Windsock Sept. 26, 2013

Page 1

Vol. 71, No. 39

September 26, 2013

www.cherrypoint.marines.mil

Cherry Point kicks off CFC with tug of war competition JOINT PUBLIC AFFAIRS OFFICE MCAS CHERRY POINT

This year’s Cherry Point Area Combined Federal Campaign kicked off Friday and it was settled by nothing less than war – a tug of war. The tug of war tournament, officially known as the CFC Cup, launched the 2013 Cherry Point Area Combined Federal Campaign at the Roadhouse. Last year’s champions, Marine Transport Squadron 1, remained victorious after taking on 10 teams in the double-elimination tournament. Prior to the event, VMR-1 leadership challenged all units aboard the air station to meet in the sand pit to test their mettle against his defending champs. “While most are dreaming of success, VMR-1 wakes up and continues to achieve it,” said Sgt. Maj. Larry J. Harrington. “Keep dreaming while we continue achieving, as we will for this year’s repeat. Joe Namath said, ‘If you’re not gonna go all the way, why go at all?’ VMR-1 will go all the way, again, continuing to take it all. We recommend you stay at home.” Now that the dust is settled, the real challenge begins for military and government employees

to ask themselves if there is a CFC charity they would like to support. The annual CFC fund drive gives federal employees, including military members, an easy opportunity to make donations to eligible non-profit organizations. The drive includes more than 2,400 national and international federation charities and some 25,000 local charities. Listed charities cover a wide range of needs ranging from those seeking to cure a host of different medical conditions to those benefiting wounded warriors. “This campaign is the only authorized solicitation, other than the annual Navy-Marine Corps Relief Society fund drive, that helps raise money for charity,” said Bobbie Whitbeck, a CFC coordinator and human resource specialist with the air station’s Civilian Manpower Office. Over the next three months, personnel aboard the air station will have the opportunity to donate to charities of their choice. While participation is not mandatory, the goal is to make sure everyone has an opportunity to donate. Each unit has a representative that will inform See CFC page A3

PFC. GRACE L. WALADKEWICS

Sgt. Maj. Larry J. Harrington raises the Combined Federal Campaign Cup trophy overhead in celebration of his Marines’ hard-fought sweep of the CFC Cup tug of war competition Friday. Harrington’s Marine Transport Squadron 1 “Roadrunners” went undefeated during the double-elimination tournament, successfully defending their title as the air station’s CFC Cup champions.

2nd LAAD patrols, hones techniques, procedures LANCE CPL. JOSHUA R. HEINS MCAS CHERRY POINT

LANCE CPL. JOSHUA R. HEINS

Marines from Battery B, 2nd Low Altitude Air Defense Battalion conducted field air defense and military operations on urban terrain training Sept. 19 aboard Marine Corps Outlying Field Atlantic. Marines are known for being prepared for the worst. That’s especially true for a ground-based unit charged with protecting Marine aviation assets and personnel from attacks by enemy aircraft. “We’re training to become more combat efficient,” said Capt. Stephen C. Hand, Battery B commander, 2nd LAAD. “Our primary mission is to increase combat effectives and readiness, along with unit cohesion so the unit will be ready when engaged in an operation.” The Marines’ primary objective’s during training over was to conduct foot patrols, stationary air defense and convoy patrols with moving air defense. “Having 2nd LAAD conduct these training missions is going to directly relate to how combat ready and effective we are when we’re placed in an assessment,” said Hand. The Marines said they enjoyed the time they spent out in the field brushing up on their skills. While in garrison, the gunners

Cpl. Tony J. Tart (left) and Lance Cpl. James T. Peacock secure a road during training at Marine Corps Outlying Field Atlantic Sept 19. Both are gunners with Battery B, 2nd Low Altitude Air Defense Battalion.

See PATROL page A3

MACS-2 sets stage for future encounters LANCE CPL. UNIQUE B. ROBERTS MCAS CHERRY POINT

More than 90 Marines with Marine Air Control Squadron 2 prepared to combat future air-sea battle threats as within a joint force during fleet synthetic training Sept. 9-20 at the squadron’s compound. The joint, combined exercise included personnel and assets from the U.S. Army, Navy and Air Force, and the German navy. The squadron conducted the training with two objectives in mind. The first was to prepare a carrier strike group and other joint forces for forward-deployed operations by carrying out realistic, complex and highlydynamic threat scenarios said 1st Lt. Daniel S. Behne, air defense control officer with MACS-2. Fleet synthetic training also enables all the participants involved to practice the execution of joint and combined intelligence evolvement and sharing, fires, air and missile defense, and command and control. “In a sense it’s like a video,” said Cpl. Aaron J. Oquinn, a mobile tactical air operation module technician with MACS-2. Oquinn received information “pictures” from higher and pushed the information through operating consoles for classification and further distribution to the units and agencies that needed it. During the training, both German and American naval units practiced See JOINT page A3

Hispanic Heritage

A2

Riverwalk Festival

B1

Outer Banks

A3

Tutor

B2

Announcements

B3

Suicide Prevention A7

LHD qualifications keep VMA-542 ready PFC. VICTOR A. ARRIAGA MCAS CHERRY POINT

Marine Attack Squadron 542 pilots refreshed their skills in executing safe vertical landings and short takeoffs aboard amphibious assault ships Sept. 16-23 at Marine Corps Auxiliary Landing Field Bogue and aboard the USS Bataan. Landing Helicopter Dock qualifications are crucial to AV-8B Harrier pilots who often provide aircraft and personnel in support of Marine Expeditionary Units around the globe. “Everytime a boat gets ready to deploy, they have to get the crew up-to-date because this is a perishable skill,” said Capt. David Campbell, a pilot with VMA-542. “It’s good training for us and gives us an opportunity to get back out to the ship and brush up our skills.” The mock LHD flight deck at Bogue

replicates an amphibious assault ship landing deck, which provides pilots with a safe training environment before executing follow-on training aboard a real ship. The deck has markings and structures that contribute to the realism of the training. Pilots fly the same pattern on the mock flight deck as they would on a real amphibious assault ship. “The Marines did great,” said Lingley. “We had to knock some rust off, but they got back into the routine very quickly.” The pilots put their training to the test at sea Sunday and Monday aboard the USS Bataan, successfully completing the qualifications. “For us it was fantastic training because the boat is always a challenge,” said Campbell. “There are only so many times we get to go out there, so we take advantage of it to stay sharp.”

With your smartphone download a QR code reader and scan the code.


Turn static files into dynamic content formats.

Create a flipbook
Issuu converts static files into: digital portfolios, online yearbooks, online catalogs, digital photo albums and more. Sign up and create your flipbook.