MCAS Cherry Point News

An AV-8B Harrier from Marine Attack Squadron 542 takes off to conduct training sorties out of Marine Auxiliary Landing Field Bogue June 21. Marine Wing Support Squadron 274 provided engineering capabilities, firefighting assets and pure water amongst other services, to ensure MCALF Bogue could successfully support VMA-542. - An AV-8B Harrier from Marine Attack Squadron 542 takes off to conduct training sorties out of Marine Auxiliary Landing Field Bogue June 21. Marine Wing Support Squadron 274 provided engineering capabilities, firefighting assets and pure water amongst other services, to ensure MCALF Bogue could successfully support VMA-542.

Marines, Sailors endure heat, smoke during MAILED FIST field ops

Common scenes unfold at Marine Corps installations around the world. Marines stand guard around the perimeter, swatting at flies as they keep an eye out for the enemy. Harrier pilots receive their briefs in a hot, stuffy tent lacking air conditioning, then fly off to support troops on the ground. Convoys come and go, delivering the supplies needed

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Cpl. Donald L. Gronlund, a radio technician with Marine Wing Communications Squadron 28, does his job as he is highlighted for the Cherry Point Windsock flyby. - Cpl. Donald L. Gronlund, a radio technician with Marine Wing Communications Squadron 28, does his job as he is highlighted for the Cherry Point Windsock flyby.

Cherry Point Flyby: Cpl. Donald L. Gronlund

Highlighting Cherry Point's warriors What’s your job? We repair any communications equipment that deals with radio frequency. We do limited technical inspections where we hook up all the gear and test if it works. What’s your favorite aspect of your job? Knowing what we have over what the operators do and how they use the gear. What’s the most

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Jessica R. Romagnoli, a maintenance instructor at the Center for Naval Aviation Technical Training at Cherry Point, makes her way to halfway point during Cherry Point’s annual MCCS Mountain Bike Challenge at the Piranha Pit trails June 18. Romagnoli took first place for overall females with a time of 40 minutes, 10 seconds. - Jessica R. Romagnoli, a maintenance instructor at the Center for Naval Aviation Technical Training at Cherry Point, makes her way to halfway point during Cherry Point’s annual MCCS Mountain Bike Challenge at the Piranha Pit trails June 18. Romagnoli took first place for overall females with a time of 40 minutes, 10 seconds.

Cherry Point Mountain bikers gash, pry through Piranha Pit bike trails

More than 30 mountain bikers opted out of spending their Saturday morning sleeping in to hit Cherry Point’s tree canopied Piranha Pit trails for the air station’s annual Marine Corps Community Services Mountain Bike Challenge June 18.Soppy humid air greeted the early arriving riders, who consisted of active duty and retired service members as well

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New Wing Operations Center offers critical training opportunities

The 2nd Marine Aircraft Wing’s recent large force exercise, Exercise MAILED FIST 1-11, breathed life into a brand new tool that leaders say will redefine the way 2nd MAW conducts training and local operations. The Wing Operations Center, a windowless room with rows of work stations, a panel of large, wall-mounted monitors and, sometimes, an air of

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2nd Marine Aircraft Wing (Forward) intelligence Marines are using new technologies and techniques to stay ahead of insurgents in Afghanistan. U.S. Marine Corps photo illustration. - 2nd Marine Aircraft Wing (Forward) intelligence Marines are using new technologies and techniques to stay ahead of insurgents in Afghanistan. U.S. Marine Corps photo illustration.

Military intelligence Marines speak on recent accomplishments

The military intelligence community of 2nd Marine Aircraft Wing (Forward) said they are finding new ways to stay ahead of insurgents in Afghanistan. New software now enables the Marine Corps intelligence analysts to more quickly survey a suspected insurgent’s past activity and social ties, with the goal of providing a more accurate forecast of what

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Marine Attack Squadron 513 AV-8B Harriers bathe in the artificial light courtesy of Marine Wing Support Squadron-272 Marines on the runway of Kandahar Airfield, Afghanistan, June 21. MWSS-272 Marines, based in New River, N.C., installed 20 1,000-watt lights on the sunshades covering VMA-513’s Harriers from June 17-21. - Marine Attack Squadron 513 AV-8B Harriers bathe in the artificial light courtesy of Marine Wing Support Squadron-272 Marines on the runway of Kandahar Airfield, Afghanistan, June 21. MWSS-272 Marines, based in New River, N.C., installed 20 1,000-watt lights on the sunshades covering VMA-513’s Harriers from June 17-21.

