FORT HUNTER LIGGETT, Calif. -- Helicopters carrying Marines from an oceangoing vessel flew inland and conducted a long-range training raid here Oct. 6.
Pilots with Marine Medium Helicopter Squadron 268 (Reinforced), the 11th Marine Expeditionary Unit’s aviation combat element, flew Company I from the amphibious assault ship Makin Island to a simulated terrorist training camp 130 miles inland.
The Marines were able to overcome a chaotic environment and conduct a successful raid, said 2nd Lt. Edward W. Miller, a platoon commander with Battalion Landing Team 3/1.
Company I is one of three rifle companies with the battalion, which is the ground combat element for the unit.
"The Marines are, without a doubt, ready for the unit’s upcoming deployment,” said Miller.
Marines with the squadron set up a refueling point at the municipal airport in Paso Robles, Calif., where CH-46E Sea Knights, CH-53E Super Stallions, UH-1Y Venoms and AH-1Z Vipers took on fuel to fly inland and cover the distance from sea to objective.
The unit embarked USS Makin Island, USS New Orleans and USS Pearl Harbor in San Diego Sept. 28 and is participating in its final exercise before deploying to the Western Pacific and Middle East regions.