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MARINE CORPS AIR GROUND COMBAT CENTER TWENTYNINE PALMS, Calif. – Marine Wing Support Group 37 rose from the ashes and was reactivated to conduct Integrated Training Exercise 6-13 aboard Camp Wilson, Marine Corps Air Ground Combat Center Twentynine Palms, Calif., Aug. 20.
The goal of the month-long exercise included multiple objectives – to train Marines in regimental sized operations, prepare junior Marines for real-world situations encountered on a deployment and to bring multiple units together under one unified command.
Col. Drew Doolin, commanding officer of MWSG-37 for the exercise and the last CO of the Group before it was deactivated in June of 2012, described the necessity for implementing training such as this.
“If you look at the major operational plans strategically [regarding] what we might have to do someday,” Doolin said, “you’ll find that there are multiple Marine wing support squadrons that have to be employed to support the [air combat element]. There was a significant gap created in the vital command and control of multiple MWSS’s when the MWSG’s were deactivated. This exercise reinvigorates that necessary level of command of aviation ground support”
One of the main focuses of the month-long ITX was the forward arming and refueling point training.
“The FARP allows aircraft to get back into the fight as soon as possible,” said Staff Sgt. Jesus Granados with Marine Wing Support Squadron 171. “That way, they don’t have to return to base and move forward.”
Participants enjoyed working with Marines from different parts of the world, such as Iwakuni and Okinawa, Japan, under one unified command.
Pfc. Devon Cuifolo, an aviation operations administration Marine from Marine Aircraft Group 11, said he enjoyed working with these different units outside of his regular duties, along with being able to interact with officers on a daily basis.
“This is a great experience for our junior Marines,” said Lt. Col. Joe Lopez, the MWSG-37 executive officer. “They had an increase in confidence and performance through their work with officers on a daily basis.”
Many of those that participated in the ITX also said it proved to be an overall success.
“It went very well and served its purpose,” said Master Gunnery Sgt. Daniel DeVries, operations chief serving as the MWSG-37 watch chief. “We were able to control multiple squadrons under one command successfully.”
“The Marines did a fantastic job,” said Doolin. “They came together from all over the Marine Corps, and they worked together like a well-honed team. I’m pretty proud of them.”
| Date Taken: | 09.25.2013 |
| Date Posted: | 09.25.2013 13:47 |
| Story ID: | 114245 |
| Location: | TWENTYNINE PALMS, CALIFORNIA, US |
| Hometown: | HOUSTON, TEXAS, US |
| Hometown: | JACKSONVILLE, NORTH CAROLINA, US |
| Hometown: | PEOTONE, ILLINOIS, US |
| Hometown: | PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA, US |
| Web Views: | 334 |
| Downloads: | 2 |
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