Sgt. Destin Waldron is the top side spotter on a UH-1Y the latest marine aircraft based on the workhorse "Huey" utility helicopter. The helicopter is being winched into a C-5B to determine the ramps and positions to safely transport as many of these and the new AH-1Z Super Cobra (seen beside the C-5).  C-5 Galaxy and crew from the 22nd Airlift Squadron, aerial porters from the 60th Aerial Port Squadron, Marines from Marine Light Attack Helicopter 367 and helicopters and crew assigned to HMLA/Training 303, Camp Pendleton, Calif., and contractors came together at Travis Air Force Base, CA to determine how the new UH-1Y and AH-1Z helicopters best fit into the cargo bay of the C-5 Galaxy. The efforts of this day will determine load numbers and configurations of these helicopter inside the C-5. It is expected that these new helicopters will begin to be delivered to Iraq and Afghanistan by the end of 2009. The helicopters differ significantly from previous versions.with its 4-blade composite rotors, T-700  engines, and a stronger transmission.  These and many other upgrades improved power, maximum altitudes, reliability, maintainability and combat survivability of these helicopters.  Waldron is a crew chief with HMLA/367, Camp Pendleton.
<bdi><a href="https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q59254010" class="extiw" title="d:Q59254010"><span title="American photographer">Lance Cheung</span></a>
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Taken on 20 April 2009
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