Posted on 12/13/2010 7:34:49 PM PST by sukhoi-30mki
‘Flying Tigers’ show true meaning of ‘horsepower’ with Super Stallion 12/10/2010 By Sgt. Derek B. Carlson, 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing (FWD)
FORWARD OPERATING BASE JALALABAD, Afghanistan — A small group of Marines with the Marine Heavy Helicopter Squadron 361 (Reduced) (Reinforced) “Flying Tigers” arrived here from Camp Bastion to recover a nearby disabled aircraft Dec. 10.
The aircraft, an H-47 Chinook, was forced to land in the nearby mountains during standard operations, and was unable to take flight after the landing. The cause of the Chinook’s forced landing is still under investigation; however, the coalition service members aboard the aircraft were not injured. No hostile or enemy activity was involved in the incident.
The Flying Tigers traveled here aboard two CH-53E Super Stallions, the only aircraft in Afghanistan with the capability to recover the downed Chinook, and quickly began to prepare their aircraft to externally lift the immobile helicopter back to Forward Operating Base Jalalabad.
Maintenance Marines removed the auxiliary fuel tanks, seats, one of the aircraft’s tail-ramp and all unnecessary cargo from their Super Stallions within a few hours of their arrival. All excess weight was removed in preparation for the lift to ensure the Super Stallion could dedicate maximum power to the mission. Gunnery Sgt. Bryan Cox, the squadron’s maintenance chief and a crew chief assigned to the lift, said the maintenance Marines “were the stars of the show,” and the recovery would not have been possible without their hard work and attention to detail.
Once the Super Stallions were refueled, early the next morning, the Tigers were ready to takeoff as the sun rose over the distant mountains. Lt. Col. Douglas Glasgow, the squadron’s commanding officer, piloted the Super Stallion, which lifted the Chinook from its resting place. The Chinook was returned to FOB Jalalabad, where it immediately began to receive repairs.
“This was an awesome experience,” said Maj. Dan Murphy, Glasgow’s co-pilot. “The Chinook weighed around 23,500 pounds. With reduced engine power at this elevation, this lift was a very significant accomplishment. Thanks to the CO’s skill level and perfection with this aircraft we salvaged a 30 to 40-million dollar piece of equipment.”
After the Chinook was safely returned, the Marines immediately began preparation of their aircraft for their long journey home to Camp Bastion – mission accomplished.
“This was a big deal for us, but it is also our job – it’s what we do,” said Cox, a Louisville, Ky., native. “This is the baddest plane there is. Sure, some may boast about the bombs they drop or how fast they fly, but no one has muscle like we do.”
12/10/2010 By Sgt. Derek B. Carlson
3rd Marine Aircraft Wing (FWD)
A CH-53E Super Stallion with the Marine Heavy Helicopter Squadron 361 (Reduced) (Reinforced) Flying Tigers returns to Forward Operating Base Jalalabad, Afghanistan to deliver a disabled H-47 Chinook for repairs Dec. 10. The Flying Tigers, based out of Camp Bastion, flew across the country to conduct the mission. Their Super Stallions are the only aircraft in country capable of a 23,500 pound external lift.
As a former CH-53E mechanic, that is a PRICELESS photo!!!
Something seems to wrong with the URL I posted-you can download the photo on here
I was in HMH-361 from 1990-1993, when they were stationed at MCAS Tustin, CA.
Flippin’ awesome! Thanks for posting this.
I was at Tustin with HMH-466 from 1993-1997.
Semper fi!
Do you think that Chinook is minus power plants? That would make the load lighter for sure. But its still a pretty amazing
pic.
More images here:
http://www.dvidshub.net/image/348861/flying-tigers-show-true-meaning-horsepower-with-super-stallion
In the old days we’d have gone out and got it ourselves with our own CH-54 crane.
Man, I remember the first time I saw one of these close up, at Cubi Pt. I was standing next to our helicopter, a Kaman H-2, waiting to pull chocks, just before a flight. The rotor was turning, so it was pretty loud, even with my ear protection. Slowly I became aware of another noise which was even louder than the H-2. I couldn’t figure out what was going on at first, then I turned around and saw that 7 bladed monster bearing down on me, headed for the parking slot right next to ours (the Navy was using them for mine countermeasures). It looked huge! I was completely awestruck.
Here’s a link to a 10 megabyte hi-res version of the photo.
http://www.marines.mil/unit/3rdmaw/PublishingImages/2010/101210-M-1842C-182.jpg
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