'Red Lions' airlift to Iraq

Last week, the "Red Lions" of HS-15 relied on two gigantic C-5 Galaxy airlifters, provided by the U.S. Air Force Air Mobility Command, to transport them to an undisclosed base in Iraq where they reported to a joint special operations command.

HS-15 Commanding Officer Cmdr. Chris Misner said that supporting Navy Special Warfare (NSW) is nothing out of the ordinary for the Red Lions.

"NSW support is one of our core competencies and we've honed our readiness to a fine edge over the past months," said Misner. "What's unusual is loading two Seahawks, a tow tractor, more than 40 personnel and all their gear into one C-5."

The C-5 is the largest airlifter in theU.S. Air Force, with the ability to carry up to 81 troops and 36 standard pallets simultaneously. In the case of the Red Lions, most of the pallet space was taken by their two HH-60H Seahawk helicopters.

The first of two HS-15 "Red Lions" HH-60H Seahawk helicopters approaches the C-5 Galaxy's forward loading ramp -- as two tank trucks refuel the large cargo airplane for its trans-Atlantic flight from NAS Jacksonville. Photo by Clark Pierce

A deploying HS-15 plane captain said, "I'm really impressed with our ride today. Stowing two Seahawks and all our gear into this aircraft takes a lot of teamwork. There was just enough room so we didn't have to remove the tail rotors, which will reduce down-time when we arrive in theater."

The squadron's maintenance department master chief explained that preparing the helicopters for transport required removal of the Forward Looking InfraRed system, extended pylons, fuel drop tanks and weapons.

"We learned a lot of nuances from loading the first C-5 last week," said ABCM Anthony Fiorelli, who was not deploying with the detachment. "We worked really well with the Air Force loadmasters and our second flight loaded safely at a steady pace and relatively easy."

Ground crews are able to load and off-load the C-5 simultaneously at the front and rear cargo openings, minimizing cargo transfer times. Other features of the C-5 are:

Pilots, aircrew and maintainers in group two of HS-15 Detachment A prior to wheels up for their flight to a joint special forces base in Iraq. Photo by Clark Pierce

Fivelanding gear totaling 28 wheels to distributethe weight.

A "kneeling" landing gear system that permits lowering of the parked aircraft so the cargo floor is at truck-bed height or to facilitate vehicle loading and unloading.

Full width drive-on ramps at each end for loading double rows of vehicles - or, in this case, helicopters.

The detachment's operations officer said, "This is a mission we train to all the time - yet it's different than our usual boat tour, because we det out directly to a land-based command. Whether it's SEALS, Green Berets or other special operations forces, we're ready to support them."

"Supporting special ops is awesome flying," said a junior pilot.

An HS-15 Sailor rides with the HH-60H tail rotor of to prevent contact with the overhead of the C-5's cargo bay. Slow-but-sure was the order of the day. Photo by Clark Pierce

"My most memorable exercise was last fall when a SEAL did a fast-rope egress from our aircraft with a military working dog strapped to him. Will we repeat that type of mission in theater? Ask me when we arrive back home at NAS Jacksonville in about six months."

After about five hours of loading cargo and refueling (it took five tank trucks), Misner and his HS-15 ground crew bid farewell their Red Lions NSW detachment.

Minutes later, the C-5 taxied from the NAS Jacksonville combat aircraft loading area and was quickly airborne for its trans-Atlantic and trans-Mediterranean journey.

"Red Lions" Commanding Officer Cmdr. Chris Misner (right) and C-5 co-pilot Lt. Col. Tom Cox discuss final details as the last of HS-15 Detachment A's gear is loaded on the large aircraft. Photo by Clark Pierce