thedrifter
09-13-03, 12:02 PM
Raging Bulls practice defensive measures
Submitted by: MCAS Yuma
Story Identification Number: 2003911115218
Story by Cpl. Daniel Thomas
MARINE CORPS AIR STATION YUMA, Ariz.(Sept. 11 2003) -- Marine Medium Helicopter Squadron-261 from Marine Corps Air Station New River, N.C., landed on station Aug. 29 and now has its rotors turning full force in support of Exercise Striking Hawk '03.
The exercise is primarily a Marine Aircraft Group-14 fixed wing exercise, however, HMM-261 is involved in supporting logistics and two tactical missions for the group.
"The biggest thing we're getting out of this for our squadron is defensive measures training," said Lt. Col. Mike Belding, commanding officer HMM-261. "This is where we teach young pilots to maneuver against ground and air threats."
According to Belding, the exercise offers certain aspects of training that are hard to come by in North Carolina.
"The key thing to coming out to Yuma is the ranges are much closer to the base than they are at New River, and the training facilities, terrain-wise, are much more realistic," said Belding.
Belding went on to explain how much easier it was to hide an aircraft behind a mountain verses a 75-foot-tall North Carolina pine tree.
"The training we get out here is effective in replicating the recent (war environment)," said Belding. "There's the desert, mountainous terrain and heat. I think this training is the best representation we can get short of actually being there."
Belding said one of the tactics used in both Afghanistan and Iraq was the long-range, fast-paced, leap-frog type advance. He said his squadron practices this regularly, but on a smaller scale.
"It requires significant logistics support and forward arming and refueling points," explained Belding. "We practice this on a regular basis and are practicing it out here as well."
Practice is something 1st Lt. Michael McGurren, embarker, HMM-261, said he can't get enough of.
"I hope to gain more experience from this exercise and leave with greater exposure," said McGurren.
He also said it is good to experience an exercise away from home.
"You get too comfortable playing at home all the time," said McGurren. "It's when you go to the away games that everything changes on you."
McGurren said the heat affected the aircraft in a bad way, but it was good to know the aircraft's limitations.
While supporting Striking Hawk '03 helps pilots such as McGurren receive realistic training in the air, other HMM-261 Marines are also learning new things on the ground.
"We're here to train pilots and crew chiefs, but I'm here to maintain aircraft," said Sgt. Jamie Jenkins, collateral duty inspector.
Jenkins said dealing with the desert environment has also afforded him the opportunity to learn.
"You can work on an aircraft for years and never know everything there is to know," he said.
Jenkins said flying in the desert is always worse than flying over normal terrain.
"Out here, we learn what parts get messed up from the sand, and what seals expand from the heat," said Jenkins.
Lance Cpl. Miguel Gonzales, avionics technician, agreed with Jenkins. He said going on a desert exercise has made him more mission capable.
"My mission is to keep all the birds up," said Gonzalez. "The heat and weather here isn't like our home environments, so the training here helps keep us on our toes. The practice will make sure if we do go to war, we won't have to do anything different."
The helicopter squadron will return to MCAS New River Sept. 16.
http://www.usmc.mil/marinelink/image1.nsf/Lookup/2003911132222/$file/HMM-261low.jpg
Marines of Marine Medium Helicopter Squadron-261 service the aft head of a CH-46E Sept. 4. The visiting squadron arrived on station Aug. 29 and is participating in Exercise Striking Hawk '03.
Photo by: Cpl. Daniel Thomas
Sempers,
Roger
:marine:
Submitted by: MCAS Yuma
Story Identification Number: 2003911115218
Story by Cpl. Daniel Thomas
MARINE CORPS AIR STATION YUMA, Ariz.(Sept. 11 2003) -- Marine Medium Helicopter Squadron-261 from Marine Corps Air Station New River, N.C., landed on station Aug. 29 and now has its rotors turning full force in support of Exercise Striking Hawk '03.
The exercise is primarily a Marine Aircraft Group-14 fixed wing exercise, however, HMM-261 is involved in supporting logistics and two tactical missions for the group.
"The biggest thing we're getting out of this for our squadron is defensive measures training," said Lt. Col. Mike Belding, commanding officer HMM-261. "This is where we teach young pilots to maneuver against ground and air threats."
According to Belding, the exercise offers certain aspects of training that are hard to come by in North Carolina.
"The key thing to coming out to Yuma is the ranges are much closer to the base than they are at New River, and the training facilities, terrain-wise, are much more realistic," said Belding.
Belding went on to explain how much easier it was to hide an aircraft behind a mountain verses a 75-foot-tall North Carolina pine tree.
"The training we get out here is effective in replicating the recent (war environment)," said Belding. "There's the desert, mountainous terrain and heat. I think this training is the best representation we can get short of actually being there."
Belding said one of the tactics used in both Afghanistan and Iraq was the long-range, fast-paced, leap-frog type advance. He said his squadron practices this regularly, but on a smaller scale.
"It requires significant logistics support and forward arming and refueling points," explained Belding. "We practice this on a regular basis and are practicing it out here as well."
Practice is something 1st Lt. Michael McGurren, embarker, HMM-261, said he can't get enough of.
"I hope to gain more experience from this exercise and leave with greater exposure," said McGurren.
He also said it is good to experience an exercise away from home.
"You get too comfortable playing at home all the time," said McGurren. "It's when you go to the away games that everything changes on you."
McGurren said the heat affected the aircraft in a bad way, but it was good to know the aircraft's limitations.
While supporting Striking Hawk '03 helps pilots such as McGurren receive realistic training in the air, other HMM-261 Marines are also learning new things on the ground.
"We're here to train pilots and crew chiefs, but I'm here to maintain aircraft," said Sgt. Jamie Jenkins, collateral duty inspector.
Jenkins said dealing with the desert environment has also afforded him the opportunity to learn.
"You can work on an aircraft for years and never know everything there is to know," he said.
Jenkins said flying in the desert is always worse than flying over normal terrain.
"Out here, we learn what parts get messed up from the sand, and what seals expand from the heat," said Jenkins.
Lance Cpl. Miguel Gonzales, avionics technician, agreed with Jenkins. He said going on a desert exercise has made him more mission capable.
"My mission is to keep all the birds up," said Gonzalez. "The heat and weather here isn't like our home environments, so the training here helps keep us on our toes. The practice will make sure if we do go to war, we won't have to do anything different."
The helicopter squadron will return to MCAS New River Sept. 16.
http://www.usmc.mil/marinelink/image1.nsf/Lookup/2003911132222/$file/HMM-261low.jpg
Marines of Marine Medium Helicopter Squadron-261 service the aft head of a CH-46E Sept. 4. The visiting squadron arrived on station Aug. 29 and is participating in Exercise Striking Hawk '03.
Photo by: Cpl. Daniel Thomas
Sempers,
Roger
:marine: