In February, the U.S. Marine Corps received the first KC-130J Harvest HAWK modified with a pressurized standoff, precision-guided munitions launcher called the Derringer door |
Thursday, February 23, 2012
USMC innovates again. Harvest Hawk continues to evolve.
Today in Marine Corps History...A Marine Corps for the next 500 Years.
"The raising of that flag on Suribachi means a Marine Corps for the next 500 years."(James Forrestal, Secretary of the Navy, 23 February 1945.)
Via Wikipedia.
The Secretary of the Navy, James Forrestal, had decided the previous night that he wanted to go ashore and witness the final stage of the fight for the mountain. Now, under a stern commitment to take orders from Howlin' Mad Smith, the secretary was churning ashore in the company of the blunt, earthy general. Their boat touched the beach just after the flag went up, and the mood among the high command turned jubilant. Gazing upward, at the red, white, and blue speck, Forrestal remarked to Smith: "Holland, the raising of that flag on Suribachi means a Marine Corps for the next five hundred years."
Forrestal was so taken with fervor of the moment that he decided he wanted the Suribachi flag as a souvenir. The news of this wish did not sit well with 2nd Battalion Commander Chandler Johnson, whose temperament was every bit as fiery as Howlin Mad's. 'To hell with that!' the colonel spat when the message reached him. The flag belonged to the battalion, as far as Johnson was concerned.
Go to Wikipedia to read this short passage on the Battle for Iwo Jima. It's well worth the time.
The helicopter that's done it all finally retires.
If you had to pick one maritime helicopter that had been there and done that...
A helicopter that has been a crucial part of Marine Aviation in the 20th century...
A helicopter that was multi-role and multi-mission before it was cool...then you would have to pick the CH-53D. When first deployed it had speed and agility and lifting power that was unheard of in the Western World.
The Marine Corps has finally retired this war bird.
Via NAVAIR.
The Marine Corps retired the CH-53D Sea Stallion helicopter during a “sundown ceremony” Feb. 10 at the Pacific Aviation Museum Pearl Harbor in Hawaii. The Sea Stallion’s last mission is currently underway with Marine Heavy Helicopter Squadron 363 supporting Operation Enduring Freedom in Afghanistan. The helicopter will be flown from Marine Corps Air Station Kaneohe Bay to its final destination at the Pacific Aviation Museum, where it will be displayed.
Wednesday, February 22, 2012
1st Light Armored Reconnaissance Battalion and 3rd Battalion, 3rd Marines in Operation Highland Thunder
Photos by Cpl. Alfred V. Lopez
11th MEU training in the 5th Fleet AOR.
Photos by Cpl. Ryan Carpenter and Cpl. Tommy Huynh
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