2019 MCAA Journal : simplebooklet.com

COMMANDeR S MARINE CORPS AVIATION ASSOCIATION HeaDQUarters 715 Broadway Street Quantico VA 22134 703 630 1903 Officers Board of Directors nationaL CoMManDer LtGen Jon Davis USMC Ret DepUty CoMManDer east MajGen Jon Gallinetti USMC Ret DepUty CoMManDer West MajGen Bob Butcher USMC Ret treasUrer Col Robert Deforge USMC Ret JUDGe aDvoCate Col Art White USMC Ret serGeant MaJor Vacant aDJUtant Col Alan Sullivan USMC Ret past tHree nationaL CoMManDers LtGen Keith Stalder USMC Ret LtGen John G Castellaw USMC Ret Gen William L Nyland USMC Ret DistriCt DireCtors Col John Gumbel USMC Ret LtCol Tim Hill USMC Ret Col Bruce Hulick USMC Ret Col Bob Nasby USMC Ret Col Eric Van Camp USMC Ret Col Earl Wederbrook USMC Ret BoarD MeMBers Col Paul Croisetiere USMC Ret LtCol Rich Richardson USMC Ret Col T David Seder USMC Ret eXeCUtive DireCtor Col John Rader USMC Ret DireCtor oF operations yeLLoW sHeet eDitor Roxanne M Kaufman FinanCiaL anaLyst Debbie Martin DesiGn Bright Eye Designs CaLL The past year has been one of change as Marine aviation continues to prepare for the future while fighting today s battles Your Marine Corps Aviation Association MCAA has followed suit not only in looking to address what is in front of us but celebrating our history and recognizing outstanding performance in our aviation Marines as well First our deepest thanks to our sponsors for their unwavering engagement despite much churn and change this year Your continued support drives our ability to keep the message of Marine aviation alive throughout this great nation Our registrations are up this year despite the hurricane induced move of our symposium from New Bern to San Diego thank you all for your participation We look forward to seeing our old and new friends and our warriors At our awards banquet we are honored to have the Assistant Commandant General Gary Lurch Thomas as our Guest of Honor along with Lieutenant General Fuzzy Hedelund as the recipient of the Silver Hawk Award As always we have received significant support from the Aviation Hallway a shout out to Lieutenant General Steven Stick Rudder and his staff who make things look easy through their long hours of preparation We are also blessed with having Major General Michael Lancer Sullivan as our Honorary Chairman this year Lancer has witnessed and been a driving force in the growth and professionalism of Marine aviation for the last 50 years and has the stories to prove it If he tells you he gunned the National Commander remind him that post fight join ups don t count As we gather each year it is good to reflect on unrelenting changes as the future becomes today VMAQ 2 held their Sunset event this year while the Marine Corps Aviation Reconnaissance Association MCARA merged with MCAA s John R Dailey Squadron MCAA stood up the Rocky Mountain Squadron in Denver with plans to spread across the Front Range We re enhancing the relationships between MCAA National and our regional squadrons and have refreshed our Boards of Directors and Advisors along with our committee structure We re also fortunate to have nominated three Sergeants Major for our Boards Bill Oldenburg as the MCAA Sergeant Major Craig Cressman as our Director of Outreach and John Newport as a co chair of our Membership Committee All of this is in keeping with the four tenets of our vision Expand membership carry the Marine Corps aviation message be the link to Marine aviation history and grow in our philanthropic reach We certainly hope you can join us this year in San Diego If not please mark your calendars for next year 1115 May 2020 in La Jolla CA 2019 Symposium 7

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SQUADRON CONTACTS ARIZONA Yuma Tom Miller Squadron CO Vacant XO Col Billy McMillin USMC Ret 928 580 3131 colusmcret hotmail com CALIFORNIA Camp Pendleton Mike Yunck Squadron CO Col Matthew Mowery 760 725 3642 matthew mowery usmc mil XO Col Patrick Gough USMC Ret 858 679 1755 ext 212 patrick gough pklservices com San Diego Marion Carl Squadron CO Col Simon M Doran 858 577 1782 simon doran usmc mil XO Col Greg Goodman USMC Ret 858 361 9437 gregory l goodman2 boeing com POC Col Earl Wederbrook Ret 858 577 1211 earl_wederbrook raytheon com HAWAII Kaneohe Bay Bruce Matheson Squadron CO Col Michael Watkins michael e watkins usmc mil MARYLAND Pax River John Glenn Squadron CO Col Steven Girard steven girard navy mil XO Col Hank Vanderborght Vanderborght22 yahoo com MASSACHUSETTS Boston CO Col Joe Mahoney USMC Ret 617 786 0832 jhmahoney verizon net XO Col Andrew Ley USMC Ret 718 320 5676 aley jagersmith com POC GySgt John Margie USMC Ret 508 690 1682 jomargie comcast net NORTH CAROLINA Cherry Point A A Cunningham Squadron CO LtCol Gregory Demarco COLORADO Gregory demarco usmc mil Rocky Mountain Chapter CO Maj Michael Dukes USMC Ret New River Michael dukes rocketmail com Keith McCutcheon Squadron CO LtCol Shayne Frey Pensacola 910 449 6753 Roy S Geiger Squadron shayne frey usmc mil CO Col Michael Johnson Michael h johnson usmc mil XO Maj David Holdstein 910 449 5557 XO Col Joe Richards USMC Ret david holdstein gmail com 850 516 2550 jprichards46 gmail com OKINAWA MCAS Futenma Joe Foss Orlando John F Bolt Squadron CO Col James Harp LtCol Tim Hill USMC Ret james f harp usmc mil 407 356 7190 timhillflorida gmail com XO Col Phil Van Etten USMC Ret sumobuff hotmail com the Packard wing ofUSMC Ret a Cessna XOUnder Col Rick Cubi Point 1975 407 463 6479 richard j packard lmco com SOUTH CAROLINA AT LARGE SQUADRONS Beaufort The Great Santini Squadron CO LtCol Allen Szczepek Allen szczepek usmc mil XO Maj John Simple Simpson USMC Ret 843 812 7197 jwsimple comcast net Devastate Charlie Marine Air C2 Squadron CO Col Scott Gondek MACG 48 CO 847 688 7129 ext 201 scott gondek usmc mil XO Col Rey Masinsin USMC Ret 813 810 3271 reymasinsin gmail com POC Col Curt Ames USMC Ret 540 295 5959 curtis ames me com TEXAS Dallas Ft Worth Bob Galer Squadron Vacant Corpus Christi John Smith Squadron CO Vacant XO Vacant VIRGINIA Norfolk Darden Schilt Squadron CO LtCol Matthew Crouch 702 509 3039 matthew crouch usmc mil XO Col Mike Soniak USMC Ret 757 574 3717 msoniak cox net Quantico Nighthawk Squadron CO Ron Berube Berube1050 aol com XO Kevin Wild Khw7562 gmail com WASHINGTON Seattle Richard C Mangrum Squadron LtCol Art Crowe USMC Ret 425 284 1455 mangrumsquadron gmail com WASHINGTON DC Washington DC Bransom Capital Squadron CO Col Robert D Cooper Robert d cooper1 usmc mil XO Vacant Robert Guy Robinson Squadron CO MSgt Kevin Bonner USMC Ret 530 318 1517 jkbonner sbcglobal net 531 Gray Ghosts Squadron CO Roman Makuch 718 416 0160 N2uck yahoo com XO LtCol Rich Richardson USMC Ret Ahr amarine md metrocast net Donald E Davis Marine Aviation Logistics CO Col Laura Sampsel USMC Ret 808 375 4172 laura sampsel sofsa mil POC Col Kevin McCutcheon USMC Ret 828 443 1560 kevinmccutcheon76 gmail com John R Dailey Squadron CO Ricky Johnson 252 241 2454 rjohnson4 ec rr com XO Danny Walsh 252 447 2157 boones bizec rr com MCAA National changes this list as we receive updates however if you see something that is no longer correct please email us at admin flymcaa org and let us know 2019 Symposium 9

