Windsock Oct. 24, 2013

Page 1

Vol. 71, No. 43

www.cherrypoint.marines.mil

MASS-1 updates aviation command, control system

October 24, 2013

MWSS-274 Marines take off to ITX

LANCE CPL. JOSHUA R. HEINS MCAS CHERRY POINT

Communications between warfighters on the ground and the wing Marines who support them just got better thanks to a upgrade to Marine Air Support Squadron 1’s Common Aviation Command and Control System earlier this month. “Previously, the equipment that individual units used was not standardized,” said 1st Lt. Andrew W. Estko, Data Platoon officer-incharge. “Units used basically an amalgamation of various laptops and different software which varied from unit to unit.” The upgraded system is a cohesive suite of computers, software and support equipment that will be standardized throughout the Marine Corps. The system was first fielded to MASS-1 in August 2012. The update is being conducted Marine Corps-wide to standardize the equipment. Other Marine Corps units scheduled to receive the update are Marine Air Control Squadron 2, Marine Air Support Squadron 3, Marine Air Support Squadron 6, and Marine Tactical Air Command Squadron 28. Many of the functions operators conducted manually are now made automatically with the new update, said Lance Cpl. Kolby M. Phorp, a systems administrator with MASS-1. MASS-1 has and will be opening their doors and hosting training for Marines in the aviation command and control electronics maintenance, air control and support, and air traffic control military occupational specialties. The units that will be receiving the training include MACS-2, MTACS-28, MASS-3, MASS-6. “The training was monumental, it made it so we knew more than just the basics of the system making us more proficient,” said Phorp.

PFC. CAYCE NEVERS

Marines with Marine Wing Support Squadron 274 board the aircraft which took them to Twentynine Palms, Calif. Oct. 16 where they are participating in and supporting the Integrated Training Exercise. Throughout the week, MWSS-274 has sent approximately 250 of their Marines to support the training evolution.

PFC. CAYCE NEVERS MCAS CHERRY POINT

Approximately 250 Marines from Marine Wing Support Squadron 274 departed Cherry Point Oct. 15-17 for Integrated Training Exercise in Twentynine Palms, Calif. The squadron will spend approximately five weeks training for future deployments. “The unit is pushing out a detachment to Operation Enduring Freedom in the early part of next year,” said Lt. Col. Sean C. Killeen, commanding officer of MWSS-274. “This ITX is an opportunity to go out and do a mission rehearsal exercise in preparation.”

The training will encompass five major areas. One area of focus will be basic warfighting, consisting of shooting, moving and communicating. Another will focus on aviation ground support, consisting of air field services, engineering and transportation. The third focus will be air base ground defense, where Marines will provide security for a forward operating base or a Fuel, Arm and Refueling Point. Another focus will be base recovery after attack, where Marines will rebuild an airfield and get it back up and operational after an attack or incident. The final focus will consist of command and control for all of the previous focuses.

“ITX is geared toward training in each of those areas to make sure we are proficient and ready to go to the fight,” said Killeen. “The Marines have a chance to conduct their basic warfighting skills.” For the Marines who are a part of ITX but not going to be deploying next year, this training helps them to build their proficiency in their job. “We can do similar type of training here on the East coast,” said 1st. Lt. Seth M. Prior, communications officer with MWSS-274. “But we don’t get a lot of time with the level of integration See ITX page A3

See UPDATE page A3

VMGR-252, HMH-464 go offshore, to conduct aerial refueling training PFC. GRACE L. WALADKEWICS MCAS CHERRY POINT

LANCE CPL. UNIQUE B. ROBERTS

Lance Cpl. Zachery C. Schram receives the 1st place award from Col. Chris Pappas III, the commanding officer of Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point during the Chef of the Year competition Oct. 18.

Marines with Marine Aerial Refueler Transport Squadron 252 conducted aerial refueling of a CH-53E Super Stallion with Marine Heavy Helicopter Squadron 464 Monday. The aerial refueling was conducted using the extension of hoses from a KC-130J Hercules to which the CH-53 connected through precise aerial maneuvering. The KC-130J is capable of holding 60,000 pounds of fuel in its main tank and an additional 24,000 pounds in an auxiliary fuselage tank. The training allowed HMH-464 pilots to practice getting close and hooking up to the KC-130J, and for VMGR-252 to practice joining up and getting their flight timing more precise. The aerial refueling was part of a training build up in preparation for the 22nd Marine Expeditionary Units upcoming deployment. “This training was really important for both squadrons,” said Capt. James Rivais, a KC-130J pilot with VMGR-252. “HMH-464 was focused more on flying and we are the controllers in the sky. We say where to be, when to be there because we supply the fuel.” For more than 50 years VMGR-252’s KC-130J aircraft have provided aerial refueling and aviation-delivered ground refueling of various aircraft, armored vehicles, and Humvees. See REFUEL page A3

Marines compete, crown Chef of Year LANCE CPL. UNIQUE B. ROBERTS MCAS CHERRY POINT

Throughout the year, chefs have battled in the Chef of the Quarter competitions for a chance to participate in the annual Cherry Point Chef of the Year competition. The four winners of this year’s quarterly competitions came together Oct. 18 to once again put their skills to the test and try to walk away with the honor of named Cherry Point’s top chef. Louisiana seafood gumbo and coconut cake were the dishes prepared by Lance Cpl. Zachery C. Schram, the winner of this year’s competition. Schram stated this is his second time in the competition, and he is thankful for the opportunity to show the skills he has learned over years. Usually in a competition, the contestants have to adhere to the recipe of the Armed Forces recipe index, but for the Chef of the Year Competition the contestant can put their own twist on the recipes. The competition allows the Marines to exhibit their knowledge on their Military Occupational Specialty. “The contestants can actually branch out and use some creativity when they prepare their meals unlike previous competitions,” said Staff Sgt. Joseph E. Raccio, a food service specialist with Marine Wing Headquarters Squadron 2. “They are allowed to use other recipes they find on the internet, or their favorite recipe they saw on a television show.” See CHEF page A3

PFC. GRACE L. WALADKEWICS

A CH-53E Super Stallion belonging to Marine Heavy Helicopter Squadron 464 refuels off the Atlantic coast during training Monday. The Super Stallion received fuel from a KC-130J with Marine Aerial Refueler Transport Squadron 252. The training benefitted both squadrons by allowing practice for pilots and crew members.

What’s Inside News Briefs

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Legend of Kissie Sykes B1

Skytrain

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Teen driver safety

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Beirut

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Announcements

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Windsock Oct. 24, 2013 by 2nd MAW/MCAS Cherry Point - Issuu