Your(sic)
correct.....no viable alternative to the Chinook in the helicopter un-friendly Afghan terrain.You are both incorrect. There are two extremely capable alternatives when they are available and if SF would choose to utilize them; the CH-53E or the MV-22B.
‘Flying Tigers’ show true meaning of ‘horsepower’ with Super Stallion
12/10/2010 By Sgt. Derek B. Carlson 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing
A CH-53E Super Stallion with the Marine Heavy Helicopter Squadron 361 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.
Ospreys Flying High, Fast Supporting War in Afghanistan
VMM-261 Inserts Troops Into Marjah
Marines from 3rd Reconnaissance Battalion, Marine Expeditionary Brigade-Afghanistan, make their way toward three MV-22 Ospreys from Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron 261, Marine Aircraft Group 40, MEB-Afghanistan, that will insert them into Marjah to help provide relief to an infantry battalion that had been engaged in a heavy firefight, Feb. 19. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Samuel Nasso)