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Red Patchers Walk Under The Danger Zone
(April 30, 2010) |
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| | MARINE CORPS BASE CAMP PENDLETON, Calif. (MCN - 4/27/2010)— Some people see
the job of a landing support spe�cialist as simply waving an aircraft to its
destination.
The part of the job that most people do not know about is the 200
miles-per-hour winds, while a hook, elec�trified with more than 10,000
volts, hangs from an aircraft swinging inches over the heads of the LSS
Marines. |
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Camp Pendleton, California, United
States-CAMP PENDLETON, Calif. (July 8, 2009) - U.S. Marines with
Helicopter Support Team(HST), Landing Support Company (LS Co.),
Combat Logistics Regiment 17 (CLR-17), 1st Marine Logistics
Group (1st MLG), watch as the 12,000 pound target they attached
is lifted by a CH-53E from Marine Heavy Helicopter Squadron 465
(HMM-465), Marine Aircraft Group 16 (MAG-16), 3rd Marine
Aircraft Wing (3rd MAW), Marine Corps Air Station (MCAS)
Miramar, Calif. The targets will be used for live fire training
on Camp Pendleton.
U.S. Marine Corps photo by Sgt. Brian Lautenslager),
Sgt. Brian Lautenslager |
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For LSS or better known as the red patchers, it's just another day on the
job.
When the landing support special�ists do an external aerial cargo pick-up,
they first set up the slings on the supplies such as food and ammunition
getting picked up. Then, they face ex�treme winds as an aircraft hovers less
than ten feet above the ground. While fighting the fierce winds, they ground
the high voltage hook with a static wand, a tool that takes the electrical
charge out of the hook. Only then can they quickly hook up the cargo and get
out of the way, because once the aircraft raises the cargo, it can start
swinging violently. The job can get very dangerous, very quickly.
The hazards the red pitchers face “You have to depend on your team,” said
Cpl. Rodrick D. Jen�nings, a landing support specialist with CLR 17. “You
need that other guy by your side.”
To be able to place the cargo and personnel correctly, the Marines need to
put in hard work and utilize their skills.
“Our job is to ensure that the cargo and personnel get put through and to
provide logistical support for the Marines who are in the front lines of the
fight,” said 2nd Lt. Daniel Johnson, platoon commander, Landing Support
Company, CLR 17.
The Marines display expertise that is impressive. Their work ethic and
ability to perform is a reflection of their preparation and hard work, said
Johnson.
LSS Marines have a wide set of skills. They can work with almost any naval
vessel and an air wing unit. They oper�ate helicopter support teams,
arrival/de�parture air control groups, port operating groups and beach
operating groups.
The Marines with the red patches are more than just the guys that show the
boats where to land on a beach. They are the ones that put themselves on the
line to make sure essential cargo and personnel get to the Marines on the
front lines.
“People think our job is easy,” said Jennings. “It's more dangerous than
what people think. If it weren't for red patchers, a lot of things wouldn't
get done.” | |
Article and photos by USMC Cpl. Shannon E. McMillan and LCpl. Kenneth Jasik
1st Marine Logistics Group
Copyright 2010
Reprinted from
Marine Corps News
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