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No matter the task, whether it’s transporting ammunition,
weapons, equipment, vehicles or personnel, Marines will pack
it up and ship it out, by land, sea or air. Marine Heavy
Helicopter Squadron 463, also known as "Pegasus," utilized
CH-53E Super Stallion helicopters for external lift training
with support from Transportation Services Company, Combat
Logistics Battalion 3, at Landing Zone West Field aboard
Marine Corps Air Station Kaneohe Bay, March 8, 2017.
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March 8, 2017 - Marines with Transportation Services Company, Combat
Logistics Battalion 3, and Marine Heavy Helicopter Squadron 463
conduct external lift training at Landing Zone West Field aboard
Marine Corps Air Station Kaneohe Bay. This training improves
proficiency for the pilots when moving supplies while Marines on the
ground conditioned themselves to safely prepare dual and single load
lifts. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Jesus Sepulveda Torres)
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“During this drill we partnered with
Transportation Services Company, we kept in constant
communication with landing support specialists on the
ground, so as to properly secure the cargo; sharing the
training experience,” ” Skelf said this type of training
is necessary for pilots and crew chiefs because when they
are deployed, transporting vital cargo over long distances
requires a sustainment and flying time. “We conducted our
external loads, utilizing a cement block and an old Humvee,”
Skelf said. “I helped guide the pilots to get the proper
position for both the dual and single loads in the air.”
Responsible for loading the helicopters, landing support
specialist Marines, conducted helicopter support team drills
with “Pegasus,” raising both a stripped down Humvee and
cement block. Lance Cpl. Dylan Tall, a landing support
specialist with TSC, was observing for safety hazards during
the training. He stated that this was not his first time
preparing cargo for helicopters and he aided his helped the
Marines who didn't have experience with this training yet.
“For a lot of the less experienced Marines, they will learn
that they are vital for the mission,” Tall said. “We are the
only ones allowed to load and unload cargo, which we do with
[speed and intensity].” Tall said working alongside
HMH-463 and other units on base is always a great experience
for training and improves upon the goal for efficient
transportation.
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March 8, 2017 - A CH-53E Super Stallion helicopter assigned to
Marine Heavy Helicopter Squadron 463, carried a Humvee during an
external lift training at Landing Zone West Field aboard Marine
Corps Air Station Kaneohe Bay. This training improves proficiency
for the pilots when moving supplies while Marines on the ground
conditioned themselves to safely prepare dual and single load lifts.
(U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Jesus Sepulveda Torres)
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Sgt.
Timothy Skelf, an airframe mechanic with HMH-463, was a crew
member on one of the helicopters. He said external lift
training couldn’t be done without the help from landing
support specialists.
Staff Sgt. Derik Winningham, the landing
support chief with TSC, said this training was a great
illustration of the capabilities they can do, from
helicopters to ships, the role of a landing support
specialist has been proven time and time again. “Our role
as a landing support specialist is crucial, say for example
a howitzer, ammo or food needs to be transported to a
forward operating base, we are the only ones qualified to
help move it,” Winningham said. “Since World War II, we have
been moving supplies to the frontlines. I always tell my
Marines, we are the first ones in and the last ones out.”
By U.S. Marine Corps Cpl. Jesus Sepulveda Torres
Provided
through DVIDS
Copyright 2017
The U.S. Marines
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