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HONORARY CHAIRMAN Major General Michael P Sullivan USMC Ret The 2019 Honorary Chairman By Roxanne M Kaufman We are honored to have Major General Michael P Sullivan USMC Ret as our 2019 Honorary Chairman His career starts at a point further than most Marines today He s a Marine s Marine and his contributions to Marine aviation positive attitude and love of Country and Corps are an example to emulate We also want to thank his wife Nicole for being the epitome of a Marine Corps spouse and carrying the flag for the family while he was serving His words of advice to active duty Marines best illustrate his character You re doing great Sullivan said What you got here you didn t get because of luck You got it through hard work perseverance and carrying on the traditions that we carried on from the guys before us In the twenty years plus I ve been out there have been some changes but by and large the Marine Corps is still the Marine Corps If we ever lose our traditions and our spirit we can forget it but that ain t going to happen as long as we have people like you I t doesn t take a person very long to figure out how down to earth Major General Michael Lancer Sullivan USMC Ret is He and I met at his favorite Asian restaurant Musashi House which is just minutes from the main gate of the 2nd Marine Aircraft Wing his former home He s a Tuesday regular there so much so that he even noticed when one of the wait staff was missing It was quite impressive What was also impressive is that he recited names dates and times like they occurred yesterday while also worrying how I liked my food BGen Sullivan s general officer promotion in 1985 12 MCAA Journal www flymcaa org

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2019 Honorary chairman Sullivan when he was the CG of 2nd MAW Sullivan began our interview by telling me about his California upbringing not your typical career path to the Marine Corps He was born in Los Angeles and attended Beverly Hills High School His father C Gardner Sullivan was a famous motion picture writer and producer who became the first writer in Hollywood to make over 1 000 a week His most prolific work was as the senior writer screen adapter for All Quiet on the Western Front His mother was an actress who had bit parts in a couple of movies Sullivan s first memory of the Marine Corps was when he was seven years old His father took him to see Wake Island From that moment forward he knew he wanted to be a Marine His two brothers also served in the military his older brother Gardner served in the Navy and his younger brother Timmy served in the Marine Corps He attended San Diego State but left after the first year Sullivan enlisted in the Marine Corps in June 1953 but couldn t make corporal because he was too busy playing baseball for Camp Pendleton So Sullivan eventually finished his degree at San Diego State While there he would take many of his classmates flying TOP Then LtCol Sullivan receives the Alfred A Cunningham Award for being the Marine Aviator of the Year in 1974 BOTTOM The Snakes of VMFA 323 in December 1973 instead he applied to the Naval Aviation Cadet Program He was accepted and commissioned as a second lieutenant and earned his Naval Aviator wings in October 1956 After flight school his first orders were to report to the G 1 at the 2nd Marine Aircraft Wing in Cherry Point North Carolina Upon reporting for his first day the major behind the desk said we ve been expecting you Lieutenant Sullivan I have some good news and some bad news Sullivan asked for the bad news first Well you can go there if you want to because you re a jet pilot but here s the problem the squadron I m supposed to send you to VMF 235 an FJ 2 3 squadron has second lieutenants who have been there for six months and haven t flown yet the majors are still checking out in jets and they only have about three oxygen masks You can go there but I guarantee you that you won t fly said the major Sullivan asked So what s the good news The major replied 2019 Symposium 13

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MajGen Sullivan and Miss Nicole I ll make you a deal You can go to VMAT 20 which is an AD Skyraider training squadron We ll give you 76 hours in two months and send you overseas to a squadron at the 1st Marine Aircraft Wing Sullivan said Sign me up because I want to fly ADs The Sullivan Family The Sullivans enjoying their retirement That s exactly what they gave him Then he went to VMA 121 and was over there 1st MAW for 15 months Halfway through his tour with VMA 121 went home and was replaced with VMA 224 flying the first Marine Corps A 4 Skyhawk aircraft While serving with the 1st Marine Aircraft Wing Sullivan wrote a letter asking if he could be transferred to Atsugi so he could be closer to his brother At the time his brother was serving as a frogman on a destroyer The Marine Corps approved his request and transferred him to VMA513 to fly the F3D Skynight Sullivan thinks that his time in the Skyknight was the best move her ever made it taught him how to use rudders and trim and really fly an airplane Next he went to VMFT 10 at El Toro It was a jet training squadron Sullivan was the only lieutenant in the squadron at the time and would take any flight he could He recorded 85 hours a month for 18 months There was a three month period that he had one hundred flight hours He also learned new tactics 1v1 1v2 and 4v4 instruments and checked people out in F9 Cougars 14 MCAA Journal www flymcaa org MajGen Sullivan welcomes his son then Capt Sullivan home from Ramadi in 2009 He recalled one flight with his fellow Marine and lifelong friend J P Monroe They flew the four corners from California to Texas to Florida to Maine to Montana to Washington state and back As a first lieutenant he was nominated for a slot with the Blue Angels which didn t pan out However in the long run he thinks his assignment with the Royal Air Force was a much better fit for him

