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MCAS Cherry Point News

 

Eager Hawk: MAG-14 exercises expeditionary skills

7 Mar 2013 | Cpl. Andrea Cleopatra Dickerson Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point

Marine Aircraft Group 14 deployed approximately 120 personnel to Marine Corps Auxiliary Landing Field Bogue Friday, in support of Exercise Eager Hawk.

The purpose of the training is to help refine the group’s organizational understanding of how to conduct high tempo operations in an austere environment. The command hopes to build a foundation upon which solid command and control can be exercised in a deployed environment in support of any operational plan or theater security cooperation event, said Maj. Brent Looby, MAG-14 operations officer.

“One of our mission essential tasks as a Marine air group is to be able to conduct expeditionary aviation operations,” said Col. Bob Sofge, MAG-14 commanding officer.

With the help of Marine Wing Support Squadron 271 and Marine Air Control Group 28, MAG-14 set up flight and logistical operations.

“We can’t do this alone, we need each other in order to perform our mission,” Sofge said. “One squadron is supplying the power, another unit is setting up communication connectivity, and civilian technical representatives are on site to assist Marines to better understand the finer points of their equipment.”

Lance Cpl. Kimberly N. Huerta, a field wireman with MWSS-271, said the role the communication Marines play is essential to mission accomplishment.

“We set up and provided phone services to all the tents here,” she said. “It is our job to make sure they can communicate with each other and the Marines back at Cherry Point. Training exercises like this are important so we can learn how to troubleshoot in a timely manner, just in case something goes down during a real scenario.” 

Exercise Eager Hawk is a complex scenario involving close air support, strike coordination and reconnaissance and aerial interdiction.

“Overall, I’m hoping this training helps the Marines gain a refined understanding of the service the group provides to flying squadrons,” said Sofge.

Throughout the deployment, MAG-14 will continue to provide the full spectrum of support to the 2nd Marine Aircraft Wing and its subordinate elements.


Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point