Marine Helo Teams Train For Iraq Deployment

Before every big show, actors, actresses, stage crew and the director rehearse for days on end, perfecting the timing and delivery of all dialogue and production to ensure the show goes on as a hit. If pieces of the puzzle are not running efficiently and cohesively, other sections can not successfully complete their job to the best of their ability.

In the same respect, before deploying to the theater of Iraq, squadrons must rehearse operations in combat-simulated a training environment here in the US. Before the curtain goes up on a deployment, Miramar squadrons will have had ample amount of practice with one another to ensure each knows their role in combat operations.

In the skies over California August 30, Marines with Marine Heavy Helicopter Squadron 462 and Marine Heavy Helicopter Squadron 361 participated in an integration exercise designed to familiarize the two squadrons with one another.

Integration exercises are designed for pilots and air crews to work synonymously with other squadrons to perfect the operations they will be conducting during upcoming deployments. The scenarios allow for pilots and air crews to learn each other's habits and tendencies, allowing for greater success while in country.

"These types of training missions are done to prepare pilots and aircrews to operate in environments similar to what they will see while deployed to Iraq," said Capt. Blair J. Garner, a pilot and future operations officer with HMH-462. "Temperature and dust are two extremes we have no control over so practicing landing in small area's with these conditions will help when we are required to do it for real."

Another of the missions involved in the training exercises includes practicing divisional tactics.

Divisional tactics involve maneuvering several aircrafts in sync with one another, which requires training for all crews involved. The pilots stay in ready communication with their crew chiefs to remain informed of all activity around them in order to be completely effective.

Many of these tactics involve close-quarter landings and tactical airborne formations, which can be dangerous if not properly executed.

"Communication between pilots and crew chiefs plays an essential role in the success of the mission," said Cpl. John Husbands, a CH-53E crew chief with HMH-361. "Because the pilots have no idea what's happening inside, behind or underneath the aircraft, we inform them of all activity and positions of all other aircraft in the vicinity."

Other activities include enemy contact from the air or ground and the assault element assigned to escort the aircraft to and from their destination.

"Integration of units is important because you have to train to the standard of going into unfriendly places with units you don't often work with," said Capt. Tyler Leonard, a pilot with HMH-462. "It's important for us to go out and keep up our training, which gives a good idea on what we will encounter and who we'll be working with to get the job done while in Iraq."

The Super Stallion comes equipped with two window-mounted M2 .50 caliber machine guns, with the ability to mount a third to the rear hatch of the aircraft.

Much like ground troop movements and mounted combat patrols, the crew is informed of their sector of fire to not inadvertently fire rounds at their own men. Flying in tactical formations also allows for security on all flanks.

By rehearsing these situations, the Marines manning these weapons know the location of the other aircrafts, preventing friendly fire.

The Department of Defense promotes the use of joint service integration training by conducting operations such as Valiant Shield. The training operation in 2007 included more than 30 ships, 280 aircraft and 20,000 service members from the Air Force, Coast Guard, Navy and Marine Corps.

The exercise, which was held in the Guam operating area, tested the ability to manage shared air space and train for future operations in the area. After all... becoming familiar with those you work with and having trust in them to complete their job, will save from suffering stage fright when the show goes live.

(Aero-News salutes Lance Cpl. Michael R. Stevens, MCAS Miramar.)

FMI: www.marines.mil