Jet Stream The
Friday, July 27, 2018 Vol. 53, No. 29 Marine Corps Air Station Beaufort, S.C.
Marines maintain readiness while deployed
“The noise you hear is the sound of freedom.”
7
beaufort.marines.mil | facebook.com/MCASBeaufort | youtube.com/MCASBeaufort | mcasbetwitter.com/MCASBeaufortSC | Instagram/mcasbeaufort
Check out our website at Thejetstreambeaufort.com
PROTECT WHAT YOU’VE EARNED
Beaufort Water Festival makes a splash
6
MAG-31 says farewell to Latt, welcomes Phares
Photo by Cpl. Terry Haynes III
Col. Frank N. Latt relinquishes command of Marine Aircraft Group 31 to Col. Matthew H. Phares aboard Marine Corps Air Station Beaufort July 19. Latt commanded MAG-31 for 17 months before passing on the unit colors to Phares. Previously Phares was assigned to the staff of 2nd Marine Aircraft Wing. Story and photos by Cpl. Terry Haynes III
Col. Frank N. Latt relinquished command of Marine Aircraft Group 31 to Col. Matthew H. Phares during a change of command ceremony aboard Marine Corps Air Station Beaufort July 19. The commanding general of the 2nd Marine Aircraft Wing, Brig. Gen. Karsten S. Heckl, and the commanding officer of Marine Corps Air Station Beaufort, Col. Timothy Miller, attended the ceremony along with other squadron commanders aboard the air station. “This group under this leadership has proven themselves time and time again,” Heckl said. “Their dedication
to mission accomplishment is nothing short of incredible and speaks volumes about Col. Latt’s guidance.” Latt was commissioned as a Marine Corps officer in May 1992 via the Purdue University Naval Reserve Officer Training Corps where he earned his bachelors in Civil Engineering. He completed his initial F/A-18 training with Marine Fighter Attack Training Squadron 101, also known as the Sharpshooters, in 1996. Latt’s operational assignments include Marine Fighter Attack Squadron (All Weather) 533 from 1997-2000, aboard the USS Enterprise in support of Operations Iraqi Freedom and Enduring Freedom, and VMFA-251 from 2008-2009 serving as the executive officer. Prior to assuming command of MAG-31, Latt was the commanding
officer of VMFA-312 from 2010 to 2011, and commanding officer of Headquarters Squadron, MAG- 31 from 2011 to 2012. Latt’s personal decorations include the Bronze Star, Defense Meritorious Service Medal, Meritorious Service Medal with two gold stars, Navy/Marine Corps Commendation Medal with a gold star, and the Navy/Marine Corps Achievement Medal with Combat “V”. “This unit is a winning team and I am thankful that I had the privilege of leading you all,” Latt said. “I couldn’t have asked to work around a better group of Marines and Sailors during my tenure here. As difficult as leaving may be, I couldn’t be happier handsee MAG 31, page 4 ing the reigns over to family.”
Fightertown Fire and Emergency Services receive awards Story and photos by Cpl. Ashley Phillips
Marine Corps Air Station Beaufort’s Fire and Emergency Services received the Small Fire Department of the Year award and the Fire Prevention Program of the Year award earlier this month. The award, presented by Marine Corps Fire and Emergency Services, recognized the significant achievements and contributions Fightertown’s very own made to the Marine Corps. The rigorous training and dedication to safety is one of the greatest contributors to the success of the Fire Department, second only to the firefighters themselves. “It takes a certain type of person to be a firefighter,” said Darren Vaughn, the fire chief of MCAS Beaufort Fire and Emergency Services. “Just like not everyone can be a Marine, not everyone can be a firefighter. You have to have a drive deep inside you.” The award ceremony took place at the annual Fire Chief Working Group in San
Diego, California. The small fire department refers to the number of trucks or companies in the fire department. Fightertown’s fire department see FIRE, page 4
Photo by Cpl. Ashley Phillips
Assistant chief of training, Tim Oram, with Marine Corps Air Station Beaufort Fire and Emergency Services, ignites a controlled training fire for a search and rescue exercise aboard MCAS Beaufort July 24. The exercise was conducted as part of a routine training exercise to keep the firefighter’s skills sharp. Due to their character, commitment and rigorous training, MCAS Beaufort’s F&EMS earned two Marine Corps awards this past month for overall performance and fire prevention programs.