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Helicopter support team hooks up with Warhorses during Exercise Desert Talon

Marine Corps News

Story Identification #: 2004128181412
Story by Cpl. Rocco DeFilippis

MARINE CORPS AIR STATION YUMA,Ariz. (Dec. 8, 2004) -- The Marines shielded their faces as they reached for the pennants with grounding rods to ensure 20,000 volts of static electricity didn’t shock them. With the bird hovering only feet above their heads, they attached the slings to the pennants, and cleared out of the way as the heavy hauler took off with a 17,000-pound iron beam dangling in the air.

Moving 17,000 pounds from one place to another can be a challenging task, but when that 17,000 pounds is vital equipment or supplies, it must be done.

The Marines of Beach Terminal Office Company, 2nd Transportation Support Battalion, 2nd Force Service Support Group, make the heavy lifts possible by providing the vital link between the birds in the air and the gear on the ground.

The BTO Co. Marines provide essential landing support teams and are preparing for a deployment to Operation Iraqi Freedom by participating in Exercise Desert Talon 01-05 at Marine Corps Air Station Yuma, Ariz.

“In garrison, we work about two HSTs a week, here we are doing at least six a week,” said Sgt. Jason E. Lott, HST head team leader, and native of Mobile, Ala. “The environment here in the deserts of California and Arizona are very similar to the situations we will face in Iraq. Here we are dealing with brownout conditions, rocks, dust, and debris, as opposed to the grass fields of (Marine Corps Base) Camp Lejeune.”

During the first flight operations phase of Desert Talon, aviation squadrons flew warm up and squadron specific flight missions, focusing on the lessons learned from 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing units operating in Iraq.

On Dec. 7, the HST Marines joined up with CH-53s from Marine Heavy Helicopter Squadron-465, out of MCAS Miramar, Calif. at LZ Bull for heavy lifting operations. The LZ, a dried up creek bed fully of rocks, is in a remote location in the desert of southwest California.

“Our focus is on setting up the lifts to the best of our ability so the pilots can train,” said Cpl. Daniel J. Botting, landing support specialist, and native of Manawa, Wis. “This environment allows us to not only support the pilots and their mission, but also prepares us for the conditions we will be working in.”

With some convoy routes in Iraq taking up to 16 hours to complete and all the dangers that go with moving supplies on Iraqi roads, aerial re-supply has become an invaluable part of OIF.

“The ability of the Marine Corps to provide aerial re-supply hinges on HST Marines being able to operate under any circumstances,” said Staff Sgt. Patrick M. Wales, HST staff noncommissioned officer in charge, and native of Winter Haven, Fla. “Training here at Desert Talon is preparing the Marines to ensure they can complete the mission and support the fight when the dust and rocks are flying.”