07/2/2014: Marines with Combat Logistics One hook the M777A2 lightweight howitzer up to a Ch-53 super stallion helicopter during Exercise Desert Scimitar at Marine Corps Air Ground Combat Center Twentynine Palms, Calif., May 8, 2014.
Desert Scimitar is a two-week, combined-element exercise to prepare Marines for deployments.
The Ch-53 is able to transport a howitzer quickly to locations that would otherwise be inaccessible.
[slidepress gallery=’making-usmc-cannons-expeditionary’]
Credit:1st Marine Division:5/9/14
- In the second photo, a Ch-53 super stallion helicopter sets a M777A2 lightweight howitzer down during Exercise Desert Scimitar at Marine Corps Air Ground Combat Center Twentynine Palms, Calif., May 8, 2014.
- In a third photo, a Ch-53 super stallion helicopter lifts a M777A2 lightweight howitzer during Exercise Desert Scimitar at Marine Corps Air Ground Combat Center Twentynine Palms, Calif., May 8, 2014.
- In the final photo, a Ch-53 super stallion helicopter approaches a M777A2 lightweight howitzer during Exercise Desert Scimitar at Marine Corps Air Ground Combat Center Twentynine Palms, Calif., May 8, 2014.The coming CH-53K will be able to carry three times the load externally of the CH-53E.