Integrated Training Exercise 1-25: The CH-53K Contributes

Posted on | by Robbin Laird
02/23/2025

As the Trump Administration considers a way ahead for U.S. forces, support for the USMC should be front and center.

Multi-domain warfare delivered by a survivable and lethal force is at the heart of effective distributed operations.

The Maines have crafted the most advanced air enablement capability for the ground forces whether in support of land or sea operations in the world.

I have had the privilege of seeing this capability stood up since 2007 and have written extensively about this transformation of Marine Corps airpower in service of what I have called the Three Dimensional Warriors.

First, I have followed the standup of the Osprey, a revolutionary aircraft whose journey since 2007 in transforming the USMC since its introduction, I highlight in my forthcoming book, A Tiltrotor Enterprise: From Iraq to the Future.

Second, I have been engaged in the creation of the F-35 global enterprise from the beginning. having the privilege of working for Secretary Wynne. I have written about that in one already published book. My Fifth Generation Journey and two forthcoming books: Italy and the F-35 and America, Global Military Competition, and Opportunities Lost: Reflections on the Work of Michael W. Wynne.

The F-35 gives the Marines an unprecedented capability to enable a distribute force in the form of the F-35B.

And with the upcoming block upgrade, the aircraft will be able to operate several autonomous systems as well.

Unfortunately, there are those who seem to believe that manned systems are sunsetted with the arrival of drones but rather they are the leaders in shaping a combined arms approach to the use of such systems. And the Marines can be at the forefront of a new combined arms capability built around man-machine teaming, not the least of which because of their experience of how a wolfpack of F-35s works across the joint and coalition forces already.

And the latest arrival to the force is the King Stallion, which combines its air refuelability heavy lift platform with a digital ecosystem enabling it to evolve with the coming autonomous system revolution.

I have written about this but in a preliminary way in my book, The Coming of the CH-53K : A New Capability for the Distributed Force.

And the King Stallion which is initially based at 2nd Marine Airwing is becoming a frequent participant in the advanced training of the USMC as at the Integrated Training Exercise 1-25 at Training Area Lead Mountain, Marine Corps Air-Ground Combat Center, Twentynine Palms, California being held currently.

The video below highlights its presence as do the photos in the slideshow below.


I would argue that the USMC role could grow if the Trump Administration embraces the paradigm shift in maritime operations before our eyes. This is a subject I address this year in detail in my new book with that title. The challenge is to embrace the forces and capabilities which can deliver distributed maritime effects, not dependent solely on capital ships. The Marines are accelerating their ability to do so and should receive the recognition and the funds to do so.

