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'Warhorses' ride home

Marine Corps News

Release Date: 8/4/2003

Story by Lance Cpl. Paul Leicht

MARINE CORPS AIR STATION MIRAMAR, Calif.(August 1, 2003) -- Fifteen CH-53E Sea Stallions flew in three groups of five in clear-blue skies over San Diego, bringing more Marines home from Operation Iraqi Freedom.

After a more than six-month deployment with Marine Aircraft Group 16, Landing Force West, the helicopters of Marine Heavy Helicopter Squadron 465 landed on the flight line and rolled one by one to form up in front of Hangar 4 here Friday.

The engines turned off in unison and bay doors began to open.

Wearing either tan flight suits or desert camouflage utilities and boonie covers, more than 225 Marines from HMH-465 and MAG-16 offloaded and then marched in single file to form-up in front of a crowd of cheering and exuberant loved ones, friends and fellow Marines from 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing ready to welcome them back.

The returning Marines were quickly dismissed to find themselves reunited with faces they had not seen for some time. Sea bags dropped to the deck and with that, hugs and handshakes soon surrounded everyone.

War stories and expressions of joy filled the air while some Marines showed their friends and family the helicopters that brought them back. For others, departure was swifter to enjoy some time-off on leave or to fulfill unrealized plans for time together.

"We have a wedding to plan and get ready for next month," said Lance Cpl. Christopher W. Doggett, 21, aircraft communications systems technician, HMH-465. "We're both very excited."

With his fiancée leaning on his shoulder holding a single red rose, Doggett, a native of Snyder, Texas, added that he was proud of the members of his squadron and all of the work they had done during his first deployment.

There were other Warhorses too who, having seen the Iraqi desert before during the Gulf War, were equally impressed with the experience at overseas.

"From the top down, the Navy and Marine Corps team on USS Boxer was outstanding," said Gunnery Sgt. Jeff Haberek, 37, avionics noncommissioned officer in charge, HMH-465, who was greeted by his wife Christie and his daughter Sunny Faith. "Looking back, it's the camaraderie on ship that I will always remember most."

Returning with the Marines were Lt. Col. Daniel C. Deamon, commanding officer, HMH-465, and Col. Stuart L. Knoll, commanding officer, MAG-16.

During the deployment Knoll led the assault support helicopters used in the successful raid on Saddam Hospital, An Nasiriyah, in search of Army Pfc. Jessica Lynch. At its peak, MAG-16 combined for a total of 1,321 Marines and Sailors under Colonel Knoll's command.

The Marines of HMH-465 and MAG-16 were stationed on USS Boxer and departed January 17 in support of Operation Enduring and Iraqi Freedom. While deployed, they participated in numerous flight operations and played an integral part of the combined arms operations while in theatre.

Living up to their nickname, the Warhorses of HMH-465 contributed significantly to the accomplishments of MAG-16, whose personnel flew 4,196 sorties and 7,166 hours off-loading 13,128 personnel and 6,106,740 pounds of cargo, tactically inserting Marines into strategic locations.