MARINE CORPS BASE HAWAII, KANEOHE BAY, Hawaii -- Marines assigned to Marine Aircraft Group 24 operate and train around the Hawaiian Islands on a regular basis to ensure the squadrons stand ready to deploy in support of operations and exercises as directed by III Marine Expeditionary Force. But what if a CH-53D Sea Stallion were to be involved in a mishap? Are the squadrons trained to handle these situations? Would the squadrons be able to handle the situation immediately and correctly? The answer is yes.
On Nov. 14, Marine Heavy Helicopter Squadron 363 received a phone call informing the squadron that one of its CH-53Ds went down in a landing zone near Wheeler Army Air Field on Oahu. The caller stated that four of the crewmembers escaped with injuries, and one was presumed dead. With the information received, the squadron raced into action. But what they didn’t know was that this was all a drill — a simulation of a mishap that was organized by the MAG-24 Safety Department.
Two months ago, the Director of Safety and Standardization began planning a scenario to evaluate the mishap procedures of HMH-363 and MAG-24 headquarters.
“The purpose of this type of drill is to determine if the procedures and directives of our squadrons and headquarters are correct, if an actual accident should happen,” said Col. Michael E. Love, commanding officer, MAG-24. “This drill is the first of several drills that will occur over the next few months prior to HMH-463’s deployment to Iraq. These standard procedures must be tested frequently so they can be executed properly and quickly with precise accuracy in case situations happen in combat or at home.”
During the scenario, HMH-363 was tested on how well and timely they gathered intelligence, reported information to Headquarters Marine Corps, dealt with media queries, and recovered the aircraft and personnel. In the ready room, the operations duty officer, Capt. Seth F. Gibson, initiated the squadron mishap plan. According to assessments, the communication between all squadron departments and higher headquarters was excellent, and all required notifications and reports were completed in an orderly fashion.
Within two and one-half hours of initial notification, HMH-363 had transported the aircraft mishap board, emergency reclamation team and security team to the simulated mishap site. The AMB carried the mishap kit with them to begin initial mishap investigation; the emergency reclamation team prepared to recover any sensitive equipment; and the security team set up a safety perimeter around the area.
“Once we heard about the situation, we took immediate action in conducting mishap procedures,” said Lt. Col. Paul Fortunato, commanding officer, HMH-363. “We treated it like it was the real thing. We operated safely and properly.”
For three of the past four years, the squadron has been awarded the CNO Safety Award and prides itself on being ready for no-notice drills and inspections, said Fortunato.
According to Love, HMH-363 was selected to participate in this drill due to their favorable inspection results over the last year as well as its readiness posture. “Based upon the way the ‘Red Lions’ do business, I knew they were well prepared for this type of situation and would serve as a good foundation to further develop and refine our procedures,” said Col Love.
“Time, initiative and organization can either become your strength or your weakness,” said Love. “HMH-363 was extremely well organized, and that was their key strength. Drawing from the lessons learned, procedures and guidelines will be redefined, and that product will become the model for all the other squadrons to take on board.
One key aspect that the squadron had was teamwork. The squadron pulled together as a team to complete their job as a team, said Fortunato.
“I am extremely proud of my Marines,” he said. “We proved that we could do business the right way without taking any shortcuts. I’m especially proud of how well they conducted themselves in a calm, professional manner.
“We are ready for anything.”