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Sullivan then took command of Marine Aircraft Group 11 followed by time as the G 3 for the 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing He then took another command of another Group Marine Aircraft Group 41 in Dallas Texas He served as the Assistant Wing Commander and then as the commanding general of 2nd Marine Aircraft Wing at Cherry Point while also serving as the commanding general of the 10th Amphibious Brigade at Camp Lejeune from 1985 1987 had been eleven years since his last flight in one Next he went to El Toro serving with MAWTU PAC Sullivan with Sam Huey the S 4 left and Bob Johnson the S 3 right in Chu Lai Vietnam 1969 After his time in the United Kingdom Sullivan reported to the newly redesignated squadron VMFA531 flying the F4 Phantom In 1965 the squadron deployed to Da Nang Upon redeployment he attended the Amphibious Warfare School This was followed by a seven month tour with ANGLICO at Gitmo He believes it was the best duty station but then again he s a fisherman Sullivan s next orders were to report as an F 4 Test Pilot His second combat tour in Vietnam followed this time he was with VMFA 314 as the maintenance officer Upon his redeployment he was stationed at Coronado flying F8s again He also flew F4s while there Sullivan remembers that he was ecstatic about flying F8s again it Sullivan then took command of VMFA323 He received the Alfred A Cunningham Award as the Marine Aviator of the Year in 1974 He returned to serve another tour with MAWTU PAC He attended Naval War College followed by a tour as the G 3 Alpha for 1st Marine Aircraft Wing Because his time at MAWTU PAC included writing a lot of readiness evaluations he caught the attention of Headquarters Marine Corps Sullivan s next assignment was at Headquarters preparing combat readiness evaluations As part of this from 1977 1980 he spent 700 of 1 100 days flying He enjoyed every minute of it After his tour at Headquarters Sullivan served as the G 1 at El Toro where he was assigned to an EW CAS exercise at Nellis Air Force Base Nevada during Red Flag He was all smiles as he remarked that the Marines did the best His next assignment was as the deputy commander of the Warfighting Center Marine Corps Combat Development Command Quantico Virginia In 1990 he received the Silver Hawk Award for being the Marine aviator with the earliest designation date Sullivan s final duty assignment was as the deputy commander Fleet Marine Force Atlantic Norfolk Virginia He retired from active duty in October 1991 In a career spanning 39 years he flew almost every Type Model Series of aircraft spending over 35 years of his Marine Corps career in aviation By the end of his career Major General Sullivan had 8 700 total flight hours 7 850 jet hours 700 propeller hours and 150 helicopter hours His combat tours Vietnam VMFA 531 F 4 1965 and VMFA 314 F 4 1968 1969 flying over 400 combat missions His personal decorations include The Distinguished Service Medal Legion of Merit with a Gold Star in lieu of a second award Distinguished Flying Cross Meritorious Service Medal 24 Air Medals 1 individual and 23 strike flight and 2 Navy Commendation Medals one with Combat V 2019 Symposium 15 2019 Honorary chairman The MAG 41 Marine Corps Birthday Ball cake cutting The Guest of Honor center is the doctor who treated Marines for burns following the 1983 Beirut bombing

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The MCAA Awards Program is one of the largest aviationbased award programs in the country and at the core of our mission The Aviation Award Program began in 1962 when we presented the Alfred A Cunningham Award to thenLieutenant Colonel John H Glenn Jr after he made history on 20 February 1962 as the first American to orbit Earth Glenn was selected out of a final roster of over five hundred highly qualified candidates to become one of the seven original Project Mercury astronauts He was the only Marine in the group and spent over three years preparing for his Friendship 7 flight Much like Alfred A Cunningham The Father of Marine Corps Aviation Glenn embodied the ethos of a Marine we see that same commitment throughout Marine Corps aviation history and in our young Marines today Every prestigious Aviation Award is named in honor of a Marine who made noteworthy contributions in their field with two exceptions the Commandant s Aviation Award and the Silver Hawk Award The 29 awards span the spectrum of Marine aviation and recognize Marines of all ranks who are nominated by their superiors and vetted through Headquarters Marine Corps CAPTAIN GEORGE W CARPENTER CAPTAIN DANIEL L JEWETT CAPTAIN ZACHARY V SMITH ALFRED A CUNNINGHAM AWARD ROBERT GUY ROBINSON AWARD EARLE HATTAWAY AWARD MASTER SERGEANT EDGARD J NORORI CORPORAL KYLE M LECLAIR SERGEANT CHRISTOPHER J BORGHESE KENNETH W SOUTHCOMB AWARD PAUL G VESS AWARD GAINES B GILBERT AWARD MFA 115 MAG 31 VMA 223 MAG 14 VMGR 152 MAG 12 ROBERT M HANSON AWARD LAWSON H M SANDERSON AWARD HENRY WILDFANG AWARD MALS 26 MAG 26 MWSS 272 MWSG 27 MACS 2 MACG 28 DONALD E DAVIS AWARD JAMES E HATCH AWARD EDWARD S FRIS AWARD We are privileged to be able honor our Marines and watch them forge a path of success for our Nation s future 16 Mcaa Journal www flymcaa org

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Marine Aviator of the Year Captain George W Carpenter VMM 266 MAG 26 ALFRED A CUNNINGHAM AWARD Established in honor of Lieutenant Colonel Alfred A Cunningham the first Marine aviator by the First Marine Aviation Veterans Association for the most outstanding contribution to Marine aviation by a Marine aviator Rolls Royce North America 18 Mcaa Journal www flymcaa org Alfred A Cunningham Award For professional achievement in the superior performance of his duties while serving as the MV 22B Weapons and Tactics Instructor for Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron 266 from 1 January 2018 to 31 December 2018 During this period Captain George W Carpenter II performed his duties in an exemplary manner excelling in all aspects of aviation leadership and operations His drive for mission success made him an indispensable asset to Marine Corps aviation and increased the warfighting capability of the MV 22B community As a superior pilot and instructor he flew over 340 mishap free flight hours instructing three generations of pilots in all flight regimes and missions His tactical acumen emboldened aviation support to Theater Combatant Commanders and Joint Special Operation Forces in pursuit of our nation s most dangerous enemies His unparalleled leadership and mentorship set the standard for all Marines to follow and enabled the success of the squadron both at home and abroad Captain Carpenter s exceptional professional ability initiative and steadfast leadership reflected credit upon himself and were keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Marine Corps and United States Naval Service

