In the first vertical
envelopment in history, a giant HRS-1
Sikorsky helicopter lands Marines in front of the
Jamestown Line.
Marine Helicopters were
invaluable in Marine operations and support. They
provided liaison, reconnaissance, evacuation of
wounded, rescue from enemy territory,
"observation, messenger service, guard mail
at sea, posting and supplying of outguards on
dominating terrain features and resupplying of
small units by air."
On October 11, 1951 HMR-161
lifted 3rd Battalion, 7th Marines with its
equipment in Operation Bumblebee, and continued
support for the First Marine Division through the
next year. OnFebruary 23, 1953 HMR-161 began
Operation Haylift in logistical support of combat
Marines.
"Over a four day period, an
average of 12 HRS-1's, flew from dawn to dusk
carrying a combined total of 31,589 pounds per
hour. Each aircraft made 27 round trips of the 15
mile leg and carried 11 tons of supplies. It
would have taken a large fleet of trucks to
provide this type of support and it would have
taken four times as long.