Summer 2009 http://www.1maw.usmc.mil/index.asp?unit=%27hmm-262%27

Our MWSS Marines provided us fuel at an expeditionary airfield and the Air Support Element provided airspace control. After a couple of days of liberty in Brisbane, Australia, the squadron once again boarded the USS Essex to begin the journey home. Once we returned to Okinawa, we began the turnover process with HMM-265. In doing so, we bade farewell to our EXECUTIVE OFFICER: squadron mates from HMLA-267, Tigers, HMH-465, MALS-36 MWSS- Our recent trip “down under” was a 172/171, and Det-18. We wish them resounding success both safe travels home and look forward professionally and personally. to serving with them again. Exercise Talisman Saber was a once- Congratulations are in order to in-a-lifetime opportunity for most of

A Message From the Commanding LtCol Douglas Schueler and his wife the Marines in the squadron to visit Officer: Shannon on a successful command Australia and work with our Aussie tour. He has checked into the Naval IN THIS ISSUE: Flying Tiger Families and Friends, War College where he will be attending Top Level School. The • Executive Officer 1 • The squadron performed Change of Command was 28 July in Sergeant Major 2 • magnificently during Exercise Brisbane, Australia on the deck of Administration 2 • TALISMAN SABER 09. You the USS Essex and was a fitting Intel 2 should all be justifiably proud of farewell to LtCol Schueler. • Operations 3 your Marines and sailors. They I am honored and humbled to be a • Logistics 5 worked long hours both day and member of the World Famous Flying • Human Affairs 5 night to provide the Marines of the Tigers and look forward to serving as • Safety 6 Battalion Landing Team 3/5 and our the Commanding Officer. • Maintenance 7 , Australian counterparts the best • Medical 8 support possible. Day and night live • FRO 8 John P. “Vegas” Mee fire, close air support, assault support • Promotions/Awards 9 and resupply all went as well as LtCol USMC could be hoped for. allies. By all accounts, the exercise has been a smooth journey for my was a success and all leaders family and me. We will keep your involved were pleased with the family in our prayers as you all move performance of the “Flying Tigers.” on to better things. Good luck and It also gave us the opportunity to may God continue to shine upon you. conduct training on a more realistic Marines and Sailors, I ask that we basis than we have had in past not lose focus on the task at hand. exercises. Everyone thoroughly Stay motivated and thanks for all you enjoyed the flying over the training do. area and the Great Barrier Reef. -Sergeant Major Robertson

Our final deployment of the spring patrol was punctuated by SERGEANT MAJOR: ADMINISTRATION S-1: crossing the equator and liberty visits Greetings 262! Balikatan 09 was a great success in to both Cairns and Brisbane, As your Sergeant Major, every last the S-1 shop. We showed our Australia. Everyone enjoyed the one of you continues to amaze me expeditious capabilities moving from friendliness and hospitality shown by with your knowledge and the ship to being land-based for the the Australians, and from feedback compassion for your job. As I length of the exercise. Upon given by Aussies at both locations, observe the Marines and Sailors of returning to Futenma, we welcomed the Marines of HMM-262 (REIN) this great squadron, it truly motivates two new additions to the shop: SSgt were good ambassadors of the me to see you all doing what you do Zarate, who is taking over for GySgt United States and will be best and that is keeping the aircraft Hjorten as Admin Chief, and Maj enthusiastically welcomed back. flying and the Corpsmen keeping the Moor, as the new OIC. The large All good things must come to an end Marines fit. In a nut shell, “GREAT turnover in the shop kept us busy as and with the recent change of TEAMWORK.” we prepared for Talisman Saber ‘09. command and impending MEU Congratulations are in order for all Upon the completion TS09 the S-1 turnover, the spring patrol is nearing the Marines that were promoted and shop was flooded with awards to be completion. In the last few weeks, received an award this past quarter. processed for many hard charging even before the end of the exercise, “Devil Dogs.” S-1 now prepares for Good job and keep up the good work. st we started to say farewell to some of I ask that we also congratulate our its ranks to be cut due to the 31 our squadron mates. Some of these winners of last week’s boards, MEU detachment