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Marine Naval Flight Officer of the Year Captain Daniel L Jewett IX B SQUADRON ROYAL AIR FORCE ROBERT GUY ROBINSON AWARD Established in honor of First Lieutenant Robert Guy Robinson a Medal of Honor recipient in WWI and a pioneer of the Naval Flight Officer specialty for the most outstanding contribution by a Marine naval flight officer Northrop Grumman Mission Systems 20 Mcaa Journal ymcaa org Robert Guywww fl Robinson Award For meritorious service while serving as an Exchange Officer at IX B Squadron Number 1 Group Royal Air Force United Kingdom from 1 January 2018 to 31 December 2018 Captain Daniel L Jewett was instrumental to squadron success in combat operations supporting Operation INHERENT RESOLVE Contributing an aggressive mindset tactical acumen and professional leadership he greatly enhanced squadron lethality Serving as a Royal Air Force Flight Lead he compiled over 300 flight hours in the Tornado GR4 during 57 combat sorties Flying close air support missions he materially contributed to the security of Coalition Forces aiding them in closing with and destroying the enemy Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant Forces through expert employment of 17 Paveway IV precision guided munitions totaling 11 594 pounds of ordnance expended These actions served to further the success of National and Coalition objectives in the Global War on Terrorism and strengthened the bond between the United States of America and the United Kingdom Captain Jewett s noteworthy accomplishments initiative and total devotion to duty reflected credit upon himself and upheld the highest traditions of the United States Marine Corps and United States Naval Service

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Marine Aviation Ground Officer of the Year For superior performance while serving as the Assistant Aircraft Maintenance Officer and Maintenance Material Control Officer for Marine Fighter Attack Squadron 211 from 1 January 2018 to 31 December 2018 Captain Zachary A Smith led the Wake Island Avenger maintenance department through an arduous six month work up period followed by the inaugural F 35 combat deployment His drive and resourcefulness helped break ground and create unique procedures for the expeditionary employment of the F 35B Prior to deploying he attended and spoke at multiple conferences and working groups becoming a resident expert for the logistical deployment of F 35B aircraft aboard L Class ships Throughout the year the Avengers maintained a greater than 70 percent mission capable rate while flying more than 1 200 sorties and 2 600 hours and employing numerous weapons in support of Operation INHERENT RESOLVE Operation FREEDOM S SENTINEL and dedicated service specific tasking Captain Smith s initiative perseverance and total dedication to duty were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Marine Corps and the United States Naval Service Captain Zachary V Smith VMFA 211 MAG 13 EARLE HATTAWAY AWARD Established in honor of Lieutenant Colonel Earle Hattaway the first recipient of the Marine Aviation Ground Officer of the Year Award for the most outstanding contribution to Marine aviation by an aviation ground officer Rolls Royce North America Earle Hattaway Award 21

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Marine Air Command and Control Officer of the Year Major Chad E Troyer 3RD LAAD BN MACG 38 ROBERT F GIBSON AWARD Established in honor of Colonel Robert F Gibson a pioneer in the concept of integrated air control group detachments supporting Marine aviation around the globe for the most outstanding contribution to Marine aviation by an officer serving in a Marine command and control unit General Dynamics Mission Systems 22 Mcaa Journal www fl ymcaa org Robert F Gibson Award For professional achievement while simultaneously serving as the Marine Air Control Group 38 Detachment Officer in Charge and as the Executive Officer for the Aviation Combat Element of the 13th Marine Expeditonary Unit Major Chad E Troyer s efforts assisted in the development and refinement of standard operating procedures in two key Marine Corps concepts Expeditionary Advanced Base Operations and the Marine Operating Concept During MAGTF operations ashore he led a detachment of Marines from BLT 3 1 and VMM 166 in direct support of Special Operations Joint Task Force Operation INHERENT RESOLVE His most significant achievement came in the area of capability enhancement and innovation Troyer was at the forefront of establishing digital interoperability and integration of the MACCS within the MAGTF He oversaw the operational employment of new innovative and revolutionary aviation command and control capabilities He is directly responsible for the integration of the Light Marine Air Defense Integrated System into MAGTF operations This system represents the future of the air defense community in Counter Unmanned Aircraft System operations Major Troyer s initiative perseverance and total dedication to duty reflected credit upon himself and were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Marine Corps and United States Naval Service

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Marine Aviator or NFO with the Earliest Designation Date Lieutenant General Robert F Hedelund is the Commanding General II Marine Expeditionary Force A native of Pompano Beach Florida Hedelund graduated from Florida Atlantic University and was commissioned in April 1983 He was designated an unrestricted Naval Aviator in May 1985 Previous command assignments include Headquarters Squadron Marine Aircraft Group 29 Marine Medium Helicopter Squadron 162 MAWTS 1 Marine Corps Warfighting Laboratory concurrently serving as the Vice Chief Office of Naval Research 2nd Marine Aircraft Wing and U S Marine Corps Forces Korea As a CH 46E pilot Lieutenant General Hedelund has deployed with HMM264 365 and 162 He has served as a Basic and Advanced Flight Instructor at Helicopter Training Squadron 18 NAS Whiting Field Florida He has also served as a CH 46E Instructor Division Head and Assault Support Department Head at MAWTS 1 Marine Corps Air Station Yuma Arizona Hedelund has flown over 5 200 flight hours in rotary wing tilt rotor and fixed wing aircraft Staff assignments include the Marine Corps Strategic Studies Group MCCDC U S Northern Command Desk Officer U S Joint Forces Command Senior Military Assistant and Marine Aide to the Secretary of the Navy Director Marine and Family Programs Division Manpower Reserve Affairs Assistant Chief of Staff UCJ 5 United Nations Command ROK U S Combined Forces Command U S Forces Korea Lieutenant General Robert F Hedelund CG II MEF SILVER HAWK AWARD Lieutenant General Hedelund is a distinguished graduate of The Basic School and Marine Corps Command and Staff College He has also attended the Air War College Montgomery Alabama and the Joint Forces Staff College Norfolk Virginia Established to honor the active duty Marine aviator or Marine naval flight officer holding the earliest designation date The Boeing Company Symposium Silver2019 Hawk Award 23 23

