LINKS 4 Kids Vol. 69, No. 7 www.cherrypoint.marines.mil February 17, 2011 See A3 Hammerhead detachment returns from Afghanistan CPL. SAMUEL A. NASSO in support of I Marine Expeditionary Force MCAS CHERRY POINT (Forward). Marines, friends and families waited for For many of the young Marines, it was a more than a hundred Marines with Marine firsthand look at what it’s like being in a com- Heavy Helicopter Squadron 366 to return from bat zone during a deployment. a seven-month deployment from Camp Leath- “It was a really good experience to actually erneck, Afghanistan, Feb. 9. do what we train for,” said Cpl. Shaun D. Ber- The anticipation grew as a USO trailer with how, a CH-53E Super Stallion helicopter crew two televisions showed a video feed of the chief with HMH-366. “To move around troops homecoming Marines departing the plane at and supplies and provide support from the sky Cherry Point, allowing the families to see their felt great.” loved ones earlier than expected. The detachment consisted of 134 Marines The Hammerhead detachment left in July 2010 to join HMH-361 at Camp Leatherneck See HMH-366 page A7 CPL. SAMUEL A. NASSO CPL. SAMUEL A. NASSO Handmade signs adorn the wall of Marine Heavy Helicopter Squadron 366’s hangar as Capt. Wesley R. McCray holds his daughter, Madeline, for the first time in family members converged to welcome home 134 Marines and Sailors to Cherry Point seven months with his wife, Heather, upon returning from a seven-month from a seven-month deployment to Afghanistan Feb. 9. The Hammerhead detachment left deployment to Afghanistan Feb. 9. McCray was among more than 100 in July 2010 to join HMH-361 at Camp Leatherneck in support of I Marine Expeditionary Marines with Marine Heavy Helicopter Squadron 366 to return. Force (Forward). MRX fi ne-tunes air Playing safe paramount Presidents Day weekend combat integration JOHN M. RUTH of the country may disagree. But, while we’re still having some CPL. RASHAUN X. JAMES TACTICAL SAFETY SPECIALIST cooler weather, this is again an invitation to break out the heat- MCAS CHERRY POINT Presidents Day, for those of us a bit older, may bring back ers and get more wood for the fi replace. Again, stress fi re safe- Elements of 2nd Marine Aircraft Wing some memories. Prior to President Nixon combining both Lin- ty and have those heaters rechecked and get the old chimney (Forward) at Cherry Point participated in coln’s and Washington’s Birthday into Presidents’ Day in 1971, recleaned by a professional. the II Marine Expeditionary Force’s mis- there were two holidays celebrated in February. As always, we continue to stress the importance of motor sion rehearsal exercise Jan. 24 through Feb. I recall many years ago having a serious discussion with my vehicle safety. Motor vehicle safety involves wearing seatbelts, 4. 2nd MAW (Fwd.) will serve as the avia- 2nd grade teacher over who was the fi rst president. I truly be- planning your trip, proper maintenance of your motor vehicle, tion combat element for II MEF operations lieved it was Abraham Lincoln because his birthday, Feb. 12, no drinking and driving, don’t drive while you’re tired, and in Afghanistan. was the fi rst. Of course, we know that George Washington’s other preventive measures. You may want to repack that emer- “The MRX is used to provide II MEF birthday was Feb. 22. So, gency kit to include some (Fwd.) a realistic training venue to prepare since Mr. Lincoln’s birthday cooler weather emergency for the upcoming deployment,” said Maj. was the fi rst one in February, items. You may also want to Brad Magrath a Marine Air-Ground Task then he was obviously the fi rst call ahead and let the relatives Force staff training program observer and president. Back then we got know when you’re coming. trainer. off from school for two days Keep the cell phone charged Lt. Col. Dirk Cooper, a senior watch offi- in February. As always, we continue to too. Did you plan your trip? Now we celebrate Presi- “ Make sure you check for any cer for 2nd MAW (Fwd.)’s tactical air com- mand center, explained that the MRX is all dents Day on the third Mon- stress the importance of road delays or road closures about refining skills and developing rela- day of February to not only that could possibly delay or tionships with other combat elements. recognize Washington and motor vehicle safety. cancel your trip. “The purpose of the MRX is to ensure Lincoln, but the other 41 men ” If the weather forecast for and maximize the effectiveness of Marine who have held this great of- this holiday weekend calls for air assets by