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3rd Marine Aircraft Wing

Marines jump off of Super Stallions for parachute operations

By Story by Lance Cpl. Michael Thorn | 3rd MAW & MCAS Miramar | June 06, 2014

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Reconnaissance Marines from Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton, Calif., disembark a CH-53E Super Stallion with Marine Heavy Helicopter Squadron (HMH) 465 during a troop lift exercise aboard MCB Camp Pendleton, June 3. A parachute operation was also involved with the troop lift during the collaborative training between the reconnaissance Marines and HMH-465.

Reconnaissance Marines from Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton, Calif., disembark a CH-53E Super Stallion with Marine Heavy Helicopter Squadron (HMH) 465 during a troop lift exercise aboard MCB Camp Pendleton, June 3. A parachute operation was also involved with the troop lift during the collaborative training between the reconnaissance Marines and HMH-465. (Photo by Lance Cpl. Michael Thorn)


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Reconnaissance Marines stationed at Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton, Calif., board a CH-53E Super Stallion with Marine Heavy Helicopter Squadron (HMH) 465 for a troop lifting exercise aboard MCB Camp Pendleton, June 3. A parachute operation was also involved with the troop lift during the collaborative exercise between the reconnaissance Marines and HMH-465.

Reconnaissance Marines stationed at Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton, Calif., board a CH-53E Super Stallion with Marine Heavy Helicopter Squadron (HMH) 465 for a troop lifting exercise aboard MCB Camp Pendleton, June 3. A parachute operation was also involved with the troop lift during the collaborative exercise between the reconnaissance Marines and HMH-465. (Photo by Lance Cpl. Michael Thorn)


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A reconnaissance Marine stationed at Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton, Calif. jumps out of a CH-53E Super Stallion with Marine Heavy Helicopter Squadron (HMH) 465, as part of a parachute operation exercise over MCB Camp Pendleton, June 3. The collaborative training between HMH-465 and the reconnaissance Marines also included a troop-lifting exercise.

A reconnaissance Marine stationed at Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton, Calif. jumps out of a CH-53E Super Stallion with Marine Heavy Helicopter Squadron (HMH) 465, as part of a parachute operation exercise over MCB Camp Pendleton, June 3. The collaborative training between HMH-465 and the reconnaissance Marines also included a troop-lifting exercise. (Photo by Lance Cpl. Michael Thorn)


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A CH-53E Super Stallion with Marine Heavy Helicopter Squadron (HMH) 465 prepares to take off with reconnaissance Marines from Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton, Calif., for parachute-operation training aboard MCB Camp Pendleton, June 3. The training was part of a collaborative exercise between HMH-465 and reconnaissance Marines, which also included a troop-lifting exercise.

A CH-53E Super Stallion with Marine Heavy Helicopter Squadron (HMH) 465 prepares to take off with reconnaissance Marines from Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton, Calif., for parachute-operation training aboard MCB Camp Pendleton, June 3. The training was part of a collaborative exercise between HMH-465 and reconnaissance Marines, which also included a troop-lifting exercise. (Photo by Lance Cpl. Michael Thorn)


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Reconnaissance Marines stationed at Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton, Calif., prepare to board a CH-53E Super Stallion with Marine Heavy Helicopter Squadron (HMH) 465 for a parachute-operation exercise, June 3. The parachute operation was part of a collaborative training exercise between HMH-465 and reconnaissance Marines, which also included an additional troop-lift exercise.

Reconnaissance Marines stationed at Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton, Calif., prepare to board a CH-53E Super Stallion with Marine Heavy Helicopter Squadron (HMH) 465 for a parachute-operation exercise, June 3. The parachute operation was part of a collaborative training exercise between HMH-465 and reconnaissance Marines, which also included an additional troop-lift exercise. (Photo by Lance Cpl. Michael Thorn)


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MARINE CORPS BASE CAMP PENDLETON, Calif. --

Marine Heavy Helicopter Squadron (HMH) 465 participated in troop-lift and parachute operations with reconnaissance Marines stationed at Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton, Calif., June 3.

The troop-lift and parachute operations training involved the use of a CH-53E Super Stallion from HMH-465, honing in their integrated capabilities.

“Doing stuff like this goes beyond our basic training,” said Capt. Scott Blyth, CH-53E pilot with HMH-465. “We go from just basic take offs and landings to moving groups of Marines from one zone to another.”

Involvement between multiple Marines was crucial in the success of the troop-lift and parachute operations. Interactions such as hand signs designating remaining time between executions; communication between the aircrew to maintain the flight; and overall collaboration between jumpmasters, jumpers and aircrew; ensured mission accomplishment for this training.

“Training like this is crucial for both of our groups,” said Sgt. Troy Highfield, aerial observer with HMH-465. “They can’t do it without us, and we can’t do it without them.”

Both movements helped the Marines with HMH-465 and reconnaissance Marines to prepare for real-life scenarios such as deployments in hostile areas.

“It’s important training for both the aircrew and the guys jumping out of the back,” said Blyth. “This is how we get proficient before we have to do the real thing.”

Exercises like these occur monthly with the squadron and the Marines they work with, promoting mission readiness in real situations.

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Imageaerial observer ImageCalifornia ImageCapt. Scott Blyth ImageCH-53E ImageHMH-465 ImageLance Cpl. Michael Thorn ImageMarine Corps Base Camp Pendleton ImageMarine Heavy Helicopter Squadron 465 ImageMCB Camp Pendleton Imageparachute operations Imagepilot ImageSan Diego ImageSgt. Troy Highfield ImageSuper Stallions Imagetraining Imagetroop-lift