MARINE CORPS AIR-GROUND COMBAT CENTER TWENTYNINE PALMS, Calif. -- Marines from Landing Support Platoon, Combat Logistics Battalion 3, III Marine Expeditionary Force, Combat Logistics Regiment 3, 3rd Marine Logistics Group, with augmented Marines and sailors, recently participated in Ground Air Integration Training at Marine Corps Air-Ground Combat Center Twentynine Palms, Calif.
The landing support specialists had to properly prepare, rig and attach two M777A2 howitzers to a CH-53E Super Stallion helicopter for transportation to a designated landing zone.
"The purpose of the training was to increase the proficiency of helicopter support team operations while integrating the air combat element, ground combat element and logistics combat element in preparation for our upcoming deployment," said 1st Lt. Joseph Borgardt, Landing Support Platoon commander, CLB-3.
The helicopter support team was reinforced by artillery Marines from 1st Battalion, 10th Marine Regiment, 2nd Marine Division, II MEF, out of Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune, N.C., and aircraft from Marine Heavy Helicopter Squadron 465 and Marine Medium Helicopter Squadron 163 from Marine Corps Air Station Miramar, Calif.
"While in country, the Marines will be exposed to external loads ranging from equipment to chow and water," said Borgardt. "The proficiency of landing support Marines in HST operations will facilitate and expedite transport of equipment and cargo to supported units within our area of operations."
Aside from lifting the artillery pieces, the landing support Marines also rigged and attached a 450-pound cement block to a CH-46 Sea Knight more than 30 times to practice rigging and transporting cargo via external lift.
"The training was especially important for our junior Marines who don't have much experience with external loads," said Sgt. Jeff Addison Jr., HST commander. "It was also great for us to get some training in with [aviation units], so we can be ready in case an HST mission pops up while we're in country."
While underneath the respective aircraft, the Marines must first ground the static electricity that builds up throughout the aircraft and then secure the cargo by hand while the helicopter is hovering just feet above them.
"It's pretty intimidating being under such a big helicopter like the CH-53E," said Lance Cpl. Kyle Jernberg, landing support specialist. "But, we accomplished our mission without flaws, so we feel confident we can do it while deployed."
The landing support platoon Marines are scheduled to deploy with the reinforced CLB-3 in support of 1st Marine Logistics Group to Afghanistan soon. They will be joined by more than 400 other Marines and sailors augmented from Okinawa.