assuring as much tactical ef- fi ce. – John M. Ruth winter-like weather within the ficiency as we can,” said Cooper. “So far, However, a day intended liberty limits, some will take the MRX is a huge improvement over pre- to honor the service and sar- tactical safety specialist advantage and may take a trip vious exercises. We’ve stepped up the size crifi ces of the men who have to the mountains, go skiing, or and players involved in the scenarios, and lead our great nation may whatever off-duty recreation everyone has a good knowledge of our area present Marines with some hazards. they enjoy. The weather may also be spring-like, and we’ll con- of operation. This has been a tremendous As with other holiday safety messages, we will continue to tinue those chores around the house like cleaning the garage or workup.” push prevention in all areas of safety. On Groundhog Day this even some spring-cleaning of the old homestead. Again, plan year, that furry little mammal didn’t see his shadow, so we can out those events and remember to stress prevention. See MRX page A7 expect an early spring even though our friends in certain parts Don’t become a statistic this holiday weekend or anytime. First wave of 2nd MAW (Fwd) Marines head for Afghanistan LANCE CPL. SAMANTHA H. ARRINGTON ious but I am ready. I’ve been training for MCAS CHERRY POINT months, and I couldn’t be more prepared for The fi rst wave of Marines with 2nd Ma- this deployment.” rine Aircraft Wing (Forward) departed Ma- The Wing will provide all six functions of rine Corps Air Station Cherry Point in the Marine Corps aviation, from assault support early morning Feb. 9. to aerial reconnaissance during the deploy- Over the next month, more than 250 Ma- ment. rines will deploy with 2nd MAW (Fwd.) to “I feel confi dent about this deployment,” relieve 3rd MAW (Fwd.) in support of op- said Staff Sgt. Glenn Williams Jr., an aviation erations in southern Afghanistan. operations specialist with 2nd MAW (Fwd.). The forward element will conduct avia- “I signed up to do this and I’m ready.” tion operations in support of the reginal The last time 2nd MAW (Fwd.) activated command southwest with a primary mission was for a 2009 deployment to Iraq, but this of commanding and controlling all Marine will be the fi rst time 2nd MAW (Fwd.) head- Corps aviation assets. quarters is deploying to Afghanistan. “It is 2nd MAW (Fwd.)’s job to provide The Marine Corps mission in the big pic- all aviation support assets,” said Col. Rus- ture of Afghanistan is to defeat the insurgen- sell A. C. Sanborn, assistant wing com- cy in partnership with its allies and a blos- mander for 2nd MAW (Fwd.) “We are there soming Afghan government, said Sanborn. to literally support that lance corporal on the “We are going there to help them,” said ground. We will provide anything from air Col. Ben D. Hancock, the chief of staff for assault, kinetic fi res and casualty evacuation 2nd MAW (Fwd.) “We are also giving the to transporting food, supplies and water.” Afghans the tools to help themselves.” LANCE CPL. SAMANTHA A. ARRINGTON “This is what I joined for,” said Lance Cpl. Lance Cpl. Shiquesha T. Howard, an aviation operations specialist with 2nd Shiquesha T. Howard, an aviation operations Marine Aircraft Wing (Forward), shoulders her pack bound for Afghanistan’s specialist with 2nd MAW (Fwd.). “I’m anx- Helmand province prior to departing Cherry Point Feb. 9. A2 February 17, 2011 The Windsock MWSS-274 Marines team with local youth for tournament CPL. SAMUEL A. NASSO (Above) Joshua Gonzalez, a Havelock Boys and Girls Club member, drives to the hoop in a 3-on-3 basketball tournament at the Coastal Carolina Boys and Girls Club in Morehead City Feb. 11. A total of eight teams made up of members from the Coastal Carolina Boys and Girls Club and Marines from Marine Wing Support Squadron 274 battled in a double elimination tournament that emphasized teamwork. This event was organized to bring awareness to national mentoring month in January but was rescheduled for Feb. 11 because of a snow storm last month. (Left) Isaiah Oden, a Beaufort, N.C., native and a member of the local Boys and Girls Club, jumps and blocks Sgt. James W. Gower’s layup during a three-on-three basketball tournament at the Coastal Carolina Boys and Girls Club in Morehead City Feb. 11. Gower, a combat engineer with MWSS-274, was among more than 20 Marines with the squadron that teamed up with Coastal Carolina Boys and Girls Club members for the tournament. CPL. SAMUEL A. NASSO Chaplain: Be a disciple Legal: Be aware of money scams NAVY CMDR.