MC perspective: Shooting from a helo

ARABIAN GULF (Aug. 13, 2013) --- U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class George J. Penney III/Released

While it's not the biggest part of our job, shooting in helos is one of the most exciting, and dangerous, things we do while serving on ships.  These photos were taken by MC3 George Penney, who is currently stationed on board USS Nimitz.

He recently wrote in to talk about what it's like to be a flying photographer.

----------------------


You are notified by your chain of command the evening prior. On flight day, you meet up with the flight crew and pilots for a safety brief and what type of pictures will be wanted/required.  You grab a helmet from the PR shop. The aircrewman assigned to you fits you with a life vest and you are off.
 

While you are up in the air, 

the photo world is yours for the taking.

ARABIAN GULF (Aug. 13, 2013) --- Mid-flight change of command ceremony.  U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class George J. Penney III/Released

Initially you are strapped in while the Helo takes off, but after that, and depending on the aircrewman, he will let you move about the cabin while wearing a gunner's belt. This device allows you to move freely and find a prime spot for photos.

MC2 Penney, whose arms also serve as guns in the strike group.

Make sure your exposure is good, and since we are shooting outside, that is not difficult. They will swing by the ship a handful of times prior to any ceremony/mission, which allows you time to shoot the ship in motion and even sneak in front for a bow shot.  Once the job starts you gather the pictures needed, and anything else you might think is fun, and before you know it, you are landing.
 

Coast guardsmen assigned to Advanced Interdiction Team 4 fast rope from an MH-60S Sea Hawk helicopter assigned to the Desert Hawks of Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron 26 onto the flight deck of the guided-missile cruiser USS Monterey during a training exercise.  U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Billy Ho (Released)