Black Stallions Get "Gassed" in Djiboutian Skies

By Cpl. Paula M. Fitzgerald

Two CH-53E Super Stallion helicopters receive fuel from a C-130 Hercules airplane while each carries two HMMWV's during an aerial refueling exercise Jan. 30. (USMC Photo by Cpl. Paula M. Fitzgerald)

CAMP LEMONIER, Djibouti -Two CH-53Es from Marine Medium Helicopter Squadron - 772 demonstrated their capabilities by "gassing up" in mid-air while carrying two High Mobility Multi-purpose Wheeled Vehicles (HMMWV's) during an aerial refueling exercise Jan. 30 in the skies over Djibouti.

The squadron, nicknamed the Black Stallions, is based in Willow Grove, Pa., and currently attached to the 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit (Special Operations Capable) in support of the global war against terrorism.

"The purpose of the long-range raid with external load exercise was to demonstrate the capabilities of the CH-53," said Maj. Andrew Seay, a CH-53 pilot and division leader.

The CH-53E Super Stallion helicopter is capable of lifting 16 tons of equipment, transporting it 57.5 miles and returning to its base. However, with aerial refueling, the helicopter's maximum range is nearly unlimited.

Seay, a Vernon, Ala., native, explained that organizing an exercise of this magnitude is logistically challenging because there are many moving parts. "It can be difficult trying to get a C-130 (Air Force C-130 Hercules airplane) and Humvees to work with, but the Army has been really great about lending us Humvees to carry," he said.

A CH-53E Super Stallion helicopter transports two HMMWVs before being refueled by a C-130 Hercules during an aerial refueling exercise. (USMC Photo by Cpl. Paula M. Fitzgerald)

For many of the pilots and aircrew, this marked the first time they had ever done this kind of training. Staff Sgt. Joe D. Starkey, a crewchief from Tecumseh, Mich., stated, "This was pretty amazing because we've done a lot of aerial refueling training and a lot of external load training but this was really the first time we've put the two together."

During the evolution, Starkey and his fellow crewchiefs provided extra eyes to the pilots in order to keep track of the other helicopters during flight and any other threats to the Super Stallion. It's also the job of a crewchief to take care of passengers so everyone arrives at the destination safe and sound.

Starkey explained why this training is important, "If there was a real-world situation and a unit needed to get a thousand miles with one-hundred Marines and four Humvees in a timely manner, we could do it with two CH-53s. Aerial refueling really helps because we could fly for as long as needed."

The helicopters in this exercise belong to Marine Medium Helicopter Squadron-772, a reserve squadron from Willow Grove, Pa., currently attached to the 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit (Special Operations Capable). (USMC Photo by Cpl. Paula M. Fitzgerald)

The training was also a learning opportunity for other members of the unit. "Our aircraft mechanics and the other Marines who keep the birds flying were able to come up with us and see what the CH-53 can do," said Seay. "They have done a really outstanding job keeping the birds in good, working order, so this was as much for them as it was for us."