NEW YORK -- Suspended above the Riverbank State Park baseball fields,
Reserve Marines of 4th Air-Naval Gunfire Liaison Company fast roped out of
two helicopters yesterday as part of New York City’s 17th Annual Fleet Week.
During the first of five helicopter demonstrations scheduled during Fleet
Week, more than 2,000 students from around the local public schools
surrounded the landing zone welcoming the squadron with cheers and waves.
Transporting the 4th ANGLICO Marines from Floyd Bennet Field in Brooklyn,
were two CH-46E Sea Knights from Marine Medium Helicopter Squadron 774
stationed at Norfolk, Va.
“When the helicopters flew down and landed I thought I was going to fly
away,” said Yaninys Mota, an elementary school student. “It was cool to see
them slide down out of the helicopter. I had seen it happen on TV before,
but it’s better in real life because you can feel the wind. That was the
closest I have ever been to a helicopter when it was flying.”
Throughout Fleet Week hundreds of Marines and sailors will be putting on
demonstrations to give attendees a better understanding of the capabilities
and requirements for each military occupation.
“We wanted to emphasize what we have to do in a combat situation, get on the
ground as fast as possible and set up a perimeter,” said Sgt. Ernest
Bandiera, 4th ANGLICO. “Fast roping is an amazing experience. The feeling
you get, you’re full of excitement, your heart’s pounding. It’s a rush.”
“We do this type of training all of the time,” said Lance Cpl. Matt Tweed,
4th ANGLICO. “Although it’s kind of crazy fast roping in the middle of
Manhattan in front of a bunch of kids, hundreds came up to me asking for my
autograph. Nothing like that ever happens around base, but here it felt like
we were super heroes.”
After the area was secured and the two helicopters touched down, Marines
walked among the swarm of students answering questions and posing for
pictures, signing autographs, along with touring the two transport
helicopters.
“All of the Marines have been really nice,” said David Gonzales, an
elementary school student. “Four of them have autographed my poster.
Hopefully someday I will be able to fly around in one of their helicopters.” |
“This is actually my first time
here in New York,” said Lance Cpl. Ernesto Rojas, 4th ANGLICO. “Seeing
little kids that appreciate you is what I like most about being a Marine.
It’s knowing that you have something worth fighting for and defending.”
Since the opening ceremony 17 years ago, several Marine Aircraft Group 42
units have participated in New York City’s Fleet Week allowing New Yorkers
to see the components of the Marine Light Attack Helicopter Squadron 773,
the Marine Fighter Attack Squadron 142, and the Marine Heavy Helicopter
Squadron 769.
After an hour and a half of talking and touring with students, both units
loaded up onto the helicopters and flew back to Brooklyn.
“Our Marines are elated to have been able to come up to New York and
experience Fleet Week,” said Maj. Andrew Ryan, operations officer, MAG-42
Detachment Bravo. “The support and enthusiasm that those kids had made
everyone feel we were making a difference.”
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