Photo By Staff Sgt. Jennifer Poole | Marines from Marine Light Attack Helicopter Squadron 169 move gear to prepare for...... read more read more
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AL ASAD AIR BASE, Iraq - After serving in Iraq for approximately three months, a detachment of Marines from Marine Light Attack Helicopter Squadron 169 will soon join the remainder of their squadron serving in Afghanistan.
"This is an amazing opportunity for every Marine within the squadron, because there aren't a whole lot who get to serve in two operational theaters within one deployment," said Maj. Gerry Kearney, detachment officer-in-charge for HMLA-169.
More than half of the squadron is already in Afghanistan and the remaining Marines will be joining their counterparts.
"We have been operating with about a third of the personnel, but we still have half a squadron's worth of aircraft," said Master Sgt. Sean McBride, senior enlisted advisor for HMLA-169. "It's been difficult and taxing on the Marines, but Marines do what they do best, and they have adapted to what the mission requires."
McBride says leaders within the squadron recognize and appreciate all of the Marines' hard work.
While in Iraq, HMLA-169 has flown approximately 500 hours throughout the Al Anbar province.
"Since arriving in Iraq, we've supported a wide variety of missions to include convoy escorts, medical evacuation escorts, leader's reconnaissance missions and air security patrols," said Capt. Jake Olson, operations officer for HMLA-169.
The mission of the "Vipers" in Afghanistan will be to continue to provide offensive air support and utility support for units currently serving in operation Enduring Freedom.
"We wouldn't be able to carry on our mission without the effort and dedication of every single Marine," said McBride.
HMLA-167 will take over HMLA-169's mission on Al Asad Air Base.
"We're here to support [Multi National Force — West] to the best of our ability, so we are thrilled to be continuing the mission here aboard Al Asad," said Maj. Michael Johnson, executive officer for HMLA-167. "We're just picking up where HMLA-169 left off."
The detachment was previously deployed to Al Taqqadum, Iraq, and many Marines throughout HMLA-167 have an abundance of experience to bring with them from previous deployments and are familiar with Al Asad.
"Most of our Marines are already on their third or fourth deployment here, so it's almost like coming home," said Gunnery Sgt. Paul Daniel, senior enlisted advisor for HMLA-167.
| Date Taken: | 07.08.2009 |
| Date Posted: | 07.08.2009 07:31 |
| Story ID: | 36105 |
| Location: | AL ASAD, IQ |
| Web Views: | 329 |
| Downloads: | 228 |
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