Rotorcraft Support for the USMC in Afghanistan

Posted on | by SysAdmin
06/07/2010

This slide show features the role of rotorcraft support to Marine Corps operations in Afghanistan.  Since the start of operations in Marjah, Marine Heavy Helicopter Squadron 466, Marine Aircraft Group 40, Marine Expeditionary Brigade-Afghanistan, has provided support of Operation Moshtarak. The squadron, known as the “Wolfpack,” provides heavy lifting capabilities for MAG-40 utilizing the CH-53E “Super Stallion” helicopter. The Super Stallions are capable of carrying more than 70,000 pounds, traveling at speeds up to 150 knots and flying more than 500 nautical miles without refueling.

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Credit: Marine Aircraft Group 40, Camp Leatherneck, Afghanistan, March 2010

  • The first photo shows two CH-53Es from the Squadron.
  • The second photo shows Lance Cpl. Jourdain Lycette, a crew chief for Marine Heavy Helicopter Squadron 466, Marine Aircraft Group 40, Marine Expeditionary Brigade-Afghanistan, scanning his surroundings from inside a CH-53E “Super Stallion” helicopter during a resupply mission, March 11.
  • The third photo shows a CH-53E Super Stallion helicopter with Marine Heavy Helicopter Squadron 466, Marine Aircraft Group 40, Marine Expeditionary Brigade-Afghanistan, refueling between resupply missions, March 11. The missions were to get food, water, mail and other supplies to the Marines at various forward operating areas.
  • The fourth photo shows Sgt. Jorge Pineda (left) and Staff Sgt. Ronald Apedaile (right), crew chiefs for Marine Heavy Helicopter Squadron 466, Marine Aircraft Group 40, Marine Expeditionary Brigade-Afghanistan, helping off-load a tri-wall filled with various supplies at forward operating base Delaram, March 11.
  • The final photo shows Sgt. Jorge Pineda, a crew chief for Marine Heavy Helicopter Squadron 466, Marine Aircraft Group 40, Marine Expeditionary Brigade-Afghanistan, scanning the skies of Helmand Province through the window of a CH-53E “Super Stallion” helicopter during a resupply mission, March 11.

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***Posted on June 9th, 2010