personnel fine Marines were members of our Marine of the Quarter (LCpl Attlee), departing back to San Diego, CA. southern California detachments but NCO of the Quarter (Sgt Just as Maj Moor is getting many were core squadron members. Richardson) and Meritorious comfortable as the OIC he is now The most well known of these were Sergeant (Cpl Sears). Get some! shifting roles and taking over the the Commanding Officer and Gunnery Sergeant Abreu, I know DoSS. Capt Tyson will be coming Executive Officer. I was having your former senior drill over from Operations to take over as apprehensive about assuming the instructor, who is our very own the new OIC. role of the XO from Maj Korenek MSgt Hadley, to pin on your rank - Capt Nick “Catfish” Harvey after his enviable performance over had to be a great feeling. I’m sure the last year. I will try to maintain MSgt Hadley is extremely proud of INTELLIGENCE S-2: his level of performance as we you. That was truly awesome! For the month of July, the Tigers’ S- transition into a new chapter in the I would like to congratulate our 2 began with an enjoyable liberty “Flying Tigers’” story. previous commanding officer, LtCol port in Cairns, Australia. After Semper Fi, Schueler, on his selection to Colonel returning from the port visit, the S-2 and wish him and his family the very kicked into high gear supporting the Major “Waldo” Gioia best. Sir, as your Sergeant Major, it ACE with a number of flight briefs, pilot debriefs, and a multitude

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A CH-46E Sea Knight prepares to land on the deck of the USS Essex during Exercise Talisman Saber ’09 in Australia. of threat briefs. Throughout the the Change of Command. executing a successful exercise the S-2 also gained Following the ceremony, the embarkation of HMM- valuable training in producing shop and the unit enjoyed 262(REIN) aircraft aboard C2PC overlays, developing daily another fantastic liberty port in Amphibious Ready Group updates on the enemy situation, the city of Brisbane and the (ARG) shipping for the transit to and aerial photography, as well Gold Coast. the Republic of the Philippines as other products in support of -1stLt Sean Gallagher for Exercise Balikatan ’09. This the MEU. Talisman Saber ’09 exercise presented the unique went smoothly for HMM-262 OPERATIONS S-3: challenge of sending the entire (REIN) with the timely and The last few months have found Aviation Combat Element accurate products for the the World Famous “Flying (ACE) ashore to Clark Air Base multitude of missions such as Tigers” extending our in order to participate in joint CASEVACs, CAS, Aerial professional reputation operations with Filipino Marines. Reconnaissance, Troop throughout the Pacific Theater After a weeklong transit past the Insertions and Extracts, as we achieved a myriad of Straits of Taiwan involving resupplies, etc. After the operational accomplishments. Carrier Qualification proficiency successful completion of the April began with the and daily flight planning, the exercise the S-2 participated in Operations Department 3 ever carrier landing performed on the island. One of the major by a Filipino helicopter crew and preparations required for the a joint close air support mission upcoming exercise in Australia by a division of aircraft was the need to streamline the consisting of an AH-1W tracking of flight hours while SuperCobra, a UH-1N Huey, operating afloat. Thanks to and a Filipino MD-500 Defender, many hours of hard work put in providing fires in the Crow by SSgt Mercado, Sgt Heite, Cpl Valley Range. By executing this Greenough, LCpl Smith, LCpl wide variety of missions, the Moya-Albarracin, and 1stLt squadron showcased the unique Christman, the Operations clerks ability of the ACE to conduct set up a new database that can be sustained operations ashore. used independently of the Following a successful sporadic internet connection that retrograde from Clark Air Base often times occurs while to ARG shipping and several conducting blue-water days of well earned liberty in the operations. Without a doubt, port of Subic Bay, the “Flying their efforts drastically reduced Tigers” steamed north back to the administrative workload Major Aaron Marx, HMLA- Okinawa to prepare for our next necessary during daily flight 267 Det OIC and squadron challenge, Exercise Talisman operations. operations officer. Saber in Queensland, Australia. As the month of June Upon return to MCAS concluded, the Flying Tigers Squadron made the 50-mile Futenma, the