Jet Stream The
Friday, August 8, 2014 Vol. 49, No. 31 Marine Corps Air Station Beaufort, S.C.
Golf and Papa Company Graduates
See Page 11
“The noise you hear is the sound of freedom.”
n Entertainment n News Briefs n Weather n Around the Corps n Graduates
2 3 3 8 11
PMO hikes aboard Fightertown Page 5
2nd MAW supports Exercise Carolina Dragon Page 8
Mechanics ensure success in Afghanistan Page 9
Cpl. Brendan Roethel Editor
The Marines with Marine Wing Support Squadron 273 departed July 30, and made their way to Fort Stewart in Hinesville, Ga., for Field Exercise 2-14. Field Exercise 2-14 is a 10 to 12 day field exercise the squadron conducts in order to get Marines and sailors tactically ready with weapon familiarization, performing land navigation, living in the field and gives them a chance to execute their Military Occupational Specialties in the field, according to Master Sgt. Daniel Rodriguez, the motor transport chief for MWSS-273. While the squadron is at FEX 2-14, it will carry out various convoys, working and sleeping in field tents and be employing field mechanisms used to help the squadron be self-sufficient in the field. According to Rodriguez, the exercise is a way for each company and section to come together and see each other’s job proficiency within the squadron. For some of the Marines and sailors involved this is their first time in the field or in a training environment like this. “I expect them to learn the basic fundamentals of a convoy and patrolling, refueling on the go and getting more hands-on with their jobs rather than their usual day-to-day assignments,” Rodriguez said. Not all of the Marines and sailors are new to this environment. For many, this will be a chance to pass on their knowledge and expertise to other service members who have never stepped foot in this type of environment. “I have participated in many different training exercises throughout my career,” Rodriguez said. “I expect the newer and junior Marines to sharpen see
Hershel Walker visits Fightertown
Pursuing a dream: Fightertown pilot to fly with Blue Angels Cpl. John Wilkes Press Chief
See Pg. 7
MWss-273, pAge 4
For some, aviation is a hobby. For others, it’s a way of life. “Flying is something that has always amazed me,” said Capt. Jeff Kuss, a pilot with Marine Fighter Attack Squadron 312 aboard Marine Corps Air Station Beaufort. “I can remember playing with jets when I was little.” His passion for flying continued to grow as he got older. “I started flying as a civilian in high school and when I learned more about the Marine Corps I knew that was the route I wanted to go,” said Kuss, a 30-year-old native of Durango, Colo. After graduating high school, Kuss attended Fort Lewis College and graduated with a degree in economics in 2006. From there, he went to Officer Candidate School and The Basic School, where he was commissioned as a 2nd lieutenant. He attended flight training in Pensacola, Fla. and learned to fly jets in Kingsville, Texas. In 2011, Kuss was assigned to VMFA-312 and went on to participate in various training see
Angels, pAge 6