'Snake pilots' with HMLA-169 focus on Fallujah mission success
Marine Corps News
Story Identification #: 20041212286
Story by Cpl. Paul Leicht
AL ANBAR PROVINCE, Iraq (Dec 1, 2004) -- Marine AH-1W Super Cobra helicopter gunship pilots inflicted major damage on terrorists in the larger unfolding drama of war-ravaged Fallujah.
Bonded by the sobering reality of combat, 'snake pilots' with Marine Light/Attack Helicopter Squadron 169, Marine Aircraft Group 16, 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing, shared an experience that illuminates a unique esprit de corps that comes with 'wings of gold.'
Operating day and night as a detachment out of an austere airfield near Fallujah, Cobras with HMLA-169 flew close air support, casualty evacuation and convoy escorts, and armed reconnaissance missions, said Capt. William B. Fenwick, pilot, HMLA-169, and native of Camp Hill, Penn.
"What we do is all about supporting the Marines on the ground to make a difference so that their job is a little easier," said Fenwick who flew exclusively at night during the battle. "They did all the really hard work to liberate a city infested with a determined and capable enemy."
HMLA-169's detachment went into the Fallujah inferno with eight pilots, four Cobras and 30 maintainers supporting 24-hour operations and emerged with an indelible impression.
"You remind yourself that you knew upon joining the Marine Corps that you expected to go in harm's way, that the stakes are high for all involved, that your training and experience to date have prepared you for the challenges ahead and that the best results come when you stick to that training," said 1st Lt. Shawn E. Anderson, front-seat pilot, HMLA-169, and a native of Fort Pierce, Fla., who was wounded by shrapnel during the battle. "Whether maintainer or pilot, our squadron's success comes from Marines being Marines, and doing what they're trained to do with stamina and endurance, under less than perfect circumstances."
Putting the 'close' in close air support, Anderson's tandem-seat, twin-engine Cobra was hit by enemy fire over the city. With his rear-seat pilot seriously injured, he took his set of flight controls and landed the critically damaged helicopter safely on Fallujah's peninsula.
A CH-53E Super Stallion with Marine Heavy Helicopter Squadron 361 later externally lifted Anderson's Cobra from the battlefield.
"He saved himself, his pilot and the aircraft," recalled Maj. Glen G. Butler, executive officer, HMLA-169. "The other pilot in the Cobra was (medically evacuated) back to the States and is recovering with injuries, but he'll be okay. Lieutenant Anderson did a fantastic job."
Having the right combat mindset also helped other 'snake drivers' get the job done over Fallujah.
"You really don't think about all the bad things that accompany combat when you are engaged in it," explained 1st Lt. D.P. McGuire, front-seat pilot, HMLA-169, who is a native of Delmar, N.Y, who flew with the squadron's leader during the battle. "You do the job you were trained for and after the mission is complete, there is always plenty of time to reflect on what happened. You can never completely prepare yourself for what can happen out there. You just compartmentalize, complete the mission at hand and hope that your equipment and training bring you out alive...and a little luck can help as well."
Knowledge of the threat, the ground combat scheme of maneuver, and proven tactics and procedures with a focused approach enabled the pilots to communicate and support squad-sized elements to battalion fire support plans, said Lt.Col. Lloyd A. Wright, commanding officer, HMLA-169.
"We were constantly getting updates from the Forward Air Controllers on enemy activity and friendly movement within the city," recalled McGuire. "There were numerous times that Marines were in close proximity to the enemy as we employed our weapons systems. I just hope that what we did made a difference and were able to knock a few doors down so that the enemy would pay with their lives and not our Marines."
Firing precision-guided missiles, high-explosive rockets and thousands of 20mm machinegun rounds into a variety of insurgent positions in Fallujah, the Marines of HMLA-169 painted a clear picture for the enemy.
"They will not win," McGuire said confidently.
"Giving those Marines the support they need requires that we, as pilots, have a high degree of familiarity with the big picture operationally, as well as the smaller pictures of each individual unit," said Anderson. "Before (Operation Al Fajr) started we spent a lot of time studying maps and imagery--familiarizing ourselves with terrain features, control measures, and key buildings and checkpoints. The more you know before taking off is directly related to how quickly, and how well, you can support the Marines on the ground."
The 'snake drivers' attribute much of their success during the battle to the aircrew and maintenance crews of the squadron.
"Our mission of supporting Marines in Fallujah would never have been accomplished without the hard work and dedication of our maintenance Marines," a modest McGuire said. "We never missed a mission that we were tasked with or missed a chance to support Marines fighting in Fallujah and that is attributed to our aircraft readiness and especially to the Marines that accomplish that job."
After some of their attack helicopters took fire from the enemy below in Fallujah, the maintainers immediately assessed the battle damage and began repairs so that the aircraft could fight again, McGuire said.
"It takes everyone to get the job done," explained Anderson. "We all have our own little piece of the operation, our own tasking and responsibilities, and as a squadron, we wouldn't have been successful if all of those pieces didn't pull through."
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