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    Air Combat Element Marines join Special-Purpose Marine Air-Ground Task Force-12.2 for airlift support on the African continent.

    Air Combat Element Marines join Special-Purpose Marine Air-Ground Task Force-12.2 for airlift support on the African continent

    Photo By Sgt. Adwin Esters | Maj. James Biggers, pilot with Marine Aerial Refueler Squadon-234, reviews the Navy...... read more read more

    SIGONELLA, ITALY

    07.10.2012

    Story by Cpl. Adwin Esters 

    U.S. Marine Corps Forces, Europe and Africa     

    NAVAL AIR STATION SIGONELLA, Sicily – Marines from Fort Worth, Texas and Stewart, N.Y., joined Special-Purpose Marine Air-Ground Task Force-12.2, June 20, as the air combat element to provide air lift support for the command.

    Marine Aerial Refueler Transport Squadrons 234 based out of Fort Worth, Texas and 452 based out of Stewart, N.Y., together make up a detachment of active and reserve Marines, which supports Special-Purpose MAGTF-12.2 with two KC-130T Super Hercules aircraft. Special-Purpose MAGTF-12.2 has been supporting Department of State sponsored security cooperation missions for Marine Forces Africa and U.S. Africa Command, and is based out of Naval Air Station Sigonella, Sicily.

    “The [ACE] allows the Special-Purpose MAGTF to have a readily available air asset on call,” said Lt. Col. Gordon Ford, detachment executive officer and resident of Keller, Texas. “We can respond to the needs of the MAGTF faster than a unit from the United States could.”

    Having the ACE in the MAGTF also allows for greater flexibility and security while executing missions.

    “The support from the ACE is incredible and we are fortunate to have these capabilities. I feel comfortable knowing there are Marine aviators flying our security cooperation teams,” said Lt. Col. James Thomas, executive officer and air officer for Special-Purpose MAGTF-12.2. “For the mission we have been assigned, this detachment is the most logical and ideal method to move Marines in and out of the continent. Otherwise we would have to rely on other entities and the less we have to rely on outside sources the better.”

    The ACE has already provided logistical airlift support in Uganda and Burundi, logging around 24 flight hours per plane. Even though the ACE is made up of reserve units they have the same flight hour requirements as an active duty unit.

    “The required flight hours are the same as active duty units, so we have active duty Marines on hand to help support us and meet those requirements,” said Gunnery Sgt. Joel McBee, an active duty navigator and mission planner for the ACE. “Roughly half the unit is made up of active duty Marines.”

    Having the unit support Special-Purpose MAGTF-12.2 provides a rare opportunity for some of the Marines involved to travel to different parts of the world.

    “It’s a good opportunity to go places we haven’t gone before,” said McBee.

    The unit has more air lift support missions underway and has been fortunate to have little to no issues as of yet.

    “The planes have held up very well with very minor maintenance issues,” said Ford. “Overall the missions are going great.”

    NEWS INFO

    Date Taken: 07.10.2012
    Date Posted: 07.10.2012 14:18
    Story ID: 91331
    Location: SIGONELLA, IT

    Web Views: 550
    Downloads: 0

    PUBLIC DOMAIN