MARINE CORPS BASE HAWAII -- Marines and sailors with Marine Heavy Helicopter Squadron 463 and Marine Light Attack Helicopter Squadron 367 challenged each other to a friendly competition when they launched seven CH-53E Super Stallions, five AH1 Cobras and one UH1 Huey helicopter at Hangars 102 and 103, March 29.
The competition is scheduled every other month and is focused around mission readiness while creating a better sense of pride and morale throughout the squadrons. Though the flight only lasts for a few hours, it takes long days and several weeks for Marines and sailors to prepare the aircraft for launch. Both squadrons’ goals are to successfully maintain every one of their aircraft in weeks prior to the event in hopes of launching every available asset at the event. The winner is the squadron who has the most helicopters up and running while the focus is unit readiness.
“To ‘fly the barn’ or conduct a mass launch is unity of force,” said Maj. Shayne Frey, aircraft maintenance officer for HMH-463. “The competition isn’t for me. It’s for the Marines and sailors who give their all, day in and day out, and work through blood, sweat, and tears to keep this squadron running. They take a lot of pride in seeing the helicopters they spend long days working on, take off and fly together in the sky — they’re the ones that really get a kick out of this.”
Lance Cpl. Allen Fosnaugh, a helicopter crew chief with HMH-463, said, “It’s a motivating experience
for everyone.”
According to Master Sgt. William D. Jankowski, maintenance chief with HMH-463, the experience of seeing a group of Super Stallion helicopters fly together in the sky is nothing short of amazing and reflects on the overall readiness of the squadron.
“I would compare it to a father or mother coming back from a deployment,” Jankowski said. “Our squadron takes that much pride in this and it helps that we keep winning.”
When asked what his squadron receives for winning the competition, Fosnaugh said, “Well it’s all about bragging rights over here, but a 72-hour liberty would be nice.”