King Stallion Works with KC-130J on “Tail-to-Tail” Method of Logistical Support

Posted on | by Robbin Laird
06/21/2023

U.S. Marines with Marine Aerial Refueler Transport Squadron (VMGR) 252 transfer supplies from a KC-130J Hercules into a CH-53K King Stallion assigned to Marine Heavy Helicopter Squadron (HMH) 461 with an extended boom forklift – military millennium vehicle assigned to Marine Aviation Logistics Squadron (MALS) 29 at Marine Corps Air Station New River, North Carolina, June 7, 2023.

The tail-to-tail transfer of supplies allowed distribution of sustainment in the minimum time period of vulnerability by reducing break-bulk requirements.

U.S. Marines with 2nd Marine Aircraft Wing (MAW) experimented with dynamic, assault-support capabilities in a distributed-aviation environment.

VMGR-252, HMH-461, and MALS-29 are subordinate units of 2nd Marine Aircraft Wing, the aviation combat element of II Marine Expeditionary Force.

MARINE CORPS AIR STATION NEW RIVER, NC

06.07.2023

Photo by Cpl. Adam Henke 

2nd Marine Aircraft Wing

This approach is facilitated by the new Kilo helicopter.

The CH-53K‘s intermodal cargo system allows transfer of Air Mobility Command 463L pallets directly from fixed-wing transport aircraft (without the need for reconfiguration to wooden warehouse pallets) and lock them in place with an internal pallet locking system eliminating the need for the crisscrossing of cargo straps, significantly enhancing the speed of internal cargo operations and in-theater cargo throughput.

 

U.S. Marine Maj. Jon Hardcastle, left, a KC-130J Hercules pilot, and Lance Cpl. Colby Judge, left, loadmaster, both with Marine Aerial Refueler Transport Squadron (VMGR) 252, prepares a KC-130J Hercules for flight at Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point, North Carolina, June 7, 2023. The purpose of the training was to demonstrate logistical-connector capabilities in a distributed-aviation environment. VMGR-252 is a subordinate unit of 2nd Marine Aircraft Wing, the aviation combat element of II Marine Expeditionary Force.
U.S. Marines with Marine Heavy Helicopter (HMH) 461 load a palette into a CH-53K King Stallion at Marine Corps Air Station New River, North Carolina, June 7, 2023. The purpose of the training was to demonstrate logistical-connector capabilities in a distributed-aviation environment. HMH-461 is a subordinate unit of 2nd Marine Aircraft Wing, the aviation combat element of II Marine Expeditionary Force.
U.S. Marines with Marine Aerial Refueler Transport Squadron (VMGR) 252 transport supplies from a KC-130J Hercules into a CH-53K King Stallion assigned to Marine Heavy Helicopter Squadron (HMH) 461 at Marine Corps Air Station New River, North Carolina, June 7, 2023. The purpose of the training was to demonstrate logistical-connector capabilities in a distributed-aviation environment. VMGR-252 and HMH-461 are subordinate units of 2nd Marine Aircraft Wing, the aviation combat element of II Marine Expeditionary Force.
U.S. Marines with Marine Heavy Helicopter (HMH) 461 load a palette into a CH-53K King Stallion at Marine Corps Air Station New River, North Carolina, June 7, 2023. The purpose of the training was to demonstrate logistical-connector capabilities in a distributed-aviation environment. HMH-461 is a subordinate unit of 2nd Marine Aircraft Wing, the aviation combat element of II Marine Expeditionary Force.