U.S. And Colombian Marines Train Together In CH-46E Helos
Colombian Marines search the sky as they hear a loud commotion
overhead. Within minutes, three CH-46E Sea Knight helicopters creep
from the trees and land at the flight line as part of a joint
subject matter expert exchange on Colombian Marine Corps Base
Covenas in Colombia, August 13.
Colombian Marines geared up in preparation to fly in CH-46E Sea
Knight helicopters with U.S. Marines from Marine Medium Helicopter
Squadron 774, Aviation Combat Element of Special-Purpose Marine
Air-Ground Task Force Continuing Promise 2010, as part of a
continued partnership between the two countries. Prior to their
flight, Colombians learned how to enter and exit the aircraft and
were given a safety brief by the U.S. Marines. “Everything we
taught the Colombian Marines is what we teach our U.S. Marines
every day,” said Gunnery Sgt. Donald L. Fretwell, native of
Richmond, VA, and staff noncommissioned officer in charge of flight
equipment. “The Colombian Marines taught our Marines how they
train, and we wanted to show them how we operate in
aviation.”
U.S. Marines and Colombian Marines working together as one team
was a morale booster for Fretwell. He said it helps build
camaraderie between the two countries, and he enjoyed sharing his
knowledge with the Colombians.
Not only did three CH-46E Sea Knight helicopters support the
subject matter expert exchange with Colombian Marines, but HMM-774
pilots and crewmembers played a vital role in transporting
approximately 145 USS Iwo Jima and Colombian personnel from ship to
shore and shore to ship for the ten days spent in Covenas,
Colombia. The squadron also transported 42,000 pounds of cargo and
spent more than 95 hours in flight. “Transporting individuals
to the right place at the right time is what we’re here
for,” said Fretwell. “When we landed in Colombia and
had time to spare, we let Colombians get on the aircraft, and they
were excited to see us and be inside the helicopter.”
The ACE has been the primary transportation for Continuing
Promise 2010, said Lt. Col. Scott W. Grandgeorge, the commanding
officer of HMM-774, 4th Marine Aircraft Wing, Norfolk, VA, based.
“Our Marines are doing a great job with every mission
they’re given,” said Grandgeorge, native of Somonauk,
Ill. “We all come together as a team and the mission allows
us to perform at a level that the Marines never have. We
don’t get the opportunity deploy as much as the other Marines
do, with us being a reserve squadron. The Marines are very excited
to be here.”