HMM-161/HMM-264 Alert Bell

Marine helicopter squadrons HMM-161 and HMM 264 performed casualty evacuation missions from Al Taggadum, Iraqi from 2004 to 2009. Because the base's telephone system often failed due to frequent power outages, this simple bell was placed outside the squadrons' ready room to signal the launch of an emergency mission. The bell alerted Marine aircrews to launch hundreds of missions in which they evacuated nearly 9,000 wounded Marines, soldiers, and Iraqi civilians. Marine Maj. Ryan "Bucky" Sheey recalled, "one [Bell AH-1W]

Cobra pilot told me once that on windless days you could hear the bell all across the base and it gave everybody a chill down their spine.

Done