Celebrating 100 Years of Marine Aviation Vol. 69, No. 31 www.cherrypoint.marines.mil August 4, 2011 2nd MAW (Fwd.) commanding general receives second star Looking back COURTESY STORY 2ND MAW (FWD.) CAMP LEATHERNECK, AF- GHANISTAN - The commanding general of 2nd Marine Aircraft Wing (Forward) pinned on his second star in a ceremony at Camp Leatherneck, Afghanistan, Aug. 2. Newly promoted Maj. Gen. Glenn M. Walters deployed to Afghanistan in February from Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point, N.C. In Afghan- istan, Walters leads the aviation com- bat element in support of NATO Inter- national Security Assistance Force’s Regional Command Southwest. “I pin on another star today, not due to my own efforts, but because of the quality of Marines that serve in my LANCE CPL. SCOTT L. TOMASZYCKI command,” said Walters following A flight deck crewman signals to the pilot of an AV-8A Harrier aircraft for takeoff from the amphibious assault ship USS the promotion ceremony. “They are NASSAU Nov. 15, 1982. The aircraft was assigned to Marine Attack Squadron 231. Aircraft capable of vertical and short take- the only reason I am a major general offs and landings such as the Harrier simplified the logistical problems of an Air Combat Element accompanying a Marine today.” Air-Ground Task Force because more aircraft could be carried aboard ship, as opposed to staging aircraft at the nearest point The general has under his charge of friendly territory. thousands of U.S. Marines and other coalition troops who work together to provide aerial medical evacuation, Early sea-based Harriers played pivotal role close-air support, and troop and cargo transport using a variety of Marine Corps and British aircraft. in Marine Corps’ fi rst air, ground task forces The aviation forces under Wal- LANCE CPL. SCOTT L. TOMASZYCKI The concept of the Marine Air-Ground Warfi ghting. “The combat power of the ters’ leadership support U.S., NATO MCAS CHERRY POINT Task Force was formalized by Marine combined arms task force was proven to coalition and Afghan operations in War is a team effort. The Marine Corps Corps Order 3120.3 in 1962 and airpower be much greater than the simple sum of Afghanistan’s Nimruz and Helmand has acknowledged this since its creation, has since played a role in expanding the its component elements.” provinces. when Sailors would sail the Navy’s ships capabilities of sea-born Marine forces. Initially, MAGTFs were ad hoc units Walters was commissioned as a sec- while Marines would protect them from “A Marine Expeditionary Brigade was brought together from elements of ond lieutenant in the Marine Corps boarding parties. During World War II, to be created to optimize the combat power Marine aircraft wings, Marine divisions, in May 1979, following his gradua- aircraft carriers had replaced battleships of the force by combining its ground, air, and Marine logistics and dispatched tion from The Citadel. After attending as the sea’s heavy-hitters. By 1962, and combat service support elements immediately to the point of crisis. While fl ight school, Walters became a pilot the Marine Corps sought to integrate in a way that provided exponential the theory looked good on paper, there of Marine Corps AH-1 Cobra attack airpower with forward-deployed ground enhancement of force capabilities as were some problems. A lack of training forces and create the ultimate war- a whole,” said Maj. Michael B. West See GENERAL page A7 fi ghting team. in a study for the School of Advanced See LOOKING BACK page A7 Step-by-step training builds up squadron LANCE CPL. GLEN E. SANTY “We’re making sure that whatever other Marines in the unit.” MCAS CHERRY POINT tasks are heading our way, we’re “We were setting up and taking More than just the heat rose while ready when called.” down the 303s and 305s so the Ma- the Marines of Marine Wing Support Marines spent the fi rst segment of rines involved in these classes can Squadron 274 began their fi eld train- the exercise going step-by-step of as- take charge, be leaders and get stuff ing exercise inside of the 274 com- sembling the shelters, and learned how done,” said Lance Cpl. Cory Preher, munications warehouse July 27. The and why each piece went together. a heavy equipment operator with thick insolated material on the shel- At the end of the day the Marines MWSS-274. “This is my fi rst time ters they erected made the almost 100 were put to the test to put up shelters ever working on one, I stayed in one degree Fahrenheit weather feel like an in less than four minutes, an average in Afghanistan but it was set-up when oven inside the complex. time for a group with experience set- I got there