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On September 15, 2018, a small group of Marines from the 2D Marine Aircraft Wing provide some of the first military support operations for Hurricane Florence search and rescue teams. In a remote corner of MCAS Cherry Point, N.C., Marine Wing Support Squadron Marines stand up a Forward Arming and Refueling Point to refuel U.S. Coast Guard SAR helicopters and others operating in the region. (U.S. Marine Corps video by Lance Cpl. Andrew King)

The Pit Crew of Marine Aviation! 2nd Marine Aircraft Wing’s #LetterOfTheDay in our weekly series #AviationAcademics is “F” for “Forward Arming, Refueling Point.” Be sure to “like” and “share” so your friends and families don’t miss out on this lesson! Leave a comment below letting us know what other #AviationAcademics you’d like us to cover! -------------------------------------------- “F” is for Forward Arming and Refueling Point – The primary mission of a forward arming refueling point is to provide fuel and ammunition to combat aircraft in a minimal amount of time. A FARP is mobile and expedient and allows for arming and refueling in many different places. FARPs can support both rotary-wing and fixed-wing aircraft. An average amount of time an aircraft will spend at a FARP is approximately 15 minutes. The U.S. Marine Corps units that conduct FARP operations are Marine Wing Support Squadrons. 2nd MAW has four MWSS squadrons; MWSS-271, 272, 273, and 274.

Marines assigned to Marine Wing Support Squadron 271 conduct forward arming and refueling point operations during the Weapons and Tactics Instructor 2-17 course near Marine Corps Air Station Yuma, AZ, April 29, 2017. The mission of the FARP is to provide fuel and ordnance necessary for rotary and fixed-winged aircraft while in a forward-deployed environment. WTI is a seven-week period of instruction that incorporates Marine Corps planning and implementation of advanced air and ground tactics through a series of escalating evolutions to produce certified Weapons and Tactics Instructors. MWSS-271 is assigned to Marine Aircraft Group 14, 2nd Marine Aircraft Wing. (U.S. Marine Corps video by Lance Cpl. Cody Lemons/Released)

Marine Wing Support Squadron 274, Marine Aircraft Group 29, 2nd Marine Aircraft Wing, conducts a field exercise aboard Marine Corps Outlying Field Atlantic and Marine Corps Auxiliary Field Bogue, N.C., Mar. 3-17, 2017. MWSS-274 established an air facility aboard MCALF Bogue capable of providing all airfield and air base support functions to MAG 29 squadrons with a forward arming and refueling point at MCOLF Atlantic. (Marine Corps video by Cpl. Jason Jimenez/ Released)

The senior leaders from squadrons assigned to Marine Aircraft Group 29, 2nd Marine Aircraft Wing convene for a Command Post Exercise during a field exercise aboard Marine Corps Auxiliary Landing Field Bogue, N.C., March 13, 2017. MAG-29 held a CPX to simulate operations in a deployed environment, which allowed them to practice different scenarios including Tactical Recovery of Aircraft Personnel. Marine Wing Support Squadron 274, MAG-29, established an air facility aboard Bogue capable of providing all airfield and air base support functions, to MAG-29 squadrons with a forward arming and refueling point at Marine Corps Outlying Field Atlantic, N.C.. (Marine Corps video by Cpl. Jason Jimenez/ Released)

Marine Wing Support Squadron 274 conducts a field exercise aboard Marine Corps Outlying Field Atlantic, N.C., March 10, 2017. MWSS-274 established an air facility aboard Marine Corps Auxiliary Landing Field Bogue capable of providing all airfield and air base support functions to Marine Aircraft Group 29 squadrons with a forward arming and refueling point at Atlantic. More products will be released as the field exercise continues. (Marine Corps Video by Cpl. Jason Jimenez/ Released)