Phrogs Phinal Phlight

CH-46 Helo-Casting US Marines.

On 01 AUG 2015, the United States Marine Corps ended its yearlong transition and bid “pharewell” to one of the most storied and historic airframes in all of USN/USMC aviation. The CH-46, “Sea Knight” known affectionately as the “Phrog” "phlew" its last official flight. The Phrogs Phinal Phlight. In a retirement ceremony, a Sea Knight of the Reserve Marine Medium Helicopter Squadron (HMM) 744 flew its last hop to the Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum in Chantilly, VA, where it will remain on loan from the National Museum of the Marine Corps.

Marines rappelling from CH-46.

In another AUG, back in 1961, I entered into this world. The following AUG (1962), the Phrog took its first flight. It entered service in 1964. The 46 has served aboard LHA/LST/LPD and deployed to FOBs in every conflict since Vietnam. Last year, Phrogs flew their last combat missions and returned to CONUS. Many confuse the 46 with the much larger US Army CH-47, also a tandem rotor helicopter, or “banana” helo. Because of its counter tandem rotors, there is no need for a tail rotor, and it can land on ice without sliding. Skilled pilots can land the “ass-end” of the Phrog on a building or mountain while keeping the forward part of the helo in a hover.

For the past 25 years, most of the men and women who piloted/crewed the helo had not even been born when the last helo rolled off the production line. The last 46 entered service in 1971. During its nine years of production, 524 units entered service in USN/USMC. The most current model is the 46F.

Marines perform Static Line Jump from CH-46.

Marines using SPIE under CH-46.

Marines "roping" from CH-46.

During its service life, the 46 supported several mission types. From disaster aid and relief to humanitarian operations to search and rescue, to the basics of movement of supplies, transporting personnel, and vertical replenishment (VERTREP). It also served in the most solemn of roles by removing the wounded and dead from the battlefield. During my time in USMC, I jumped/rappelled/roped/cast/SPIE’d out of UH-1s, CH-46s, and CH-53s. Because of the size of Force Recon teams, we normally used Hueys (UH-1) and 46s for our training missions. Typically, the 46 was crewed by a pilot, co-pilot, and crew chief/gunner, allowing for 22 combat-loaded Marines. I have made all types of static line jumps from a 46; “Hollywood” (no equipment), Equipment, Day, and Night. I have helo-cast into water (pilot travels at a “20 and 20”—twenty feet above the lowest point between crests, and 20 knots—we then push our Zodiac out the

CH-46 v CH-47 Profile View.

CH-46 v CH-47 Front View.

CH-46 v CH-47 Bottom View

lowered the ramp, then followed after) and performed wet recoveries (driving Zodiac into a helo that is hovering with ramp awash); rappelled from both the “hell hole” and off the ramp; “roped” (fast-rope) insertion, and SPIE’d (Special Patrol Insertion-Extraction). This is probably my favorite. You attach yourself to a rope that is affixed to the helo and you hang underneath while in flight, traveling up to 10 miles at 130 knots. I have a lot of fond memories of the Phrog.

Like old Marines, even equipment must leave active service and pass the torch to someone or something else. The 46, replaced is the dual tilt-rotor MV-22 Osprey. Much has been said about this airframe, but I think she will prove to be a force multiplier and will save a lot of Marines.

Author. 1987 at 29 Palms.
About to SPIE insert under CH-46.

I, like the 46, represent the Marine Corps' past. Our time in service is done. The current Devil Dogs and MV-22 represent the Marine Corps' future. To these Marines, I charge you to take care of your Marines, and always in ALL Ways, Charlie Mike.

Bravo Zulu Phrogs. May you always have Phair Winds and Phollowing Seas. (I could do this Phorever).

I shall remain, Semper Fidelis.

Marines Helo-Cast from CH-46.

Semper Fortis

The most dreaded call heard

on a field of battle is “MEDIC” or “CORPSMAN UP”. Anyone that has served in, with, or alongside US Marines, know we do not staff medical (including dental) and chaplain billets; these are provided by the US Navy.

On this day, 17 JUN 1898, President William McKinley signed an act of Congress establishing the Hospital Corps. The Hospital Corps consists of every member from physicians/surgeons to registered nurses, to registered pharmacists, to diagnostic technicians (X-ray, CT, MRI), to lab assistants and everyone necessary to provide medical care. They stand ready to serve the needs of serviceman and women and their dependents, either ashore, underway, or downrange.

Today the Navy/Marine Corps Team celebrate 116 years of “courageous” and “faithful” dedicated service to the men and women that answer our call. We Marines respectfully call him“Doc”. He is a US Navy Corpsman and he is ready to serve in every clime and place. He carries band-aids and bullets. He is not a Medic; that is a US Army and US Air Force term. (Not to be confused with the more elite PJs or ParaRescueman (ParaRescue Jumpers).

