Thursday, 21 February 2008 By Lance Cpl. Jessica Aranda
3rd Marine Aircraft Wing Public Affairs

Marines attached to Regimental Combat Team 5 hustle to re-board a CH-53E Super Stallion after assessing activities at a fishing camp in the Al Anbar Province Feb. 17. As the ground-combat element for an Aero Scout mission, Marines inspect any suspicious areas sighted by the pilots and mission commander. Photo by Cpl. Jessica Aranda.

AL ASAD — In 2007, the Marine Corps began launching a unique mission, merging the air and ground combat elements. These Aero Scout missions deploy troops to immediately search and assess any sighted suspicious activities across the Multi National Force - West area of operations.“We’re keeping our eyes on vast areas and maintaining an awareness of what’s out there,” said Capt. William Boulware, a pilot with Marine Heavy Helicopter Squadron 361. “We’re multiplying the capabilities of the ground combat element by stretching their legs to places they normally don’t patrol.”

These missions also provide a presence of security to locals who are supporting the efforts of the coalition forces, explained Boulware.

Aero Scout missions typically consist of the combined efforts of rotary-wing and fixed-wing aircraft. The F/A-18D Hornets fly above the helicopters, scouting out the areas and obtaining situational awareness.

A UH-1N Huey and an AH-1W Super Cobra provide armed reconnaissance and communicate with the CH-53E Super Stallions, taking the rear of the flight formation.

“We look for anything out-of-the-ordinary,” said Maj. Keith Pierce, a UH-1N pilot with Marine Light Attack Helicopter Squadron 773. “The beauty of the mission is the aviation and ground elements develop a collective intuition. Once we spot a suspicious area, we relay the information to the ground commander, who forms an opinion on whether to land or not.”

The ground commander, his platoon of infantrymen, Iraqi security forces and translators travel aboard the Super Stallions, prepared to investigate an area upon landing. When the ground commander makes a decision to land, the troops deplane, set up security and begin their assessments.

At this time, the Huey and Cobra provide close air support to the Marines on the ground or seize the opportunity to refuel.

Other than surveying a location for enemy activity and weapons caches, the Marines also provide humanitarian relief to the locals.

Aero Scout missions have led to the confiscation of approximately 8,000 pounds of homemade explosives, the detainment of insurgents and oil-smugglers and the destruction of improvised explosive device factories and insurgent training camps.

Aero Scouts have proven their effectiveness and continue to become more successful with each subsequent mission, explained Maj. Brett Giordano, the operations officer and pilot with HMH-361.

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