The Windsock February 13, 2014

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Vol. 72, No. 7

February 13, 2014

www.cherrypoint.marines.mil

II MEF Corpsmen, Marines advance combat medical capabilities LANCE CPL. JOSHUA R. HEINS MCAS CHERRY POINT

II Marine Expeditionary Force Sailors received two weeks of training at the Naval Trauma Training Center in Los Angeles, which was part of the overall enhanced casualty evacuation training pipeline. As the number of U.S. forces decrease in support of Operation Enduring Freedom in Afghanistan, the number of deployed medical providers will decrease as well. This advanced training ensures that, despite a decrease in troop strength, medical support capabilities will remain. The enhanced CASEVAC course is the first of its kind, with students training to provide life saving measures aboard the Marine Corps’ MV-22B Osprey. Advanced flight medical training is similar to special operations medical training and therefore uncommon for corpsmen assigned to Marine Corps units. As a hybrid tiltrotor aircraft, combining the vertical lift capabilities of a helicopter with the range and speed of an airplane, the MV-22B is uniquely suited to carry out the mission of providing timely evacuation and in-flight care for wounded service members. This training gives the medical crew See CASEVAC page A3

COURTESY PHOTOS

An MV-22B Osprey from Marine Tiltrotor Squadron 266 (Reinforced), 26th Marine Expeditionary Unit, II Marine Expeditionary Force, idles on the flightline at Naval Air Station Sagonella, Italy, March 29, 2013. (Insert) The team of Sailors participating in the advanced flight medical training gather for a group photo after a training evolution.

2nd MAW Marines return from deployment to Afghanistan

LANCE CPL. UNIQUE B. ROBERTS

2nd Marine Aircraft Wing (Forward) family and friends await the unit’s return outside Cherry Point’s Training and Education building Sunday. During the year-long deployment, 2nd MAW (Fwd.) Marines and Sailors controlled the airspace in southwestern Afghanistan, supporting Marine and NATO International Security Assistance Force operations and the transition to Afghan-led security across the region.

2nd MAW attack squadron sets example with incident free year LANCE CPL. JOSHUA R. HEINS MCAS CHERRY POINT

The Marines of Marine Attack Squadron 542 set the example of force preservation with no incidents on or off duty for more than a year. In the past year, VMA-542 made sound decisions in motorcycle safety, drug and alcohol abuse, sexual misconduct prevention, and suicide awareness.

“I took over here just over a year ago, and since my arrival we have not lost anyone,” said Sgt. Maj. Mario P. Fields, the sergeant major for the squadron. With a constant flow of information and a command climate encouraging troop welfare and mission accomplishment, Fields cited several examples of direct action that prevented negative incidents in the last year. “The system works,” he said.

The key to the Tigers’ success is a spirit of teamwork. The squadron’s track record of success with force preservation is not an individual record but a reflection of Marines looking out for one another, according to Fields. “It’s simple,” said Fields. “We are not just a squadron, we are a family first. We keep the morale high and make this squadron a little home away from home,” he

MWSS-271 Marines, Sailors train with EOD

LANCE CPL. UNIQUE B. ROBERTS

Thermite grenades burn on the ground at the explosive ordnance disposal range at Cherry Point Feb. 6. Members of Marine Wing Support Squadron 271 used grenades during training for partial destruction of unexploded ordnance. See full story and photos page A5

News Briefs

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RQ-21B Blackjack

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EOD Range

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Menus

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Gas! Gas! Gas!

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Announcements

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said. The foundations of the squadron’s leadership are the noncommissioned officers who lead, guide and mentor the junior Marines within VMA-542. The corporals and sergeants take their lead from the sergeant major and other command members and constantly try to See LEADERS page A3

Content in this publication can also be found online All stories and photos can be found at: • www.cherrypoint.marines.mil • www.dvidshub.net/unit/MCAS-CP Read the Windsock online at: • www.issuu.com/mcascherrypoint Like us on Facebook: • www.facebook.com/mcascherrypoint • www.facebook.com/TheAirShow Follow us on Twitter: • www.twitter.com/mcascherrypoint More photos can be found on Flickr: • www.flickr.com/photos/mcas_cherry_ point

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