MCAS Cherry Point News

Retired Maj. Gen. Thomas A. Braaten, former commander of Marine Corps Air Bases East and commanding general of Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point, speaks to a crowd of 500 Cherry Point and surrounding community residents during an annual aviation history gala at the Havelock Tourist and Event Center in Havelock, N.C., Jan. 27. - Retired Maj. Gen. Thomas A. Braaten, former commander of Marine Corps Air Bases East and commanding general of Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point, speaks to a crowd of 500 Cherry Point and surrounding community residents during an annual aviation history gala at the Havelock Tourist and Event Center in Havelock, N.C., Jan. 27.

Aviation Marines with Marine Attack Squadron 231, “Ace of Spades,” wearing flightsuits and Marine Tactical Electronic Warfare Squadron 4, “Seahawks,” wearing Marine Corps Utilities flip the KC-130J tires in the last stretch of the “Feats of Strength” competition on the Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point flight line Jan. 23. The “Ace of Spades” started with a strong lead but barley won with a neck-and-neck photo finish one tire lead. ::r::::n::::r::::n:: - Aviation Marines with Marine Attack Squadron 231, “Ace of Spades,” wearing flightsuits and Marine Tactical Electronic Warfare Squadron 4, “Seahawks,” wearing Marine Corps Utilities flip the KC-130J tires in the last stretch of the “Feats of Strength” competition on the Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point flight line Jan. 23. The “Ace of Spades” started with a strong lead but barley won with a neck-and-neck photo finish one tire lead. ::r::::n::::r::::n::

The Marine Corps has Uniform Victim Advocates in place across the Corps’ to directly deal with sexual assault, and the billet was recently made mandatory in non-deployable units. “My sole purpose is to support the victims and get them the assistance they need or want and not to judge them,” said Staff Sgt. Racheal Benezette, UVA for Headquarters and Headquarters Squadron. “I am there by their side until they no longer need me, and then I ensure that they are still receiving follow on support from counseling or whatever it may be.” - The Marine Corps has Uniform Victim Advocates in place across the Corps’ to directly deal with sexual assault, and the billet was recently made mandatory in non-deployable units. “My sole purpose is to support the victims and get them the assistance they need or want and not to judge them,” said Staff Sgt. Racheal Benezette, UVA for Headquarters and Headquarters Squadron. “I am there by their side until they no longer need me, and then I ensure that they are still receiving follow on support from counseling or whatever it may be.”

Cpl. Francisco Rodriguez Hernandez Jr. and his wife Jessica were presented the Service Family of the Quarter award at the Carolina Grill in Havelock, N.C. Jan. 24. The couple received the award for their volunteer work and dedication to the community. Rodriguez is the noncommissioned officer in charge of barracks managers for Marine Aircraft Group 14 aboard Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point. - Cpl. Francisco Rodriguez Hernandez Jr. and his wife Jessica were presented the Service Family of the Quarter award at the Carolina Grill in Havelock, N.C. Jan. 24. The couple received the award for their volunteer work and dedication to the community. Rodriguez is the noncommissioned officer in charge of barracks managers for Marine Aircraft Group 14 aboard Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point.

Lance Cpl. Jacob L. Nichols, an aviation information systems specialist with Marine Heavy Helicopter Squadron 366, embraces his wife, Brittany, while he kisses his daughter, Kyleigh, goodbye Jan. 25, 2012 before the squadron departs for Afghanistan. The squadron departed on a seven-month deployment, where they will support Operation Enduring Freedom. - Lance Cpl. Jacob L. Nichols, an aviation information systems specialist with Marine Heavy Helicopter Squadron 366, embraces his wife, Brittany, while he kisses his daughter, Kyleigh, goodbye Jan. 25, 2012 before the squadron departs for Afghanistan. The squadron departed on a seven-month deployment, where they will support Operation Enduring Freedom.

Marines with 2nd Marine Aircraft Wing's Military Police Company stand in formation for the last time Jan. 26 before de-activating during a ceremony at their headquarters building aboard Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point. The company was activated on April 25, 2009 and comprised of a headquarters section and 4 platoons, located at Marine Corps Air Stations Beaufort, New River and Cherry Point. "This and all other MP Companies Marine Corps wide will be shutting down and consolidating in three large battalions that will be known as the 'Law Enforcement Battalion,'" said Capt. Jonathon C. Ajinga, the commanding officer of 2nd MAW MP Company. "Each of the Marine Expeditionary Forces will have a battalion of MP's. These Marines will be under the direct command of the MEF and will be assigned duties as seen fit." - Marines with 2nd Marine Aircraft Wing's Military Police Company stand in formation for the last time Jan. 26 before de-activating during a ceremony at their headquarters building aboard Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point. The company was activated on April 25, 2009 and comprised of a headquarters section and 4 platoons, located at Marine Corps Air Stations Beaufort, New River and Cherry Point. "This and all other MP Companies Marine Corps wide will be shutting down and consolidating in three large battalions that will be known as the 'Law Enforcement Battalion,'" said Capt. Jonathon C. Ajinga, the commanding officer of 2nd MAW MP Company. "Each of the Marine Expeditionary Forces will have a battalion of MP's. These Marines will be under the direct command of the MEF and will be assigned duties as seen fit."

