Marine Staff Sgt. William McGowan, right, and Marine Cpl. Thomas Down, both assigned to Marine Medium Helicopter Squadron 262, look down through the "hell hole" in the belly of a CH-53E "Sea Stallion" helicopter while transporting an M777 155-mm Howitzer during an artillery airlift exercise. The 31st MEU and HMM-262 are embarked aboard the forward-deployed amphibious assault ship USS Essex. Essex is participating in exercise Talisman Saber 2009, a biennial, joint, combined exercise sponsored by U.S. Pacific Command and the Australian defense force. Photo by Seaman Gabriel Weber