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Marine Flight Student of the Year For the most outstanding performance of a Marine flight student completing the Chief of Naval Air Training Flight School during 2018 First Lieutenant Emilee N Johnson completed primary flight training at VT 28 with a Naval Standard Score of 58 3 While assigned to HT 28 at Naval Air Station Whiting Field Florida for intermediate tiltrotor training Johnson distinguished herself above her peers by earning a 69 5 NSS While assigned to VT 35 for advanced flight training at Naval Air Station Corpus Christi Texas she earned the highest possible NSS of 80 0 and was awarded the Commodore s List with Distinction She was designated as an Naval Aviator on 10 August 2018 and continued to distinguish herself in the Fleet Replacement Squadron at Marine Medium Tiltrotor Training Squadron 204 in New River North Carolina by excelling in the initial stages of training and setting an example of excellence First Lieutenant Johnson s initiative exceptional achievement and total devotion to duty reflected great credit upon herself and were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Marine Corps and United States Naval Service First Lieutenant Emilee N Johnson VT 35 MATSG 22 FRANK E PETERSEN JR AWARD Established in honor of Lieutenant General Frank E Petersen Jr the first African American Marine Corps general officer and Marine aviator to recognize superior performance of a Marine flight student Collins Aerospace 24 Frank E Petersen Jr Award

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Enlisted Marine Aircrewman of the Year For professional achievement in the superior performance of his duties as an MV 22B Crew Chief Weapons and Tactics Instructor and Collateral Duty Quality Assurance Representative for Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron 165 from 1 January 2018 to 31 December 2018 Sergeant Derek A Levi was instrumental in these roles contributing in a monumental capacity at his home station and while deployed in support of Operation INHERENT RESOLVE He trained Marines in over 100 syllabi amassing over an astonishing 9 200 signatures in the Advanced Skills Management System An expert maintainer he personally completed 528 maintenance tasks and supervised 4 250 maintenance man hours directly improving squadron aircraft readiness In the air Levi flew 440 hours instructed 290 aircrew initial training events for a total of 326 events His strong commitment to mission accomplishment enhanced the squadron s capacity to effectively execute combat operations while deployed Sergeant Levi s superior performance outstanding leadership and loyal devotion to duty reflected great credit upon himself and were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Marine Corps and United States Naval Service Sergeant Derek A Levi VMM 165 MAG 16 DANNY L RADISH AWARD Established in honor of Master Gunnery Sergeant Danny L Radish who served in Marine aviation with distinction and heroism for over 23 years for the most outstanding contribution by a Marine enlisted aircrewman BAE Systems Electronic Systems Symposium Danny L 2019 Radish Award 25 25

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Aviation Maintenance Marine of the Year Staff Sergeant Nicholas J Harrel VMM 261 MAG 26 WILLIE D SPROULE AWARD Established in honor of Gunnery Sergeant Willie D Sproule a leader in the field of aviation maintenance who served with distinction for over 30 years for the most outstanding contribution by an enlisted Marine serving in a maintenance billet Elbit Systems of America 26 Willie D Sproule Award For professional achievement in the superior performance of his duties as Quality Assurance Division Chief for Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron 261 from 1 January 2018 to 31 October 2018 Staff Sergeant Nicholas J Harrel performed his duties in a highly professional manner and distinguished himself as the most valuable aviation maintenance Marine His tireless work ethic and brilliant technical abilities as a Quality Assurance Representative have set the standard for all to emulate Harrel s flawless management as the Quality Assurance Division Chief a billet normally held by a gunnery sergeant ensured the highest degree of quality in aircraft maintenance training and safety contributing to 34 715 safe maintenance man hours 1 928 flight hours and a grade of 95 4 percent on the Wing Aviation Logistics Management Assist Team Maintenance Inspection His guidance led to the creation of 25 plane captains and 30 advanced qualifications Staff Sergeant Harrel s exceptional professional ability initiative and loyal dedication to duty reflected great credit upon himself and were keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Marine Corps and United States Naval Service

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Aviation Supply Marine of the Year For professional achievement in the superior performance of his duties as the Supply Management Division Staff Non Commissioned Officer in Charge for Marine Aviation Logistics Squadron 12 from 1 January 2018 to 31 December 2018 Master Sergeant Edgard J Norori expertly prepared and supported 35 supply pack up kits for deployment training His foresight and innovative methods were noted when he established a barcode system that reduced inventory time by 90 percent As a result Norori s effective use of resources and ingenuity increased the combat readiness of MAG 12 s ability to Fight and Win Tonight Furthermore his leadership and technical prowess enabled him to identify and reduce the time to deploy wartime support packages by 90 percent His logistical acumen and critical judgment were crucial in the development of retail supply chain modernization changes to the aviation supply desktop procedures Master Sergeant Norori s exceptional professionalism and loyal devotion to duty reflected great credit upon himself and were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Marine Corps and United States Naval Service Master Sergeant Edgard J Norori MALS 12 MAG 12 KENNETH W SOUTHCOMB AWARD Established in honor of Gunnery Sergeant Kenneth W Southcomb a leader in the field of aviation supply who served with distinction for 30 years for the most outstanding contribution by an aviation supply Marine Elbit Systems of America 2019 Symposium Kenneth W Southcomb Award 27 27

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Avionics Marine of the Year Corporal Kyle M LeClair MALS 24 MAG 24 PAUL G VESS AWARD Established in honor of Master Gunnery Sergeant Paul G Vess a leader in the field of avionics who served with distinction for over 30 years for the most outstanding contribution by an electronics technician BAE Systems Electronic Systems 28 Mcaa PaulJournal G Vesswww fl Awardymcaa org For professional achievement in the superior performance of his duties while serving as an Aircraft Electrical Instrument Flight Control Systems Collateral Duty Inspector Marine Aviation Logistics Squadron 24 from 1 January 2018 to 31 December 2018 Through his technical mastery and innovation prowess Corporal Kyle M LeClair engineered and fabricated a Caution Advisory System Test Set reducing the average maintenance man hours to perform an operational check of the AH 1W Caution Advisory System from 90 to 10 minutes Utilizing electrical schematics he reverse engineered a test set for the MV 22 Emergency Egress Lighting System and if approved by the Fleet Support Team it will yield significant dividends to the intermediate level of maintenance His expert technical skills selfless nature and unyielding commitment to the success of those around him left an indelible mark on the squadron and serve as an outstanding example for others to emulate Corporal LeClair s exceptional professional ability initiative and dedication to duty reflected credit upon himself and were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Marine Corps and United States Naval Service

