HMH-462 gives 1/23 a lift

Photo By Lisa Tourtelot | Marines from 1st Battalion, 23rd Marine Regiment disembark a CH-53E "Super Stallion" at Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton, Calif., Dec. 6. Marine Heavy Helicopter Squadron 462 flew to Camp Pendleton to support the reserve unit's predeployment training.  

MARINE CORPS BASE CAMP PENDLETON, CA, UNITED STATES

12.09.2010

Courtesy Story

Marine Corps Air Station Miramar

Faces in a squad of Marines seated in a CH-53E “Super Stallion” broke into smiles as the helicopter chopped through the sky. This was the first flight in a helicopter for many of the Texas-based reserve Marines onboard.

Marine Heavy Helicopter Squadron 462, the “Heavy Haulers,” flew to Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton, Calif., Dec. 6 to provide predeployment training for 1st Battalion, 23rd Marine Regiment, which is scheduled to deploy to Camp Leatherneck this February to provide ground and air tactical recovery of aircraft and personnel.

The Marines spent the day practicing quickly boarding and disembarking Super Stallion, which simulates infiltrating and exfiltrating areas in a combat zone. The unit also practiced using ‘nine line,’ the method for passing information to medical personnel, to call in medical evacuations.

“This training is invaluable. These Marines get the opportunity to train as a unit,” said 1st Sgt. David Dyess, the first sergeant of Charlie Company, 1/23.

Casualty evacuation training is also important for the pilots and crewmembers aboard the CH-53E, who need to efficiently and safely load a casualty and get the casualty to his or her destination.

Cpl. Justin Wood, a crew chief with HMH-462, explained that the pilots and crew members must maintain communication with Marines on the ground to perform casualty evacuations.

“It went well,” said Wood, whose unit will depart for Afghanistan this July, after the flight. “[The Marines] were super motivated about what they were doing.”

After a few more flights on a Super Stallion, the Marines of 1/23 may become more accustomed to the roller coaster experience of flying. Until then, they will continue to rehearse with the support of squadrons like the Heavy Haulers.

• Date Taken: 12.09.2010
• Date Posted: 12.09.2010 12:48
• Story ID: 61639
• Location: MARINE CORPS BASE CAMP PENDLETON, CA, US