Vol. 72, No. 20
May 15, 2014
www.cherrypoint.marines.mil
MCAS Cherry Point 2014 Air Show this weekend! See special insert inside for information about this year’s performers, schedule of events and more!
HMH-366 practices vertical lift capabilities LANCE CPL. JOSHUA R. HEINS MCAS CHERRY POINT
Members of Marine Heavy Helicopter Squadron 366 practiced their vertical lift capabilities near Marine Corps Air Station New River March 13. The squadron uses the CH-53E Super Stallion to transport heavy quantities of gear quickly and efficiently. To simulate cargo, the Marines lifted a steel Ibeam. This allowed the pilots to practice maneuvering the aircraft while cargo is attached, dropping off equipment and sustaining the aircraft in a hover in order to attach gear for lifting. “Just like anything with flying, this is a perishable skill,” said Capt. Kyle Kanode, a pilot with the squadron. “It takes hours of practice to effectively handle an aircraft, especially when you are placed in a situation where you need to sustain a hover in less than favorable conditions.” When the pilots face tough conditions, they rely on the communication between the crew chiefs in the back of the aircraft and the helicopter support team on the ground to guide them. “If it wasn’t for our crew chiefs popping their head out and guiding us, it would be nearly impossible to complete the mission quickly and effectively,” said
LANCE CPL. JOSHUA R. HEINS
Pilots maneuver a CH-53 Super Stallion to practice its vertical lift capabilities near Marine Corps Air Station New River March 13. The Super Stallion belongs to Marine Heavy Helicopter Squadron 366, which coordinated with Combat Logistic Battalion 24 to conduct practice lifts through the day and night.
See HMH366 page A3
MWSS-271 hones communication abilities DeLorenzo to assume command
of MWHS-2 from Solter LANCE CPL. ANDREA CLEOPATRA DICKERSON MCAS CHERRY POINT
LANCE CPL. UNIQUE B. ROBERTS
Staff Sgt. Taylor Austin gives a group of Marines a class on generators and their use in a field environment at Marine Corps Auxiliary Landing Field Bogue May 8. Marines with Marine Wing Support Squadron 271 were conducting their annual Communication Exercise May 5 – 9.
LANCE CPL. UNIQUE B. ROBERTS MCAS CHERRY POINT
Members of Marine Wing Support Squadron 271 conducted their annual Communication Exercise, May 5 – 9 at Marine Corps Auxiliary Landing Field Bogue, N.C. While there, the squadron trained to become efficient in supporting the squadron’s mission of providing aviation ground support assets to 2nd Marine Aircraft Wing and all supporting elements of the Marine Air Control Group. 2nd Marine Aircraft wing is home to more than five different aircraft platforms ranging from fixed-wing to rotary-wing. MWSS-271 ensures ground personnel have the proper equipment to speak with commanders who in turn provide the pilots with information to provide defense capabilities to the ground troops. Communication Marines supported the exercise by creating, maintaining and distributing communica-
tion assets to necessary channels within the chain of command. “The big thing that we are trying to do right now is mesh the data side with my radio side and push their stuff out wirelessly instead of running cables everywhere,” said Sgt. Jacob L. Bennett, a field radio operator with the squadron. Field radio operators, cyber network operators, field wireman and ground communications organizational repairers combined efforts work toward negating the use of wires while operating in close proximity to the flight line, according to Bennett. “Our (communication exercise) is a field exercise designed to get our platoon back to the basics,” said Bennett. “We are out here training Marines in their job since there are no operations for us to support right now besides ourselves.” See MWSS271 page A3
Lt. Col. William R. DeLorenzo is scheduled to assume command of Marine Wing Headquarters Squadron 2 from Lt. Col. Alan Solter during a ceremony here today. The change of command is a traditional event. The key to the ceremony is the passing of the unit colors. The colors are the commander’s symbol of authority, representing his responsibilities to the organization. The passing of the colors symbolizes the transfer of command responsibility and authority from the old commander to the new. During his tenure, Solter said he did his best to take care of the Marines and Sailors under his charge. He said the unit did a great job of including family members and building unit cohesion by hosting various events ranging from mess nights and family days to field operations. Solter attributed his success as a commanding officer to the hard-charging service members of MWHS-2. “The thing I’m most proud of is the command climate,” he said. “We’ve got great leaders at all levels, from officers and staff noncommissioned officers to noncommissioned officers and junior Marines. They are doing the basic leadership stuff that keeps this place running.” Solter said he enjoyed working with such great Marines and it has been amazing to see how much they accomplished. The former commanding officer plans to retire in September. “It is a bittersweet feeling to leave after two years,” said Solter. “The only advice I could give the new commanding officer is to enjoy every day. It will be finished before you know it.” DeLorenzo comes to the air station from the Pentagon where he served as the desk officer of Southeast Asia, Australia, and New Zealand with Headquarters Marine Corps. He said he is excited to assume command of MWHS-2. “I’m looking forward to becoming a part of the unit,” said DeLorenzo. “I just want to do a good job for the Marines Lt. Col. William R. DeLorenzo and Sailors.” DeLorenzo’s awards include Air Medal with numeral six, the Navy Commendation Medal, and the Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal.
MACG-28 welcomes Sgt. Maj. Grade, bids King farewell LANCE CPL. VICTOR A. ARRIAGA MCAS CHERRY POINT
Marine Air Control Group 28 welcomed a new sergeant major during a relief and appointment ceremony at Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point, N.C. May 9, 2014. Sgt. Maj. Timothy King relinquished his post as MACG-28’s sergeant major to Sgt. Maj. Scott D. Grade. King was assigned as the squadron’s senior enlisted advisor in October, 2012, and has been with the squadron ever since. After 30 years of faithful service to the Corps, King will retire Sept. 1, 2014. “After 30 years of pounding the pavement, it’s time for me to retire,”
said King. During the ceremony, Col. Jeff S. Kojac took the stand to say a few words about King. “There is only one word to describe Sgt. Maj. King and that word is ‘genuine,’” he said. “He has been a great leader and has always been interested and concerned for his Marines.” Grade was previously the sergeant major for Marine Wing Headquarters Squadron 2 and was selected by Maj. Gen. Robert F. Hedelund, 2nd Marine Aircraft Wing’s commanding general and Sgt. Maj. Christopher Robinson, 2nd MAW’s sergeant major, to fill the See MACG28 page A3
Sgt. Maj. Scott D. Grade
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