The Windsock Nov. 7, 2013

Page 1

Happy 238th birthday Marines!

Vol. 71, No. 45

November 7, 2013

www.cherrypoint.marines.mil

2nd MAW Marines return from 26th MEU VMAT-203 teaches new pilots aerial refuel techniques LANCE CPL. UNIQUE B. ROBERTS MCAS CHERRY POINT

LANCE CPL.JOSHUA R. HEINS

Capt. Andrew D. Kingsbury greets his son upon his arrival back to Cherry Point Nov. 3. Kingsbury is a UH-1N weapons and tactics instructor with VMM-266 (Rein.).

LANCE CPL. JOSHUA R. HEINS MCAS CHERRY POINT

Marines with 2nd Marine Aircraft Wing returned home to Cherry Point Saturday and Sunday after an eightmonth deployment with the 26th Marine Expeditionary Unit. The Marines were attached to Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron 266 (Reinforced) for the duration of the deployment. The Marines and Sailors began their pre-deployment training in the summer of 2012 to prepare for the many exercises they would participate in during the deployment. In March the Marines left their fami-

lies and friends and sailed east. The 26th MEU took part in Exercises Agile Spirit in the Republic of Georgia, Eagle Resolve in Qatar, Eager Lion in Jordan, Sea Soldier in Oman, and Eager Falcon in Kuwait. “The Marines did an absolutely stellar job,” said Faught. “They performed every task with passion and amazed me daily.” Over the weekend, families of the returning Marines waited patiently at the squadron’s hangar in anticipation for their arrival home. “We’re ready to do whatever he wants to do,” said Mary Baker, the grandmother of Lance Cpl. Chase

Baker. “His wife, sister, mother and grandfather are here to welcome him home.” The Marines who returned with Marine Light Attack Helicopter Squadron 467 gave waiting family and friends a show, conducting a fly-by with AH1W Super Cobras before landing and marching back to their loved ones. “The hardest part is going to be coming back and getting adjusted to civilians and garrison life again,” said Baker, an aviation mechanic with VMM-266 (Rein.) who returned to Marine Attack Squadron 231. “I’m glad they give us some time to decompress. A lot of the guys could really use it.”

Members of Marine Attack Training Squadron 203 conducted aerial refueling flights with Marine Aerial Refueler Transport Squadron 252 Nov. 1. VMAT-203 is responsible for training new AV-8B Harrier pilots. The Harrier, one of the Marine Corps’ primary expeditionary aircraft, is capable of having an external reservoir of fuel. With such properties, having the ability to conduct air-toair refueling increases the aircraft’s range and versatility. After attending 48 weeks of flight school new Harrier pilots are assigned to VMAT-203 for additional training, including aerial refueling. The training consists of classes covering fundamentals, safety precautions and use of safety equipment. “Every time you get to do something new, it’s pretty cool. The training provides us with another opportunity to do something different,” said 1st Lt. Tristan A. Wickersham, a replacement pilot with VMAT-203. Upon successfully completing the required classes, the pilots headed out to the flight line to get hands-on training. The pilots geared up with anti-gravity suits and survival vests and linked up with a KC130J Hercules to begin the refueling process. In the air, the KC-130J pilots with VMGR252 extend a flexible hose that trails from the tanker to the receiving aircraft. Maintaining constant communication, the Harrier pilots move into position to begin the refueling process. See REFUEL page A3

Heavy helicopter squadron conducts aerial refueling operations LANCE CPL. JOSHUA R. HEINS MCAS CHERRY POINT

Members of Marine Heavy Helicopter Squadron 366 conducted aerial refueling training with a CH-53E Super Stallion off the coast of Atlantic Beach Oct. 31. HMH-366 provides transport for combat troops, supplies and equipment during expeditionary, joint or combined operations. “[Aerial refueling] extends our combat range so we don’t have to stop on the ground,” said Capt. Eric B. Phil-

lips, the instructor for the training. Phillips took a new pilot, Capt. Robert S. Zetelski, with him to teach him how to properly conduct an aerial refuel. During the training the team received more than 10,000 pounds of fuel in less than six hours. “Since it was my first time, the first time I connected was the best part of the mission,” said Zetelski. To properly conduct the aerial refuel, the pilot had to follow behind a KC-130J Hercules from Marine Aerial Refueler Transport Squadron 252. Zetelski, through pre-

Commanding general leads 2nd MAW in motivational run for Marine Corps birthday

cise maneuvering, connected the helicopter to a hose extending from the back of the Hercules. “The hardest part is staying in a position to get the gas,” said Zetelski. “You have to be able to maintain that particular position in order to continue to get gas, and if you fall out of place, it starts all over again.” Philips said it is vital to stay relaxed throughout training. The techniques will become muscle memory, he said.

Marines celebrate 238th birthday

LANCE CPL. ANDREA CLEOPATRA DICKERSON

Maj. Gen. Robert F. Hedelund (center), the commanding general of 2nd Marine Aircraft Wing, and Sgt. Maj. Christopher G. Robinson (right), the 2nd MAW sergeant major, lead a motivational run in commemoration of the Marine Corps’ 238th birthday. Hedelund reminded the Marines of the courage and tenacity Marines of past generations displayed, especially during the Bougainville Campaign. “As we are standing here today, we have inherited the tradition of hard fought victory that stays with us as a part of our ethos,” he said.

See more photos and the commanding general’s philosophy on Page A5.

News Briefs

A2

Veterans Day Parade

B1

2nd MAW Run

A5

National Observance

B2

Incentive Program

A7

Announcements

B3

LANCE CPL. ANTHONY BROSILOW

Maj. Gen. Robert F. Hedelund, commanding general of the 2nd Marine Aircraft Wing, cuts the birthday cake at the Marine Wing Headquarters Squadron 2 Marine Corps birthday ball Nov. 2. Throughout the beginning of November, units with the 2nd Marine Aircraft Wing and Cherry Point are celebrating the Marine Corps’ 238 birthday.

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The Windsock Nov. 7, 2013 by 2nd MAW/MCAS Cherry Point - Issuu