The Windsock May 29, 2014

Page 1

Vol. 72, No. 22

May 29, 2014

www.cherrypoint.marines.mil

VMU-2 reunites with families, loved ones Windsock winds to change soon

LANCE CPL. GRACE L. WALADKEWICS MCAS CHERRY POINT

Approximately 45 Marines and Sailors with Marine Unmanned Aerial Vehicle Squadron 2 returned to Cherry Point May 22 after a seven-month deployment to Afghanistan. “It feels great to be back in the states,” said Master Sgt. Jose Gonzalez, the detachment senior enlisted UAV operator, with VMU-2. During the deployment, the Marines used the squadron’s unmanned aerial vehicles to provide intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance to the Marine ground forces who were assisting the Afghan National Army and training them to take over once the Marines were gone, explained Gonzalez. “We completed our mission,” said Gonzalez. “But most importantly, we brought all of our Marines home to their families.” The returning service members were greeted by a cheering crowd of proud friends and loved ones at the squadron’s hangar. “This was my first deployment, and the months have been long,” said Staff Sgt. Daryl Ward, a UAV operator with VMU2. “Now that I’m back, I feel so relieved, excited and numb; it feels like it’s not really happening.” Ward and his wife Brittany echoed what nearly every other family was saying about their Marine returning – that they are proud of what the unit accomplished and are looking forward to spending time together as a family again. “I couldn’t put in to words how well the Marines performed,” said Gonzalez. “It is time for the Marines to return to their families. The mission was a success and all the work the Marines did was incredibly valued.”

GUNNERY SGT. MICHAEL A. FREEMAN MCAS CHERRY POINT

LANCE CPL. GRACE L. WALADKEWICS

Gunnery Sgt. Austin Keelty hugs his children after returning here May 22, after a sevenmonth deployment to Afghanistan. Keelty is the logistics chief of Marine Unmanned Aerial Vehicle Squadron 2.

MWSS-271 conducts company field exercise LANCE CPL. UNIQUE B. ROBERTS MCAS CHERRY POINT

More than 100 Engineers with Marine Wing Support Squadron 271 stationed at Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point, N.C., traveled to Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune to engage in a company field exercise May 27 through Monday. MWSS-271, also known as the “Workhorse of the Wing”, strives to provide essential ground support assets to fixed-wing components of an Aviation Combat Element and Marine Air Control Groups. The squadron is made up of four different companies including, Motor Transport, Engineers, Air Operations and Headquarters Company. The quarterly field exercise fosters an environment for Marines in the supporting companies to develop new skills and refresh skills learned during previous exercises or operations. “The purpose of this field training is to focus our training to encompass those vital tasks that are necessary to achieve proficiency in survivability and force protection,” said Master Sgt. Kent Corbett, the engineer company operations chief with MWSS-271. The exercise is also a preparation tool for an upcoming squadron field training exercise where the Marines will support not only the company to which they are assigned but the whole squadron, according to Corbett. Before going to Camp Lejeune, the Marines attended classes and engaged in practical application scenarios to prepare for the exercise. During the exercise, the Marines are scheduled to conduct a variety of training missions including demolition projects, tank ditch construction and route reconnaissance, Corbett said. Corbett expects his Marines to perform exceptionally well during their stay at Camp Lejeune and anticipates their hard work and mission accomplishment will serve to closely bond the unit. “I’m looking forward to attending the field exercise,” said Lance Cpl. Miguel A. Romero, an engineer equipment operator with the squadron. “It’s a good opportunity to learn new techniques on how to complete different projects and become proficient in our different military occupational specialties.”

