Griffin, identified by DVIDS, must comply with the restrictions shown on https://www.dvidshub.net/about/copyright.
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