MARINE CORPS BASE HAWAII -- Marine Heavy Helicopter Squadron 363s mission is to provide combat troops with assault support, supplies and equipment during expeditionary, joint-service or combined-service operations. The squadron is also required to be prepared for short-notice, worldwide deployment in support of Marine Air-Ground Task Force operations.
When squadron aircraft have to fly over hostile areas in order to supply support to combat troops, they bring out the guns.
In order for the squadron’s Marines to brush up on their tail gunnery skills, they conducted training Aug. 31, qualifying on the 50-caliber machine gun in preparation for their upcoming deployment to Iraq where they will serve in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom.
“We trained with the ramp-mounted weapons system GAU-21,” said Sgt. Nicholas K. Davidson, crew chief and a weapons and tactics instructor, HMH-363, Marine Aircraft Group 24, 1st Marine Aircraft Wing. “It was good training to prepare our squadron’s air crewmen for combat.”
“Having air crewmen trained with the tail gun gives us a much better defensive posture while flying in a potentially hostile environment.”
Two CH-53Ds Sea Stallions took off at 4 p.m., to begin their route over the ocean off the northeastern coast of the island of Oahu where they would conduct their training. Upon reaching their destination, four crew chiefs took turns firing the machine gun in different directions, hitting targets in the water.
The Marines had to successfully load, shoot and clear the weapon in order to qualify during their training. This training was one of the requirements that the Marines will have to satisfy before they depart for Iraq.
“This will be my first deployment to Iraq,” said Davidson. “For me it’s a chance to prove myself as a combat air crewman and to know that the training I have given our younger Marines was worthwhile.”
As with Davidson, this upcoming deployment is the first one to Iraq, something most of the younger Marines said they are looking forward to.
“For a lot of us, it’s a long time coming,” said Lance Cpl. Andrew T. White, crew chief. “We’ve been looking forward to this deployment for a while now.
“We have been training for this deployment for a while, and there’s only so much training that we can do. This training is one of the best that I have done.”
The Red Lions will continue to prepare for their deployment to OIF, where they will provide support to combat troops and transportation for personnel and equipment.