Courtesy Photo | Marines en route to Camp LeJeune and Cherry Point, N.C., were stranded at...... read more read more
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RALEIGH, N.C. – More than 300 U.S. Marines from the 2nd Marine Aircraft Wing (2D MAW FWD), were stranded at Raleigh-Durham International Airport (RDU) over night, recently, due to the severe weather conditions that grounded all major modes of transportation.
The Marines were returning from a recent deployment to Afghanistan. Some came from the 2D MAW out of Cherry Point, N.C., and others from the Combat Logistics Battalion 6 (CLB-6) out of Camp LeJeune, N.C. These combat veterans would get help from an unlikely source; the North Carolina National Guard.
The original mission was to return these combat veterans safely back to Camp LeJeune in order to be debriefed and released to their families. However, the snow storm that hit the east coast had different plans for these troops.
“The weather that day was a little harry because the snow had now frozen over making side roads difficult and time had been a factor” said Army Staff Sgt. Richard Lopez, a unit supply sergeant of the N.C. Guard’s 449th Theater Aviation Brigade.
After being forced by the weather to bed down in the RDU area, the Marine leadership had to figure out where they would properly store their weapons? The Joint Operations Center (JOC) at Joint Forces Headquarters (JFHQ) in Raleigh was contacted and asked “How can the Guard help?”
Lt. Col. Mark Pickett, 449th Brigade Aviation Officer spoke with Master Sgt. Aundrelle Robinson, 449th Brigade Senior Supply Sergeant, who opened up their armory and volunteered to help his fellow brothers and sisters in arms who needed assistance.
“I immediately called my unit supply sergeant, Staff Sgt. Lopez, who was readily available to help out with the mission,” said Robinson. “We prepared the vault for storage, and made arrangements to have the firehouse available for the storage of all baggage as well.”
Among this sea of Marines, was Sgt. Alejandra Lopez, a member of the 2D MAW FWD, who had just completed her 12-month deployment, and Cpl. Nathan Campbell, a member of the CLB-6, who completed a 7-month tour. They were assigned as “weapons guards” for the 300-plus combined units.
These two Marines spent the night at the Armory in Morrisville watching the weapons for their fellow Marines who stayed in hotels, made available to them, nearby.
Everyone returned to the Armory at lunchtime the following day to load their gear and weapons into a boxed truck.
“This was a great opportunity taken advantage of by the soldiers in attendance to ensure we took care of troops’ needs, which a supply person does,” said Robinson.
After getting a good night’s rest, and returning to load their gear, these combat veterans loaded back on their coach buses and continued their journey back to their families at Camp LeJeune and Cherry Point.
“I hope these members of the USMC found their way home safely, and appreciate their service” said Lopez.
| Date Taken: | 02.20.2014 |
| Date Posted: | 02.20.2014 17:44 |
| Story ID: | 120920 |
| Location: | RALEIGH, NORTH CAROLINA, US |
| Web Views: | 79 |
| Downloads: | 1 |
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