Photo Information

Marines with Combat Logistics Battalion 2 secure a beam, which is intended to simulate a 6,000 pound cargo load, to a CH-53E Super Stallion operated by Marines with Marine Heavy Helicopter Training Squadron 302 aboard Camp Lejeune, N.C., June 16, 2015. HMHT-302 teamed up with Combat Logistics Battalion 2 to give pilots and landing support specialists familiarization with operating equipment and performing external operations, skills that allow them to deliver and recover supplies and gear quickly and efficiently in deployed settings. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Fatmeh Saad/Released)

Photo by Lance Cpl. Fatmeh Saad

Landing Support Specialists team up with the Super Stallion for Readiness

22 Jun 2015 | Lance Cpl. Fatmeh Saad The Official United States Marine Corps Public Website

Marines with Marine Heavy Helicopter Training Squadron 302, stationed aboard Marine Corps Air Station New River, North Carolina, teamed up with landing support specialists from several Combat Logistics Battalions to perform external lifts aboard Camp Lejeune, North Carolina, June 16-18.

The exercise included the use of a 6,000 pound cargo load, which was used to give student pilots and landing support specialists a real-life simulation to further enhance their training.

“External operations are integral to every student who progresses through the syllabus,” said Capt. Mike Caceres, a CH-53E Instructor Pilot with HMHT-302. “We start off the students on the aircraft with daytime exercises, showing them how a CH-53E crew handles moving an external load from one place to another as a team. Solid communication skills and situational awareness are a must.”

Learning the ropes aboard the aircraft were two student pilots under the supervision of Caceres, while landing support specialist worked in small helicopter support teams during the exercise to perform the lifts from the ground.

“Let’s play out the scenario that a reconnaissance unit needs ammunition, but the roads are riddled with known IEDs,” said Caceres. “Ground convoys would most probably be an unsafe option in this case; making the CH-53E the primary choice for any mission planner. It severely cuts down on time and spares Marines the danger of traveling by ground.”

External lifts have the potential to increase efficiency while decreasing expended resources, said Sgt. Christopher Dutzer, a platoon sergeant with CLB-2, Combat Logistics Regiment 2.

“In my opinion, helicopter support teams are extremely valuable tools that are underutilized,” said Dutzer. “They can be used to move gear, vehicles or supplies to and from a location in minutes, a process that would take hours to transport by vehicle.”

Caceres said that the units have a close working relationship and often support each other to provide their Marines with quality training.

“We take teaching these skill sets very seriously,” said Caceres. “External operations are fairly unique to Naval Aviation and provide the Marine Air-Ground Task Force with heavy lift capabilities that sets the CH-53E community apart.”