Actually, Nutloose, those are the "after" shots, after said Merlin was brought
to the base... as shown by this caption & accompanying image:
The 'lifeless' body of an Mk3 Merlin with Joint Helicopter Force (Afghanistan) here sits just off the air field where a CH-53E Super Stallion with Marine Heavy Helicopter Squadron 466 put it down moments earlier.
Date Photo Taken: 6/26/2010 5:21:00 AM
Unit: 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing (FWD)
Photo ByLine: Gunnery Sgt. Steven Williams
Photo VRIN: 100626-M-0472W-091.jpg
Marine Corps Photos