Marine Corps Air Station New River

Marines with Marine Heavy Helicopter Squadron 461 aboard Marine Corps Air
Station New River departed for a scheduled seven-month deployment to
Afghanistan, Jan. 30.

“The Marines and Sailors of HMH-461 are well prepared and excited to
deploy,” said Lt. Col. Nicholas A. Morris, HMH-461 commanding officer. “We
recognize that we will all be separated from our families, who we will
miss. Their support and the support from the country for the armed forces
is what fuels us and gives us the motivation and energy we need to go and
do our job.”

Preparation for their deployment began last year with the squadron’s
Marines re-certifying on the rifle and pistol ranges to ensure they were up
to par with their shooting capabilities.

Morris said it is important for the HMH-461 Marines to pistol qualify
because in most circumstances service pistols are all they carry. The
Marines were also issued new gear, sleeping systems and ruck sacks.

The squadron also received further briefs and training in the areas of but
not limited to laws of armed conflict, rules of engagement and counter
improvised explosive device, said Staff Sgt. Michael L. Drummond, HMH-461
CH-53E Super Stallion crew chief.

“We are honored to be one of the units that were chosen to go down range,
and we cannot wait to be back here in seven months with stories to tell our
families and friends of our deployment,” said Morris.

“I am so proud of what my son and the rest of these Marines do for our
country and freedom,” said father of Lance Cpl. Christopher Powell, HMH-461
CH-53E crew chief. “His family will miss him dearly and will keep him and
all the Marines in our prayers, but we take rest in the fact that we know
how well trained they are to do their jobs safely.”