and still up when I left, so Select Marines from MWSS-274 ting up these type of shelters. Their this is a new experience for me.” were chosen to learn how to assemble fi nal time was around fi ve minutes Through the sweltering heat and the The Cherry Point Combined Federal and disassemble models 303 and 305 and 30 seconds, a good start for a be- challenge of learning something new, Campaign Battle of the Bands is looking Base-X shelters, made by the HDT ginning team, said one of the instruc- the Marines were still able to quickly for interested local bands that want to Global Corp. The mission: to prepare tors. assemble and disassemble the shelters showcase their talents during the CFC MWSS-274 Marines for fi eld opera- The training was a learning experi- while fi nding enjoyment in training. Block Party Kickoff Sept. 16. To register or tions, training exercises and deploy- ence for MWSS-274 that taught them “I liked the training, it was pretty for more information on the event contact ments where the shelters are needed. more than just how to set up a shel- fun,” said Preher. “I learned a lot. 2nd Lt. Christina Peters at 466-2178 or [email protected]. Registration for “We’re pretty much preparing for ter. This was my fi rst time working with the battle ends Sept. 1, 2011. whatever comes next,” said 2nd Lt. “The training teaches the Marines the 303 and 305 tents and it was re- Thomas Harley, the operations and leadership,” Harley said. “It’s more ally a good time. I’d recommend this training offi cer with MWSS-274. knowledge they can pass on to the training for every Marine.” 2nd LAAD thanked by tornado victims for clean-up efforts PFC. CORY D. POLOM our local community,” said Sylvia R. Pot- MCAS CHERRY POINT ter, a resident of Falcon Bridge. “People Falcon Bridge residents remember the will never know how much it helped hav- heart-wrenching terror that was thrust ing the Marines of Cherry Point come in upon them April 16, 2011 when a tornado and help us in our time of need.” PFC. CORY D. POLOM damaged their modest community. If Marines were not there to help speed (Left) A photo of a backyard days after an F-2 tornado hit the Falcon Bridge housing A few days later, the sadness and heart- up the recovery process, Potter said she community April. 16, and a photo of the same backyard more than three months ache was lifted when Marines from 2nd thinks the residents would still be waiting later (right) after the cleanup efforts by MCAS Cherry Point Marines. Low Altitude Air Defense Battalion came to get back into their homes. to assist many of the families. Over the “Without the Marines doing the jobs Mott said she feels the residents of the day to fi nd out what we needed them to next couple of days the Marines came in they did it would have taken longer and area are blessed by the help the Marines do and they helped everyone,” said Pot- by the truck load to clean up debris and would have been expensive to clean up,” have given to them and she appreciates the ter. “We were fl ooded with Marines who tarp up roofs for the residents. said Isabel D. Mott, another resident of work they have done. “This event was devastating to us and Falcon Bridge. “We had Marines coming up to us every See TORNADO VICTIMS page A7 Navy Hornet squadrons diverted from Cherry Point to West Coast SPECIAL TO THE WINDSOCK a rebalancing of its forces due to the 2006 Quadrennial Col. Philip Zimmerman, Cherry Point’s commanding MCAS CHERRY POINT Defense Review, which directed that “The fl eet will have offi cer, thinks that the air station and its surrounding Two Navy F/A-18 squadrons that were slated to move to greater presence in the Pacifi c Ocean, consistent with the communities would have welcomed the Navy service Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point have been rerouted to global shift of trade and transport.” members with open arms, and the previously planned basing the West Coast for service to the Navy’s Pacifi c fl eet. The move, which will contribute to a nine-percent increase of those two squadrons would have been of benefi t to Eastern The announcement, which was made by North Carolina in Navy forces on the West Coast, is aimed at saving money North Carolina through the associated increase in personnel congressional delegates on July 27, immediately followed by reducing cross-country deployments, and their associated and infrastructure improvements at Cherry Point. the July 26 Federal Register posting of the Navy’s draft higher operational costs, aircraft fatigue, and increases in “Although this may be disappointing for the local environmental assessment for the realignment of strike Sailor time away from home base.