A CH-53K King Stallion helicopter assigned to Marine Heavy Helicopter Squadron (HMH) 461, Marine Aircraft Group 29, 2nd Marine Aircraft Wing, is staged in preparation for the air assault portion of Marine Air-Ground Task Force Distributed Maneuver Exercise 1-25 at Marine Corps Air-Ground Combat Center, Twentynine Palms, California, Feb. 11, 2025. MDMX prepares Marines for future conflicts by combining constructed virtual training with offensive and defensive live-fire and maneuver training scenarios. Service Level Training Exercise 1-25 is designed to enhance readiness across core Mission Essential Tasks and prepares the MAGTF to execute distributed operations across vast, diverse environments by emphasizing decentralized command and control. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Sgt. Makayla Elizalde)
A U.S Marine assigned to Marine Heavy Helicopter Squadron (HMH) 461, Marine Aircraft Group 29, 2nd Marine Aircraft Wing, does quality control checks before a helicopter take off during the air assault portion of Marine Air-Ground Task Force Distributed Maneuver Exercise 1-25 at Marine Corps Air-Ground Combat Center, Twentynine Palms, California, Feb. 11, 2025. MDMX prepares Marines for future conflicts by combining constructed virtual training with offensive and defensive live-fire and maneuver training scenarios. Service Level Training Exercise 1-25 is designed to enhance readiness across core Mission Essential Tasks and prepares the MAGTF to execute distributed operations across vast, diverse environments by emphasizing decentralized command and control. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Sgt. Makayla Elizalde)
U.S. Marine Corps Lance Cpl. Dakota Dunn a crew chief with Marine Heavy Helicopter Squadron (HMH) 461, Marine Aircraft Group 29, 2nd Marine Aircraft Wing, does quality control checks before the air assault portion of Marine Air-Ground Task Force Distributed Maneuver Exercise 1-25 at Marine Corps Air-Ground Combat Center, Twentynine Palms, California, Feb. 11, 2025. MDMX prepares Marines for future conflicts by combining constructed virtual training with offensive and defensive live-fire and maneuver training scenarios. Service Level Training Exercise 1-25 is designed to enhance readiness across core Mission Essential Tasks and prepares the MAGTF to execute distributed operations across vast, diverse environments by emphasizing decentralized command and control. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Sgt. Makayla Elizalde)
U.S. Marine Corps Staff Sgt. Fred Miller, a Pahrump, Nevada native, crew chief with Marine Heavy Helicopter Squadron (HMH) 461, Marine Aircraft Group 29, 2nd Marine Aircraft Wing, poses for a photo before the air assault portion of Marine Air-Ground Task Force Distributed Maneuver Exercise 1-25 at Marine Corps Air-Ground Combat Center, Twentynine Palms, California, Feb. 11, 2025. MDMX prepares Marines for future conflicts by combining constructed virtual training with offensive and defensive live-fire and maneuver training scenarios. Service Level Training Exercise 1-25 is designed to enhance readiness across core Mission Essential Tasks and prepares the MAGTF to execute distributed operations across vast, diverse environments by emphasizing decentralized command and control. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Sgt. Makayla Elizalde)
U.S. Marines with Marine Heavy Helicopter Squadron (HMH) 461, Marine Aircraft Group 29, 2nd Marine Aircraft Wing, and 2nd Battalion, 7th Marine Regiment, 1st Marine Division, fly in a CH-53K King Stallion during the air assault portion of Marine Air-Ground Task Force Distributed Maneuver Exercise 1-25 at Marine Corps Air-Ground Combat Center, Twentynine Palms, California, Feb. 11, 2025. MDMX prepares Marines for future conflicts by combining constructed virtual training with offensive and defensive live-fire and maneuver training scenarios. Service Level Training Exercise 1-25 is designed to enhance readiness across core Mission Essential Tasks and prepares the MAGTF to execute distributed operations across vast, diverse environments by emphasizing decentralized command and control. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Sgt. Makayla Elizalde)
U.S. Marine Corps Lance Cpl. Dakota Dunn a crew chief with Marine Heavy Helicopter Squadron (HMH) 461, Marine Aircraft Group 29, 2nd Marine Aircraft Wing, monitors a logistical movement during the air assault portion of Marine Air-Ground Task Force Distributed Maneuver Exercise 1-25 at Marine Corps Air-Ground Combat Center, Twentynine Palms, California, Feb. 11, 2025. MDMX prepares Marines for future conflicts by combining constructed virtual training with offensive and defensive live-fire and maneuver training scenarios. Service Level Training Exercise 1-25 is designed to enhance readiness across core Mission Essential Tasks and prepares the MAGTF to execute distributed operations across vast, diverse environments by emphasizing decentralized command and control. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Sgt. Makayla Elizalde)
U.S. Marine Corps Staff Sgt. Fred Miller, a Pahrump, Nevada native, crew chief with Marine Heavy Helicopter Squadron (HMH) 461, Marine Aircraft Group 29, 2nd Marine Aircraft Wing, poses for a photo during the air assault portion of Marine Air-Ground Task Force Distributed Maneuver Exercise 1-25 at Marine Corps Air-Ground Combat Center, Twentynine Palms, California, Feb. 11, 2025. MDMX prepares Marines for future conflicts by combining constructed virtual training with offensive and defensive live-fire and maneuver training scenarios. Service Level Training Exercise 1-25 is designed to enhance readiness across core Mission Essential Tasks and prepares the MAGTF to execute distributed operations across vast, diverse environments by emphasizing decentralized command and control. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Sgt. Makayla Elizalde)
U.S. Marine Corps Staff Sgt. Fred Miller, a Pahrump, Nevada native, crew chief with Marine Heavy Helicopter Squadron (HMH) 461, Marine Aircraft Group 29, 2nd Marine Aircraft Wing, scans the horizon with a .50-caliber machine gun during the air assault portion of Marine Air-Ground Task Force Distributed Maneuver Exercise 1-25 at Marine Corps Air-Ground Combat Center, Twentynine Palms, California, Feb. 11, 2025. MDMX prepares Marines for future conflicts by combining constructed virtual training with offensive and defensive live-fire and maneuver training scenarios. Service Level Training Exercise 1-25 is designed to enhance readiness across core Mission Essential Tasks and prepares the MAGTF to execute distributed operations across vast, diverse environments by emphasizing decentralized command and control. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Sgt. Makayla Elizalde)