Photo By Cpl. Joshua Pettway | Staff Sgt. Barry Roberts, the production supervisor for Marine Aviation Logistics...... read more read more
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MARINE CORPS AIR STATION BEAUFORT, S.C. - Marine Fighter Attack Squadron 251, also known as the Thunderbolts, departed Fightertown for a six-month deployment aboard USS Enterprise, Tuesday, Jan. 18.
The Marines aboard the Enterprise will support Operation Enduring Freedom by providing air-to-ground support to the service members in Afghanistan.
“I have a lot of pride in being able to serve OEF,” said Cpl. David Maul, a VMFA-251 aircraft mechanic.
The Thunderbolts have been training to deploy for the past 13 months with four pre-deployment exercises aboard the carrier.
“The training that we have completed [prior to this deployment] makes me feel ready for [life on the boat],” stated Sgt. Mirta Caswell, a VMFA-251 intelligence analyst.
While aboard the Enterprise, the Marines will work alongside five Navy squadrons.
“We are an integrated service with the Navy and we will work along with the sailors to provide support to all of the troops on the ground,” said Sgt. Maj. Marty Fenton, the VMFA-251 sergeant major.
The service members will work 12-hour days, split into day and night shifts. With limited resources for entertainment, the Marines can occupy their time with the carrier’s two gyms and library.
“During my down time on the carrier I plan to workout at the gym, write letters home and make webcam videos for my children,” Caswell said.
During this deployment the Thunderbolts will stop at six ports, two on the way to the 5th Fleet area of responsibility, two while providing support to OEF and two on the way back to the United States to resupply gear and for the Marines and sailors to receive some rest and relaxation time. The planned ports for the deployment are Portugal, Turkey, Bahrain, Dubai, Spain and Greece.
The Marines will be able to see a variety of cultures and gain a sense of history, according to Fenton.
“I look forward to seeing the world, learning about different cultures and possibly participating in some morale, welfare and recreation activities,” Maul explained.
The Thunderbolts will be able to learn more about the naval lifestyle, meet new people, and visit new places.
“My ultimate desire for what I want the Marines to get out of this deployment is to realize how important they are, realize the sacrifices they make and understand how we are affecting the troops on the ground,” Fenton said. “This squadron is 110 percent ready to deploy, the Marines are anxious.”
| Date Taken: | 01.18.2011 |
| Date Posted: | 01.21.2011 11:46 |
| Story ID: | 63941 |
| Location: | MARINE CORPS AIR STATION BEAUFORT, SOUTH CAROLINA, US |
| Web Views: | 218 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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