Scarface detachment offers quicker response for RCT-7

Photo By Sgt. Samuel A. Nasso | An AH-1W 'Super Cobra' and a UH-1Y 'Yankee,' both from Marine Light Attack Helicopter Squadron 367, Marine Aircraft Group 40, Marine Expeditionary Brigade-Afghanistan, take off to provide aerial reconnaissance for 2nd Marine Battalion, 2nd Marine Regiment, Regimental Combat Team 7, MEB-Afghanistan, after quickly refueling, Jan. 23.  

AFGHANISTAN

02.23.2010

Story by Lance Cpl. Samuel A. Nasso 

2nd Marine Aircraft Wing   

CAMP DWYER, Helmand province, Islamic Republic of Afghanistan — The Marines of Marine Light Attack Helicopter Squadron 367, who reside at Camp Dwyer, know their detachment may be small, but that they provide the necessary air power for Marine Aircraft Group 40 and Regimental Combat Team 7, both with Marine Expeditionary Brigade-Afghanistan.

With several infantry battalions from RCT-7 spread out across the province, the convenient location of HMLA-367 here allows the attack helicopters to support these units faster.

"We basically act like a very quick 9-1-1 call," said Maj. David Andersen, an AH-1W "Super Cobra" helicopter pilot for the squadron. "Instead of waiting 20 to 30 minutes for our aircraft to respond to a TIC [troops-in-contact] from Camp Bastion, we respond in 10 to 15 minutes."

The detachment consists of less than a quarter of HMLA-367's total aircraft, but supports the Marines on the ground with close-air support and intelligence surveillance and reconnaissance.

The combination of having both AH-1W "Super Cobra" and a UH-1Y "Yankee" helicopters in the air offers MAG-40 flexibility for the Marines who need it because it also offers command and control missions and troop transport.

"Our mission is to support the grunts on the ground and our location brings us closer to accomplishing that," said Andersen, "It is the reason why we are down here."

• Date Taken: 02.23.2010
• Date Posted: 02.23.2010 01:44
• Story ID: 45716
• Location: AF