Jet Stream The
Friday, April 13, 2018 Vol. 53, No. 12 Marine Corps Air Station Beaufort, S.C.
India & November Company Graduates
“The noise you hear is the sound of freedom.”
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Royal Air Force 100th Anniversary
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Silver Eagles Depart Fightertown
Photo by Lance Cpl. Terry Haynes
F/A-18C Hornets prepares for takeoff aboard Marine Corps Air Station Beaufort, April 9. The Hornets are with Marine Fighter Attack Squadron 115 and deployed in support of combat operation overseas. While deployed, the squadron will coordinate with international partners and other branches of the U.S. military in order to ensure the mission is accomplished and freedom is protected. Story by Cpl. Benjamin McDonald
Marine Fighter Attack Squadron 115 departed Marine Corps Air Station Beaufort April 9-10 in support of combat operations overseas. “We are headed overseas as part of a combat deployment. For some of us, this isn’t our first deployment to this region so we know what has to get done,” said a pilot with VMFA-115. “We can operate smoothly and efficiently to accomplish our mission while over there.” Over the past months, the squadron has been working longer hours to prepare not only the aircraft, but also their minds for the fast-paced tempo of a deployment. “Being deployed means perfectly executing our duties but in a foreign land,” said an air-framer with VMFA-115. “We won’t have the rest of Marine Aircraft Group 31to help us if we need it. Instead,
we will be working with Marine Aviation Logistics Squadron 12 to accomplish our mission. Usually while deployed, our shifts change and operational tempo changes to better suit the mission we have to accomplish.” The squadron was given the chance to spend time with their families the day of their departure. The United Services Organization provided food for the Marines, Sailors and their families. “It’s nice to have the chance to spend some time with my family before I leave,” said the pilot. “Even though we are the ones leaving for the deployment, our families have to work hard to make sure everything is still okay at home. Deployments can be very taxing on our families and I am grateful for my wife Photo by Cpl. Benjamin McDonald to handle everything so gracefully. I am An F/A-18C Hornet prepares for takeoff aboard Marine Corps Air Station Beaufort, going to miss my wife and my kids very April 9. The Hornet is with Marine Fighter Attack Squadron 115 and deployed in support of combat operation overseas. While deployed, the squadron will coordinate see 115, page 7 with international partners and other branches of the U.S. military in order to ensure the mission is accomplished and freedom is protected.
Kids Fest comes to Beaufort Story by Lance Cpl. Terry Haynes III
Marines and Sailors of the Tri-command participated in the 22nd annual Kids Fest in Beaufort, S.C. April 7. Kids Fest is held to celebrate the month of the military child with the local community and to raise awareness for child abuse prevention month. “This event is a partnership between the Marine Corps and the community. We held it out in town so we could help spread more awareness for why this month is important, “said Megan Grabowski, a prevention and education specialist with the Family Advocacy Program. “Military members are also community members so it’s crucial that we recognize that bond and help highlight its importance.” The festival was sponsored by organizations in the Marine Corps as well as the community. Marine Wing Support Detachment 31 brought several of their vehicles to the event so kids could get a glimpse of Marine Corps equipment. The South Carolina Department of Natural Resources had an interactive booth where kids could go “fishing” while learning more about the different animals and plants that are native to the state. Helping run the event with MCCS were Navy and Marine Corps volunteers from across the Tri-command. The Photo by Lance Cpl. Terry Haynes volunteers did everything from settting up booths to Children participate in a dance party at Kids Fest in Beaufort, S.C. April 7. Kids Fest was held in recognition of escorting an assortment of characters around the event. April, the month of the military child and child abuse prevention month. Marine Corps Community Services hosted see kids, page 7 the event, organizing informational booths, resources and enterainment.