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Heavy haulin' just another day in Iraq for HMH-361

Marine Corps News

Story Identification #: 200411172355
Story by Cpl. Paul Leicht

AL TAQADDUM, Iraq (Nov 17, 2004) -- Whether it is heavy cargo, passengers or even a damaged aircraft from the battlefield, Marine Heavy Helicopter Squadron 361 can lift it to Marine units throughout Al Anbar Province, Iraq.

"External lifts are how we earn our bread and butter out here," said Capt. E.C. Palmer, pilot, HMH-361, and an Endwell, N.Y., native whose squadron has flown more than 2.6 million pounds of cargo and over 1,900 hours in Iraq during Operation Iraqi Freedom II. "Our primary mission is to transport supplies and heavy equipment, and our secondary mission is to carry personnel. We are out here to support everyone."

Marines have been flying the CH-53E Super Stallion, the largest helicopter in the U.S. military inventory since 1981, said Master Gunnery Sgt. Alfredo Hernandez, aviation logistics department, Marine Wing Headquarters Squadron 3, who is also a crew chief and a 23-year veteran of the Marine Corps.

Designed for land and sea-based operations, the CH-53E is the only helicopter capable of lifting some of the new weapon systems in the Marine Corps such as the M-198 Howitzer and the Light Armored Vehicle, according to www.fas.org.

"We recently externally lifted a damaged (AH-1W) Cobra that was hit by a (rocket propelled grenade) over Fallujah," said Capt. Brie Walker, pilot, HMH-361, and a native of Brunswick, Maine.

Without fuel the Cobra weighs a little more than 12,000 pounds.

"We typically carry external loads between 13,000 and 26,000 pounds," said Walker. "With the optional dual-point cargo hook system, we can carry external loads faster, but we still have to pay close attention to things such as our airspeed to lift the load safely and get it to where it needs to go."

The CH-53E is equipped with a standard single-point system enabling the helicopter to lift smaller loads.

The single-point system is made up of an 'A' frame attached to the helicopter, the pendant and an attached hook which drops through the 'hell-hole' located in the center of the fuselage.

"Compared to the single-point, the dual allows us to lift heavier loads and different types of loads," said Sgt. Bilhan Saavedra, crew chief, HMH-361, who as a qualified member of the crew observes the load through the 'hell-hole' before hook-up and during flight until drop-off.

"Loads vary in size and weight so the dual-point system allows us greater flexibility and is a bit more secure," said Capt. Matthew M. Keeney, pilot, HMH-361, and a native of Haddonfield, N.J.

'Calling the load' through the 'hell-hole,' crewmembers like Saavedra have a clear view of the load and the Helicopter Support Team on the ground that hook up the load to the CH-53 while it hovers less than 20 feet above the cargo.

Receiving updates from the crew helps the pilot fly the helicopter safely and in the right position to lift the load, said Walker.

With a constant stream of information, the crew helps the pilot to be fully aware of what is going on in the air and on the ground, explained Walker.

Compared to other CH-53 models, the 'E' variant's advantages include more payloads and in-flight refueling capabilities allowing for indefinite range.

Regardless of the load or the mission, the pilots of HMH-361 fly their Super Stallions in sections of two helicopters--each with it's own crew--as a sort of airborne battle-buddy system.

"Day or night, during every flight we watch each other's back," said Keeney.