HMH-363 delivers food, water to entrenched Marines in support of Wada Kawool

Photo By Cpl. Ryan Rholes | A crew chief with Marine Heavy Helicopter Squadron 363 works with pilots to perform preflight checks on this CH-53D Sea Stallion before an early morning launch, July 27, to resupply ground Marines in Operation Wada Kawool. HMH-363 delivered 10,000 pounds of food and water to support the Marines as they waited on additional supplies to build a forward operating base.  

CAMP BASTION, AFGHANISTAN

07.27.2010

Story by Cpl. Ryan Rholes 

Marine Corps Air Station Miramar

CAMP BASTION, Afghanistan - Three CH-53D Sea Stallions skirted the edge of Marjah on their way to deliver 10,000 pounds of food and water to about 100 entrenched Marines in the early morning hours of July 27 in support of Operation Wada Kawool.

Marine Heavy Helicopter Squadron 363 was delivering the supplies to ground forces conducting a mission to construct a new forward operating base in the area to deny the enemy freedom of movement in southwest Marjah. It was another opportunity for the airframe, employed by the U.S. military since the Vietnam War, to prove itself an integral part of Marine Corps aviation.

Although the squadron often transports supplies, gear and troops across the region, they are passed over for some missions because their lift capacity is limited compared to the newer CH-53E Super Stallion, according to Maj. Sam Schoolfield, a future operations planner with 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing (Forward).

The Delta has a maximum takeoff weight of about 42,000 pounds, compared to the Super Stallion, which can liftoff with about 70,000 pounds due to a third engine.

"I sourced the Deltas [for Wada Kawool] because they are an untapped resource of talent," said Schoolfield, who coordinated aviation support for the operation. "Whenever I find something within their capabilities, I give it to them because they are well-rested and a great resource."

Tasking the Sea Stallions to deliver the supplies also allowed the Echoes, about 20 years younger than the Deltas, to remain free for missions requiring heavier lifting, Schoolfield added. It maximized the air wing’s assets.

Ultimately, using the Deltas to deliver the supplies by air kept the Marines stocked with all of the essentials, so the unit's convoy, laden with supplies to construct the new FOB could take its time thoroughly clearing and traversing its dangerous route. Also, the convoy will arrive to an already secured area and can immediately begin building the new FOB.

"The point was to overfly enemy obstacles; in this case it was enemy improvised explosive devices," said Schoolfield. "We know that main route is laden with IEDs, so what we did was allow them to conduct a classic vertical envelopment and establish a toe hold so that a huge convoy could take their time clearing a route.”

Although aging, the CH-53D is definitely not out of the fight. It may lift a little less than the new Echoes, but the squadron is definitely an ace in the hole for 3rd MAW (FWD) as it continues to provide aviation assets to Afghan National Security and NATO forces across the region.

• Date Taken: 07.27.2010
• Date Posted: 08.03.2010 06:32
• Story ID: 53868
• Location: CAMP BASTION, AF