Flying tiger prowl on airfield seizure exercise

[thedrifter]

Flying tiger prowl on airfield seizure exercise
Submitted by: MCB Camp Butler
Story Identification Number: 200312213526
Story by Lance Cpl. Chris Korhonen



MARINE CORPS AIR STATION FUTENMA, Okinawa, Japan -- It has been a common scenario in the War on Terrorism in Afghanistan and Iraq. U.S forces strike major airfields at night, covertly take them over, and start landing American military planes on the runway before the enemy knows what is happening.

This is one of the more important tactics during any combat operation, and the focus of a training exercise with the Marine Medium Helicopter Squadron (HMM)-262, 1st Marine Aircraft Wing (MAW) and Air Force combat controllers of the 320th Special Tactics Squadron, 353rd Operations Support Squad, as they combined forces to simulate a night airfield seizure on the island of Ie Shima, December 4.

"The training is actually quite similar to what may occur in a real-world joint environment," said 1st Lt. John D. Jordan, squadron pilot, HMM-262.

The training involved six CH-46E Sea Knight assault helicopters, 12 Marine pilots, 12 crewmen and 10 Air Force combat controllers.

The exercise started the day before the actual training flight took place, with in-depth planning by the mission pilots and crew. They studied maps and objectives and learned of the simulated threats they were facing, according to Jordan.

"It was learned the Air Force would be unable to support us with an MC-130 as originally intended. HMM-262 then adapted to this change, detailed two of it's CH-46's to carrying the combat controllers and parachuting them onto Ie Shima," Jordan added.

With the changes in plans, the two CH-46's took off from MCAS Futenma the next afternoon flew to Kadena Air Base and picked up the 10 Air Force combat controllers. Once the combat controllers were in tow, the two helicopters flew to Ie Shima to conduct two practice jumps before the final night jump.

"The other four helicopters took off later," said Capt. Robert C. Hunter, pilot, security officer, HMM-262. "They simulated a pick-up zone, replicated embarking six aircraft worth of Marines, then proceeded into the objective area."

While those four CH-46's were approaching the island, the final nighttime jump began.

"We dropped (the combat controllers) from 10,000 feet for a high altitude, low opening (HALO), parachute jump," Hunter said.
Within minutes of landing, the combat controllers set up security on the airfield and began the process of guiding the CH-46's to the runway.

"The main body of 46's were able to land, off-load their notional troops, and take to the air again without incident," Jordan said.

Taking off just seconds after landing, the four helos left to rendezvous with the remaining two helos in a circling pattern just off the island.

All six CH-46 helicopters then flew in low over the island, landing around the combat controllers, picking them up and returning them to Kadena, signaling the end of the training exercise.

"Overall it went great," Hunter said. "We do not get a chance to practice these large, six plane formations very often. When we do, it's a great opportunity to work on a lot of items that are different than if we are only flying two or three airplanes."
Hunter attributes a large part of the mission's success to Marines not directly involved in the training.

"There was a great job from our maintenance department because often times it's difficult to get that many functional aircraft ready for big missions. It wouldn't have been possible without them," he said.



MARINE CORPS AIR STATION FUTENMA, Okinawa, Japan - A member of Air Force 320th Special Tactics Squadron signals an incomming CH-46E flown by Marine pilots from HMM-262. The two units combined to do a night airfield seizure on Ie Shima island just west of Okinawa. Photo by: Lance Cpl. Chris Korhonen

http://www.usmc.mil/marinelink/mcn20...7?opendocument


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