Recon falls from sky

9/22/2011 By Lance Cpl. Ryan Carpenter , 11th MEU

CAMP PENDLETON, Calif.

A reconnaissance platoon jumped from a CH-46E Sea Knight helicopter 2,500 feet above mountainous terrain here Sept. 22 during parachute training with the 11th Marine Expeditionary Unit.

The platoon was supported by the unit's aviation-combat element, Marine Medium Helicopter Squadron 268 (Reinforced). About 20 Marines and a Navy corpsman conducted two daytime and two nighttime low-level static-line parachute jumps.

A cord anchored to the aircraft and attached to the top of the parachute automatically deployed the chutes when the jumpers exited.

“We're learning to build our insert capabilities for reconnaissance missions and jump proficiency before deploying,” said Master Sgt. Joshua Lind, the operations chief for Company A, 1st Reconnaissance Battalion, based at Camp Pendleton, Calif.

The platoon conducted two jumps with basic parachute safety equipment and two jumps with combat gear, including body armor, a full pack and weapon.

The reconnaissance Marines reinforce the unit's ground-combat element, Battalion Landing Team 3/1.

The unit is preparing for its final sea-based exercise before deploying this fall.

CAMP PENDLETON, Calif.-Sgt. Lionel K. Phillips waits to have his equipment inspected during parachute operations training here Sept. 22. Phillips is the communications chief for the reconnaissance platoon, Battalion Landing Team 3/1. The battalion is the ground-combat element for the 11th Marine Expeditionary Unit, which is scheduled to deploy this fall. Phillips, 27, is from Mobile, Ala., Lance Cpl. Ryan Carpenter, 9/22/2011 7:14 AM
CAMP PENDLETON, Calif.-Reconnaissance Marines with Battalion Landing Team 3/1 watch a platoon member float under canopy here Sept. 22 during parachute operations training with Marine Medium Helicopter Squadron 268 (Reinforced). The landing team and squadron are the 11th Marine Expeditionary Unit's ground-combat element and aviation-combat element respectively. The unit is preparing for a Western Pacific deployment this fall. , Lance Cpl. Ryan Carpenter, 9/22/2011 8:46 AM
CAMP PENDLETON, Calif.-A reconnaissance Marine with Battalion Landing Team 3/1 jumps from a CH-46E Sea Knight helicopter here Sept. 22 during parachute operations training with Marine Medium Helicopter Squadron 268 (Reinforced). The landing team and squadron are the 11th Marine Expeditionary Unit's ground-combat element and aviation-combat element respectively. The unit is preparing for a Western Pacific deployment this fall. , Lance Cpl. Ryan Carpenter, 9/22/2011 9:09 AM
CAMP PENDLETON, Calif.-Reconnaissance Marines with Battalion Landing Team 3/1 float under canopy here Sept. 22 during parachute operations training with Marine Medium Helicopter Squadron 268 (Reinforced). The landing team and squadron are the 11th Marine Expeditionary Unit's ground-combat element and aviation-combat element respectively. The unit is preparing for a Western Pacific deployment this fall.
, Lance Cpl. Ryan Carpenter, 9/22/2011 9:25 AM