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JOINT BASE LEWIS-MCCHORD, Wash., - At first glance, the almond-brown forest was an evergreen paradise; heartwarming and welcoming. Although the wind combing through the trees was not much more than a gentle whisper, it was enough to conceal the movement of Marines on the horizon. Absolutely nothing was in sight other than the mesmerizing pine trees dancing with the breeze, until a stream of six CH-53E Super Stallions broke the still silence, manifesting the reality that for Marines, any environment is a potential battlefield.
U.S. Marines and Sailors with 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing (MAW), conducted a deployment for training (DFT) at Joint Base Lewis-McChord (JBLM), Washington, June 17 through July 1, 2019. The mission of the DFT was to refine procedures for expeditionary operations at unfamiliar airfields and rehearse expeditionary air base set up, consistent with the Marine Corps’ technical employment of expeditionary advanced base operations (EABO).
“To me, being some place we’ve never been before is a tremendous value because it expands our expeditionary mindset and tests our ability to operate in the unknown,” said Lt. Col. Thomas W. Savage, commanding officer of Marine Heavy Helicopter Squadron (HMH) 361, Marine Aircraft Group 16, 3rd MAW. “If there is a crisis, we must be ready if called. The nation expects that if Marines are sent, they are going to get there quickly. They are going to fight efficiently and they are going to win.”
During the DFT, HMH-361’s CH-53E Super Stallion crews honed their assault support repertoire through missions involving aerial delivery, aerial evacuation and aviation-delivered ground refueling. In addition, Marine Wing Support Squadron (MWSS) 371, Marine Wing Support Group (MWSG) 37, 3rd MAW, helped the Marines with EABO and conducting forward arming and refueling points (FARP). In addition, Marine Aviation Logistics Squadron (MALS) 16, MAG-16, 3rd MAW, provided non-destructive inspections (NDI) while also verifying and scheduling engines to facilitate functional check flights (FCF).
Units mutually supported each other, enhancing their capability to effectively operate in unfamiliar locations, during both the day and night.
“Being able to conduct operations in an unknown environment is what gives the Marine Corps the edge over its opponents and proves our capabilities outweigh our limitations,” said Cpl. Michael S. Aguilar, an aviation technician with HMH-361. “The more systems we have up and operating, the better suited the aircraft are to handle different situations.”
This DFT was designed to ensure Marines and Sailors were given the opportunity to train as they fight, operating with a “Marines, Machines, Mission” mindset throughout the two-week training evolution. Marines proved the effectiveness of the tactical aviation ground delivery system (TAGRS) as well as the tactical bulk fuel delivery system (TBFDS). Together the TAGRS and TBFDS significantly improve the MWSS’s FARP capabilities in support of aviation operations forward of established airfields. This enables 3rd MAW to be more expedient and enhance their refueling capabilities, cutting down the time it takes to refuel.
“This training ties into combat readiness since it is a confidence builder,” said Cpl Chandler J. Katehis, a crew chief with HMH-361.
Aircraft as complex as the Super Stallion require their crew chiefs, aerial observers and pilots to be in complete unison at all times. Training in the Washington forests provided a crucible through which cohesion was enhanced.
The maintainers - who are divided into avionics, airframes and flight line - must also be flawless in their craft. Throughout the DFT, avionics Marines repaired electronic components while airframe technicians perform hydraulic system maintenance and composite repair. In tandem, flight line personnel performed engine maintenance and daily inspections to keep the aircraft safely flying.
“The preservation of our assets, both personnel and equipment, is important because we cannot bring everything on these DFTs. We have access to limited equipment and if we damage it, it may become unserviceable,” said Sgt. Johnny Lael, a flight line mechanic with HMH-361. “We are working on aircraft that will be thousands of feet in the sky, we have to make sure they go up and come down safely.”
In the final analysis, 3rd MAW Marines conducted more than 130 flight hours and extensive man hours of realistic assault support training including FARP, insertion and extraction and helicopter support team (HST) integration.
Training exercises like this ensures that the Marines of 3rd MAW continue to refine the capabilities, strength and trust necessary to win anytime and anywhere.
| Date Taken: | 06.17.2019 |
| Date Posted: | 07.20.2019 11:36 |
| Story ID: | 332150 |
| Location: | JOINT BASE LEWIS-MCCHORD, WASHINGTON, US |
| Web Views: | 130 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
This work, Marines: Anytime. Anywhere., by LCpl Juan Anaya, identified by DVIDS, must comply with the restrictions shown on https://www.dvidshub.net/about/copyright.
