Heavy Metal (of the rotary kind)

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A U.S. Marine Corps CH-53E Super Stallion helicopter assigned to Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron (VMM) 261 lowers an M777 howitzer during a certification exercise (CERTEX) at Camp Lejeune, N.C., Feb. 14, 2012. VMM-261 and Marines assigned to the 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit participated in the CERTEX in preparation for a scheduled deployment. (DoD photo by Lance Cpl. Michael Petersheim, U.S. Marine Corps/Released)

 

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U.S. Marines from Marine Heavy Helicopter Squadron 772 and Air Force Airmen with the 621st Contingency Response Wing conduct a sling load operation with a CH-53E Super Stallion helicopter at Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst, N.J., May 10, 2012. The units were preparing for a Marine Corps airpower demonstration at the 2012 Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst Open House and Air Show. (DoD photo by Tech. Sgt. Edward Gyokeres, U.S. Air Force/Released)

 

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120728-O-ZZ999-003 WAIMANALO, Hawaii (July 28, 2012) Marine Corps CH-53E Super Stallion helicopters approach for a landing at Marine Corps Training Area Bellows during the biennial Rim of the Pacific (RIMPAC) 2012 exercise. Twenty-two nations, more than 40 ships and submarines, more than 200 aircraft and 25,000 personnel are participating in the biennial RIMPAC exercise from June 29 to Aug. 3, in and around the Hawaiian Islands. The world'Äôs largest international maritime exercise, RIMPAC provides a unique training opportunity that helps participants foster and sustain the cooperative relationships that are critical to ensuring the safety of sea lanes and security on the world'Äôs oceans. RIMPAC 2012 is the 23rd exercise in the series that began in 1971. (Canadian Forces photo by MCpl Marc-Andre Gaudreault, Canadian Forces Combat Camera/Released)

Two U.S. Marine Corps CH-53E Super Stallion helicopters assigned to Marine Heavy Helicopter Squadron (HMH) 463 take off after delivering Marines and Canadian soldiers as part of a noncombatant evacuation operation during exercise Rim of the Pacific (RIMPAC) 2012 at Marine Corps Training Area Bellows, Marine Corps Base Hawaii, Kaneohe Bay, Hawaii, July 26, 2012. RIMPAC is a U.S. Pacific Command-hosted biennial multinational maritime exercise designed to foster and sustain international cooperation and security on the world’s oceans. (DoD photo by Cpl. Reece Lodder, U.S. Marine Corps/Released)

 

[scoolbubba]

120728-O-ZZ999-003 WAIMANALO, Hawaii (July 28, 2012) Marine Corps CH-53E Super Stallion helicopters approach for a landing at Marine Corps Training Area Bellows during the biennial Rim of the Pacific (RIMPAC) 2012 exercise. Twenty-two nations, more than 40 ships and submarines, more than 200 aircraft and 25,000 personnel are participating in the biennial RIMPAC exercise from June 29 to Aug. 3, in and around the Hawaiian Islands. The world'Äôs largest international maritime exercise, RIMPAC provides a unique training opportunity that helps participants foster and sustain the cooperative relationships that are critical to ensuring the safety of sea lanes and security on the world'Äôs oceans. RIMPAC 2012 is the 23rd exercise in the series that began in 1971. (Canadian Forces photo by MCpl Marc-Andre Gaudreault, Canadian Forces Combat Camera/Released)

Two U.S. Marine Corps CH-53E Super Stallion helicopters assigned to Marine Heavy Helicopter Squadron (HMH) 463 take off after delivering Marines and Canadian soldiers as part of a noncombatant evacuation operation during exercise Rim of the Pacific (RIMPAC) 2012 at Marine Corps Training Area Bellows, Marine Corps Base Hawaii, Kaneohe Bay, Hawaii, July 26, 2012. RIMPAC is a U.S. Pacific Command-hosted biennial multinational maritime exercise designed to foster and sustain international cooperation and security on the world’s oceans. (DoD photo by Cpl. Reece Lodder, U.S. Marine Corps/Released)

I got to watch something similar from the top of the ridges covered in clouds a year ago...a hike I would definitely recommend if you're on Oahu.

