The Windsock June 5, 2014

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www.cherrypoint.marines.mil

Vol. 72, No. 23

June 5, 2014

Task force seeks VMGR-252 flight refuels HMX-1 volunteers for during trans-Atlantic mission male/female ground combat integration study

LANCE CPL. VICTOR A. ARRIAGA

LANCE CPL. GRACE L. WALADKEWICS

MCAS CHERRY POINT

MCAS CHERRY POINT

Female Marines stationed at Cherry Point have an opportunity to become pioneers as the Marine Corps takes the next step in its deliberate, measured approach to achieving integration of females into combat arms units and occupational fields. The Ground Combat Element Integrated Task Force recruiting team will present briefs at the Two Rivers Theater here today seeking volunteers to become members of an experimental GCE to study the unit’s performance in realistic training environments per Marine Administrative Message 252/14. Briefs will be conducted for eligible noncommissioned officers from 8 – 10 a.m. and from 1 – 3 p.m. Separate briefs will be conducted for eligible E-1 to E-3 Marines from 10 a.m. – noon and from 3 ¬ 5 p.m. The Ground Combat Element Integrated Task Force, which was announced March 2014, will be made up of approximately 500 male and female Marines and is slated to activate at Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune, N.C., June 2014. Male and female Marines will take part in a research study that will assess performance of integrated ground combat arms units and establish physical, physiological and performance standards for assignment to ground combat arms occupational specialties. The GCEITF is one of the efforts of the Marine Corps Force Integration Plan to integrate female Marines into combat arms units and occupational specialties. During the recruiting briefs, eligible Marines will receive an overview of the initiative as well as an informed consent brief where they will learn exactly what will be expected of them and learn the insand-outs of the mission before making the decision to volunteer. Following the brief there will be a question and answer session where Marines can review, ask questions and make an informed decision on whether participation in the program is right for them. Note that only those who fall into the eligible population will be allowed to attend the informed consent briefs that follow the overview. Enlisted Marines must be sergeants or below and have less than nine years of service in order to be eligible to volunteer. Male Marines may only volunteer to participate within their primary military occupational specialty. Female Marines can volunteer to participate in any one of the following combat arms occupations: rifleman, light armored vehicle crewman, machine gunner, mortarman, infantry assaultman, antitank missileman, field artillery cannoneer, amphibious assault vehicle See VOLUNTEERS page A7

Voluntary Protection Program aims to decrease DOD injuries

which were all used during the flight. The KC-130J squadron transported crew members and cargo from HMX-1 from Quantico, Va., to Normandy. “Our role is very important for this mission,” Lt. Col. Scott M. Koltick, commanding officer of VMGR-252. “Not only did we provide the aerial refueling for the Ospreys, but we also assisted them in traversing the long distance and helped them with long range navigation.” The seven-hour flight is easily accomplished by the Marine Corps’ largest aircraft, but the smaller Ospreys need assistance to make the trip due to their

Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point’s continued focus on the welfare of its service members and civilian employees has prompted leadership here to adopt the Voluntary Protection Programs as the air station’s official safety standard. Occupational Safety and Health Administration’s VPP recognizes and partners with businesses and worksites that show excellence in occupational safety and health. VPP is a voluntary partnership with OSHA developed in 1982 to address worker safety and health issues and expand worker protection through the implementation of proactive, performance based elements. The four main components of a VPP are management leadership and employee involvement; worksite analysis; hazard prevention and control; and safety and health training. With the four components in place, leaders can focus on creating a proactive environment instead of a reactive safety environment. “These programs create an exemplary workplace by allowing everyone to get involved,” said Edward Scott, the deputy director of safety and standardization aboard the air station. “Our goal with this program is to make our workplaces the safest places we can for everyone.”

See OSPREY page A7

See SAFETY page A7

LANCE CPL. S. T. STEWART

An MV-22B Osprey with Marine Helicopter Squadron 1 receives fuel from a KC-130J Super Hercules from Marine Aerial Refeuler Transport Squadron 252 over the Atlantic May 28. The Osprey, along with three others from HMX-1, refueled mid-flight during the squadron’s first trans-Atlantic flight.

CPL. S. T. STEWART MCAS CHERRY POINT

Three KC-130J Super Hercules from Marine Aerial Refueler Transport Squadron 252 left Cherry Point May 27 for a week-long deployment in support of Marine Helicopter Squadron 1 as the helicopter squadron completed its first trans-Atlantic flight in the squadron’s MV-22B Ospreys. Four Ospreys from HMX-1 crossed the Atlantic bound for the 70th D-Day Anniversary Ceremony in Normandy, France, which was attended by President Barrack Obama. VMGR-252 provides close-air support, transport of troops and cargo and aerial refueling capabilities,

MWSS-271 completes field exercise at Camp Lejeune LANCE CPL. UNIQUE B. ROBERTS MCAS CHERRY POINT

MARINE CORPS BASE CAMP LEJEUNE, N.C. – More than 100 Marines with Engineer Company, Marine Wing Support Squadron 271 participated in a field exercise here May 27 through June 2. MWSS-

271’s mission is to provide aviation ground support assets to fixed-wing components of an Aviation Combat Element and Marine Air Control Groups. The exercise was conducted to enhance the experience of junior Marines and expand their knowledge by teaching them the fundamen-

tals of their military occupational specialty, which ensures the company is prepared to accomplish tasked missions. “The purpose of this field training exercise it to focus our training to encompass those See EXERCISE page A7

LANCE CPL. UNIQUE B. ROBERTS

Marines with Marine Wing Support Squadron 271 transport HESCO, a rapidly deployable barrier system, to a HESCO Bunker during the squadron’s field exercise at Camp Lejeune May 30. A HESCO Bunker is a protective barrier to provide the company with defense capabilities during enemy attacks. MWSS-271’s mission is to provide ground support assets to fixed-wing components with the Aviation Combat Element.

Cherry Point home to Small Fire Department of the Year LANCE CPL. GRACE L. WALADKEWICS MCAS CHERRY POINT

Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point’s Fire and Emergency Services Division recently earned the title Small Fire Department of the Year in the Marine Corps for their hard work and dedication throughout fiscal year 2013. Fire departments across the Department of Defense submitted compilations of accomplishments for the year, and each service branch and the Defense Logistics Agency selected one winner each who then went on to compete for the title of Department of Defense Small Fire Department of the Year. The annual award recognizes the DoD’s most outstanding small fire department for achieving the highest degree of excellence in mission support and fire protection management. “The department has achieved so many great things this year, but you have one page of bulleted statements to prove to the Marine Corps and the Department of Defense that your fire department deserves to win,” said Chief R.T. Wade of the

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Cherry Point Fire Department. Completing tasks and procedures in all areas of the criteria heightened the department’s chances of being chosen for the award, and more importantly, the firefighters ensured the safety of the air station. The six areas judged were customer service, department-level awards and accreditations, certifications and other recognitions, innovation, quality of life initiatives, and firefighter health and safety initiatives. “I am very proud of the department and all the men and women who work for it. The last time we won this award was in 2004,” said Wade. “This is not an individual award; it is a team effort. No single person on the team could have earned it alone.” The Cherry Point Fire and Emergency Services Division is made up of 59 men and women whose areas of expertise include operational, medical, prevention and training concerns, See AWARD 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

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