MCAS Cherry Point News - Year 2012

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Marines

Archive: 2012

Harrier pilot recognized for ‘challenging conventional wisdom’

Lt. Col. Mark Elfers, executive officer of Marine Attack Squadron 223, received the 2nd place 2012 Maj. Gen. Harold W. Chase Essay Contest Award from the Marine Corps Gazette Dec. 10 at Cherry Point.Maj. Gen. Glenn M. Walters, commanding general of 2nd Marine Aircraft Wing, presented the award to Elfers.. The essay, “Don’t Accomplish Your Plan;

Search and rescue Marines stay ready through constant training

Frequent, tough, realistic training helps maintain the prowess demanded of America’s expeditionary force in readiness. Marine Transport Squadron 1’s search and rescue members train as often as two or three times a day to be ready in case they have to jump into action.VMR-1’s SAR unit conducts training ranging from rappelling from its HH-46E Sea

MCIEAST hosts gubernatorial visit

MARINE CORPS BASE CAMP LEJEUNE, N.C. – North Carolina Gov. Beverly E. Perdue and Governor-elect Pat McCrory visited the three bases in the state attached to Marine Corps Installations East Friday to build relationships between the incoming governor and military and community leaders.“Each installation has its own specific issues and concerns,” said

Flyby: Cpl. Rashad Ellis

Marine Heavy Helicopter Squadron 366, a CH-53E Super Stallion squadron, provides heavy lift capabilities and transport of combat troops, supplies and equipment for the 2nd Marine Aircraft Wing. Cpl. Rashad Ellis, a CH-53E mechanic and aerial observer, helps keep the squadron’s aircraft mission ready at all times.“Our tempo can go from slow to crazy

MALS-40 activates for Afghanistan

Marine Aviation Logistics Squadron 40, commanded by Lt. Col. Ryan G. Goulette, was activated during a ceremony at Miller’s Landing Wednesday.During the ceremony, Goulette and Master Gunnery Sgt. Prentice P. Lucas, the unit’s senior enlisted advisor, uncased the squadron’s colors, signifying the official activation.The squadron will deploy to

VMGR-252 Marines return home

A detachment of more than 30 Marines with Marine Aerial Refueler Transport Squadron 252 returned to Cherry Point Saturday from a seven-month deployment with the 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit.The detachment deployed with the Camp Lejeune-based MEU to provide aerial refueling and troop and cargo transport capabilities while operating primarily in

How a high school play opened my heart to Vietnam Vets

It was opening night for the Chesaning Association of Performing Arts winter competition play “Tracers.” Within the first five minutes, during a scene when my character was at boot camp in the push-up position, I noticed several large, elderly men walking out of the theater.This was the first time I had acted in a high school play, and it was a

Navy special boat team prepares locally for counter-drug ops abroad

As waves tossed two small assault boats around, the Sailors aboard were on watch for movement on the water as their small vessels made their way to the insertion point.Cold water splashed over the walls of the boats, but the Sailors didn’t deviate from their course. They stood ready to deploy into the wet marshlands, where intelligence informed

Have yourself a merry little Christmas dinner

With the holiday season upon the Marines and Sailors of Cherry Point, one can practically smell Mom’s Christmas turkey roasting.Military service comes with sacrifices, and some service members will not make it home for the holidays.The food service specialists at the air station mess hall will work tirelessly to make sure all patrons have a great

Marine aviation honored at 109th anniversary of first flight

In the small town in North Carolina’s Outer Banks where aviation was born on this date 109 years ago, little is the same. The area once sought out by two brothers from Ohio for its ideal windy weather and relative seclusion is now a popular beach town. A large memorial now looms over a hill near the air strip the Wright Brothers used on that