Jet Stream The
Friday, July 18, 2014 Vol. 49, No. 28 Marine Corps Air Station Beaufort, S.C.
“The noise you hear is the sound of freedom.” Beaufort.Marines.mil
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VFW helps raise Marine Corps Ball Funds Page 7
Beaufort celebrates VMFAT-501 return Page 9
Marines engage insurgents 4th of July weekend Page 10
Warlords return to Beaufort
Courtesy Photo
Marine Corps Air Station Beaufort held a homecoming ceremony to celebrate the long awaited return of Marine Fighter Attack Training Squadron 501 to Fightertown, July 11. VMFAT-501 returned to Fightertown and with it, a new era in Marine Corps aviation.VMFAT-501 was located at MCAS Beaufort until 1997, when it deactivated. The squadron was reactivated in April 2010 and designated as a training squadron. After four years of training with the F-35B Lightning II the squadron moved back to MCAS Beaufort.
Cpl. John Wilkes Press Chief
Marine Fighter Attack Training Squadron 501 returned to Marine Corps Air Station Beaufort, July 11, and with it, the future of Marine Corps aviation. “July 11, 2014 marks the homecoming of Marine Fighter Attack Training Squadron 501 to the Lowcountry, after spending a couple years located at Eglin Air Force Base,” said Col. Peter Buck, the
commanding officer of MCAS Beaufort. “We have a strong relationship with Beaufort and the surrounding communities that has existed for over 71 years,” said Buck. “From our roots of training for anti-submarine patrols during World War II to now as we welcome this squadron that’s responsible for flying the nation’s fifth-generation, dominant aircraft, we’re fortunate to have the support of what we consider to be one of the most militaryfriendly communities in the nation.”
The beginnings of VMFAT-501 can be traced back to 1944, when it was activated as Marine Fighting Squadron 451, also known as the Blue Devils. During this time the squadron was stationed at Marine Corps Air Station Mojave, Calif. The squadron saw action during World War II and was later deactivated. In 1946, the Fightin’ Phillies, as they were known then, were reactivated as a reserve unit at Naval Air Station Willow Grove, Pa. and flew the F6F Hellcat.
When the Korean War began the unit was called to active duty and flew the F9F Panther. VMF-451 was relocated to MCAS El Toro, and remained there until Feb. 1, 1963, when they relocated to Marine Corps Air Station Beaufort, S.C. While aboard MCAS Beaufort, the Warlords deployed multiple times in support of various operations around the world. SEE
WARLORDS, PAGE 8
Sweathogs welcome new commmander Cpl. Sarah Cherry Staff Writer
Lt. Col. James B. Stone IV relinquished command of Marine Wing Support Squadron 273 to Lt. Col. Phillip J. Schendler aboard Marine Corps Air Station Beaufort, July 10. Stone, a native of Wytheville, Va.,
took command of the squadron in June 2013, saying he had “big shoes to fill.” The commander of Marine Aircraft Group 31, Col. William Lieblein, said that Stone “brought a positive energy to the command,” and “developed an aggressive training regiment,” and did a fine job of filling the previous commander’s shoes. Under his command, the squadron conducted multiple field training exercises aboard Ft. Stewart, Ga., and the Air Station. The Sweathogs also participated in community efforts including erosion control at Hunting Island State Park and tornado cleanup on St. Helena Island. “I’ve had a tremendous group of team players,” said Stone. “Any successes I’ve had are the successes of the Marines here.” MWSS-273 provides aviation ground support to the F-18 squadrons of Marine Aircraft Group 31. Their capabilities include refueling, engineering, SEE
SWEATHOGS, PAGE 6
Fighting Bengals fly back to Fightertown Cpl. John Wilkes Press Chief
Approximately 200 Marines with Marine All Weather Fighter Attack Squadron 224, also known as the Fighting Bengals, along with Marines with Marine Aviation Logistics Squadron 31, returned to Marine Corps Air Station Beaufort after a six-month deployment, July 11. The Fighting Bengals conducted a Western Pacific deployment to Iwakuni, Japan and worked alongside numerous units from the Marine Corps and other
foreign military allies. “We did standard operations and conducted training exercises with allies,” said Master Sgt. Robert Sanders, the maintenance chief with VMFA(AW)-224. “It was a great deployment; we got a lot of great training and came back with more experienced Marines.” While the Marines were deployed, their spouses were able to participate in various Marine Corps Family Team Building activities such as deployment workSEE
BENGALS, PAGE 6