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Ordnance Marine of the Year For professional achievement in the superior performance of his duties while serving as the Weapons Division Non Commissioned Officer in Charge Marine Aviation Logistics Squadron 26 from 1 January 2018 to 31 December 2018 During this period Sergeant Christopher J Borghese supported the 26th Marine Expeditionary Unit and Special Purpose Marine Air Ground Task Force Crisis Response Central Command 18 2 While deployed he was responsible for the safe and timely assembly and delivery of 2 2 million of precision guided munitions to both AV 8s and F A 18s His technical prowess and leadership was apparent when he served as both an Intermediate and Organizational Level Work Center Supervisor He was responsible for all weapon systems for the 22 aircraft embarked aboard USS Iwo Jima He ensured the ordnance department s programs were inspection ready and received a Bravo Zulu from the Commander Naval Air Forces for his efforts with the Naval Ordnance Management Program Sergeant Borghese s professional ability initiative and loyal dedication to duty reflected credit upon himself and were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Marine Corps and United States Naval service Sergeant Christopher J Borghese MALS 26 MAG 26 GAINES B GILBERT AWARD Established in honor of Master Gunnery Sergeant Gaines B Gilbert a leader in the field of aviation ordnance who served with distinction for 39 years for the most outstanding contribution by an aviation ordnance technician Raytheon Symposium Gaines B 2019 Gilbert Award 29 29

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Command and Control Marine of the Year Corporal Colton R Vaughan MTACS 28 MACG 28 KENNETH A INNIS AWARD Established in honor of Master Gunnery Sergeant Kenneth A Innis for the most outstanding contribution by an enlisted Marine in the air command and control field Lockheed Martin 30 Mcaa Journal www fl ymcaa org Kenneth A Innis Award For professional achievement in superior performance of his duties as an Aviation Communication Systems Technician Marine Tactical Air Command Squadron 28 from 1 January 2018 to 31 December 2018 During this period Corporal Colton R Vaughan performed his duties in a highly professional manner and distinguished himself as the most valuable command and control Marine in the United States Marine Corps Possessing the knowledge to handle work of the most complex nature he assisted the Program Executive Officer Land Systems Marine Corps in defining the personnel solution for operating and maintaining the Marine Air Defense Integrated System His innovative software solution to a systemic problem resulting in a reduction of erroneously dead lined mission essential equipment a reduced logistical and fiscal burden on Marine Corps Logistics Command and the operating forces that saved the Marine Corps an estimated 590 000 Corporal Vaughan s exceptional professional ability initiative and loyal dedication to duty reflected great credit upon himself and were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Marine Corps and United States Naval Service

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Aviation Ground Marine of the Year For professional achievement in the superior performance of his duties as the Supply Shipping Branch Staff Non Commissioned Officer in Charge Marine Aviation Logistics Squadron 12 from 1 January 2018 to 31 December 2018 Staff Sergeant Marcus C Penate skillfully processed over 4 609 aeronautical components with an estimated value of 263 million and managed the shipment of all classified material within Marine Aircraft Group 12 valued in excess of 27 million He selflessly assisted Carrier Air Wing Five and all other tenant commands aboard Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni with the processing and shipment of hazardous materials as the sole certified personnel He was also instrumental in the packaging and preservation of an F A 18 aircraft from Marine Fighter Attack Squadron 232 for strategic airlift He used his ingenuity to build 14 boxes saving the Marine Corps over 1 million in private contracting costs Staff Sergeant Penate s initiative perseverance and total dedication to duty reflected credit upon himself and were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Marine Corps and United States Naval service Staff Sergeant Marcus Penate MALS 12 MAG 12 JACK W DEMMOND AWARD Established in honor of Lieutenant Colonel Jack W Demmond who served Marine Corps aviation with versatility and distinction for over 29 years for the most outstanding contribution by a ground Marine serving with Marine aviation Northrop Grumman Innovation Systems Jack W Demmond Award 31

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Marine Aviation Non Commissioned Officer Leadership Gunnery Sergeant Rodger K Bond MALS 36 MAG 36 JAMES E NICHOLSON AWARD Established in honor of Lieutenant Colonel James E Nicholson The Father of the MCAA who served with distinction as a member of the First Aeronautic Company in WWI for the most significant leadership by a noncommissioned officer in Marine aviation Raytheon 32 James E Nicholson Award For meritorious achievement while serving as the Ground Support Equipment Division Chief for Marine Aviation Logistics Squadron 36 from 1 January 2018 to 31 December 2018 Gunnery Sergeant Rodger K Bond directed priorities for over 1 488 pieces of equipment inducted into maintenance resulting in a ready for issue rate increase from 70 to 88 Under his leadership there was a massive overhaul of training processes leading to 7 new collateral duty inspectors and the attainment of 145 support equipment licenses and 103 individual qualifications The increased proficiency ensured the support of 18 logistics support requests for organizational squadron detachments His leadership resulted in two Marines selected for Marine of the Quarter three Marines meritoriously promoted to corporal and one Marine meritoriously promoted to sergeant As the Command Force Fitness Instructor he constantly challenged those around him to seek mental and physical improvements Gunnery Sergeant Bond s noteworthy accomplishments perseverance and devotion to duty reflected credit upon himself and upheld the highest traditions of the United States Marine Corps and United States Naval Service

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Acquisition Excellence in Marine Aviation For meritorious service while serving as Military Liaison and Deputy Assistant Program Manager for Logistics for Small Unit Remote Scouting Systems Small Tactical Unmanned Aircraft Office PMA 263 from 1 January 2018 to 31 December 2018 Gunnery Sergeant Nathan Marple s efforts in support of Marine Corps Navy and Special Operations Command Small Unmanned Systems employment and training have been exceptional and measureable He employed his extensive UAS experience to enact proactive solutions above his current rank and billet to meet Urgent Needs Small Unmanned Aircraft System fielding specifically supporting the Commandant of the Marine Corps 864 Quad for Squads Initiative He led the review and reorganization of Marine Corps facilities to better support unmanned systems training that led to the successful establishment of Training and Logistics Support Activity Pacific in support of III Marine Expeditionary Force unmanned system sustainment and training Gunnery Sergeant Marple s leadership ability personal initiative and unswerving devotion to duty reflected great credit upon himself and were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Marine Corps and United States Naval Service Gunnery Sergeant Nathan J Marple PMA 263 MAD PATUXENT RIVER MICHAEL A HOUGH AWARD Established in honor of Lieutenant General Mike Hough who served as the Deputy Commandant for Aviation and Director of the Joint Strike Fighter Program to recognize superior achievement and excellence by a Marine assigned to the acquisition field FLIR Michael A 2019 HoughSymposium Award 33 33

