MARINE CORPS AIR STATION MIRAMAR, Calif. -- Military pilots and their enlisted crew have an important role in the world today. Air power has become a vital lifeline in today’s war – and as the old saying goes, practice makes perfect.

Marines from Marine Heavy Helicopter Squadron 466, Marine Aircraft Group 16, 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing, conducted various types of training missions here Aug. 24 and practiced various skills that must be kept sharp.

They participated in helicopter-born extractions as well as dual and single-point lifting exercises.

For extraction training, the Marines were using a scenario where an enemy was in a confined area and two platoons of Marines, who had been fighting them off for weeks, needed to be air lifted out.

Pilots and enlisted crew of HMH-466 provided extraction as well as reconnaissance during this mission.

Three helicopters in the training flew in various formations such as the echelon right and a fingertip formation.

“It is good training,” said Cpl. Jeffrey Gibson, a CH-53 mechanic for HMH-466.

Gibson not only works on a CH-53E Super Stallion components, he is also working on becoming a crew chief.

“Prior to doing this job, I was part of a (helicopter) company,” said Gibson, who at one time in his Marine Corps career was the person helicopters were pulling out of combat zones. “I want to be a crew chief and be a part of that.”

As the day continued, HMH-466 moved on to its next evolution of training, single and dual-point lifting.

This is where the CH-53E Super Stallion uses its strength to lift loads weighing up to the same weight as the aircraft itself.

An aircraft from the squadron flew to Marine Corps Air Station Camp Pendleton to pick up a Helicopter Support Team, which is a group of Marines responsible for loading and unloading what the helicopter is lifting off the ground.

Lifting blocks of weights greater than 14,000 pounds is no easy task for the pilots, and it is up to the landing team to ensure everything is loaded correctly, explained Sgt. Rodney Tedder, HST commander, 1st Combat Logistics Battalion, 1st Marine Division.

The 150 mph rotor wash, or gusts of wind caused by a helicopter’s rotor, is so powerful that HST members must be careful no to be thrown around like a tumble weed, added Tedder.

“How we train here is how we will function in real situations,” said Cpl. Ryan Martin, an HST crew member. “Practice makes perfect and that’s why we get the job done.”