squadron was again embarked aboard vessels transition ashore. Within hours, rejoined by two recent Weapons from Expeditionary Strike a make-shift hangar was set up and Tactics Instructor (WTI) Group Seven for the journey to at the southern end of the course graduates, Capt Dan Australia. The two-week transit airfield and the ACE was fully “Squeaky” Schierling and Sgt involved many days of open- operational. The next two Michael Burgett. ocean operations and the weeks found Tiger aircraft Additionally, the Operations opportunity for a few Marines to crisscrossing the entirety of the Department was augmented by participate in the traditional island of Luzon as HMM- Sgt Robert Heite, newly arrived “Shellback” ceremony as we 262(REIN) was tasked with a crossed the equator into the multitude of missions that Southern Hemisphere. ranged from Close Air Support Upon arriving in Australian of infantry units operating at the waters, the squadron pulled into Crow Valley Range Complex, to the tropical city of Cairns for a Casualty Evacuation missions to working port visit. This allowed the major metropolitan hospital the squadron to conduct some in Manila, to passenger and needed aircraft maintenance and cargo movements between accomplish last minute Filipino bases. Instructor pilots coordination with our Australian from the Squadron trained our counterparts prior to kicking off allied counterparts in Night the exercise. Vision Goggle operations, Capt. Andrew Robbins heads Talisman Saber ’09 provided terrain flight profiles, and the toward Mt. Suribachi during the “Flying Tigers” with the shipboard environment. This a PME trip to Iwo Jima. opportunity to conduct tactical training culminated in the first training against a living and 4

Several members of the squadron took the opportunity to visit Correigidor during Exercise Balikatan. thinking enemy force provided airfield, which greatly increased by Australian and U.S. Army LOGISTICS S-4: the operational capabilities of the Reserve units. On any given The Logistics department has ACE. At the completion of mission, the aircraft were able to continued to be busy due to Talisman Saber 09 we supported practice tactical flight techniques operations with the 31 st MEU the Squadron Change of such as terrain flight, section Spring Patrol Cycle. The Command from LtCol Schueler mechanics, and aerial embarkation and debarkation of to LtCol Mee. Now back at reconnaissance. The exercise the squadron onto the USS Essex Futenma, the Logistics was an overwhelming success department is now focused on the and movements ashore for st and after a few more days of Balikatan ‘09 and Talisman 31 MEU turnover with HMM- sailing, the Flying Tigers pulled Saber ‘09 provided significant 265 and assisting the DET into the port of Brisbane. challenges which have been met Marines return to their families The first order of business upon and overcome. Additionally, the and homes in California. arrival was a heartfelt farewell to Logistics department provided – Capt Parley “Grimace” our Commanding Officer, LtCol supplies as needed to prepare the Williams Doug “Shubone” Schueler. The squadron aircraft to pass the squadron formed up on the flight Australian Quarantine Inspection HUMAN AFFAIRS S-5: deck for the solemn change of before Talisman Saber ‘09. The S-5 shop has been busy since command ceremony and While deployed for Talisman the last installment of Tiger Tales. welcomed LtCol John “Vegas” Saber ‘09, we supported a cross- The pool party at Clark Air Force Mee as he assumed command of decked AH-1/UH-1 DET from Base in the Philippines was as the “Flying Tigers.” the USS Essex to the USS refined as it gets in the Marine The squadron returned to Denver for CALFEX in Australia. Corps. The Stotsenburg Hotel Okinawa Aug 12, with the dets During the Force-on-Force welcomed us back with open returning to Calfornia less than portion of Talisman Saber, our arms making the party a great two weeks later. Bulk Fuel specialists provided an success. Success here is judged -Capt D.W. Underwood outstanding FARP at Sam Hill by the number of people soaking 5 wet by the end of the night. It pull on the rope. The entire was a refreshing end to a busy squadron crowded in to count couple weeks in very hot and cadence for our team. If any of humid weather. After Balikatan, our Marines are without rhythm we returned to Okinawa and said it wasn’t evident on this day. goodbye to several of our own. The finale was provided by a few S-5 changed up the scenery from reluctant but