Cherry Point’s Tigers return to North Carolina

By Cpl. Samuel A. Nasso | Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point | January 27, 2011

Capt. Michael R. Donlin, an AV-8B Harrier pilot with Marine Attack Squadron 542, greets his daughter Bailey and his wife Lexi upon his return to Cherry Point Jan. 21, after a six-month deployment with the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit. Donlin, along with three additional pilots were among the last VMA-542 Marines to return from deployment with the 31st MEU. “It’s a great feeling to have everyone in one place,” said Lt. Col. Joshua L. Luck, the commanding officer of VMA-542. “We overcame a lot of obstacles and supported a fair share of exercises over the past six and a half months.” The Marines of the 31st MEU supported exercises in Iwakuni, Japan, the Philippines, Singapore and Hong Kong.

MARINE CORPS AIR STATION CHERRY POINT, N.C. (Jan. 21, 2011) -- Capt. Michael R. Donlin, an AV-8B Harrier pilot with Marine Attack Squadron 542, greets his daughter Bailey and his wife Lexi upon his return to Cherry Point Jan. 21, after a six-month deployment with the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit. Donlin, along with three additional pilots were among the last VMA-542 Marines to return from deployment with the 31st MEU. “It’s a great feeling to have everyone in one place,” said Lt. Col. Joshua L. Luck, the commanding officer of VMA-542. “We overcame a lot of obstacles and supported a fair share of exercises over the past six and a half months.” The Marines of the 31st MEU supported exercises in Iwakuni, Japan, the Philippines, Singapore and Hong Kong.