From triaging “sick call” on base to treating a diver with the “bends” on a submarine, to establishing an airway on the battlefield, the men and women—with the rating of Hospital Corpsman (HM)—serve bravely and with distinction. No Marine will go into battle without a Corpsman attached to their team. They are trained to fight and when need arises, treat the wounded.

The Corpsmen assigned to Marine (Green) units are a bit different, perhaps even a bit more elite, to their counterparts that remain with Navy (Blue) units. The Marine Corpsmen are a bit tougher, a lot leaner, but equally as compassionate. Even within the Marine Corps, there exists an even more elite Corpsman. These are the ones that volunteer and make it through Assessment and Selection for Marine Reconnaissance Units (Battalion, Force and MARSOC—United States Marine Corps Special Operations Command). These are the elite Special Amphibious Reconnaissance Corpsman or SARCs.

SARCs must have completed their “A” school [14 weeks] for Navy Hospital Corpsman then complete Field Medical Training [8 weeks] (to serve with Marines). They then enter the “pipeline”; a 2-½ year training program:

(1) Marine Corps Amphibious Reconnaissance School [13 weeks] or whatever the current name is. (This is essentially 13 weeks of staying wet with little sleep and little chow. Think US Army Ranger School on steroids.)

(2) Combatant Diver School [8 weeks] (US Navy open/close circuit diving in open water with explosives).

(3) US Army Basic Airborne School [3 weeks] (Static line “jump” school).

(4) Military Free Fall [4 weeks] (for those assigned to Force and MARSOC).

(5) SERE—Survival, Evasion, Resistance, Escape [3 weeks].

(6) US Army Special Operations Medic Course (SOCM) [26 weeks].

(7) US Navy Special Operations Independent Duty Corpsman Course (SOIDC) [24 weeks].

Alongside these courses, he will attend Language school(s), Breaching Course, Cold Weather Training, Mountaineering Course, Scout/Sniper Course, US Army Ranger School, Joint Terminal Air Controller (JTAC), US Army Pathfinder Course, US Army “Jump” Master Course, US Navy “Dive” Master Course and any other school/training necessary to complete mission requirements. They are trained to fill any position in the 4 to 6 man team. From Team Leader to Radio Operator to Breacher to Sniper, they are integral member of an elite squad. They live up to their motto: “The difficult—ANYTIME; the ‘Impossible’ by appointment only!”

Since 1919, many Corpsmen have been recognized for their acts of valor and bravery. These include:

Medal of Honor: 22

Navy Cross: 178

Distinguished Service Cross (while assigned to US Army): 31

Silver Star: 946

Bronze Star: 1,582

Ships named in honor of corpsman: 20

Thankfully, I have only required the services of a "SARC" twice. The first was in the Pacific Ocean, one and half miles off the coast after a high speed cast shortly before midnight on a moonless, rainy night. I became hypothermic and passed out. My swim buddy immediately noticed I had stopped swimming, my shallow breathing and listlessness. He popped flares signaling the recovery craft to our position. While on the recovery craft, “Doc” cut off my wetsuit and started an IV. I was MedEvac’d out. In the helo, he started warming my body with a thermal blanket. When I arrived at hospital, I was already “warmed” to 93^oF. I have no firsthand knowledge of these events and can only recount what others told me. After 30 hours in hospital, I was returned to my unit. The other time was not as traumatic, just a couple of busted ribs and a bruised knee from an unplanned tree landing (parachute jump). Regardless, these brave men answer the call no matter how minor or severe, without regard to their own safety.

So today, please lift a glass in recognition of the men and

women that wear the Caduceus with Courage. These are the men and women that do serve with “honor and distinction”. Bravo Zulu.

Semper Fortis and Semper Fidelis Doc.

(Always Courageous and Always Faithful)

“Today, we honor their bravery, brilliance and sacrifice when serving in harm’s way to protect the lives of our Sailors and Marines. From the Revolutionary War to the current overseas contingency operations, corpsmen have served with valor and gallantly answered the call, “Corpsman up!” as they tend to the sick and injured on the sea, under the sea, in the air and on battlefields worldwide. No Marine has ever taken a hill without a corpsman by his side. And when they do, they take solace in knowing that “Doc” is beside them.” – Vice Admiral Matthew L. Nathan, US Navy Surgeon General, and Chief, US Navy Bureau of Medicine and Surgery.

Other Resources

US Navy Medicine

USN Medicine & Surgery Facebook

USN Corpsman History