MARINE CORPS AIR STATION CHERRY POINT, N.C --
110
Marines and Sailors with Marine Attack Squadron 223, Marine Aviation Logistics
Squadron 14 and Marine Wing Support Squadron 274 returned to Marine Corps Air
Station Cherry Point, N.C., Oct. 26, 2014 following a nine-month deployment
aboard the USS Bataan with the 22nd Marine Expeditionary Unit.
Family
and friends gathered at the VMA-223 hangar displaying “welcome home” signs and
waving American flags as six MV-22 Ospreys circled overhead before landing on
the runway.
“During
the deployment, we performed several field operations,” said Sgt. Miguel
Robert, a bulk fuel specialist with MWSS-274.
The
mission of the 22nd MEU is to provide the United States with a forward
deployed, amphibious force-in-readiness prepared to execute missions in all
combat and military operations.
According
to Robert, learning about and refueling the different types of aircraft was his
favorite part of the deployment.
“The
deployment went well, but if feels great for me to be home again,” said Robert.
According
to Maj. Michael Murphy, executive officer of the air combat element with Marine
Medium Tiltrotor Squadron 26 (reinforced), in preparation for the deployment,
the Marines underwent three-months of pre-deployment and readiness training.
“During
the deployment, the Marines supported the Central Command in the Middle East,
performed embassy evacuation in Tripoli and provided support for the Iraqi crisis,”
said Murphy.
According
to Murphy, the Marines performed exceptionally well and the mission was a success.