Support squadron 'lightens' load for Harrier mechanics in Afghanistan

Every hour a Marine Corps AV-8B Harrier spends in the Afghan skies providing close-air support for troops on the ground requires many more hours of work for aviation mechanics and maintainers. “Maintenance is 24/7,” said Gunnery Sgt. Noel Mallari, an AV-8B airframes mechanic with Marine Attack Squadron 513. “From sunup to sundown, we’re always

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Marines with Marine Wing Support Squadron 272 and sailors from Naval Mobile Construction Battalion 7 excavate land for new living areas on the flightline at Camp Bastion, Afghanistan, June 23. Once completed, the project will include living areas, and dining and recreation facilities for Marines with 2nd Marine Aircraft Wing (Forward)’s aviation squadrons. “We are trying to give these Marines a closer place to live to their work areas,” explained Staff Sgt. Jefferson Brink, the project manager for Marine Wing Support Squadron 272. - Marines with Marine Wing Support Squadron 272 and sailors from Naval Mobile Construction Battalion 7 excavate land for new living areas on the flightline at Camp Bastion, Afghanistan, June 23. Once completed, the project will include living areas, and dining and recreation facilities for Marines with 2nd Marine Aircraft Wing (Forward)’s aviation squadrons. “We are trying to give these Marines a closer place to live to their work areas,” explained Staff Sgt. Jefferson Brink, the project manager for Marine Wing Support Squadron 272.

New living areas to bring aviation Marines closer to the flight

Marines and sailors in Afghanistan are nearing completion on a major land excavation project for new living areas for 2nd Marine Aircraft Wing (Forward) Marines who work on the flightline at Camp Bastion.Currently, the Marines live on Camp Leatherneck, but work in the hangars along Camp Bastion’s nearly 12,000-foot runway. The Marines’ daily

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Former enlisted Marine soars through ranks to fly helicopters in Afghanistan

“I grew up right in the flight path of Camp David,” said Erich Lloyd. “I would see the presidential helicopter coming to and from the retreat there, and I remember thinking how I always wanted to fly helicopters.” In his adolescence the Frederick, Md., native joined the Civil Air Patrol and Young Eagles aviation programs, cementing his interest in

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Sgt. Edwardo Amor, a Marine Attack Squadron 513 airframes mechanic and Dallas native, poses with his artwork on the AV-8B Harrier numbered “01” at Kandahar Airfield, Afghanistan, June 19. The sinister owl was partly inspired by the fact Amor would be deploying to a country in order to assist with International Security Assistance Force operations via close-air support with the squadron’s Harriers. “I wanted to make that aircraft unique,” Amor said. “I want people to know who 513 is.” - Sgt. Edwardo Amor, a Marine Attack Squadron 513 airframes mechanic and Dallas native, poses with his artwork on the AV-8B Harrier numbered “01” at Kandahar Airfield, Afghanistan, June 19. The sinister owl was partly inspired by the fact Amor would be deploying to a country in order to assist with International Security Assistance Force operations via close-air support with the squadron’s Harriers. “I wanted to make that aircraft unique,” Amor said. “I want people to know who 513 is.”

Art of War: Yuma Marine brings artistry to Afghan skies

Though insurgents and infantrymen may never see him, Sgt. Edwardo Amor is everywhere in southern Afghanistan. The Marine Attack Squadron 513 commanding officer’s AV-8B Harrier, numbered “01,” bears Amor’s artwork on its tail. In that sense, wherever the Harrier flies so does Amor.The design displays the VMA-513 Nightmares’ trademark owl against a

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Flintstone Md. native Cpl. Travis Alder is an MV-22B Osprey crew chief with Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron 264, deployed out of Marine Corps Air Station New River, N.C. He is currently serving his first tour and has accumulated more than 250 flight hours providing assault support for coalition ground troops in southwestern Afghanistan. - Flintstone Md. native Cpl. Travis Alder is an MV-22B Osprey crew chief with Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron 264, deployed out of Marine Corps Air Station New River, N.C. He is currently serving his first tour and has accumulated more than 250 flight hours providing assault support for coalition ground troops in southwestern Afghanistan.

Small town Marine realizes dream of flying

Amid his days spent fishing, hunting and ranching horses in his small hometown of Flintstone, Md., Travis Alder dreamt of flying. After graduating from Ft. Hill High School in Cumberland, Md., that dream would become a reality. Nearly three and a half years later, Alder is now a corporal in the Marine Corps, and an MV-22B Osprey crew chief with

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