FARP: Forward Arming and Refueling Point
Gage Cureton / United States Marine Corps Reserve
The steady beat of helicopter blades drummed out the buzzing of Canadian mosquitoes as a U.S. Marine UH-1Y Venom utility helicopter and an AH-1W SuperCobra attack helicopter appeared on the horizon.
The pair of helicopters were returning from conducting live-fire gun runs on notional targets aboard the Royal Canadian Air Force’s premier air weapons training base in Alberta – the Cold Lake Air Weapons Range (CLAWR).
As the two helicopters crested the edge of the horizon, Marines scrambled to their pre-planned positions and stations. The airborne beasts were hungry and in need of fresh fuel and ammunition after firing thousands of rounds and dozens of missiles at targets.
Heavy rainstorms and partial cloud cover were on the radar as U.S. Marines with Marine Wing Support Squadron 471, Marine Air Group 41, Fourth Marine Air Wing, conducted forward arming and refueling point (FARP) operations in support of Exercise Sentinel Edge 19, Thursday, June 18, 2019.
Eager to test their skills and their unit’s combat readiness, the Marines of MWSS-471 and the combined Marine Air Group participated in Sentinel Edge 19 to complete annual training requirements and to increase unit readiness and proficiency.
U.S. Marine Corporal Nicholas Hang, an electrician with Marine Support Squadron 471 (MWSS-471), Marine Air Group 41, Fourth Marine Air Wing, stares at the horizon as he mans a security post before a UH-1Y Venom utility helicopter and an AH-1W SuperCobra attack helicopter with Marine Light Attack Squadron 775 (HMLA-775) arrive to be refueled and rearmed Thursday, June 18, 2019.
U.S. Marine bulk fuel specialists with MWSS-471 carry aircraft refueling hoses into position as a Corporal orders them to hustle up before a UH-1Y Venom utility helicopter and an AH-1W SuperCobra attack helicopter with HMLA-775 arrive to be refueled and rearmed Thursday, June 18, 2019.
U.S. Marine bulk fuel specialists with MWSS-471 prepare to attach an aircraft refueling hose to an M970 semitrailer refueler before a UH-1Y Venom utility helicopter and an AH-1W SuperCobra attack helicopter with HMLA-775 arrive to be refueled and rearmed Thursday, June 18, 2019.
U.S. Marine bulk fuel specialists with MWSS-471 unfurl and guide an aircraft refueling hose as its dragged to a designated refueling station next to a landing zone (LZ) before a UH-1Y Venom utility helicopter and an AH-1W SuperCobra attack helicopter with HMLA-775 arrive to be refueled and rearmed Thursday, June 18, 2019.
U.S. Marine Lance Corporal Ryan Shea, a bulk fuel specialist with MWSS-471, drags an aircraft refueling hose to a designated refueling station next to a LZ before a UH-1Y Venom utility helicopter and an AH-1W SuperCobra attack helicopter with HMLA-775 arrive to be refueled and rearmed, Thursday, June 18, 2019.
A U.S. Marine bulk fuel specialist with MWSS-471 guides an aircraft refueling hose across a field as its carried to a designated refueling station next to a LZ placed on a gravel road before a UH-1Y Venom utility helicopter and an AH-1W SuperCobra attack helicopter with HMLA-775 arrive to be refueled and rearmed, Thursday, June 18, 2019. Lance Corporal Shea, left foreground, approaches the LZ on the gravel road.
A U.S. Marine Corps UH-1Y Venom with HMLA-775 buzzes the tree tops as it prepares to land on the gravel road LZ Thursday, June 18, 2019. The Venom radioed Marines on the ground, calling for a rearmament of APKWS Hydra 70 air-to-ground missiles and .50 caliber ammunition.
U.S. Marine Warrant Officer Carl Snyder, a bulk fuel officer with MWSS-471, uses a multiband manpack radio to speak to pilots as they prepare to land a UH-1Y Venom on the LZ Thursday, June 18, 2019.
A U.S. Marine watches as the UH-1Y Venom prepares to land on the gravel road LZ as aviation ordnance technicians with HMLA-775 use hand signals to guide its approach Thursday, June 18, 2019.
U.S. Marine Sergeant Miguel Hernandez, a bulk fuel specialist with MWSS-471, directs Marines as they prepare to refuel a UH-1Y Venom Thursday, June 18, 2019. Hernandez's goggles fogged up after morning rain drenched Marines and the LZ.
Bulk fuel specialists maintain control of an aircraft refueling hose as a UH-1Y Venom crewman, far right, monitors the nozzle and refueling process Thursday, June 18, 2019.
A U.S. Marine aviation ordnance technician with HMLA-775, left, carries an APKWS Hydra 70 air-to-ground rocket as others load rockets on the UH-1Y Venom's external rocket pods Thursday, June 18, 2019. The Venom was firing rockets at notional targets aboard Cold Lake Air Weapons Range (CLAWR).
A U.S. Marine UH-1Y Venom crewman and Browning .50 caliber machine gun gunner observes the weapon after reloading it with fresh ammunition Thursday, June 18, 2019. In addition to firing rockets at notional targets, crewman aboard the helicopter practiced their aerial gunner marksmanship skills.
A U.S. Marine bulk fuel specialist stands near the tail of a AH-1W SuperCobra and motions with his hand to indicate fuel is no longer flowing to the aircraft as the refueling process is completed Thursday, June 18, 2019.
A UH-1Y Venom with HMLA-775 creates a cloud of dirt and mist as it takes off after being refueled and rearmed at the FARP aboard the CLAWR. The Venom returned to the FARP three times after conducting aerial gun runs on notional targets before inclement weather cut the operation short.
U.S. Marine Corporal Donald Gaulin, an aviation supply specialist with MWSS-471, sits on a boulder and observes storm clouds as inclement weather passes over the CLAWR Thursday, June 18, 2019. Inclement weather forced the UH-1Y Venom and AH-1W SuperCobra to end their aerial operations early.