Vol. 72, No. 14
April 3, 2014
www.cherrypoint.marines.mil
VMAQT-1 completes transition, first pilots begin flying
VMGR-252 welcomes new commander LANCE CPL. JOSHUA R. HEINS MCAS CHERRY POINT
The Marine Corps’ oldest continually active squadron welcomed a new commanding officer at Cherry Point March 27. Lt. Col. Scott M. Kolick assumed command of Marine Aerial Refueler Transport Squadron 252, taking the reins from Lt. Col. Walter J. Butler Jr. during a changeof-command ceremony at the squadron’s hangar. The KC-130J Super Hercules squadron supports the Marine Air-Ground Task Force commander by providing air-to-air refueling and day and night assault and offensive air support. The squadron supports expeditionary, joint or combined operations. Butler, who has been at the helm since September 2012, said he is confident in Kolick’s ability to lead the historic squadron. Butler earned a Meritorious Service Medal for his time with the squadron and is slated to attend the U.S. National War College to further his professional military education. “I’ve had a great run with the squadron,” said Butler. “I’ve learned great things from the relationships I’ve built with the Marines here. My advice is that you can never take a day off if you want to succeed.” Kolick comes to the squadron from Marine Aircraft Group 14, where he served as the personnel supply detachment commander. According to Kolick, the leaders who mentored him and taught him throughout
LANCE CPL. UNIQUE B. ROBERTS
Marines with Marine Tactical Electronic Warfare Training Squadron 1 watch as Capt. Andrew Cody prepares to take off in an EA-6B Prowler for the first time at Cherry Point March 27. Cody is part of the squadron’s first class of naval aviators since transitioning to a training squadron in June 2013.
LANCE CPL. UNIQUE B. ROBERTS MCAS CHERRY POINT
Marine Tactical Electronic Warfare Training Squadron 1 took another step toward fully capable status with their first class of EA-6B Prowler student pilots taking to the sky for the first time March 27. VMAQT-1’s mission is to train replace-
See VMGR252 page A9
ment pilots and aircrew to operate the EA-6B Prowler. The squadron’s mission is essential to keeping operational tactical electronic warfare squadrons fully staffed with trained aircrews, according to Lt. Col. Melissa Kelley, the squadron’s executive officer. VMAQT-1 is the first Prowler training squadron in the Marine Corps. The Navy
conducted all previous Prowler pilot and aircrew training, according to Kelley. “(The Navy has) about two operational squadrons left but they do not require more aircrews to fill those squadrons,” said Kelley. “In order to staff Marine Prowler squadrons for the next five years, See PILOTS page A9
A message to leaders: arm yourself with knowledge of your Marines LANCE CPL. JOSHUA R. HEINS MCAS CHERRY POINT
If any particular topic lends itself to the Commandant of the Marine Corps’ Reawakening Campaign – it is the subject of having personal weapons on Cherry Point. Because nothing will help to ensure Marines here
are safely complying with the air station regulations better than the involvement of the noncommissioned and commissioned officers in a weapon owner’s chain of command. For Walter Davila, the assistant operations officer with the Provost Marshal’s Office, the
concept is simple: Do you have a Marine in your charge who lives on the air station and owns (projectile-emitting) weapons? Do you have a Marine who brings a firearm aboard the air station to shoot at the skeet range? “If the answer is yes to either of those questions,” says Davila, “then
you, as an NCO, SNCO or officer, should be aware of that and should make sure these Marines fully understand the related air station regulation, Air Station Order 5510.15c.” The order gives firearms owners everything they need to know about who can bring personally
owned weapons aboard Cherry Point, and when and how they can do it, said Davila. All Marine leaders, especially NCOs, should ensure their Marines understand and follow the air station order. “Noncommissioned officers See WEAPONS page A9
2nd MAW squadrons complete integrated exercise, return home LANCE CPL. ANDREA CLEOPATRA DICKERSON MCAS CHERRY POINT
Marines and Sailors from several 2nd Marine Aircraft Wing squadrons returned to the air station March 28 after completing Integrated Training Exercise 3-14 at Marine Corps Air Ground Combat Center Twentynine Palms, Calif. The month-long training evolution integrate Marine Corps ground combat, air combat and logistics elements while incorporating battalion and squadron level training. ITX replaced Enhanced Mojave Viper in January 2013. While it includes several of the same training objectives as EMV, the exercise refines the skills of each element of a Marine Air-Ground Task Force. Marine Heavy Helicopter Squadron 366 provided heavy lift See ITX page A9
LANCE CPL. ANDREA CLEOPATRA DICKERSON
Marines from several 2nd Marine Aircraft Wing squadrons returned to Cherry Point after completing Integrated Training Exercise 3-14 at Marine Corps Air Ground Combat Center Twentynine Palms, Calif. March 28.
Wing communication squadron sergeant major passes sword of office, welcomes Green LANCE CPL. JOSHUA R. HEINS MCAS CHERRY POINT
Sergeant Maj. Thomas W. Foster relinquished his post at Marine Wing Communication Squadron 28 to Sgt. Maj. Jason T. Green during a ceremony at Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point Wednesday. The relief and appointment of sergeants major is an important and symbolic event for Marine Corps units during which the sword of office officially changes hands. Foster is slated to take over as sergeant major
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of Marine Wing Headquarters Squadron 2 after serving as MWCS-28’s senior enlisted member since March 2011. Green takes his post at MWCS-28 after serving as squadron sergeant major with Marine Aircraft Group 49, Detachment B at Stewart Air National Guard Base, Newburgh, N.Y., since 2011. Green explained that his Marines should expect him to take care of them, just as he expects them to take care of their fellow Marines. “I feel great for the opportunity to lead these Marines,” said Green.
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