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Friday, June 20, 2014 Vol. 49, No. 24 Marine Corps Air Station Beaufort, S.C.
“The noise you hear is the sound of freedom.”
Bravo and Papa Company Graduates
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2 3 3 facebook.com/MCASBeaufort
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twitter.com/MCASBeaufortSC
Construction begins aboard Laurel Bay Page 8
PI band kicks off summer Page 7
1/2 keeps Bastion, Leatherneck secure Page 11
Preparing for UDP
Photo by Sgt. Marcy Sanchez
Staff Sgt. William Staton, the powerline staff noncommissioned officer in charge with Marine Fighter Attack Squadron 115, a native of Ft. Walton Beach, Fla., instructs Marines on proper procedures for engine replacement on an F/A-18C Hornet during routine maintenance aboard Marine Corps Air Station Beaufort’s flightline, June 19. Marine Fighter Attack Squadron 115 is slated to deploy in support of the Marine Corps’ Unit Deployment Program in July. While supporting the UDP, VMFA-115, also known as the Silver Eagles, will increase forward presence in the Western Pacific area of operations while participating in theater security cooperation activities with regional allies.
SGLI rates to increase Cpl. Sarah Cherry Staff Writer
The Servicemembers Group Life Insurance program is scheduled to increase monthly premium rates, according to Marine Administrative Message 275/14, effective July 1. The premiums previously decreased in July 2008 in an effort to decrease the contingency reserve. The increase
will prevent further decline. Service members with the maximum 400,000 dollars of life insurance will see an increase of two dollars, while lower coverages will have smaller increases. “Life insurance is meant to replace a lifetime of income,” said Dale Wilkes, personal financial manager aboard Marine Corps Air Station Beaufort. “The SGLI will offset a loss of income if
something happens.” Marines are able to see the increase by accessing their Leave and Earnings Statement through MyPay. Service members with Traumatic Servicemembers Group Life Insurance will continue to pay one dollar per month. “You need to start getting life insurance while you’re young, because the cost is less significant [at a younger age],” said Wilkes.
GANG CG visits Fightertown Cpl. Sarah Cherry Staff Writer
Major General Thomas R. Moore, the commanding general of the Georgia Air National Guard, visited Marine Corps Air Station Beaufort, June 10. During the visit, Moore toured the Marine Fighter Attack Training Squadron 501 hangar and pilot training center. He was able to walk through the classrooms, sit in the F-35 simulator, and learn about the
classroom setup, schedule and equipment that will be used by student pilots. “The facilities here in Beaufort are world class,” said Moore. “It’s important for us to work with Beaufort here and at the Townsend Bombing Range.” The F-35 Joint Strike Fighter is a next generation aircraft intended to replace the F-18, F-16, AV-8B and A-10, as well see
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See Page 4 Cpl. Sarah Cherry
Corporal Dustin Clayton, an aircraft rescue and firefighting specialist, crawls through the confined space simulator at Pinewood Station 894 in Burton, S.C., June 10. The confined space simulator is designed to train firefighter to function calmly in small spaces.