Photo By Gunnery Sgt. Justin Boling | Maj. Gen. Jon Davis, the commanding general of 2nd Marine Aircraft Wing, speaks to he...... read more read more
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Maj. Gen. Jon Davis, commanding general of the 2d Marine Aircraft Wing, and Sgt. Maj. Susan Bellis, sergeant major of 2d MAW, visited the Marines of Marine All-Weather Fighter Attack Squadron 224 at their hangar Feb.25.
While present Davis awarded Marines for major individual accomplishments and addressed the Marines on operational and troop welfare issues.
“I love coming to Fightertown for two reasons,” Davis said. “It lets me know firsthand how well the squadrons are doing and it means more to the Marines when I come to tell them how well they are doing.”
One Marine of remarkable achievement was Staff Sgt. Christopher Nicholson, the staff non-commissioned officer-in-charge of airframe maintenance, who was awarded the Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal by Davis.
“I was surprised when I found out Maj. Gen. Davis would be awarding me,” Nicholson said. “I feel like I have accomplished a lot more than this award.
“I feel as though I have set another example for the junior Marines to follow,” Nicholson continued. “The example leaders set dictates how their junior Marines act.”
The Marines were all present to hear how important they are to the success of their squadron and the operational readiness of the entire 2nd MAW.
“The Beaufort Marines are doing a great job, and completing a lot,” said Davis. “They are deployed to every corner of the globe, from flying over the sands of the Middle East to landing on an aircraft carrier at sea.
“Wherever they deploy, they get the job done and whatever obstacles they meet, they overcome and perform exceptionally well,” Davis said.
Even the Bengals commanding officer was recognized for his achievement of over 3000 flight hours in an F/A-18 Hornet.
“I have been flying for nearly 18 years, and I would accredit every successful flight to the Marines who supported it,” said Lt. Col. J.E. Maybach, the commanding officer of VMFA (AW)-224. “I dedicate this patch on my arm to all of the maintainers for achieving their mission of keeping the aircraft flying and enabling me to do my mission.”
The Bengals returned in January from their deployment in the Western Pacific, and managed to achieve note-worthy accomplishments, such as 30 of their Marines achieving perfect combat fitness test scores.
“The Marines of this squadron are a reflection of their leadership from the sergeant major down to the NCOs,” Maybach said. “They both work for each other, creating a good relationship that leads to getting the job done.
“Every day comes with another share of challenges,” Maybach continued. “I am glad to have very skilled and professional Marines capable of handling anything I could possibly throw at them.”
The fighting Bengals continue to rise to the occasion and shine despite the obstacles they may face. Whether in the skies or in the maintenance hangar, they are Marines who do not fear hard work or spectacular accomplishment.
| Date Taken: | 03.11.2011 |
| Date Posted: | 03.12.2011 00:55 |
| Story ID: | 66917 |
| Location: | BEAUFORT, SOUTH CAROLINA, US |
| Web Views: | 209 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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