Jet Stream The
Friday, September 12, 2014 Vol. 49, No. 36 Marine Corps Air Station Beaufort, S.C.
Mike Company Graduates See Page 15
“The noise you hear is the sound of freedom.” 2 3 facebook.com/MCASBeaufort 3 Beaufort.Marines.mil
twitter.com/MCASBeaufortSC
Air to ground: Marine Corps rappelling Page 10
1/4 Weapons conducts TOW battle drills Page 11
Military appreciation day Page 14
Sgt. Marcy Sanchez Public Affairs Chief
When Bolden Elementary / Middle School teachers engaged their students in conversation regarding Sept. 11th, not many knew the importance of the date or why “we will never forget.” To the students 9/11 is as much a part of history as World War II or the Civil War but to the teachers who lived through it, it’s far from history. The students were encouraged to research the date and impact on America. In the 2014 presidential proclamation regarding Patriot Day and National Day of Service and Remembrance, President Barack Obama outlines the importance of the date. “On a day that began like so many others, a clear blue sky was pierced by billowing black smoke as a wave of grief crashed over us. But in one of our darkest moments, we summoned strength and courage, and out of horrible devastation emerged the best of our humanity. On this solemn anniversary, we pause in remembrance, in reflection, and once again in unity.” The students viewed images and video of the events of 9/11 which, according to Kathy Holley, the gifted education teacher at Bolden Elementary / Middle School, impacted them and helped them understand the importance of remembering 9/11. “If we forget about it then we don’t grow from it,” said Tre Greeson, an 8th-grade student and son of Chief Warrant Officer William Greeson, officer in charge of combat camera, Marine Corps Recruit Depot Parris Island. “Remembering [9/11] is motivation to keep defending our country and not let something like this happen again.” “I feel as if we forget then it seems as if we don’t care about what happened and the people that died,” said Katlyn Warring, an 8th-grade student and daughter of Sgt. James Willett, senior drill instructor at MCRD Parris Island. “If we forget then we might let our guard down, and it might happen again.” Along with researching the importance of the date, students were asked to also write poetry concerning the impact the events of 9/11 had on them after knowing more about the date. “I wanted to write my poem a little different, so my dad and I came up with writing about the Twin Towers as if they had feelings,” said Tyler Kidd, a 7th-grade student and son of Gunnery Sgt. Joseph Kidd, Combat Logistics Company 23, Marine Corps Air Station Beaufort. Below is an excerpt from Tyler’s poem: I am gone but never forgotten I wonder if my twin feels my pain… I feel unstable and begin to sway I touch the heavens and begin to pray I worry that we can no longer stand I cry as we cannot protect the souls when we crumble to the ground I am gone but never forgotten see
9/11, page 13
Werewolves keep Hornets armed Sgt. Justin Pack
Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni
EILSON AFB, Alaska - With temperatures near freezing and a strong wind blowing in from the mountains, ordnance Marines with Marine Fighter Attack Squadron 122 worked to get their F/A18C Hornets ready for unit level training, named Distant Frontier, Sept. 3, aboard Eielson Air Force Base, Alaska. The Marines loaded MK-76 practice bombs for the squadron’s
bombing mission while conducting ULT in “The Last Frontier” State. The 25-pound MK-76 practice bomb is non-explosive and has a smoke cartridge to mark the impact point. For the past six months, VMFA122, nicknamed the “Werewolves,” has travelled throughout the Western Pacific as part of the unit deployment program with Marine see
WereWolves, page 9 Cpl. Sarah Cherry Staff Writer
Marine Fighter Attack Training Squadron 501 executed the first F-35B Lightning II Joint Strike Fighter flight supported entirely by Marine maintenance, Sept. 4. Maj. Michael Rountree, the aircraft maintenance officer of VMFAT-501, piloted the
flight. “It’s the culmination of the past three years of preparation and training and hard work to get the maintenance department trained, setup and moved to Beaufort from Eglin,” said Rountree, a native of Houston, Texas. “It feels pretty good. We passed our safe for flight inspection with flying colors due to the
experience and professionalism of our maintenance Marines. “Just seeing such high marks and great results as the maintenance officer makes me proud to be a part of this effort and a part of this squadron,” he said. see
F-35, page 8