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Exceptional Achievement in Marine Aviation Gunnery Sergeant Michael L Felton HMH 465 MAG 16 JAMES MAGUIRE AWARD Established in honor of Gunnery Sergeant James Maguire the first enlisted Marine ordered to aviation duty and served with Alfred A Cunningham for the most significant contribution to Marine aviation by an individual or squadron not otherwise recognized Piasecki 34 Mcaa Journal www fl ymcaa org James Maguire Award For professional achievement in the superior performance of his duties as a CH 53E Airframes Quality Assurance Representative Marine Heavy Helicopter Squadron 465 from 1 January 2018 to 31 December 2018 During this period Gunnery Sergeant Michael L Felton demonstrated exceptional courage and leadership in the aftermath of a Class A mishap Putting aside his own personal grief for the betterment of the Marines his compassion and stout resolve galvanized the squadron maintenance department allowing Marines to confidently return to supporting flight operations within a few weeks of the mishap His unrivaled work ethic and outstanding technical dexterity in the aviation maintenance field directly contributed to the timely reclamation of the aircraft for forensic examination engineering investigations and the recovery of radiological components for disposal He consistently demonstrated his expertise with oversight of approximately 8 430 maintenance actions and 48 552 maintenance man hours of work while assisting in the successful deployment to UDP and passing the Commander Naval Air Forces Inspection He has set the standard for all to emulate Gunnery Sergeant Felton s exceptional leadership professionalism and steadfast devotion to duty reflected great credit upon himself and were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Marine Corps and United States Naval Service

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Marine Fighter Attack Squadron of the Year During the period of 1 January 2018 through 31 December 2018 Marine Fighter Attack Squadron 115 established an enviable record of superior performance in operational capability tactical training and maintenance Following an outstanding maintenance evaluation in the spring the squadron deployed the oldest Hornet airframes in the fleet to the Central Command area of responsibility Utilizing the full combat capabilities of the F A 18A Hornet in support of Operation INHERENT RESOLVE Silver Eagle pilots were called on frequently to employ precision guided ordnance including in Danger Close scenarios in support of both conventional and special operations forces engaged against the Islamic State throughout Western Iraq and Syria Further not a single combat mission was canceled for internal maintenance issues despite the aircraft flying four times above a normal utilization rate The squadron s mission success and safety record is a testament to the long hours and hard work of the squadron s superb aviation maintenance professionals The devotion to duty exhibited by the Marines of VMFA 115 reflected great credit upon themselves and is in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Marine Corps and United States Naval Service VMFA 115 MAG 31 ROBERT M HANSON AWARD Established in honor of Captain Robert M Hanson a Medal of Honor recipient and Ace who shot down 25 enemy aircraft before being killed in action for the most outstanding fighter attack squadron in Marine aviation The Boeing Company Robert M Hanson Award 35

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Marine Attack Squadron of the Year VMA 223 MAG 14 LAWSON H M SANDERSON AWARD Established in honor of Major General Lawson H M Sanderson a pioneer in the development of dive bombing and close air support in Marine aviation for the most outstanding attack squadron in Marine aviation BAE 36 Lawson H M Sanderson Award For outstanding contributions to Marine Corps aviation from 1 January 2018 to 31 December 2018 Marine Attack Squadron 223 completed multiple deployments for training stood multiple maintenance inspections and transitioned through major aircraft modifications before departing for combat The squadron ensured exceptional combat readiness by training with Joint Special Operations Command at Exercise Jaded Thunder Marine Joint Terminal Attack Controllers at Integrated Training Exercise 3 18 and contracted Red Air F 21 Kfirs The Bulldogs produced four Section Leads two Division Leads two Forward Air Controllers Airborne and three Weapons Training Officers and achieved a top tier grade of 96 2 on the Commander Naval Air Forces inspection The squadron led the Harrier community in Link 16 integration and were the first AV 8B squadron to deploy with fully operational Link 16 modified Harriers into combat operations The Bulldogs culminated this historic year by flying in excess of 1 030 combat hours and employing over 38 000 pounds of ordnance in support of Operation INHERENT RESOLVE Through their devotion and dedication to duty the Marines and Sailors of Marine Attack Squadron 223 reflected credit upon themselves and upheld the highest traditions of the United States Marine Corps and United States Naval Service

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Marine Aerial Refueler Transport Squadron of the Year VMGR 152 MAG 12 HENRY WILDFANG AWARD Established in honor of Major Henry Wildfang who served with distinction and heroism as a transport pilot for most outstanding aerial refueler transport squadron in Marine aviation Lockheed Martin 38 Mcaa Journal www fl ymcaa org Henry Wildfang Award For outstanding contributions to Marine Corps aviation from 1 January 2018 to 31 December 2018 The Sumos of Marine Aerial Refueler Transport Squadron 152 continued to set the standard for operational readiness and support in the vast and geographically remote Western Pacific Theater The squadron met and surpassed all challenges with unwavering dedication and commitment resulting in another year of unparalleled successes and accomplishments to include participation in every major III Marine Expeditionary Force exercise throughout the Pacific Command area of responsibility With 63 2 percent operational readiness and being deployed 49 weeks out of the year the squadron flew 5 536 mishap free flight hours across 1 900 sorties Additionally the continued dedication of the squadron s family readiness program ensured that 217 family members stationed overseas were remarkably cared for sustaining the well being of each Marine and Sailor Through their enthusiasm exceptional performance and total dedication to duty the Marines and Sailors of Marine Aerial Refueler Transport Squadron 152 reflected great credit upon themselves and upheld the highest standards of the United States Marine Corps and United States Naval Service

