Vol. 71, No. 50
December 12, 2013
www.cherrypoint.marines.mil
Thomas relinquishes command of 2nd MAW Fwd SGT. BOBBY YARBROUGH 2ND MARINE EXPEDITIONARY FORCE (FORWARD)
SGT. BOBBY J. YARBROUGH
Brig. Gen. Gary Thomas (right) passes the Marine Corps colors to Col. Scott Jensen during a change of command ceremony at Camp Leatherneck, Afghanistan, Dec. 9. Jensen assumed command of 2nd Marine Aircraft Wing (Forward) and will serve as the commander for the remainder of the unit’s deployment.
VMGR-252 Marines return home LANCE CPL. JOSHUA R. HEINS MCAS CHERRY POINT
A portion of Marine Aerial Refueler Transport Squadron 252 Detachment B returned to Cherry Point Dec. 5 after a ninemonth deployment. While deployed, the Marines supported operations with the 26th Marine Expeditionary Unit and Special Purpose Marine Air-Ground Task Force Crisis Response Force. The pilots and crewmembers with Det. B traveled all over Europe and the Middle East assisting with the missions of the Black Sea Rotational Force, and the 2nd Force Reconnaissance Company. “The tasking part was moving around all the time, constantly moving to new locations and setting up shop,” said Capt. Joshua Mallow, the assistant operations officer and pilot for the detachment. KC-130J Super Hercules were used to conduct missions like aerial refueling, logistics and delivery missions, said
Mallow. “We executed all types of aerial refueling like fixed wing, rotary wing with tilt rotary and aerial delivery ground refueling,” said Mallow. “This is where we basically land in an airfield and set up a gas station for others to come through and fill up.” The last two months of the deployment, the detachment remained static in Spain for embassy support of the task force. “Our mission was to be on stand by and be ready to insert a Marine force into an embassy for reinforcements in case an emergency happened,” said Mallow. “Thankfully we did not have to execute that mission, because if we did, it would have been a bad day for somebody.” The Marines visited many different places and numerous cultures in their travels. “The amount of professionalism and initiative they displayed throughout the entire deployment was unmatched,” said Mallow.
Otis welcomes Jackson, bids Tueichi farewell
CAMP LEATHERNECK, Afghanistan – Brig. Gen. Gary Thomas relinquished command of 2nd Marine Aircraft Wing (Forward) to Col. Scott Jensen during a change of command ceremony at Camp Leatherneck Dec. 9. Jensen, who served as the assistant wing commander, will command 2nd MAW (Fwd.) until the unit conducts a scheduled transfer of authority with 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing (Forward) in February. As the Marine Corps continues the drawdown of troops in Afghanistan, units are adapting their command structure to continue to meet both operational and drawdown goals. In Helmand, the Afghan National Security Forces have taken the lead in providing security to the province’s citizens, allowing the Marine Corps to focus on its advise and assist mission. During his remarks, Thomas applauded the Afghan National Army’s 215 Corps and said their achievements represent the improved capabilities of the Afghan National Security Forces. “Over the past several months, significant gains have been made in Regional Command (Southwest’s) area of responsibility,” said Thomas. “The Afghan National Security Forces continue to take great strides in taking the fight to the enemy and is See COC page A9
Ospreys support operations in Afghanistan
SGT. GABRIELA GARCIA
An MV-22B Osprey assigned to Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron 165 fires off flares over Helmand Province, Afghanistan, Saturday. The squadron is part of the 2nd Marine Aircraft Wing (Forward), the lead aviation combat element supporting NATO International Security Assistance Force operations in southwestern Afghanistan
Cherry Point community kicks off Christmas season
PFC. GRACE L. WALADKEWICS MCAS CHERRY POINT
Marine Aerial Refueler Transport Squadron 252 welcomed a new sergeant major Tuesday during a relief and appointment ceremony at the squadron’s hangar. Sgt. Maj. Misitupa Tueichi relinquished his post as sergeant major of VMGR-252 to Sgt. Maj. Rickey V. Jackson. Tueichi has sesrved as the squadron’s senior enlisted advisor since December 2012. During Misitupa’s year-long term, he opened the flood gates and never stopped moving forward, said Lt. Col. Walter Butler, commanding officer of VMGR252. He was passionate about his work, the Marine Corps and showed compassion toward the Marines in his unit, said Butler. Jackson comes to Cherry Point after serving as the sergeant ma-
Sgt. Maj. Jackson
jor of Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron 261, New River, NC. “Sometimes it’s not the process that makes things work,” said Butler. “It’s the personality that makes things work this is part of
LANCE CPL. VICTOR A. ARRIAGA
Two children visit with Santa Claus during Cherry Point’s 14th annual Christmas tree lighting at the Marine Corps Exchange Dec. 4. See story and photo page B2
See JACKSON page A9
News Briefs
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Monitors
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Nutcracker
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Health Fair
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BRIDEX 13
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Announcements
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