At their March 2025 meeting, members and guests of the Grampaw Pettibone Squadron were privileged to have a presentation from USMC Lieutenant Colonel Kylie Cullen, Commanding Officer of Marine Heavy Helicopter Squadron 361.
The Lieutenant Colonel assumed command of the squadron on 18 November 2024. A Pennsylvania native, LtCol Cullen attended the U.S. Naval Academy and graduated in May 2008, earning a Bachelor of Science in Ocean Engineering. She received a commission in the United States Marine Corps as a Second Lieutenant. After commissioning as a Second Lieutenant. She attended basic training and subsequently reported to Pensacola, FL for flight training. In March 2011, she completed flight training and reported for additional training as a CH-53E pilot.
In her presentation, LtCol Cullen spoke about her military assignments and her experience flying the Sikorsky CH-53E helicopter. She began her flight training by flying fixed wing aircraft and then progressed to the Sikorsky CH-53E. She deployed to Afghanistan in 2013, the LtCol was subsequently assigned as an aircraft commander and functional check pilot.
After setting the foundation of her background and experience, LtCol Cullen talked about the features and function of the HMH-361 primary aircraft, the Sikorsky CH-53E Sea Stallion also known as “Big Iron”. The mission of the HMH is to support the MAGTF Commander by providing assault support transport of heavy equipment, combat troops, and supplies, day or night under all weather conditions during expeditionary, joint, or combined operations.
The CH-53E has an overall length of 99’.5” and a max allowable gross weight of 73,500 pounds. It can carry up to 2,277 gallons of fuel and capable of in-flight refueling. Lift capacity is 36,000 pounds with single point or dual point capability. The crew is capable of protecting the aircraft with a .50 caliber machine gun as well as protection against hostile fire by utilizing; Infrared Counter Measures, Chaff and Flare Dispensers, Missile Warning and Radar Warning systems. The aircraft has capability for a 4-man crew and can carry up to 30 passengers or 24 litters.
In preparing for possible mission assignments, one of the HMH-361 aircraft participated in a training program. The “EOTG” (Expeditionary Operations Training Group), provides the environment for training. One program is fast roping, a military technique that involves quickly descending a thick rope from a hovering helicopter, allowing troops to deploy in areas where the aircraft can’t land.
Additional operational events for the unit were carried on 30 July and again 3 August, 2024, during repositioning to a new location. The event was HAAR (Helicopter Air-to-Air Refueling). Utilizing C-130J aircraft as the refueler, the unit conducted the events and was able to refuel five aircraft with 45,000 pounds of fuel without incident.
One mission assignment for HMH-361 and the crew of a CH-53E, was the vertical replenishment (VERTREP) to a USS ship. The crew creatively utilized available tools and equipment when compatible heavy equipment support was not available. The crew completed delivery of 20,500 pounds of oil to the ship.
Additional training and completed assignments occurred on 25 September 2024, when two CH-53Es provided Combat Air Assault Transport (CAT) of 100 Marine personnel. As part of the training, multiple refueling events transferred 7000 pounds of fuel to a CH-53E.
After reviewing the structure, features, role and missions of the CH-53E in HMH-361, LtCol Cullen provided an overview of her unit. She described the enlisted, NCOs, officers as “the REAL Future of Heavy Lift”.
The Grampaw Pettibone Squadron is grateful to LtCol Cullen for sharing her background and experience, and wishes her well in her recent promotion and new command.
(L-R) GPS CO Tim Brown, Ops O Cindy Macha, Speaker-LtCol Kylie Cullen, PAO David Malmad, XO Vince van den Brink
Photo by Bruce Guberman
