Photos

Lance Cpl. Chelsee A. Rattray, landing support specialist, Combat Service Support Battalion 7, 1st Force Service Support Group, blocks her face from the wind while ensuring the external lift of an unserviceable Assault Amphibious Vehicle Jan. 9 goes well. The vehicle was externally lifted by a CH-53E Super Stallion from Marine Medium Helicopter Squadron 166 (reinforced), Marine Aircraft Group 16, and moved from Al Asad, Iraq to an off-base aerial firing range used by elements of the 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing. The 24-year-old Rattray, a Sunnyside, Wash., native, had to brave hurricane force winds, along with the rest of her team, to properly hook up the vehicle to the helicopter.