MARINE CORPS AIR STATION MIRAMAR, Calif. -- The I Marine Expeditionary Force's Exercise Sea Horse Wind 2002 ended successfully, Sept. 19, at Marine Corps Air Ground Combat Center Twentynine Palms.

According to Maj. Michael G. McCoy, operations officer, Marine Medium Helicopter 165, the day-long operation, which was planned at Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton and executed at MCAGCC Twentynine Palms, allowed the 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing (3rd MAW) to conduct several exercises including infantry assault support, rotary wing escort by AH-1W Super Cobra Helicopters, rotary wing close air support by the helicopters to the ground forces, command and control, casualty evacuation and tactical recovery of aircraft and personnel during the massive heliborne assault.

A nuclear biological chemical (NBC) defense exercise was also incorporated into Exercise Sea Horse Wind. Several helicopters coming back from the operation were decontaminated upon landing on the station as a result of a mock NBC missile attack, which contaminated the aircrafts.

"Sea Horse Wind planning began several months prior to the execution," said McCoy, who served as a flight leader for Marine Aircraft Group (MAG) 16 during the exercise. "Planning for the operation included initial, mid and final planning conferences with detailed planning and integration in between."

According to Maj. Christopher W. Morton, current operations officer, 3rd MAW, Exercise Sea Horse Wind is the only major rotary wing-led exercise where MAGs-39 and 16 conduct a large-scale, battalion-size lift over a significant distance.

"This exercise allowed the helicopter community to plan, brief and conduct a large scale mission using assets not usually available during normal day-to-day operations," said Morton, who monitored Exercise Sea Horse Wind and provided feedback to adjacent and higher headquarters.

According to Morton, the lessons learned during peacetime will prevent accidents during wartime.

"It is important to continue refining our skills and proficiency of our aircrews and flight leaders in the art of heliborne operations in order to conduct them successfully in combat or contingency operations," said McCoy.