The Marines of Marine Attack Squadron 211 aboard Kandahar Airfield.

Tools of the trade - crew chiefs like Lance Cpl. Seamus Clarke of Marine Light Attack Helicopter Squadron 469 take advantage of heavy weaponry, detailed communication and sturdy belts to perform their duties in Helmand province, Afghanistan, June 20. Clarke is one of the newest crew chiefs flying with the squadron, known as “Vengeance,” which is also on its first deployment.

Lance Cpl. Seamus Clarke, a crew chief with Marine Light Attack Helicopter Squadron 469 and Binghamton, N.Y., native, performs aerial reconnaissance over Helmand province, Afghanistan, June 20. Clarke is on his first deployment and said being a UH-1Y Huey crew chief has been the best experience of his life.

Lance Cpl. Chris Jones. Jones is a Fremont, Neb., native and load master with VMGR-352.

The Marines of Marine Attack Squadron 211 aboard Kandahar Airfield, Afghanistan.

Staff Sgt. Robert Wise, a crew chief with Marine Light Attack Helicopter Squadron 469 and Daytona Beach, Fla., native, mans a .50-caliber machine gun over Helmand province, Afghanistan, June 20. The squadron provided close-air-support for a troop insertion as well as aerial reconnaissance in the southwestern region.

Lance Cpl. Seamus Clarke, a crew chief with Marine Light Attack Helicopter Squadron 469 and Binghamton, N.Y., native, watches buildings below for potential insurgent activity in Helmand province, Afghanistan, June 20. The squadron performed aerial reconnaissance in the area, ensuring Marines on the ground remained safe from enemy attack.

An air crew with Marine Light Attack Helicopter Squadron 469 preps its UH-1Y Huey for return to Camp Bastion, Afghanistan, June 20. Hueys and AH-1W Super Cobras are typically used to provide close-air-support because of their ability to provide heavy firepower and 360-degree security.

Read more: http://www.dvidshub.net/image/611433/fighting-irish-deployed-crew-chief-fulfills-dream#.T-mGg3BXAVk#ixzz1ytMWQjIr

U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Isaac Lamberth.

(Source: seeyotos, via onlyeasydaywasyesterday-deactiv)

Staff Sgt. Hugo Paniagua, an aerial observer with Marine Heavy Helicopter Squadron 362 and native of Brooklyn, N.Y., scans the surrounding area for activity in Helmand province, Afghanistan, June 4. Helicopters from the squadron transported ground units to conduct drug raids.