OSAN AIR BASE, REPUBLIC OF KOREA -- It usually takes several motivated Marines three days to break down a CH-53D Sea Stallion helicopter in order to pack it up for a deployment. Yet, when the Red Lions of Marine Heavy Helicopter Squadron 363 were told they were going to the Republic of Korea to support Exercise Foal Eagle, they broke the CH-53D down in one night.
"Our mission was to come out and support Foal Eagle by demonstrating our combat readiness," said 1st Lt. Brad Khaner, maintenance material control officer for HMH-363. "I was impressed with the fact that the Marines left a climate with 80-degree weather and came to Korea where it is 30 degrees in the winter, but still managed to adapt and overcome as well as show some outstanding teamwork."
The Red Lions have come to Korea in support of Foal Eagle many times in the past. But this year, instead of deploying from Iwakuni, Japan, they came directly from their home base in Hawaii.
Breaking down all the necessary equipment and packing it into an aircraft indeed proved a challenge for squadron Marines, but when they arrived they realized their challenges had only just begun.
Within 24 hours of arriving here, the HMH-363 Marines were required to ignore the cold weather and adapt to their new environment, all while managing to get their aircraft ready for a functional flight check, which is necessary before all missions within 24 hours.
"I gained a lot from this experience," said Cpl. Joel McCoy, airframes collateral duty inspector for HMH-363. "I learned more about my job on this deployment than I have in the last two years I have been in the fleet.
"We used the teamwork you learn about since the first day of boot camp. Every Marine was helping each other, and at no time did you see another Marine sit down until the job was finished," said McCoy.
With all the aircraft up and running, HMH-363 Marines were ready to start their missions to support the ground troops. At any given moment, the high-flying Red Lions are called upon to fly to other bases and provide troop transports to simulated combat zones, or to provide "heavy lifts," where they attach vehicles to the bottom of the CH-53D and transport them into the combat zone.
"With the success of this mission, morale is definitely high amongst the Red Lions," said Khaner. "Once again, they have gone above and beyond and accomplished difficult missions.
"During this exercise, we proved that we are capable of supporting our fellow Marines in the 1st Marine Aircraft Wing and the [III] Marine Expeditionary Force."