Photo By Pfc. Franklin Mercado | A CH-53E Super Stallion from Marine Heavy Helicopter Squadron 366 out of Cherry Point,...... read more read more
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CAMP LEJEUNE, N.C. — The Marine Corps is no stranger to making history, and the Marines and sailors of Bridge Company, 8th Engineer Support Battalion have made their mark in their unit’s lineage, with a once-in-a-decade training exercise.
Bridge Company worked with components of the 2nd Marine Aircraft Wing to conduct a training event here, from Aug. 7 to 9, which was a first for many.
The purpose of the training was to give troops a chance to test their skills on water. The event simulated a humanitarian relief effort during which trucks couldn’t maneuver and a bridge was needed.
The equipment put to use was the improvised ribbon bridge. The IRB provides wet gap crossing capabilities either as a floating bridge or a multi-bay raft for tactical vehicles.
A CH-53E Super Stallion from Marine Heavy Helicopter Squadron 366 took on the dubious task of airlifting several 14,000-pound individual sections of an IRB from a nearby landing zone and dropped them at Engineer’s Point.
Once a section was safely dropped into the bay, Marines raced across the choppy waters aboard a watercraft to maneuver the piece of the bridge to the desired location.
The Marines flung open each section of the improved ribbon bridge, reaching into the water to undo two latches keeping the section closed during flight and jumped on to secure the raft while still floating atop the water.
The process took mere seconds, but it was an experience they will not forget, explained Lance Cpl. David S. Price, a landing support specialist with 2nd Marine Logistics Group.
“When they told us this was something that hasn’t happened in so long, I didn’t really know what I would think about it,” he said. “Once we started doing our jobs, it was like any other exercise.”
The job of the landing support specialists was crucial to the exercise. They had the unenviable task of hooking each of the sections to the helicopter, which hovered only feet from the crowns of their heads.
“The [landing support Marines] provided outstanding support,” said Chief Warrant Officer 2 Griffith Ruskin, the IRB platoon commander. “They did their jobs, and did them well.”
Ruskin wasn’t the only Marine who thought the exercise was conducted smoothly. One of the Super Stallion’s crew also recognized the good work.
“We are giving them about 10 minutes between each drop and they are getting the job done,” said 1st Lt. Nicholas Ferri, one of five Marines aboard the helicopter during the exercise.
The role of the Marines in the water couldn’t be understated. They executed their duties to a high level while setting a standard for the unit, Ruskin explained.
“Our Marines were excellent in the water,” he said. “The exercise was extremely successful. It was definitely a milestone for the battalion and Marines.”
The commotion and anticipation for the event left it hard to believe the idea sprouted from a casual conversation Ruskin had with a helicopter pilot during the 2nd MLG Family Day.
“It all started with an informal conversation I had,” Ruskin said, as he recounted having the conversation as his children enjoyed a tour of a CH-53E Super Stallion. “It took three months of planning, but it all came together and was a success. The Marines received great training they’ve never done. I couldn’t ask for a better job from them.”
| Date Taken: | 08.14.2012 |
| Date Posted: | 08.14.2012 12:04 |
| Story ID: | 93193 |
| Location: | CAMP LEJEUNE, NC, US |
| Web Views: | 183 |
| Downloads: | 2 |
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