Happy 242nd Birthday to the United States Marine Corps! Cpl. Chan Lathung, a native of Oakland, Calif., and a crew chief with Marine Heavy Helicopter Squadron 362, 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing (Forward), scans the surrounding area for insurgent activity during a general support flight over Helmand province, Afghanistan, July 27. The squadron flies several general support flights weekly delivering mail, food and ammunition to troops throughout the area. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Isaac Lamberth) "During my time on this deployment, I've come to really enjoy flying with HMH-362. I've been looking for opportunities to really spotlight the squadron since they are to be deactivated once they finish this deployment. The three American flags surrounding the corporal looked so patriotic and made me proud to be a Marine. To me, it showed there are young people in this country still willing to volunteer during wartime and go into harm's way for their country. The Marine manning a .50 cal on the ramp with three American flags behind him really set off the photo and just screams 'Merica. It makes one proud to be an American." "There is an unofficial saying that if a 53 is bleeding hydraulic fluid, then you know you're safe, if it isn't then you're in trouble. The inside of a CH-53D Sea Stallion is very greasy, slippery and dirty and you're constantly getting showered in hydraulic fluid. Some of the aircraft in HMH-362 have flown since the Vietnam War and are quite dirty."

157159 CH-53D HMH-362 YL-11 by RedRipper24 Via Flickr: National Museum of Naval Aviation NAS Pensacola, FL

Night Chopper

CH-53D

Credit: United States Marine Corps Official Page 

U.S.A., U.S.A., U.S.A! by United States Marine Corps Official Page on Flickr.