motivated Marines the usual on base Habu Pit to who after 10 rounds around a Peter’s Place, an off base baseball bat could hardly stand, Sgt Eric Driz, left, and Cpl Chinese restaurant frequented by let alone sprint, to a small orange Diego Ascencio replace an Marines on Island. Food was cone at the other end of a sea of environmental control unit in devoured, beers were drunk, and shouting people. The Phrog Cup an AH1 Cobra helicopter. goodbyes were drawn out, but competition was a welcome still none of it could compare to break in the long hours and hard noticeable change was the the deafening sound of pilots work it took to get the squadron removal and replacement of our singing karaoke. So much for and aircraft ready for Talisman fearless (yet prudent) leader, Maj double hearing protection! Saber. “Waldo” Gioia. The loss is While some left Okinawa, soon First stop for S-5 was a bittersweet, because although we after a few made it to the “Flying Kangaroo Court in Cairns where will miss him, he is still nearby Tigers’” last crusade before pilots have a chance to receive or in spirit, and also in person. leaving for Australia. The battle change their callsign. The S-5 Maj Donald “DC” Moor was against HMM-265 for the gives it’s thanks to 1stLts stepped right in to fill the role of infamous Phrog Cup. The Christman and Schiler for their the squadron’s top safety battleground was the Semper Fit fine detective work in locating professional, leaving the rest of Gym and anywhere we could the perfect place for general the DoSS shop very little hold a competition. The Flying merriment. Only one question opportunity to “party like the Tigers took the volleyball, remains after that night: Betty, parents are away.” Maj Moor football, relay race, and soccer what were you thinking!?! Now was the squadron’s personnel events. Most noteworthy was the Talisman Saber has come to a officer for three months before domination of the soccer arena close, and as the rest of the becoming the DoSS, and is now by our underdog team without squadron prepares to turn over dexterously running both shops jerseys or even shin guards to the MEU, the S-5 is hard at work while he waits for a replacement their names. At a tie, it all came preparing for more farewells, the for his old billet. down to a Futenma Flightline Fair, and the Capt David “DUH” Dixon, the Marine Corps Birthday Ball. Cobra detachment’s NATOPS -Capt Courtney Slafter representative and owner of what was potentially the largest brain DoSS (SAFETY): in DoSS, departed in May It’s time for Tiger Tails again, destined for Harvard Business and the Department of Safety and School (THE Harvard) on an Standardization (DoSS) certainly Olmstead scholarship. Receiving has no shortage. Over the last the scholarship is a rare honor, three months the atmosphere in and we are sure Capt Dixon will DoSS, normally rife with do well. A CH-53 prepares to land on professionalism, was also rife Capt Seth “LAMPS” Jerue is the crowded deck of the USS with change. The most now filling the roles of AH-1 Tortuga. Cobra and UH-1 “Huey” NATOPS officers. 6 Capt Joe “Frombie” Heintz, the California, so Capt Seth Jerue In response to the cage match NATOPS officer, left for flight and Capt Nate Robinson will be idea, Maj Moor is prepared to school in late July. Apparently going home to their respective suggest the issue be settled with a he had never finished his last few squadrons as well. round of rock-captains-major, RI flights, but he was Capt Ryan “DC” Bobber, the which is apparently a variation of erroneously given his wings due squadron Ground Safety Officer, rock-paper-scissors in which the to a recordkeeping blunder. No is maintaining an air of major always wins. matter, the issue will soon be professionalism even though he Stay tuned to see what happens. resolved. is considering challenging Maj - Capt Nathan Robinson 1stLt Jon Schiler, the most Moor to a cage match to decide junior resident of the shop, is who will keep the rights to the MAINTENANCE: now running the NATOPS callsign “DC.” Capt Bobber has The Maintenance Department program with the youthful vigor invoked the classic “I was here spent the entire month of April so typical of thirty year old first” defense, which is certainly located on Clark Air Base, lieutenants. a valid argument. On the other Philippines, for Exercise August brings even more hand, Maj Moor points out that Balikatan. change as the detachment he was assigned the callsign long personnel prepare to return to before Capt Bobber.

