Marines push limits with aerial refueling

[thedrifter]

Marines push limits with aerial refueling
Submitted by: MCB Camp Butler
Story Identification Number: 20031116439
Story by Cpl. M. Stew Allen



CLARK FIELD,Philippines -- Three CH-53E "Super Stallion" Helicopters pushed farther and flew longer thanks to the fuel and support of two KC-130 "Hercules" Aircraft.

The aerial refueling between the aircraft of Marine Heavy Helicopter Squadron-361 and Marine Aerial Refueler Transport Squadron-152 here Nov. 8 was part of the training conducted during Exercise Talon Vision (Fiscal Year) 2004.

Having aircraft capable of continuous flight without needing to land for fuel is "critical" to the Marine Corps' expeditionary nature, according to Capt. Matthew R. McGath, KC-130 aircraft commander, VMGR-152, 1st Marine Aircraft Wing.

"Those CH-53s wouldn't have been able to accomplish their mission without us providing that fuel," said the St. Joseph, Mich., native. "We extend the distance of inserting combat-ready Marines."

The training continued for the Marines of HMH-361 and VMGR-152 after the three CH-53Es received 19,000 lbs of fuel at 1,000 ft. above ground level.

The KC-130s conducted low-altitude maneuvers, flying in formation throughout the hillsides of the Philippines. McGath explained how being proficient at low-level flying compliments their primary mission.

"Most of our missions are to re-supply or transport units. To get to our destination tactically, we have to be able to evade the enemy," he said.

Flying at a low altitude makes the aircraft less susceptible to being detected by radar and allows less time for the enemy to respond to a sighting of the `Hercules', according to McGath.

After approximately an hour of low-altitude flying, the KC-130s rendezvoused once more with the `Super Stallion' helicopters and again refueled the aircraft, which had completed their own training evolution.

The HMH-361 crews and aircraft had transported Philippine and U.S. reconnaissance Marines to be inserted into the ocean along with Zodiac Combat Rubber Raiding Crafts. The reconnaissance Marines trained for amphibious insertion onto the Philippine coast.

CH-53E pilot, Capt. Don White, HMH-361, 1st Marine Aircraft Wing, and McGath agreed that the day's complete training package was more sophisticated then usual with its spectrum of components.

"This is a once in a lifetime high-speed training event," said White, a San Diego native. "We took off and conducted low-altitude flying to pick up the Reconnaissance Marines, meet with the KC-130s for aerial refueling, inserted the Marines into the ocean, and then refueled again before landing. It was a great opportunity."

Exercise Talon Vision '04 is a bilateral training exercise designed to improve and maintain the interoperability, combat readiness, and professional relationships between the U.S. and Philippine Armed Forces.

http://www.usmc.mil/marinelink/mcn2...63?opendocument


Sempers,

Roger