Photo By Cpl. Brian Slaght | On board the USS New Orleans, Marine reservists attached to Special Purpose Marine...... read more read more
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ANCON, Peru -- On board the USS New Orleans off the coast of Peru, Marine reservists attached to Marine Medium Helicopter Squadron 764 are busy keeping the “Phrogs” flying.
The squadron is providing all air transport during the multinational military training exercises, Partnership of the Americas and Southern Exchange—which is designed to expose military forces of 10 different nations to amphibious operations and the fundamentals to enhance peacekeeping.
Known colloquially as the "Phrog” because of its bubble-eyed cockpit and squatted stance, the CH-46 tandem rotor helicopter is the oldest military combat helicopter still in service today—in part because of its proven performance and rigorous Marine Corps maintenance schedules.
The CH-46 has been used in all Marine Corps combat and peacetime environments since its introduction in 1964. Sgt Daniel Velez, Airframer responsible for the metal fuselage said, “This “helo” has been around since Vietnam and even saw action in Iraq” as he pointed to the covered bullet holes in the metal.
All three of the helicopters used in this multinational exercise are over 40 years old and have a legacy of transporting Marines, supplies, and equipment in and out of combat areas and have supported training, disaster relief and humanitarian aid missions around the globe.
Although its longevity as a reliable airframe has led to such mantras as "phrogs phorever" and "never trust a helicopter under 30", the aircraft do occasionally break down. Marines of HMM-764, based in Edwards Air Force Base, Calif., were surprised when, not one, but two of their “helos” were grounded for engine issues.
Maintenance Chief, Gunnery Sgt. Angelo Servantez of Romeoville, Ill., said, “It is like having two cars and both of them have transmission problems during the same week”.
The problem was discovered by two different pilots who noticed that an indicator light, similar to a “check engine” light, was lit. The maintenance crew soon discovered that fine shards of metal had triggered a magnetic engine sensor, rendering the turbine too dangerous to run.
Two turbine engines were immediately requested from the U.S. and arrived Lima two days later. The third operational CH-46, piloted by, Lt. Col. Nilo De Los Reyes and Maj. Lance Henderson quickly flew to the airport to pickup the shipment, but were slowed down by the customs process. The crew stayed there overnight and then launched at first light to bring the engines to the awaiting team on ship.
Marines of the maintenance crew have the primary responsibility of servicing the aircraft, but all members of the unit joined in to lend a hand unloading the large steel crates and pulling the turbines from container.
The process to pull out the broken turbine and install a new one takes about four hours. Once testing is complete, the “Phrogs” will be back in the air transporting Marines and cargo just as decades of crews have done before.
The Marines of HMM-764 are as steady and reliable as the CH-46 themselves. Before the two “helos” were grounded, they had already conducted 28 flights totaling 80 hours, transported 640 passengers, and carried nearly 12,000 lbs. of cargo—an impressive feat in itself.
Although the “Phrog” is a proven combat fighter with a long legacy of experience and reliability, the Marine Corps is slowly phasing out the CH-46 until the newer MV-22 Osprey is fully fielded. The replacement process began in March 2006, and is expected to continue through the other medium helicopter squadrons into 2014.
Marines of HMM-764 are part of the Special Purpose Marine Air-Ground Task Force 24 in support of Partnership of the Americas 2010 and Southern Exchange 2010 a multinational exercise involving military forces from the U.S., Argentina, Brazil, Canada, Colombia, Ecuador, Mexico, Paraguay, Peru, and Uruguay.
| Date Taken: | 07.14.2010 |
| Date Posted: | 07.14.2010 23:27 |
| Story ID: | 52840 |
| Location: | ANCON, PE |
| Web Views: | 305 |
| Downloads: | 190 |
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