LANCE CPL. UNIQUE B. ROBERTS MCAS CHERRY POINT

Lt. Col. Charles E. Smith is scheduled to assume command of Marine Air Control Squadron 2 from Lt. Col. Jeffrey D. Hanson during a ceremony aboard the air station today. “I’m extremely proud of the MACS-2 Marines and families for their hard work and dedication to the unit and to each other during my time here,” said Hanson. Hanson joined MACS-2 Dec. 13, 2012. He is overjoyed at what the squadron has accomplished and takes great pride in turning over the squadron to the new commander. “My goals upon taking command of the squadron were to safely and successfully deploy two detachments of Marines to Afghanistan, support II Marine Expeditionary Force by performing all mission essential tasks proficiently and professionally, increase our training and readiness, maximize unit cohesion, provide care and support to the families of MACS-2 Marines,” said Hanson. “I am happy to say that the Marines of MACS-2 not only met the goals, they greatly exceeded all my expectations.” Hanson will continue his career as a

FSLE: using proven experience to enhance Marine aviation MCAS CHERRY POINT

The Marine Corps, and 2nd Marine Aircraft Wing, take flight leadership very seriously. In order to qualify in certain leadership positions such as mission commander, pilots must complete a program of instruction that tests and validates their abilities and knowledge. The Flight Leadership Standardization Evaluators program allows developing flight leaders to have a fresh set of eyes to observe and offer insight and instruction on technical skills, tactics and weapons employment beyond standard levels, according to Maj. Nicholas Waldron, an FLSE program coordinator for EA-6B Prowler pilots with the 2nd Marine Aircraft Wing. “A great benefit to the program is that it also allows us as evaluators to provide insight to pilots that they might not get if the squadron were to go at it alone,” said Waldron. Each squadron maintains flight leadership coordinators

News Briefs

A2

Georgian Marine

A5

Corsair Pilot

A3

Squadron Run

B2

Announcements

B3

California Wildfires A4

See WINDSOCK page A7

Air control squadron to welcome new commanding officer today

Lt. Col. Charles E. Smith

LANCE CPL. JOSHUA R. HEINS

Readers of The Windsock may notice some changes in design and content in coming issues as the Joint Public Affairs Office and its civilian publishing partners redistribute responsibilities for layout and design of the newspaper. The local changes come as part of a Corps-wide reorganization of the entire public affairs field. Under the reorganization, base and station newspapers across the service are making significant changes or being discontinued entirely. Here at Cherry Point, the reallocation of responsibilities will allow JPAO to continue to provide public affairs support to local commands despite significant reductions in manning while ensuring uninterrupted publication of the newspaper. “Our internal processes will change, but we hope it will be mostly transparent to our readers,” said Mike Barton, acting director of public affairs. “But we will also use this as an opportunity to work with some real newspaper professionals to make updates and improvements to our station newspaper, which has been in production for more than 70 years. Newspapers still have a place in today’s social media and internet age, but they must continue to adapt to survive.” Public affairs Marines will continue to provide coverage of 2nd Marine Aircraft Wing and Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point news and activities. However, staff members at Havelock News, one of 35 newspapers and affiliated websites belonging to Halifax Media Group, will assume primary responsibility for layout and design of The Windsock beginning with the June 5 issue. The changes will not affect the way units request or receive coverage from PA personnel. Re-

who have the ability to qualify other pilots within their squadron, according to Waldron. The difference between coordinators and evaluators are that the evaluators can qualify the coordinators as well as potential flight leaders. “It is our job as flight leadership standardization evaluators to give an extra check to ensure everything is safely and effectively conducted across (all the different types of aircraft) within the wing,” said Waldron. The program also provides the commanding general insight into the flight leadership and development throughout 2nd MAW to ensure combat readiness and operation excellence, he said. Each evaluator is a highly skilled and experienced aviator with specialized training in tactics and flight leadership, according to Barry R. Fetzer, the deputy director of 2nd MAW’s Aviation Training System. Fetzer is also the overall manager of the United States Marine Corps FLSE program.

See COMMAND page A7

News 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/MCASCPPA More photos can be found on Flickr: • www.flickr.com/photos/mcas_cherry_point

See FLIGHT page A7

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