Marine Lift Aviation Question

Ridle,

Thanks for the info! I wasn't aware that you guys were ferrying our grunts too, good to know it is going both ways. (Honestly, I think I'd like a -53 over a Chinook too, but don't tell anyone around here that! )

Be cool, stay safe, and get home soon!

Hey John,

I appreciate the offer, but things are quite well set up here. I even brough out a sizable model building pack up. There is one thing that I learned the hard way, 220V outlets aren't always labeled. My little Testors Blue Mini airbrush compressor got fried a few days ago. It's a good thing we have those internet hobby stores, but I do miss the Hobby Chest. Again, thanks for the offer.

Semper Fi,
Chris

Hey, Chris, if you need something while you're "over there" just let me know, I'm sitting in Camp Lejeune just spinning my wheels, thinking about doing a tour with the MSGs. Shoot me an email with your FPO and I'll see what I can do. Semper Fi.

I have a bit of a unique perspective here. I'm a Marine Corps Corporal working on CH-53E Hydraulics and airframes. Right now, we are currently deployed overseas (sorry, can't be more specific than that). Are ongoing mission here is to transport Army Infantry where they need to go. 3 services are represented in this little section of flight line. Just a point of interest, the army dudes like our Echo more than that Chinhook.
Operation Enduring Freedom is all about using the best suited speciallized units from each service together. In my opinion, it works quite well.

Cobrahistorian,

A lot of the force distribution is set by the CENTCOM AOR Commander and his staff. There are a myriad of things they look at to include assets available in the AOR, capabilities of the assets, and the mission requirement. Troop rotations and the needs of the Services also come into play. Lately, the priority has been Iraq. The Marines even had CH-53Ds in Iraq flying with the 31st MEU (SOC)! For a while there, the USMC Cobra and Huey squadron were Reservists with the CH-53E squadron being an Active Duty one. Since then, the 53 squadron has rotated home.

As for the CH-46E, it's not as good as the CH-47D at higher altitudes so that's why you see the MEU operating more down south in Afghaniland. On a side note, every USMC CH-46E squadron has deployed to the CENTCOM AOR for OEF/OIF at least once except for one Active Duty squadron. This rotation has also included USMC Reserve CH-46Es as well.

The Marines being transported around Afghanistan in Army CH-47s is a good example of how the Joint World is working well. I've even read of instances back during Vietnam where Marine Recon Units worked so well with Army aviation units (flying UH-1Hs) that the Marines actually preferred the Army flyers to get them out of a "hot spot" vice a Marine CH-46. Just goes to show the comraderie that can build between fighting men. We banter back and forth between the Services, but when the rubber meets the road, we're all one Team.

Okay, I've rambled on enough...hope I answered your question...

Just to chime in, but I think it has a lot to do with the high altitudes and the -47s are better suited to that than the Phrogs. The -53s were just getting settled in when we pulled up stakes and left BAF, but I think they were there to take some of the load from the army. Also, there really aren't all that many Marine units in Afghanistan, ground force is predominantly army, and when the MEU is ashore, they bring their own assets with them.

QUOTE: Originally posted by Cobrahistorian Snake, What surprised me most was the complete lack of CH-46 units in Afghanistan.

That might have something to do with the limited performance of the CH-46 at high density altitudes...

Or the dwindling number of CH-46s available...

Snake,

Thanks for the reply! I briefly glanced at the Leatherneck article the other day, but will pick up the magazine this afternoon for more info. According to the latest ORBAT for JTF Wings, there are two full Chinook Battalions attached, and only one CH-53 squadron. Not great if you want to fly Marines around in Marine helicopters. What surprised me most was the complete lack of CH-46 units in Afghanistan.

Jon,
Check out the latest issue of Leatherneck magazine. The cover story highlights the unique heavy-lift capabilities of the CH-53, but also highlights the fact that the Super Stallion is rapidly approaching the limits of its current service life. I'm not really qualified to comment on the hows and whys of how the troops are getting around in Afghanistan, but it seems to me that the whole operation over there has been very "Joint-Task Force" oriented from the start, which is probably a good thing for fostering relationships between Army and Marine units in the interest of mission accomplishment. Ultimately, though, I think it just comes down to numbers. How much more in aviation assets does the Army have over the Marines when it comes down to sheer quantity?