another threat to u.s. helicopters in iraq was sand. the arid desert environment led many u.s. aircraft to become contaminated with large quantities of sand, affecting aircraft performance and overall mechanical well-being as well as posing a threat to pilots who can be blinded during landing operations. at an october 2003 hearing of the house armed services committee, representative joel hefley (r-co), the chairman, said the typical super stallion returning from service in afghanistan and iraq was found to have 150 pounds of sand spread throughout its interior.