a main rotor bearing defect discovered after a Navy MH-53E mishap which destroyed the helicopter and killed four of six aircrew aboard. The Flying Tigers’ where early adopters of the new technology and had volunteered to install the new Main Rotor Bearing monitoring system as soon as the kits were available at MCAS Miramar. This enabled the Flying Tigers to install six kits and be the first CH-53E squadron to return to flight status in late-September 2000. This way squadron kept on track to deploy four CH-53Es to the 11 MEU (SOC) and two CH-53Es to Marine Weapons and Tactics Squadron (MAWTS)-1 at MCAS Yuma, AZ. As the rest of the squadron’s helicopter were being returned to flight status, the Flying Tigers kept sharp by conducting training in the flight simulator, conducted logistics drills, and table-top planning exercises in preparation for possible real-world missions such as humanitarian/ disaster relief support and non-combatants evacuation operations. Another first for the Flying Tigers during this workup was having two of the Marine Corps first female aviators in the squadron; Captains S. “Dimes” Deal (#1) and M. “Tink” Rizer (#6) both flying as Helicopter Aircraft Commanders (HAC). January 2001 the squadron returned to Okinawa and immediately got to work planning for upcoming missions. While in WESTPAC, the Flying Tigers operated as the Aviation Combat Element (ACE) for Marine Air Ground Task Force (MAGTF)-17 during Korean Incremental Training Program (KITP) 01-2 in Pohang, South Korea. Returning from KITP the squadron was asked about the feasibility of long-range regional rotor wing deployment operations supported by KC-130 aerial refueling. The Flying Tigers worked with the “Sumos” of VMGR-152 to develop the Southeast Asian Air-Bridge (SAAB) concept to self-deploy CH-53E from Okinawa to Thailand. The SAAB was nicknamed “Fish Hook” because of the route through Southeast Asia. From April to June 2001, the Flying Tigers launched on “Fish Hook 2001,” the long range III MEF/ 1stMAW Theater Engagement Operation deploying CH-53Es to the Philippines for BALIKATAN 2001 to conduct aviation and tactical cross-training with the Philippine Marines. After a successful BALIKATAN exercise, the Flying Tigers flew south through Malaysia and Singapore to Hat Yai, Thailand before returning to Okinawa. While flying this mission they were supported by the “Sumos” and F/A-18s from the “Bats” of VMFA-242. During Fish Hook 2001, the squadron also supported Landing Force Cooperation Afloat Readiness and Training (LF CARAT) 2001 in Singkep Indonesia. After