Shaffer
05-08-07, 07:13 AM
Marine Medium Helicopter Squadron 262 recently arrived in Al Taqaddum to provide aviation general support for service members in the Western Al Anbar Province.
The “Flying Tigers” of HMM-262 assumed responsibilities of the combat assault transportation mission for Multi-National Forces-West, Iraq, after a transfer of authority ceremony with the Army’s 45th Medical Company, January 24.
The Flying Tigers had short notice of their deployment in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom, but the squadron that had not seen a combat deployment since Vietnam was not caught off guard.
“We were deployed to the Philippines in October when we were told to come out here to OIF,” said Lt. Col. Michael Farrell, the HMM-262 commanding officer. “We were in a fortunate position, because prior to receiving notification of coming out here we were preparing ourselves to assume the responsibility as the aviation combat element for the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit. So we were in a pre-deployment mode anyway.”
Although the squadron was already preparing for a deployment with the MEU, they had to change gears and begin preparing for a different type of deployment.
“We did a pre-deployment training program which is designed to take a squadron six months,” said Farrell, a Longmeadow, Mass., native. “We did it in less than 90 days. A month after being notified of our deployment to Iraq we were on our way to Desert Talon. A month after that, we were on our way to Iraq. I think that’s a major accomplishment to hang our hat on.”
The general support mission provides MNF-W with troop transportation, troop insertions for raids, and external re-supply to locations that can only receive supplies by air.
The most common mission that ‘262 performs is assault support request. Most of the transportation is arranged in advance as ASRs, but the Flying Tigers transport a lot of troops and civilians via space availability. Space availability gives troops the chance to fly on a last minute and conditional basis.
“We’ll have people we’re dropping off and people that we’re picking up,” said 1st Lt. Joseph J. Heintz, an HMM-262 CH-46E pilot. “If there are troops flying Space A, air traffic control will come on the radio and ask us if we’ve got space. A lot of times they will be guys trying to head out on leave. Typically it’s something we try to do.”
The Marines of ‘262 also provide troop insertions as an option to infantry when traveling by roadway is unsafe.
“To me it’s important to support the infantry because they’re supporting us and they’re taking care of us,” said Heintz, a Manchester, Tenn., native. “It boils down to, we support the infantry, the guys on the ground. We’re all Marines and we all want to take care of each other.”
Since the Marines of HMM-262 are a 1st Marine Aircraft Wing squadron supporting the 2nd MAW (Fwd), they brought a touch of home to show their pride.
“The Marines have built a barbecue pit, the crew chiefs are stringing their test fire rounds up as curtains, and we brought a Torii gate with the squadron’s sign,” said Farrell. “It’s Japanese and it’s supposed to bring you good luck when you pass through it or near it. We brought it out here to show everyone we’re a 1st MAW unit and we’re proud of it. We also put the Shishi dogs out front. They are traditional Japanese; they place them in front of buildings to ward off evil spirits. It’s just a touch of home we brought out.”
The Flying Tigers dismantled all their aircraft, had them flown to Iraq from Okinawa, offloaded, and put together in 10 days. They began supporting the mission in Iraq 14 days after arrival.
“For the majority of the Marines here, this is their first OIF deployment,” said Farrell. “They’ve been performing superbly since the very beginning. They’ve met or exceeded all expectations.”
The “Flying Tigers” of HMM-262 assumed responsibilities of the combat assault transportation mission for Multi-National Forces-West, Iraq, after a transfer of authority ceremony with the Army’s 45th Medical Company, January 24.
The Flying Tigers had short notice of their deployment in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom, but the squadron that had not seen a combat deployment since Vietnam was not caught off guard.
“We were deployed to the Philippines in October when we were told to come out here to OIF,” said Lt. Col. Michael Farrell, the HMM-262 commanding officer. “We were in a fortunate position, because prior to receiving notification of coming out here we were preparing ourselves to assume the responsibility as the aviation combat element for the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit. So we were in a pre-deployment mode anyway.”
Although the squadron was already preparing for a deployment with the MEU, they had to change gears and begin preparing for a different type of deployment.
“We did a pre-deployment training program which is designed to take a squadron six months,” said Farrell, a Longmeadow, Mass., native. “We did it in less than 90 days. A month after being notified of our deployment to Iraq we were on our way to Desert Talon. A month after that, we were on our way to Iraq. I think that’s a major accomplishment to hang our hat on.”
The general support mission provides MNF-W with troop transportation, troop insertions for raids, and external re-supply to locations that can only receive supplies by air.
The most common mission that ‘262 performs is assault support request. Most of the transportation is arranged in advance as ASRs, but the Flying Tigers transport a lot of troops and civilians via space availability. Space availability gives troops the chance to fly on a last minute and conditional basis.
“We’ll have people we’re dropping off and people that we’re picking up,” said 1st Lt. Joseph J. Heintz, an HMM-262 CH-46E pilot. “If there are troops flying Space A, air traffic control will come on the radio and ask us if we’ve got space. A lot of times they will be guys trying to head out on leave. Typically it’s something we try to do.”
The Marines of ‘262 also provide troop insertions as an option to infantry when traveling by roadway is unsafe.
“To me it’s important to support the infantry because they’re supporting us and they’re taking care of us,” said Heintz, a Manchester, Tenn., native. “It boils down to, we support the infantry, the guys on the ground. We’re all Marines and we all want to take care of each other.”
Since the Marines of HMM-262 are a 1st Marine Aircraft Wing squadron supporting the 2nd MAW (Fwd), they brought a touch of home to show their pride.
“The Marines have built a barbecue pit, the crew chiefs are stringing their test fire rounds up as curtains, and we brought a Torii gate with the squadron’s sign,” said Farrell. “It’s Japanese and it’s supposed to bring you good luck when you pass through it or near it. We brought it out here to show everyone we’re a 1st MAW unit and we’re proud of it. We also put the Shishi dogs out front. They are traditional Japanese; they place them in front of buildings to ward off evil spirits. It’s just a touch of home we brought out.”
The Flying Tigers dismantled all their aircraft, had them flown to Iraq from Okinawa, offloaded, and put together in 10 days. They began supporting the mission in Iraq 14 days after arrival.
“For the majority of the Marines here, this is their first OIF deployment,” said Farrell. “They’ve been performing superbly since the very beginning. They’ve met or exceeded all expectations.”