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HSC-22 and 26 MEU Team up for VBSS

Navy NewsStand

Story Number: NNS100502-02
5/2/2010

By Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Phil Beaufort, USS Kearsarge Public Affairs

ABOARD USS KEARSARGE (NNS) -- Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron (HSC) 22 and 26th Marine Expeditionary Unit (26 MEU) are building a Visit, Board, Search and Seizure (VBSS) capability for their upcoming deployment aboard the amphibious assault ship USS Kearsarge (LHD 3).

According to 26 MEU VBSS Lead Planner Lt.j.g. Karrie Muller, with the retirement of the medium-lift CH-46 Sea Knight helicopter the Marines determined that the Navy's MH-60S Seahawk meets all their criteria for inserting Marines during a VBSS mission.

"This is the just the second time we have trained with the Navy Seahawk squadron," said Muller. "They came down to Camp Lejeune last month and provided a platform for the assault element to fast rope out of and into the Special Operations Training Group (SOTG) training compound. The MH-60S provides the perfect insert platform for the HVBSS mission."

HSC 22's primary mission is Search and Rescue (SAR) and resupply using the MH-60S Seahawk helicopter. That capability will not go away, but they will add an important tactical capability they have not done with Marines before.

According to Lt.j.g. Sean Rice, assistant operations officer of HSC 22 Detachment 3, what made the transition from a support roll to a tactical capability possible was the modular capability, increased power and interior configuration of the S series Seahawk.

"The MH-60 Sierra is basically a Blackhawk helicopter built for the Navy," said Rice. "Unlike previous versions of the Seahawk which only had one large rear door, the Sierra has doors on each side, which allows tactical teams to exit out each side of the helicopter."

According to Naval Air Crewman 1st Class Alex Lesdesma, the Sierra also comes with a modular weapons package, providing greater air support to the Marines once they've departed the aircraft.

"With a full load-out we can mount two M240D machine guns, two 50 cal. machine and eight Hellfire missiles," said Ledesma. "This makes the Sierra a great tactical platform for Maritime Interdiction Operations (MIO) or Anti-terrorism Force Protection (ATFP) missions."

Muller said the composition of the Marine VBSS team is made up of two elements, an Assault Element and a Security Element.

"The assault element, consisting of RECON Marines, is trained in fast roping and vertical insertion," said Muller. "They then attend a six-week school with Special Operations Training Group (SOTG) where they learn basic combat marksmanship, VBSS close quarters tactics, and VBSS specific skills."

Muller said the second element of the VBSS team is the security element, made up with Marines from 26 MEU's Battalion Landing Team (BLT 3/8).

"They will insert after the assault element to assist in the securing of the vessel," said Muller. "They also attend a three-week course on combat marksmanship, VBSS close-quarters tactics and VBSS specific skills."

Ledesma said it also allows HSC 22's crew to utilize all their skills.

"Training up with the Marines gives our air crewmen the opportunity to exercise all our tactical training," said Ledesma. "We're all trained as SAR swimmers, but I don't think that many people realize we're also fully trained in crew-served weapons or the extent of our tactical capability. We're all pretty excited about this training."

Rice said the Sierra's versatility makes it an ideal platform for inserting Marine Corps VBSS teams.

"We've been working with 26 MEU for the past three months, and I think the Marines really like what we bring to the table," said Rice. "One of the reasons the Sierra is such a good platform for VBSS is its hover capability. With its four-blade configuration and automatic hover couplet, you can set the autopilot to hover right off the deck of a ship without a lot of down-wash from the rotor blades. Also, in creep-mode you can set the auto pilot to the speed of the ship you're over, and it will follow along at the same speed."

Rice said the creep mode is also important because it provides a steady, low vibration platform for snipers.

"The snipers provide overwatch for the assault force when they are most vulnerable; inserting via the fastrope," said Rice. "The SEAL sniper teams we've trained with really appreciate the stability the Sierra provides."

Due to its plug-and-play design and advanced communication suite, the Sierra can be set up as a command and control platform, which the Marines' Raider Command could fully utilize on a tactical mission.

"Working with the HSC-22 has been excellent in my opinion," said Muller. "HSC-22's willingness to support VBSS training has greatly enhanced the skill sets of the VBSS raid force."

Kearsarge is currently conducting Amphibious Squadron (Phibron) Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU) Integration Training (PMINT) with 26 MEU of the coast of North Carolina.