CARIBBEAN SEA -- The “Iron Horses” of Marine Heavy Helicopter Squadron (HMH) 461 successfully performed externals training Oct. 25 on the flight deck of the multipurpose amphibious assault ship USS Wasp (LHD 1).
Externals is the term used for transferring cargo or equipment by helicopter, but specifically outside of its airframe. For the Marines onboard Wasp, this means a CH-53E Super Stallion carries the load via a cable hanging below the aircraft.
“It’s how we transport equipment or cargo by using one hook or two hooks,” said 1st Lt. Richard Fitzgerald, a pilot assigned to HMH-461. “One hook is called single-point and two hooks is called duel-point. The purpose is to move a lot of gear at once. We can move large and heavy objects long distances such as re-supplying forward-deployed troops.”
The training for this type of operation is valuable because it helps the pilots perform under conditions in which they seldom get a chance to operate.
“It’s a little bit different on the ship,” said Lt. Col. Sean Salene, commanding officer of HMH-461. “The ship rocks, it rolls; it’s more difficult to do it on a ship than it is on land. For us to practice in the field and get the skills down, we’ll be able to produce them should the mission require it.”
Fitzgerald noted that this is an excellent opportunity to get the newest members of the squadron up to speed on shipboard maneuvers.
“We do it for proficiency,” said Fitzgerald. “We rarely do it off ships, so we’re trying to give the newer guys experience. If it comes up, they can do it confidently and skillfully. We’re used to doing it in another environment. It’s a little more challenging on a ship.”
Fitzgerald acknowledged the large roles pilots play in the exercise, but he also recognizes the contributions of the rest of the air crew and air support team.
“There are four to five Marines in our aircraft, and a helicopter support team on the flight deck,” said Fitzgerald. “My job is to fly the helicopter and follow the directions given by the air crew in the back to lift and carry the load. Teamwork is definitely involved. Without the air crew and our support team, there’s no way we can connect to the load.”
Salene stated the entire evolution is composed of numerous moving parts that must be in sync to ensure a successful operation.
“There’s a great deal of coordination between the deck crew, the combat cargo folks, our HST - the Helicopter Support Team folks and the folks in the squadron,” said Salene. “It really is a team effort.”
He added the importance of consistent training for the squadron ensures minimal problems arise when it comes to conducting the actual evolution.
“We’re asked to be ready for a natural disaster, humanitarian assistance and disaster relief,” said Salene. “Our sister squadron (HMH-464) responded to a hurricane [last year]. Part of our skill set we require [during] that response, is the external training. So, if we practice those skills now, we’ll have them down and we’ll be ready should there be a disaster.”
Fitzgerald said that the opportunities to conduct training while out to sea on Wasp allows greater flexibility and benefits for all involved.
“We’re also doing night qualification training, tactics training and aerial gunnery training as well,” said Fitzgerald. “It gives us one more experience to draw from. As a pilot, by doing new things like this, it expands our boundaries and makes us better pilots.”
Wasp and the Security Cooperation Marine Air Ground Task Force are working alongside Mayport-based Destroyer Squadron 40 during a three-month deployment to build and instill interoperability and cooperation between U.S. and partner nation naval forces through a variety of exercises as part of Southern Partnership Station.