'Heavy Haulers' Transfers Authority to 'Wolfpack' in Afghanistan

Marine Heavy Helicopter Squadron 462 "Heavy Haulers" transferred control of air support for Marine Aircraft Group 40, Marine Expeditionary Brigade-Afghanistan, to HMH-466 "Wolfpack" during a transfer of authority ceremony, January 21.

The Heavy Haulers' primary mission in the MEB-Afghanistan area of operation was transportation of troops and cargo throughout the battlespace, their primary aircraft is the CH-53D; a mission the Wolfpack took over.

"HMH-462 has done a great job and we will continue supporting MAG-40," said Lt. Col. Mitchell Cassell, commanding officer of HMH-466, as he addressed the Marines and sailors of both squadrons.

The deployment for the Heavy Haulers started with three months in Iraq before they arrived in Afghanistan. Upon arrival, the Marines of the Heavy Haulers noticed the pace in Afghanistan was higher than it was in Iraq. Operations for the Heavy Haulers significantly increased and they knew the value in their presence in Afghanistan.

"Operational tempo is much higher here," said Master Sgt. James Bennington, maintenance chief, Heavy Haulers. "The Marines work hard all day long and seem to be happier with more work they have to do."

During their time in Helmand, the Heavy Haulers participated in numerous missions inserting troops and transporting follow-on supplies for many of those same troops.

In three months, the Heavy Haulers transported nearly 16,000 troops and three million pounds of cargo throughout Helmand province.

For more than 50 years, the Heavy Haulers have seen operations in Vietnam, Saudi Arabia, Japan, the Philippines, Iraq and now Afghanistan.

The arrival of HMH-466 has marked a new chapter for operations in Afghanistan. What makes this helicopter squadron different than most, is that they are comprised of Marines from two squadrons. The Wolfpack Marines are originally from Marine Corps Air Station in Miramar, Calif. Organic to HMH-466 they joined Marines from HMH-464 out of MCAS New River, N.C., to form the Afghanistan Wolfpack.

Joining two squadrons into one may seem out of the ordinary, but Cassell has made it a point that HMH-466 is one squadron operating in support of missions in southern Afghanistan as a cohesive team.

The Wolfpack has been in service just short of 30 years, being commissioned Nov. 30, 1980. Nearly ten years after the unit was commissioned, they deployed as the first CH-53E "Super Stallion" helicopter squadron to Saudi Arabia in support of Operations Desert Storm and Desert Shield.

Following both operations, the Wolfpack supported missions in Japan, Somalia, East Timor, Yemen, Thailand and Iraq. In 2003, they also assisted areas around the city of San Diego by launching six aircraft to carry 1,320 gallon buckets of water in order to douse wildfires that scorched approximately 400,000 acres of land in California.

With numerous noteworthy accomplishments for the squadron, they are more than well suited for this particular operation. Their expertise, personnel and aircraft will allow them to support the growing operations in the area.

By Staff Sgt. Roman Yurek, Marine Aircraft Group 40 - United States Marine Corps