 

[707guy]

From the Marine Week in Cleveland:

 

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Ugly Angels

CH-53D Sea Stallions with Marine Heavy Helicopter Squadron 362 launch flares during a flight over Helmand province, Afghanistan, Aug. 9. After 60 years of service, the squadron, known as the ‘Ugly Angels,’ will be deactivated upon returning to their home station at Marine Corps Base Hawaii later this year.
(U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Isaac Lamberth)

 

[Alpha_Echo_606]

Staring Down the Beast
The heavy-lift helicopter of the Marine Corps can carry a 26,000-pound Light Armored Vehicle, 16 tons of cargo 50 miles and back, or enough combat-loaded Marines to lead an assault or humanitarian operation.
A CH-53E Super Stallion with Marine Heavy Helicopter Squadron 461 hovers over a M777 155 mm Howitzer while Marines from 3rd Battalion, 10th Marine Regiment, Lima Battery, attach it to the aircraft in support of Exercise Mailed Fist at a range outside of Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune, N.C., June 21. Exercise Mailed Fist is a large-scale exercise conducted by 2nd Marine Aircraft Wing.
(U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Glen Santy

 

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120824-N-LM312-049 EAST CHINA SEA (Aug. 24, 2012) A CH-53E Super Stallion helicopter lands aboard the forward-deployed amphibious assault ship USS Bonhomme Richard (LHD 6). Bonhomme Richard is the lead ship of the only forward-deployed amphibious ready group. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist Seaman Adam D. Wainwright/Released)

 

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[LFDtoUSMC]

^ That is a sweet picture. Good find.

 

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A U. S. Marine Corps AH-1W Super Cobra helicopter with Marine Light Attack Helicopter Squadron (HMLA) 367 provides security as two CH-53E Super Stallion helicopters from Marine Heavy Helicopter Squadron (HMH) 463, Marine Aircraft Group 24 (MAG-24) perform a mid-air refuel demonstration from a C-130 Hercules aircraft during the 2012 Kaneohe Bay Airshow at Marine Corps Air Station, Kaneohe Bay, Hawaii, Sept. 30, 2012. MAG-24 took part in the three-day event featuring performances and demonstrations by both civilian and military aircraft. (DoD photo by Lance Cpl. Kevin Jones, U. S. Marine Corps /Released)

 

[Alpha_Echo_606]

01/02/2013
HOWITZER HAUL
A U.S. Marine Corps CH-53E Super Stallions lifts M777 howitzers over Helmand province, Afghanistan, Dec. 29, 2012. U.S. Marines assigned to Marine Heavy Helicopter Squadron 361, Marine Aircraft Group 16, 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing provided aerial support by repositioning the howitzers to Camp Dwyer. U.S. Marine Corps photo by Sgt. Keonaona C. Paulo

Two U.S. Marine Corps CH-53E Super Stallion helicopters assigned to Marine Heavy Helicopter Squadron (HMH) 361, Marine Aircraft Group 16, 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing (Forward) transport M777 towed 155 mm howitzers over Helmand province, Afghanistan, Dec. 29, 2012, en route to Camp Dwyer in Helmand province. (DoD photo by Sgt. Keonaona C. Paulo, U.S. Marine Corps/Released)

 

[Alpha_Echo_606]

Time for a FOD Walk
A CH-53E Super Stallion helicopter prepares to touch down to transport evacuees of a multinational emergency evacuation drill Feb. 17 in Pattaya, Chonburi province, Kingdom of Thailand, during exercise Cobra Gold 2013. Militaries from Thailand, Japan, Indonesia, and Malaysia worked alongside U.S. Marines and sailors of the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit to process multinational citizens through security and screening stations before evacuating them via helicopter. CG 13, in its 32nd iteration, is the largest multinational exercise in the Asia-Pacific region and demonstrates commitment to building interoperability with participating nations and to supporting peace and stability in the region.
(U.S. Marine Corps photo by Pfc. Mike Granahan)

 

[BigIron]

Time for a FOD Walk
A CH-53E Super Stallion helicopter prepares to touch down to transport evacuees of a multinational emergency evacuation drill Feb. 17 in Pattaya, Chonburi province, Kingdom of Thailand, during exercise Cobra Gold 2013. Militaries from Thailand, Japan, Indonesia, and Malaysia worked alongside U.S. Marines and sailors of the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit to process multinational citizens through security and screening stations before evacuating them via helicopter. CG 13, in its 32nd iteration, is the largest multinational exercise in the Asia-Pacific region and demonstrates commitment to building interoperability with participating nations and to supporting peace and stability in the region.
(U.S. Marine Corps photo by Pfc. Mike Granahan)

Shitters rule.