MARINE CORPS BASE CAMP PENDELTON, Calif. -- When ships are at sea and need supplies fast, they need the help of well trained and prepared landing support specialists.
Marines from Landing Support Platoon, Transportation Support Detachment, Combat Logistics Battalion 15, Combat Logistics Regiment 17, 1st Marine Logistics Group, rigged cargo here for an external lift to the USS Bonhomme Richard, Aug. 30.
The Marines were assisting in a Navy vertical replenishment of the USS Bonhomme Richard. Two Navy UH-60 Black Hawks transported the cargo after the landing support Marines rigged it below the helicopters.
In a VERTREP operation, seaborne vessels are supplied by helicopter. It’s the job of landing support Marines to rig the cargo bellow the aircraft in order for it to be transported to the ship, said Sgt. Scott W. Hayes, platoon sergeant, LS Platoon, TS Detachment, CLB-15, CLR-17, 1st MLG.
VERTREP is one of the most efficient ways to get supplies to a ship, said Hayes.
Hayes, 25, from Avondale, Ariz., said vertical replenishment is a faster way to supply a ship than using a ship-to-ship connection.
“Our job is to support the Marines from our side and make sure they have the supplies to keep fighting the fight,” added Lance Cpl. Caleb N. Morge, landing support specialist, LS Platoon, TS Detachment, CLB-15, CLR-17, 1st MLG.
To ensure the mission was accomplished, the Marines were given guidance prior to the lift to make sure every safety precaution was taken.
“All of the Marines [were] wearing appropriate personal protective equipment and watching out as the UH-60’s [arrived],” said Hayes.
The VERTREP supplied the USS Bonhomme Richard successfully with speed and efficiency.
“The lift went smoothly, a little fast, but we got the job done,” said Hayes.
The ship was given the proper cargo it needed and the members of landing support platoon received more experience to help their fellow Marines in the fight on future deployments.