A CH-53E helicopter pulls up to a refueling hose trailing a KC-130 aircraft during Exercise Talisman Saber. 7 During this time, the HMH-465 through C-5 transfer. paperwork to help us maintain Maintenance Marines worked This coincided with the Squadron this level of readiness. tirelessly in support of the sending two CH-53s to SDLM, As many of our fellow Marines exercise, conducting phase which required both birds to be and Sailors prepare to return to maintenance on two CH-46s and inspected and inventoried before California, remember that this is numerous FCFs on all shipment to Korea. a time when people are injured type/model/series aircraft. Extraordinary efforts were either due to complacency or as a Additionally, a Remain Behind made by Marines across the result of rushing to get the job Team (RBT) stayed on the Essex entire squadron in order to push done. Take the time to keep each during the exercise, completing aircraft through the AQIS other safe. phase maintenance on a UH-1N process and meet our ARG fly on As always, please be sure to and FCF on a CH-46. Upon goals. check with medical if you have completion of the exercise all With literally no time to spare, questions about any health aircraft made their scheduled fly- all aircraft necessary to related issues. on to the USS Essex as the accomplish Exercise Talisman - LT D. De Cecchis, MD (FS) squadron linked back up with it’s Saber safely flew on to the USS Legaspi detachment and was Essex. The squadron was able to once again whole. The fly three AH-1Ws, two UH-1Ns, conclusion of the month three CH-53s, and all twelve CH- coincided with the end of the 46s. This was in no small way exercise and the return of all attributed to the relentless efforts aircraft and maintainers back to of the Maintenance Marines’ FAMILY READINESS: MCAS Futenma. dedication to returning aircraft to Summer is always a big With another successful fly-on a mission capable status upon transition period for the military and off accomplished, by May completion of the AQIS community on Okinawa. That is the Maintenance Department had inspections. especially true this year for our returned to Futenma at full tilt in July has seen the maintenance family readiness team. Not only preparation for Exercise department busy supporting do we have a new Commanding Talisman Saber and the strenuous exercise Talisman Saber in Officer and Executive Officer, challenges it would face with Australia. As the exercise winds we’ve also lost our two family inspections by the Australian down, the core squadron Marines readiness assistants, Shan Tyson Quarantine and Inspection look forward to returning to and Jessica Korenek. Shan was Service (AQIS). Okinawa while detachment the backbone of much of the During this time the Phrogs Marines anticipate their return to squadron’s family readiness showed no signs of slowing California. efforts for the past couple of down, as they waded through the -Capt Stephen “Leroy” Taute years, and since last fall, her and long and arduous task of Jessica have together served as meticulously cleaning aircraft in MEDICAL: mainstays of the program. As preparation for their AQIS The squadron had no major they move on, however, we are inspections. In the face of this medical issues during our recent looking for replacements. impending task, the Maintenance deployment to Australia. Family Readiness Assistants Marines were still able to Everyone’s hard work to improve are appointed by the complete phase maintenance on a medical readiness has paid off. Commanding Officer to support UH-1N, all while supporting a The squadron is now above 90% the FRO and the Family continuous flight schedule. for full medical readiness. Please Readiness Program. Their Simultaneously, the Maintenance continue to come to medical to responsibilities include helping Department began preparations get your shots and complete welcome unit families, providing to accept two new birds from 8 feedback from unit families, 4. Sgt Christopher Taylor 4. Sgt Kyle Shaw assisting with information and 5. Sgt Joshua Wheeler 5. Sgt Artemio Magana referral services, and helping 6. Cpl Steven Bigos 6. Sgt Joshua Wheeler publicize unit events. 