OSAN AIR BASE, South Korea -- A Hawaiian Marine unit took to the skies over the Korean peninsula to expand it's training and gain experience with new terrain while deployed to Osan, South Korea.
Marine Heavy Helicopter Squadron 363 from Marine Corps Base Kaneohe Bay, Hawaii, landed here July 7 and left on Monday to continue their six-month Unit Deployment Program. The Red Lions are currently deployed to Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni, Japan.
This rear detachment of 64 Marines brought along four CH-53D Sea Stallions to train over vast terrain and weather conditions South Korea had to offer.
"The terrain here was unknown to us so it helped us learn new navigational routes and practice landing in unapproved landing zones," said Capt. Kirby Goggans, assistant Operations officer. "Also the airspace is less restricted here than in Japan and Hawaii. South Korea allowed us broader training operations."
According to Goggans, the biggest benefit of the time spent here was that pilots increased their currency in flying operations as well as giving the lesser-experienced pilots more airtime.
This is not the first time the Marine unit had visited Osan, and the time here benefited all the team members not just the pilots, said 1st Lt. Jim Beaulieu, HMH-363 Public Affairs officer.
"The crews were presented with new challenges with space here," he said. "They learned how to tow the aircraft in and out of different locations, where in the past there was no need to tow because the '53D's could taxi out and take off right from their position."
One of the crewmembers, Sgt. Christopher Nino, said the change of pace was nice and he enjoys his job as a crew chief on the CH-53D.
"I love it. I get to fly what I work on, unlike the fixed wing crew chiefs," said the sergeant who's worked on the helicopters for five years.
"Not only that the lodging here is terrific, way above Marine standards," he said with a smile.
The sergeant was not the only one to praise the local hospitality and facilities.
"Beyond the excellent chance for this training, Osan and Camp Humphreys have really made our stay accommodating," said Maj. Hugh Tillman, detachment commander. "From the people at Base Operations and Weather to the folks in the Billeting office and Transportation, they've made it easier for us to concentrate on our mission without worrying about the after-duty necessities."
"These folks have gone out of their way for us and it helps us increase our combat readiness," he added.