"One of the cool parts..."

...as Chris would say, is getting to radio in helicopters and direct their landing on the FOB (Forward Operating Base**). He really enjoys doing this, I think mostly because it helps break up the monotony of most of his days, but it's really a pretty neat task to get to direct the pilots and help them land in what's proven to be a very small area!

These first pictures are of Chris radioing in a CH-53 Super Stallion. These helicopters were developed specifically for the Marine Corps for "heavy-lift operations" including carrying cargo, vehicles, artillery, and troops.

This next series is of Chris working with a V-22 Osprey, the military's newest helicopter. It is a "tiltrotor" aircraft, which means it takes off and lands vertically like a helicopter, but has the maneuverability and the long-range, high-speed capabilities of an airplane. A down-side to this particular aircraft is the incredible wind speeds and literal dust-storm it produces when it lands. Roofs have been torn off of buildings, care-packages thrown into walls, and one Marine's Kevlar helmet was actually dented after being picked up by these winds and slammed into a nearby building. Needless to say, loose objects are secured and the marines duck and cover when one of these comes in!

 

**For those of you who have already read this, apparently I've been mistaken about the meaning of this acronym the entire time I've known Chris/been around the military, but it's fixed now! Just goes to show you...I'm constantly learning new things everyday as a military wife! :)