HMH-772 Hustlers Transfer MAG-40 Air Support Authority to HMH-462 Heavy Haulers
11/23/2009
By
Staff Sgt. Roman Yurek
,
Marine Aircraft Group 40
CAMP BASTION, Helmand Province, Afghanistan
Marine Heavy Helicopter Squadron 772 "Hustlers" transferred control of air support for Marine Aircraft Group 40, Marine Expeditionary Brigade-Afghanistan, to HMH-462 "Heavy Haulers" during a transfer of authority ceremony here, Nov. 16.
The Hustlers, commanded by Lt. Col. Michael Ulses, were one of two heavy lift helicopter squadrons operating for MAG-40. After a six month deployment, Ulses transferred his squadron's authority to Lt. Col. Ronnie Carson, the commanding officer of the Heavy Haulers.
"The transition went well and we have built a strong foundation for you," said Ulses as he addressed the Heavy Hauler Marines.
Ulses and the rest of the Hustlers arrived in Afghanistan in June from their home base of Naval Air Station Willow Grove Joint Reserve Base, Pa. Unlike most Marine Corps units, these reserve Marines will return to homes spread out across the U.S.
Like many squadrons, this was the Hustlers' first deployment to Afghanistan. While training for deployment, the Hustlers were outfitted with new aircraft. This added extra duties to the squadron as they completed training and had to prepare the new aircraft for deployment.
"The Marines handled this exceptionally well, with a well-thought-out and -executed plan, and an unbelievable amount of motivation," said Ulses "All key tasks were completed with everything being ready on time and transported to theater."
As the Hustlers begin their journey home, the Heavy Haulers will pick up exactly where their counterparts left off.
With more than 50 years of service, the Heavy Haulers are no stranger to high operational tempos. They earned the name Heavy Haulers in 1963 when the squadron became honorary members of the Havasupai Indian Tribe in Arizona after providing needed supplies to the tribe.
Following the support of the Havasupai tribe, the squadron conducted operations in Vietnam, Saudi Arabia, Japan and the Philippines. From 2003-2005, the squadron supported operations in both Iraq and Afghanistan.
"This was the best transition we have ever received," said Carson, adding that MAG-40 can expect the same professional work ethic that the Heavy Haulers are known for.
|
 
Camp Leatherneck, Helmand Province, Afghanistan-CAMP BASTION, Helmand province, Islamic Republic of Afghanistan - (Left) Sgt. Maj. Darren Cook, squadron sergeant major, and Lt. Col. Michael Ulses, commanding officer, both with Marine Heavy Helicopter Squadron 772 "Hustlers", case their organizational colors during a transfer of authority ceremony here, Nov. 16. The Hustlers officially relinquished authority to HMH-462 "Heavy Haulers" as one of two heavy lift helicopter squadrons for Marine Aircraft Group 40 in support of Marine Expeditionary Brigade-Afghanistan. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Staff Sgt. Roman Yurek), Staff Sgt. Roman Yurek, 11/16/2009 7:17 AM
Camp Leatherneck, Helmand Province, Afghanistan-CAMP BASTION, Helmand province, Islamic Republic of Afghanistan - The organizational colors for Marine Heavy Helicopter Squadron 462 "Heavy Haulers" replace the organizational colors for HMH-772 "Hustlers" during a transfer of authority ceremony here, Nov. 16. The Heavy Haulers assumed responsibility from the Hustlers as one of two heavy-lift helicopter squadrons for Marine Aircraft Group 40 in support of Marine Expeditionary Brigade-Afghanistan. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Staff Sgt. Roman Yurek), Staff Sgt. Roman Yurek, 11/16/2009 7:18 AM
Camp Leatherneck, Helmand Province, Islamic Republic of Afghanistan-CAMP BASTION, Helmand province, Islamic Republic of Afghanistan - (Left) Lt. Col. Ronnie Carson, commanding officer for Marine Heavy Helicopter Squadron 462 "Heavy Haulers," and Sgt. Maj. James Lucas, HMH-462 squadron sergeant major, salute the national and organizational colors as HMH-462 assumes authority from HMH-772 during a transfer of authority ceremony here, Nov. 16. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Staff Sgt. Roman Yurek), Staff Sgt. Roman Yurek, 11/16/2009 7:19 AM
Camp Leatherneck, Helmand Province, Islamic Republic of Afghanistan-CAMP BASTION, Helmand province, Islamic Republic of Afghanistan - Lt. Col. Michael Ulses, commanding officer for Marine Heavy Helicopter Squadron 772 "Hustlers," speaks to Marines at the transfer of authority ceremony here, Nov. 16, when HMH-772 transferred authority to HMH-462 "Heavy Haulers." Ulses spoke about the strong foundation his squadron built for the incoming squadron as it assumes responsibility as one of two heavy-lift helicopter squadrons for Marine Aircraft Group 40 in support of Marine Expeditionary Brigade-Afghanistan. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Staff Sgt. Roman Yurek), Staff Sgt. Roman Yurek, 11/16/2009 7:20 AM
Camp Leatherneck, Helmand Province, Islamic Republic of Afghanistan-CAMP BASTION, Helmand province, Islamic Republic of Afghanistan - Lt. Col. Ronnie Carson, commanding officer for Marine Heavy Helicopter Squadron 462 "Heavy Haulers", speaks to Marines at the transfer of authority ceremony here, Nov. 16, when HMH-462 assumed authority from HMH-772 "Hustlers." Carson spoke about the efforts that Marine Aircraft Group 40 can expect from his squadron in support of operations for Marine Expeditionary Brigade-Afghanistan. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Staff Sgt. Roman Yurek), Staff Sgt. Roman Yurek, 11/16/2009 7:21 AM
|