Sgt. Jacob R. Ruggles, an assistant data clerk with Marine Air Control Squadron 2, moves to contact during the second day of a field exercise MACS-2 conducted at Combat Town aboard MCB Camp Lejeune, N.C., Jan. 18. Combat Town is a training facility used to increase proficiency while partrolling through urban environments. - Sgt. Jacob R. Ruggles, an assistant data clerk with Marine Air Control Squadron 2, moves to contact during the second day of a field exercise MACS-2 conducted at Combat Town aboard MCB Camp Lejeune, N.C., Jan. 18. Combat Town is a training facility used to increase proficiency while partrolling through urban environments.

Sgt. Korey Norman, ordnance Marine with Marine Heavy Helicopter Squadron 366, and his wife, Jo Norman, share a much awaited kiss after an eight-month deployment to Djibouti with HMH-366 Jan. 20. In order to not miss Christmas together, Jo decorated the Norman residence with a Christmas tree and stockings in January to celebrate a late Christmas with Korey once he came home. - Sgt. Korey Norman, ordnance Marine with Marine Heavy Helicopter Squadron 366, and his wife, Jo Norman, share a much awaited kiss after an eight-month deployment to Djibouti with HMH-366 Jan. 20. In order to not miss Christmas together, Jo decorated the Norman residence with a Christmas tree and stockings in January to celebrate a late Christmas with Korey once he came home.

Lt. Col. Mark Revor, commanding officer of Marine Heavy Helicopter Squadron 363, pays his respects to his six fallen Marines during a ceremony at Camp Bastion, Afghanistan, Jan. 24. The men died when their CH-53D Sea Stallion helicopter crashed conducting combat operations in Helmand province, Afghanistan, Jan. 19. While the crash is currently under investigation, NATO officials said there were no signs of enemy activity in the area at the time of the incident. “It is difficult to be here, easier to suppress our emotions and move on with our daily routine,” said Lt. Col. Mark Revor, commanding officer of Marine Heavy Helicopter Squadron 363, in his remarks at the ceremony. “It is difficult because they were more than friends, more than family – they were our brothers and our comrades.” - Lt. Col. Mark Revor, commanding officer of Marine Heavy Helicopter Squadron 363, pays his respects to his six fallen Marines during a ceremony at Camp Bastion, Afghanistan, Jan. 24. The men died when their CH-53D Sea Stallion helicopter crashed conducting combat operations in Helmand province, Afghanistan, Jan. 19. While the crash is currently under investigation, NATO officials said there were no signs of enemy activity in the area at the time of the incident. “It is difficult to be here, easier to suppress our emotions and move on with our daily routine,” said Lt. Col. Mark Revor, commanding officer of Marine Heavy Helicopter Squadron 363, in his remarks at the ceremony. “It is difficult because they were more than friends, more than family – they were our brothers and our comrades.”

Sgt. Maj. Thomas E. Sherwood, former sergeant major of Headquarters and Headquarters Squadron of Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point, salutes H&HS commanding officer, Lt. Col. Samuel P. Mowery, after passing his duties off to Sgt. Maj. Holly C. Prafke during a relief and appointment ceremony on the MCAS Cherry Point parade field Jan. 20, 2012. Sherwood is moving on to assume responsibility as sergeant major of Marine Aviation Logistics Squadron 29 of MCAS New River. "This squadron has its DNA on just about everything that happens on this station," said Sherwood. "We run this base, as well as the air space." - Sgt. Maj. Thomas E. Sherwood, former sergeant major of Headquarters and Headquarters Squadron of Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point, salutes H&HS commanding officer, Lt. Col. Samuel P. Mowery, after passing his duties off to Sgt. Maj. Holly C. Prafke during a relief and appointment ceremony on the MCAS Cherry Point parade field Jan. 20, 2012. Sherwood is moving on to assume responsibility as sergeant major of Marine Aviation Logistics Squadron 29 of MCAS New River. "This squadron has its DNA on just about everything that happens on this station," said Sherwood. "We run this base, as well as the air space."