Super Stallions conduct MAGTF training: HMH-366 practices heavy-lift capabilities

Photo By Cpl. Scott L. Tomaszycki | The landing support team attaches a six-ton weight to a CH-53E Super Stallion of Marine Heavy Helicopter Squadron 366 during external lift training exercises on Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune, N.C., Aug. 16. Lance Cpl. Robert J. Ellis, a crew chief with the squadron, said external lift was a big part of the squadron's job in Afghanistan.  

CHERRY POINT, NC, UNITED STATES

08.16.2012

Story by Lance Cpl. Scott L. Tomaszycki 

II Marine Expeditionary Force   

MARINE CORPS AIR STATION CHERRY POINT, N.C. – Marine Heavy Helicopter Squadron 366 practiced moving artillery from a base to a forward position on Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune, N.C., Aug. 16.

The squadron uses the CH-53E Super Stallions, which can lift up to 16 tons of equipment. This can be used in the American military doctrine of "vertical envelopment," or dropping forces off at a landing zone to strike the enemy from an unexpected direction.

The artillery unit participating in the exercise became unavailable, but the squadron still trained in the spirit of the scenario, said Capt. Frederick L. Reiss, the ground training officer of the squadron.

"We went out and did external lifts and kept the scenario involved to keep everybody tactically proficient," Reiss said. "As a Marine Corps, we have to stay up on everything that has to do with war fighting. That applies in all aspects of any kind of mission we want to execute."

In a combat scenario, the helicopters would carry infantry and artillery Marines on board. Once the helicopters land, the infantry Marines would secure the area and the artillery would conduct fire missions. Once the fire missions are done, the helicopters would return to pick up the equipment and personnel to return them to base.

"Doing the external lift is good to gain more proficiency because that was a big part of our job every day in Afghanistan," said Lance Cpl. Robert J. Ellis, a crew chief with the squadron. "Doing the tactics part is always good, it keeps everyone on their toes. This way, the training gets everyone into the groove of things."

The pilots practiced taking off with external weight, dropping off external cargo loads, and doing it with the coordination of the landing support company controlling the landing zone. The crew chiefs practiced controlling the hook that carried the external loads.

A six-ton cement block and a large steel I-beam replaced the two previously scheduled M777 howitzers for the duration of the exercise, but the crew treated it the same as if the cannons were there.

"We go out and we do these training missions and basically train like we fight, every time," Reiss said. "We try to incorporate tactics into every training mission that we can to the maximum extent possible. Instead of going around burning circles in the sky, we give some purpose to it."

• Date Taken: 08.16.2012
• Date Posted: 08.24.2012 15:08
• Story ID: 93770
• Location: CHERRY POINT, NC, US