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HELMAND PROVINCE, Afghanistan (4/2/2010) – The rotor blades are
spinning and low chatter is drifting in over the internal
communication system. The flight crews of the two MV-22B Ospreys
awaiting takeoff – again – have been flying since before 5 a.m.,
March 28. It's late morning now and their day is far from over.
Marines with 2nd Battalion, 6th Marine
Regiment disembark an MV-22B Osprey from Marine Medium Tiltrotor
Squadron 365 in Helmand province, Afghanistan, March 28, 2012. Two
VMM-365 crews, with close-air-support from Marine Light Attack
Helicopter Squadron 369, inserted approximately 40 Marines, sailors
and Afghan National Army soldiers in southwest Afghanistan to
support combat operations. Photo by USMC Cpl. Lisa Tourtelot |
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Before the day is done, the crews from Marine Medium Tiltrotor
Squadron 365, known as the “Blue Knights,” will have picked up
nearly 40 Marines, sailors and Afghan National Army soldiers from a
remote patrol base and dropped them off even deeper into Helmand
province, Afghanistan.
“When getting ready for an
[operation], I'm thinking about prepping the aircraft and making
sure our weapons are clean and ready,” said Sgt. Kyle Harrison, a
crew chief with VMM-365 and San Diego native. Harrison explained
that clean weapons and updated personnel rosters are important
concerns for him as a crew chief. He ensures that the aircrews have
everything they need to complete the mission, whether it is
available seats for passengers, ammunition or fuel.
Upon
landing at the patrol base, there is little time before the Marines
and sailors of 2nd Battalion, 6th Marine Regiment file |
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efficiently onto the two aircraft. They are organized and they are
ready. They have all the gear they will need to spend several weeks
outside the wire conducting combat operations. |
The Marines and sailors of 2/6 have only been in country
for a few months and some have already taken note of the
efficiency and professionalism of the aircrews they often
depend on for supplies, long distance movements and
infiltrations.
“Every time we do this, they're very
professional,” said Lance Cpl. Dylan Jackson, a fire team
leader with 2/6 and Fairfax, Va., native.
Jackson explained that he has participated in three aerial
infiltrations and each time the aircrew has worked to get
Marines and sailors to their destination safely and ahead of
schedule.
Harrison added that the ability to fly to
these locations is crucial to completing ground operations.
“We have the element of surprise,” said Harrison. “We
drop out of the sky and land anywhere. If [ground troops]
walk, they're [vulnerable] to attack. If they have to take
their vehicles, they're forced to travel on roads with
[improvised explosive devices.]”
When the Ospreys
land at the predetermined patrol site in southwestern
Afghanistan, the Marines, sailors and ANA soldiers are off
the aircraft even faster than when they boarded. The
well-trained personnel fan-out in a defensive arc, faced
with barren desert and sparse farms.
“Once we got
off the deck ... everything went very quickly,” said Harrison.
“We got the [ground combat element] exactly where they
wanted to go. That helps them effectively carry out their
mission.”
The Blue Knight crews take flight as soon
as the last man is on the ground and at a safe distance from
the Ospreys. The aircraft depart quickly, racing upward and
conducting stomach-churning turns. The faster they get back
in the air, the safer they are. It's time to return to Camp
Leatherneck and prepare for the next mission.
By USMC Cpl. Lisa Tourtelot
Provided
through DVIDS
Copyright 2012
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