Photo By Cpl. Ryan Young | Cpl. Francisco Vazquezbotello, left, a utilities Marine with Marine Wing Support...... read more read more
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SAHL SINJAR AIRFIELD, Iraq — Marine Wing Support Squadron 271's Sahl Sinjar Detachment is packing up and shipping out this month as the presence of the Marine aviation combat element aboard Sahl Sinjar Airfield comes to an end after nearly ten months of continuous operations supporting ground combat element units working to keep Iraq's western border with Syria secure.
Sahl Sinjar Airfield was transferred to the Government of Iraq's receivership secretariat, Sept. 6. MWSS-271's Sahl Sinjar Det. was the last ACE detachment working aboard a 100 percent expeditionary airfield on a forward operating base in Iraq.
"It was the most austere and expeditionary site we had in Iraq," explained Maj. Adam Pastor, the Sahl Sinjar air boss.
The FOB was established the first week of November 2008, by Marine Wing Support Squadron 273 when the Marine Corps was assigned an additional operating area in Ninawa province just north of Anbar - freeing Army personnel to focus on troubled spots elsewhere in their area of operations. Within five days of MWSS-273's arrival and after thousands of feet of runway repairs, aircraft touched down for the first time in years aboard the once-abandoned airfield.
"From the start, Sahl Sinjar was a great example of how resourceful and skilled Marines are in the field," explained Pastor. "The ACE was accomplishing the mission there with a small amount of Marines and little gear."
Marine Wing Support Squadron 271, who replaced MWSS-273 on April 17, filled the role as ACE camp commandant and continued operations past the end of flight operations, ensuring every aspect of the ACE was well supported as the squadrons began drawing down.
"The Marines performed exceptionally well out here," said Capt. Benjamin Wilson, the MWSS-271 Sahl Sinjar Det. officer-in-charge. "This was a chance for them to get some expeditionary airfield experience, and they definitely stepped up to the plate."
Wilson went on to say although each squadron aboard Sahl Sinjar was responsible for packing up their gear and arranging troop transportation, MWSS-271 supported every unit with heavy equipment, disassembling tents and work areas, providing transient tents and ensuring gear was put on the right convoys.
After a majority of the ACE was disassembled, MWSS-271 steadily drew down their personnel, gear and work areas. The Marines removed the M31 Arresting Gear from the runway, which was used to stop F/A-18 Hornets quickly during landing or in case of an emergency during take-off with the use of cables across the runway and a tail hook — much like systems used aboard naval aircraft carriers. The Marines also removed the fuel farm, which stored fuel for the aircraft and began packing up generators and other utilities.
"The arresting gear and fuel farm were the major tasks to be completed for us," said Wilson.
MWSS-271 also contributed to preparing the base for transfer to Iraqi personnel.
"We cleaned our section of the base and identified the locations of certain facilities with markings to let whoever takes over this place know what the area was previously used for," explained Wilson.
The MWSS-271 explosive ordnance disposal team worked to rid the base of unexploded ordnance.
"We did a controlled detonation with the UXO in an effort to make the base a safer area for the Iraqi army when they take over this base," said Sgt. James Chintala, an EOD technician with MWSS-271. "Properly destroying hazardous explosives on base was a major part of our mission out here."
Pastor said that as MWSS-271 finishes the ACE mission aboard Sahl Sinjar and the last Marines step off, the Marines that got the chance to experience running a true expeditionary airfield will be able to take that unique knowledge with them and apply it wherever they go.
"These Marines had everything on lock. It has been a blessing working with them and seeing them make this mission shine as an example of expeditionary operations for the ACE," said Wilson.
| Date Taken: | 09.10.2009 |
| Date Posted: | 09.21.2009 11:45 |
| Story ID: | 39092 |
| Location: | SAHL SINJAR AIRFIELD, IQ |
| Web Views: | 1,145 |
| Downloads: | 447 |
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