Page 23 - 100 Hours to Destiny

our way to give us information. We were told that no matter what is said to
us that we are to wait and react, show no emotions, do not ask questions,
only listen. These people are coming in from S-2 (the information gathering
group). “The S-2 Marines are going to come in fast and have a briefing, they
will be in and out and that is why you will not put any questions to them and
only listen. Later we will discuss what is said between ourselves. Is that
understood Delta?” A loud booming “Yes Sir” was the reply.
No sooner than Rock aka Captain Pollard received his Yes Sir from
Delta, the thunderous thumping of a giant roto prop could be heard coming
from the south. All of Delta turned and began to scan the horizon, together.
Each man wondering, waiting for what was going to be said. Then glistening
near the desert floor, there appeared a giant beast helicopter. The pride of
the US Marine Corps’ chopper fleet, the monstrous CH-53 Sea Stallion.

The S-2 group, along with the briefing Captain, landed just North of our position at the
Company Coil in a monstrous CH-53 Sea Stallion similar to the one seen in this photo. Delta
Marines would learn here, that the odds were stacked against them, once again.
The chopper came up on Delta Company breaking to the
right…Amazing acrobatic ability for such a giant airship. The Sea Stallion
slowly came to hover 100 yards north of Delta Company’s position. Rock
looked at us and we looked at Rock, “Well let’s go over there. Mob move.”
We all knew what that meant, and Rock grinned.
The door burst open on the Sea Stallion, and out came a team of
Marines from the chopper. They hit the ground running with charts in hand,
set up easels, had tables with them, and had accessories to give a quick class.
Delta Company met them halfway between the chopper and Delta’s coil on
the desert sand.