Page 8 - Ft. Huachuca Scout 7-10-15

8A The Scout FRIDAY, JULY 10, 2015

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MARINE CORPS AIR STATION

MIRAMAR, Calif. – Out of the dark-

ness, the distinct growl of a CH-53E

Super Stallion reaches across a dimly

lit horizon. It stops, hovering at the right

height before a rope drops from its “hell

hole,” a hatch in the helicopter’s floor. In

seconds, a squad of Marines pours out,

collects the tools of their trade and van-

ishes into the night.

The Marines’ ability to operate with

precision in darkness is a substantial asset.

Marine Heavy Helicopter Squadron

(HMH) 466, the “Wolfpack,” conducted

evening fast-rope training with 76 infan-

try Marines from Company G, Battalion

Landing Team 2nd Battalion, 1st Marine

Regiment at Marine Corps Base Camp

Pendleton, California, July 2.

Nighttime fast-rope training enables

Marines to practice inserting into an area

under the cover of darkness without land-

ing the aircraft. PHOTO BY SGT. LILLIAN STEPHENS
“The purpose is for Marines, both in- Marines from Golf Company, Battalion Landing Team 2nd Battalion, 1st Marine Regiment fast rope from a CH-53E Super Stallion on Marine Corps
Base Camp Pendleton, California, July 2. The helicopter pilots maintained a steady hover while Marines fast-roped to the ground below.
fantry and air crew, to gain proficiency

and experience,” said Capt. Joseph Tre- tive officer of Co. G, BLT 2/1, explained skills, safely operating their helicopters ecute the proper procedures.”

maine, a CH-53E Super Stallion pilot that fast-rope training is imperative for in a low hover above the ground in near- Fast-rope training can be a rare oppor-

and quality assurance officer with HMH- the Marines in the command. total darkness. tunity, but is very useful for the aircrew,

466. “[They need] to get on and off the “We must be able to insert into an “Flying at night definitely tactically said Tremaine.

helicopter in a safe manner.” area [using fast rope] via [helicopter],” aids us. It’s another tactic that keeps the “It’s important that we hold a steady

The Wolfpack flew a single CH-53E said Hilgendorf. “It’s more tactical with enemy from targeting us [and] firing [at] hover to ensure the safety of the guys get-

Super Stallion and worked quickly, pro- a higher probability of success.” us,” said Tremaine. “Obviously, doing ting out of the aircraft,” said Tremaine.

viding ample opportunity to rehearse the The infantry Marines aren’t the only things at night is tougher. [There’s] less “It’s good training for us to make sure we

maneuver. ones who benefited from the training. visibility ... so you really need to have practice our techniques and go through

First Lt. Ryan Hilgendorf, the execu- The pilots and aircrew honed critical that muscle memory down in order to ex- our specific [communications].”

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By Airman 1st Class Magen Reeves Smith, the 582nd Helicopter Group and flown to Sheridan, Wyoming. injured hiker.
commander at F.E. Warren Air Force “It was a fairly tough mission for the The rescue site was between the steep
341st Missile Wing Public Affairs Base, Wyoming, which the 40th HS
falls under. time of night and conditions,” Finnegan cliffs of the mountain side, where large
MALMSTROM AIR FORCE BASE, said. “But the crew worked well togeth- boulders created an unstable landing
Mont. – A UH-1N Iroquois crew as- “The ground team would have been er and their training kicked in.” surface for the hoist operator to lower
signed to the 40th Helicopter Squadron too slow,” said Finnegan, the aircraft the dock down to retrieve the injured
here rescued an injured female hiker in commander and chief of current op- At an altitude of 9,600 feet, the air woman.
the Big Horn Mountain Range roughly erations at the 40th HS. “There were becomes thinner and the blades require
15 miles west of Buffalo, Wyoming, no other assets to get to her before we a higher power to perform properly, “I had to lower the flight surgeon in
July 5 at approximately 5:20 a.m. could.” Marchick said. the dock to the rescue site with only 140
feet of cable,” Oliver said. “Usually we
The rescue marked the 408th save for The aircrew was notified at approxi- “We were pushing the helicopter to have more cable, but due to terrain re-
the 40th HS. mately 12:15 a.m. and took off at 1:30 its limits due to the altitude,” said Mar- strictions we had to work with what we
a.m. to rescue the female hiker who had chick, who had to support the mission had.”
The aircrew consisted of two pilots: sustained minor injuries and needed to from a radio on the ground. “We found
Capt. Matthew Finnegan and Maj. Jef- receive emergency medical care. a field and stripped the helicopter bare. The mission’s success is never a be-
fery Miser; two special mission avia- We took out the seats and extra gear and cause of a single reason, Oliver said.
tors: Staff Sgts. Ryan Oliver and Daniel Despite the early morning call, this is even crewmembers. Every little pound “It’s from the maintenance crew to the
Marchick; and one flight surgeon: Capt. what the 40th HS Airmen train for. counted.” aircrew’s training and communication.
Melonie Parmley. Communication is huge.
“You kick into gear and just go,” Mar- After maneuvering the helicopter
The aircrew was dispatched after a chick said. “When I got to the squadron, into the mountain range, the aircrew en- “Training makes days like this a little
rescue was requested through the Res- I didn’t even go into the building. I just countered another obstacle. less nerve-wracking,” Oliver added.
cue Coordination Center at Tyndall Air started pulling equipment and gear out
Force Base, Florida. The 40th HS was of the lockers for the flight.” “The concern was not smashing the The female was transported from the
then directly contacted and the rescue dock and flight surgeon into the side of helicopter to an ambulance at 5:50 a.m.
mission was approved by Col. David At 5:20 a.m., the injured woman was the mountain,” said Oliver, who oper- and was taken to Sheridan Memorial
hoisted out of the rocky Big Horn Range ated the hoist to lower Parmley to the Hospital, Whyoming.