Press Released by the VMM-263 Public Affairs Office
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arine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron 263 (REIN) is the aviation combat element of the 22nd Marine Expeditionary Unit. In multiple aspects of the air and ground task force, they provide close air support, assault support and logistics support, and are responsible for keeping their own members combat ready. While many flights have one specific mission, there are some that encompass multiple tasks within the same flight. Capt. Samuel A. Richard and Maj. Billie D. Morton, pilots with VMM-263, started their flight Feb. 15 with multiple destinations and objectives. Aboard the USS Bataan, 25 miles off the coast of North Carolina, 14 Marines required a lift to Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point. Before the two Ospreys took off for the ship, they practiced their landing techniques on a designated training strip aboard New River. It is important that the pilots get all the practice they need to be able to perfect a landing aboard ship, said Sgt. Corey E. Lapotsky, a crew chief with VMM-263. After landing and taking off multiple times to prepare for landing aboard the ship, the Ospreys headed to the Bataan. The moment the two aircraft hit the floating deck, the ship’s crew members quickly began loading cargo
Rotor Review # 112 Winter ‘11
and personnel to be transported. The Osprey crew chiefs worked to ensure all passengers were safely strapped into their seats before taking off over the Atlantic Ocean. At MCAS Cherry Point air strip the Marines were safely off loaded and the pilots took off for their final mission of the day. Down in Stone Bay, the Special Operations Training Group awaited the arrival of VMM-263 to support a tactical evacuation course. “The purpose of this course is to give corpsmen experience treating Marines in the field,” said Petty Officer 1st Class Guy T. Ambrose, an instructor with SOTG. “When people get hurt on the battlefield, we need to get them transported so they can receive surgery and be treated as fast as possible.” Corpsmen of the 22nd MEU scattered across Landing Zone Vulture were tending to mock wounded Marines when the Ospreys flew overhead preparing to land. As the dust settled from the aircraft touching down, corpsmen raced to get their “cherry pickers”, the term used for mock patients on litters, and carried them to the Osprey. Inside the bird, the corpsmen continued treatment of the mock casualties. To provide medical care, the corpsmen have to move even in flight. Instead of being strapped in a seat, they are tied to the floor with a gunner’s belt.
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The belt secures them to the Osprey while still giving them the ability to move. The takeoff and turns of the aircraft can make it difficult for corpsmen to work because they are tossed around frequently. “It’s important for the corpsmen to experience flying now, so when they go into a tactical profile, there are no surprises,” said Ambrose. “They know what to expect from the flight and are prepared to continue doing their job regardless of the circumstances.” The service members still left on the ground continued providing treatment, learning the best methods of handling difficult conditions in a high stress environment. “This exercise helps train our corpsmen to treat trauma victims in combat situations,” said Lance Cpl. Ryan W. Hawkins, an infantryman with 2nd Battalion, 2nd Marines. “They need this training to prepare them for actual deployments.” After four trips with the simulated injuries and combat life savers, the crew completed all their tasks for the day. As the sun went down, the aircraft returned home to refuel and prepare for the next flight as the 22nd MEU continues training and preparation for deployment.