Marines get ‘hot hook-up,’ pioneer new technique
May 30, 2012 — Marine Unmanned Aerial Vehicle Squadron 2, the “Night Owls,” made history earlier this week when they completed the first “hot hook-ups” between landing support Marines on the ground and a hovering Kaman K1200 “K-MAX” unmanned helicopter in Helmand province, Afghanistan, May 22.In the nearly 20 years of its commercial and military use, no MORE
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Marines earn citizenship, fight for country
May 25, 2012 — Two Marines with Marine Wing Support Squadron 273 reached a turning point in their lives when they swore in and became American citizens prior to deploying to Afghanistan.Staff Sgt. Jason Constable, a watch officer and combat engineer, and Sgt. Jose Guadarramapedraza, an administration specialist, are now citizens of the United States.“I’ve always MORE
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From the couch to combat
May 24, 2012 — Sgt. Enrique Zamora, a crew chief with Marine Heavy Helicopter Squadron 466 and Los Fresnos, Texas, native, keeps an unusual collection with him on flights: a selection of Chevrolet Hot Wheels cars.“For good luck,” Zamora explained before his CH-53E Super Stallion took off to conduct drug raids in southwestern Afghanistan May 17. His brother-in-law MORE
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‘Vengeance’ takes flight, lifts off for first deployment
May 24, 2012 — CAMP BASTION, Afghanistan – It was after midnight, yet there was an undeniable energy in the air as the Marine Light Attack Helicopter Squadron 469 personnel gathered outside their squadron offices aboard Camp Bastion, Afghanistan, for their transfer of authority ceremony May 15.HMLA-469 “Vengeance” smoothly and quietly assumed command of light MORE
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Blue Knights assist narcotics fight
May 24, 2012 — NIMROZ PROVINCE, Afghanistan - Crews from two MV-22B Ospreys with Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron 365 await a call to extract Marines who have been conducting a counternarcotics operation in western Nimroz province to return them to Camp Leatherneck, Afghanistan, May 14.Once the call arrives, the pilots and crew chiefs don their gear, prep their MORE
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‘Sweathogs’ construct new helo pad for isolated outpost
May 13, 2012 — The Marines and Sailors of Echo Company, 2nd Battalion, 6th Marine Regiment, live minimally - to say the least - at their tiny outpost in southwestern Afghanistan.With only a dirt square outside their compound for a helicopter pad, swirling dust clouds made by helicopters landing and taking off, known as “brownouts,” make the delivery of necessary MORE
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3D MAW (FWD) explores the use of unmanned helicopters
May 9, 2012 — Improvised explosive devices have changed the way the Marine Corps engages hostile forces. The need has risen for supplies to reach the most remote parts of Afghanistan quickly, reliably and safely.Late last year, the Corps began experimenting with the K-MAX - an unmanned helicopter, able to transport large amounts of cargo and reduce the need for MORE
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Mobile air traffic control Marines stand watch over Afghan skies
May 5, 2012 — Staff Sgt. James Fishburne and Sgt. Travis Shiflett, a Marine Air Traffic Control Mobile Team leader and an air traffic controller, respectively, with Marine Air Control Squadron 1, clear two AH-1W Super Cobras to land at their airfield aboard Forward Operating Base Edinburgh, known as FOB Edi, April 28, 2012.The two helicopters have only just MORE
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Cyclops fuels up 1st Tanks
May 4, 2012 — After being delayed by rain and high winds, a small break in the clouds opens, allowing a short window for two CH-53E Super Stallions from Marine Heavy Helicopter Squadron 466 to deliver much needed fuel and supplies to 1st Tank Battalion, operating in northern Helmand province, Afghanistan, April 26.Undeterred by the threat of bad weather, the MORE
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