7. Cpl Samuel Derenne 7. Sgt Dustin Jones On September 14 th we’re 8. Cpl Thomas Dowd 8. Sgt Ryan Murphy planning a meet the new 9. Cpl Paul Lombardo 9. Sgt Nick Colby commander brief. 10. Cpl Heath Prestwich 10. Sgt Matthew Sherrill We’ll talk more about 11. Cpl Matthew Waybourn 11. Cpl Steven Gray volunteering opportunities then. 12. LCpl William Jones 12. Cpl Alexander Sexton In the meantime, if you have 13. Cpl Stanislaw Paniak questions or are interested in June Promotions 14. Cpl Christopher Goodwin volunteering, please call me at 1. Sgt Matthew Wimer 15. Cpl Sean Billock 636-5385 or 090 5733 7724. You 2. Cpl Juan Sanchez 16. Cpl Bryan Cubero can also reach me by e-mail at 3. LCpl Michael Cassidy 17. Cpl Christopher Glass [email protected] 4. LCpl Jose Cordobamelo 18. LCpl Rowan Attlee Another upcoming event is our 19. LCpl Zaida Moyaalbarracin Jane Wayne Day on Oct. 9, July Promotions 20. LCpl Philip Slocum which we’ll hold in conjunction 1. Capt Courtney Slafter with Marine Aerial Refueler 2. Capt Robert Steinhauser Meritorious Mast Squadron 152 and Marine Wing 3. Capt Donald Underwood 1. Sgt William Drieling Headquarters Squadron 1. The 4. GySgt Pedro Abreu 2. Sgt Charles Palmer event will give spouses an 5. GySgt Jose Garcia 3. Cpl Kurt Udseth opportunity to learn about and 6. Cpl Cody Curtis 4. Cpl Arturo Fernandez experience some of the things 7. Cpl Chayn House 5. Cpl Russel Layman their Marines do on a regular 8. Cpl Gene Menard 6. Cpl Johathan Jordan basis. Our planned activities 9. Cpl Sam Munoz 7. Cpl Rebecca Loew-Kies include displays of a CH-46 Sea 10. Cpl Jerome Nero 8. Cpl Matthew Nebergall Knight helicopter and a C-130 11. Cpl Bret Watts 9. Cpl Daniel Brown aircraft. We’re also hoping to 12. LCpl Robert Boss 10. LCpl Patrick Cass show spouses the aircraft simulators, have a Marine Corps August Promotions Navy and Marine Corps Martial Arts demonstration, and 1. Sgt Clint Carosiellie Achievement Medal give spouses an opportunity to 2. Sgt John Fager 1. Capt Nels Dahlgard fire weapons using the Indoor 3. Sgt Sean Kayser 2. Capt John Coates Simulated Marksmanship Trainer. 4. Cpl Jamie Barnes 3. 1stLt David Fulkerson Invitations will be sent out by the 5. Cpl Cesar Camarena 4. 1stLt Sean Gallagher first of Sept. with an RSVP date 6. Cpl Brandon House 5. GySgt James Allen of Sept 18. If you’re an HMM- 7. Cpl Joseph Rohrer 6. SSgt Randy Jarmon 262 spouse and haven’t received 8. LCpl John King 7. Sgt Ricky Broadway an invitation by the 10 th , please 9. Pfc Nicholas Evans 8. Sgt Eric Driz let me know. 10. Pfc Brandon Isaak 9. Sgt Bryan Graham --Ron Appling 11. Pfc Seth McDonald 10. Sgt Chance Hensley 11. Sgt Christopher Taylor Promotions: Awards: 12. Sgt Bonnie Widman May Promotions Certificate of Commendation 13. Sgt Casey Zimmer 1. Sgt Demetrius Douglas 1. Sgt Quincy Newman 14. Cpl Michael Greenough 2. Sgt Dustin Jones 2. Sgt Christopher Blank 15. Cpl Laura Ryggs 3. Sgt Caleb Ryan 3. Sgt Matthew Burgett 9

Flying Tigers Retain Phrog Cup The Flying Tigers retained possession of the prized Phrog Cup trophy during a field meet competition against HMM-265 on May 29. The closely-contested meet pitted the two squadrons against one another in a variety of sporting events such as soccer, football, basketball, and more. Though the score was close throughout the day, the Flying Tigers prevailed after winning the final event, the tug-of war.

The USS Tortuga and the USS Denver steam toward Australia

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