from http://www.defendamerica.mil


U.S. Marines block their faces from wind while ensuring their fellow Marines safely hook up a decommissioned assault amphibious vehicle for airlift, Jan. 9, 2005. The old vehicle was airlifted to Al Asad, Iraq, to an off-base aerial firing range used by the 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing. U.S. Marine Corps photo by Sgt. Nathan K. LaForte



U.S. Marine Corps Sgt. Anson G. Smith, a 27-year-old landing support specialist from Richland, Wash., ensures the dual point lifting system of the CH-53E Super Stallion clears all obstacles on an assault amphibious vehicle, Jan. 9, 2005. The decommissioned vehicle was airlifted from Al Asad, Iraq, by a helicopter from Marine Medium Helicopter Squadron 166 (reinforced), Marine Aircraft Group 16. The old vehicle was moved to a target range used by elements of the 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing for aerial target practice. Smith, assigned to Helicopter Support Team, Combat Service Support Battalion 7, 1st Force Service Support Group, needed to ensure the lifting cables remained free from obstruction so the helicopter could properly lift the vehicle. U.S. Marine Corps photo by Sgt. Nathan K. LaForte



U.S. Marine Corps Lance Cpl. Chelsee A. Rattray, landing support specialist, Combat Service Support Battalion 7, 1st Force Service Support Group, covers her face from the wind while ensuring the airlift of an unserviceable assault amphibious vehicle goes well, Jan. 9, 2005. The vehicle was airlifted by a CH-53E Super Stallion from Marine Medium Helicopter Squadron 166 (reinforced), Marine Aircraft Group 16, and moved from Al Asad, Iraq, to an off-base aerial firing range used by the 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing. Rattray, a Sunnyside, Wash., native, and her fellow Marines had to brave hurricane force winds created by the helicopter’s blades to properly hook up the vehicle to the helicopter. U.S. Marine Corps photo by Sgt. Nathan K. LaForte



A CH-53E Super Stallion from Marine Medium Helicopter Squadron 166 (reinforced), Marine Aircraft Group 16, Jan. 9 airlifts an old Iraqi armored personnel carrier using a dual-point lifting system. The Marines were conducting one of many airlifts of the vehicles that were moved from Al Asad, Iraq, to an off-base shooting range used by aircraft from 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing. U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Paul Leicht



A U.S. Marine Corps CH-53E Super Stallion demonstrates its strength by lifting a decommissioned assault amphibian vehicle weighing approximately 25,000 pounds during an airlift, Jan. 9, 2005. The helicopter’s blades created hurricane-like winds. Marines working on the ground, responsible for hooking the cargo to the hovering aircraft, are members of a helicopter support team with Combat Service Support Battalion 7, 1st Force Service Support Group. The old vehicle was intended for use as a aircraft target for the 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing. U.S. Marine Corps photo by Staff Sgt. Chad McMeen



Two CH-53E Super Stallions from Marine Medium Helicopter Squadron 166 (reinforced), Marine Aircraft Group 16, carry decommissioned assault amphibious vehicle using their dual-point external lifting system over the barren desert near Al Asad, Iraq, Jan. 9, 2005. The inoperable vehicles were set on the desert floor to be used as targets for aircraft of the 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing. U.S. Marine Corps photo by Staff Sgt. Chad McMeen



A CH-53E Super Stallion, carrying a decommissioned assault amphibious vehicle, creates a dust storm behind it as the pilot prepares to lower the nearly 25,000 pound load to the desert floor. A pair of heavy-lift helicopters from Marine Medium Helicopter Squadron 166 (reinforced), Marine Aircraft Group 16, conducted dual point airlifts of several old Iraqi armored personnel carriers and two assault amphibious vehicles at Al Asad, Iraq, Jan. 9, 2005. The vehicles were moved to a range for use as aerial target practice by Marine aircraft. U.S. Marine Corps photo by Staff Sgt. Chad McMeen



Helicopter Support Team Marines with Landing Support Company, Combat Service Support Battalion 7, 1st Force Service Support Group, watch for the approach of a CH-53E Super Stallion from Marine Medium Helicopter Squadron 166 (reinforced), Marine Aircraft Group 16, Jan. 9, 2005, while sitting on an old Iraqi armored personnel carrier. The Marines were waiting to conduct one of many airlifts of the vehicles that were moved from Al Asad, Iraq, to an off-base shooting range used by aircraft from 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing. U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Paul Leicht



Two U.S. Marines from Combat Service Support Battalion 7, 1st Force Service Support Group, watch the approach of a CH-53E Super Stallion from Marine Medium Helicopter Squadron 166 (reinforced), Marine Aircraft Group 16, Jan. 9, 2005, while sitting on an old Iraqi armored personnel carrier. The Marines were waiting to conduct one of many airlifts of the vehicles that were moved from Al Asad, Iraq, to an off-base shooting range used by aircraft from 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing. U.S. Marine Corps photo by Sgt. Nathan K. LaForte



U.S. Marine Corps Lance Cpl. Chelsee A. Rattray (left), a landing support specialist, grounds the dual point hook from a CH-53E Super Stallion while Cpl. Damon M. Robertson, a heavy equipment operator, hooks up the external cargo cable to the helicopter. The Super Stallion, from Marine Medium Helicopter Squadron 166 (reinforced), Marine Aircraft Group 16, has the ability to lift extremely heavy loads, which the helicopter support team from Combat Service Support Battalion 7, 1st Force Service Support Group, used to lift several decommissioned assault amphibious vehicles and Iraqi armored personnel carriers from Al Asad, Iraq, Jan. 9, 2005. The vehicles were are to be used by aerial gunners in the 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing for target practice before missions. U.S. Marine Corps photo by Sgt. Nathan K. LaForte