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Greyhawks reach 40,000 mishap-free flight hours

Marine Corps News

Release Date: 12/18/2003

Story by Lance Cpl. John Sayas

MARINE CORPS AIR STATION MIRAMAR, Calif.(Dec. 19, 2003) -- While preparing for a possible redeployment in support of the war in Iraq, Marines of Marine Medium Helicopter Squadron 161, Grey-hawks, made their mark in squadron history by surpassing the 40,000 mishap-free flight hours mark recently during a training exercise in Indiana Springs, Nev.

The squadron began their climb into the history books in August 1995. Since then, the Marines have been involved in numerous exercises and operations in the Western Pacific and Operation Iraqi Freedom. During the war, the Marines were involved in a variety of supporting missions while attached to the 15th Marine Expeditionary Unit (Special Operations Capable) including the destruction of 45 enemy targets. These targets consisted of artillery, tanks, armored vehicles, aircraft and buildings.

"Going ten years is relatively significant in hitting 40,000 hours between being embarked on ships and going into random countries supporting various operations," said Capt. Jason E. Donovan, flight officer and Easton, N.H., native.

HMM-161 consists mainly of CH-46E Sea Knights, but when reinforced, it is capable of conducting a full range of Marine air operations, comprising of CH-53E Super Stallion, UH-1N Huey and AH-1W Super Cobra helicopters, and AV-8B Harriers. None of the aircraft have been involved in any class "A" mishaps, meaning there was no loss of aircraft, no loss of life or damage sustained in excess of $1 million.

Donovan said the effort by all the enlisted Marines to keep the aircraft maintained and officers flying safely is what allowed the milestone to be accomplished.

"It is not just a testament to the people flying the aircraft, flying them safely and accomplishing what they are set out to do, but also a testament to the young Marines working on the aircraft and keeping them flying for 40,000 hours and not losing any missions," said Donovan.

Capt. C. L. Janecek, aviation safety officer, said it is a hard milestone to hit because of the kind of flying the squadron does on a regular basis. He said the work they do is dangerous and involves many different environmental and human factors that can easily cause a mishap to occur.

"It says a lot about how the guys work in shop and how the pilots are trained," said the El Paso, Texas native.