“The CH-46s and the CH-53s are cargo transport helicopters that carry cargo to get the mission done and also support the ground element,” said Cpl. Kevin Bruscas, CH-46 crew chief with Marine Medium Helicopter Squadron 265, Marine Aircraft Group 36, 1st Marine Aircraft Wing, III Marine Expeditionary Force.

The two aircraft have a greater mission than cargo transport; both the CH-46 and CH-53 are capable of mounting two machine guns on either side of the aircraft to provide air support and, if required, another machine gun can be mounted on the ramp to the rear of the aircraft.

The aircraft also have a few distinguishing differences that set them apart from each other, such as appearance. The CH-53 is a large transport helicopter with a six-bladed main rotor and four bladed tail rotors. The CH-46 is a medium transport helicopter with two triple-bladed main rotors.

“The CH-53 is approximately 25 feet high, 88 feet long and weighs about 24,000 pounds compared to the CH-46 which is approximately 16 feet high, 45 feet long and weighs about 17,000 pounds.

“For threat avoidance, noise detection and limited exposure to ground fire, the (CH-46s) are better, because of their size,” said Capt. Kenneth Zebley, pilot and operations officer with HMM-265. “In Iraq, the 46 could fly in all theater threat zones but the (CH-53) was not allowed to fly in certain areas because it was such a big target.”

The CH-46 is versatile and nimble, because of its size, according to Sgt. James Reinhardt, a CH-46 crew chief with HMM-265.

“If you’re trying to drop off some men into a little area, a (CH-46) can get in, drop off 12 guys and get out,” said Hulsey. “A (CH-53) can’t land there, so they will have to find another place to land. The size of the (CH-46) gives us a little more flexibility on where we can go.”

Another difference between the two aircraft is the amount of power they produce.

“The CH-46 is power-limited,” said Hulsey. “The (CH-53) has more power than they could ever use.”

According to Zebley, the CH-53 is larger and heavier than the CH-46, which is nimble.

“The (CH-53) has three engines which give it a lot of power and the ability to fly faster than the (CH-46), which only has two,” said Nguyen. “With all that power the (CH-53) is able to carry twice as many Marines as the (CH-46) can.”

The CH-53 flies faster and carries more cargo than a CH-46, according to Zebely.

“During Amphibious Landing Exercise 2011, we knew a storm (Super Typhoon Megi) was coming. We hangared all our (CH-46s), but as soon as the storm passed we had birds out and ready to support Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief Operations within an hour,” said Maj. Michael Acosta, assistant operations officer for HMM-265. “Within two days we delivered 33,750 pounds of supplies with only six (CH-46s).”

According to Zebley, the CH-53 is able to perform aerial refueling, which enables it to stay in the air almost indefinitely.

“(The Marine Corps) have been flying the same aircraft for about 45 years,” said Capt. Joseph Dotson, and S-5 officer for HMM-265.

“The CH-46 (and CH-53) have been the backbone of Marine aviation since Vietnam.”

Both aircraft has essential characteristics that allow them to be useful assets to the Marine Corps. While both aircraft have their advantages, both complement each other well according to Acosta.