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The 2nd Marine Aircraft Wing Celebrates Local and National MCAA Award Winners On 15 April 2019 the Commanding General CG of the 2nd Marine Aircraft Wing 2nd MAW Brigadier General Karsten Hazel Heckl along with Sergeant Major Howard Kreamer attended an MCAA Cunningham Squadron hosted lunch and awards presentation The Marines from 2nd MAW who were nominated for the MCAA Awards were recognized for their outstanding performance over the last year While several have also won at the National Level each nominee or nominated squadron proved themselves the best within the Wing and were recognized by Brigadier General Heckl The Marines or units who could not attend due to worldwide deployments or Weapons and Tactics Instruction courses will be recognized at a later date The 2nd MAW award winners with leadership Photo Courtesy U S Marine Corps HM1 Williams MWSS 272 accepts the nomination as the Jack W Demmond Aviation Ground Marine of the Year Sgt Melconian VMM 266 was the 2nd MAW nominee as the Danny L Radish Enlisted Aircrewman of the Year Photo Courtesy U S Marine Corps Photo Courtesy U S Marine Corps LtCol Grundy Rundle and SgtMaj Studer accept the Royal N Moore nomination for the VMAQ Squadron of the Year They also won the National Award LtCol Punzel and SgtMaj Stowers accept the Donald E Davis Award nomination on behalf of MALS 26 as the best MALS of the year Of note they also won the National Award as well Photo Courtesy U S Marine Corps Photo Courtesy U S Marine Corps SSgt Stephenson VMM 365 accepts the 2nd MAW nomination for the James Maguire Award for Exceptional Achievement Photo Courtesy U S Marine Corps BGen Heckl left shakes Capt Carpenter s hand Carpenter VMM 266 also won the Alfred A Cunningham Aviator the Year Award at the National Level Photo Courtesy U S Marine Corps

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Marine Heavy Helicopter Squadron of the Year HMH 366 MAG 29 KEITH B MCCUTCHEON AWARD Established in honor of General Keith B McCutcheon a pioneer helicopter pilot and a visionary in the development of Marine Corps aviation doctrine for the most outstanding heavy helicopter squadron in Marine aviation Sikorsky 42 Mcaa Journal www flymcaa org Keith B McCutcheon Award For meritorious service professional achievement and sustained superior performance while conducting flight operations from 1 January 2018 through 31 December 2018 Marine Heavy Helicopter Squadron 366 set the standard for professional conduct and mission accomplishment culminating in simultaneous support of four separate areas of operation From the beginning of the year The Hammerheads enacted an ambitious training plan focused on cold weather training In January the squadron supported Exercise Ullr Shield at Fort McCoy Wisconsin followed by support of Fleet Week New York in May and sent a detachment to the 22d Marine Expeditionary Unit The squadron s operational achievements culminated in October embarking five aircraft on USS Iwo Jima in support of exercise Trident Juncture 18 the largest North Atlantic Treaty Organization exercise since the Cold War The Hammerhead s exemplary performance superior execution and attention to detail proved them to be the premier heavy lift squadron in the Marine Corps The unparalleled professionalism and dedication to their mission reflected great credit upon themselves and were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Marine Corps and United States Naval Service

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Marine Unmanned Aircraft Squadron of the Year VMU 1 MAG 13 JOHN I HUDSON AWARD Established in honor of Lieutenant General John I Hudson to recognize superior achievement by a Marine Unmanned Aerial Vehicle Squadron Insitu 44 Mcaa Journal www fl ymcaa org John I Hudson Award For meritorious service from 1 January 2018 to 31 December 2018 Marine Unmanned Aerial Vehicle Squadron One distinguished itself by generating combat capable detachments despite readiness and modernization challenges while executing an aggressive Marine Air Ground Task Force exercise employment plan The Watchdogs provided over 3 608 flight hours during 330 combat and 260 training sorties in support of four service level exercises two joint exercises two Marine Expeditionary Units and three Combatant Commands The squadron led Marine aviation in additive manufacturing capabilities pioneering a readiness centered philosophy and influenced the first Commander Naval Air Forces policy authorizing the use of 3D manufactured aircraft components for flight Executing the historical first Marine Group Five remotely piloted combat missions the squadron established the baseline configurations crew and flight procedures that enabled over 40 strikes and 1 600 combat flight hours The professionalism and steadfast devotion to duty of the Marines of Unmanned Aerial Vehicle Squadron One reflected great credit upon themselves and upheld the highest traditions of the United States Marine Corps and United States Naval Service

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Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron of the Year From 1 January 2018 to 31 December 2018 the Red Lions of Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron 363 distinguished themselves as the premier tiltrotor squadron in the United States Marine Corps Faced with a 1 2 deployment todwell ratio and 53 turnover in personnel the squadron completed over 24 300 maintenance hours which generated over 2 260 flight hours They achieved those hours while deployed to Central Command in support of Operation INHERENT RESOLVE and at times national tasking At Marine Corps Air Station Miramar California the first fully functional and flying tiltrotor remain behind element executed an average 78 6 flight hours per month Sixty days after returning stateside the squadron seamlessly moved from Marine Corps Air Station Miramar to Marine Corps Base Hawaii Upon arrival the squadron supported the Rim of the Pacific Exercise passed its safe for flight inspection and prepared for Marine Rotational Force Darwin while refitting under Marine Aircraft Group 24 By their distinguished achievements and dedication to duty the Marines of Marine Tiltrotor Squadron 363 reflected great credit upon themselves and upheld the highest traditions of the United States Marine Corps and United States Naval Service VMM 363 MAG 24 FRED MCCORKLE AWARD Established in honor of Lieutenant General Fred McCorkle whose leadership and dedication contributed to the success of the V 22 program for the most outstanding tiltrotor squadron in Marine aviation Bell Boeing Fred McCorkle Award 45

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Marine Light Attack Helicopter Squadron of the Year For superior performance from 1 January 2018 to 31 December 2018 Marine Light Attack Helicopter Squadron 367 Scarface maintained a high operational tempo in Hawaii while simultaneously training aircrew and maintainers for the conversion to the AH 1Z They conducted five detachments to Hawaii sent students with supporting augments to two Weapons and Tactics courses deployed to Twentynine Palms for Integrated Training Exercise 3 18 ITX with a six week retrograde detachment to Naval Air Station North Island and supported Rim of the Pacific 2018 ITX served as the squadron s first pure upgrade HMLA where aircrew conducted 881 flight hours and obtained 47 new qualifications and designations Despite ten new aircraft and a majority of Cobra pilots recently converted Scarface continued to support countless Ground Combat Elements in CONUS and throughout the Hawaiian Islands While completing the AH conversion training all over the country and supporting a high tempo flight schedule Marines successfully completed three maintenance inspections as well as the Commanding General s Readiness Inspection They demonstrated professionalism and the ability to operate in a new environment with augments from other squadrons and new aircraft while executing over 3 800 mishap free flight hours 700 more than 2017 The dedication and initiative of the Marines of Marine Light Attack Helicopter Squadron 367 reflected great credit upon themselves and upheld the highest traditions of the United States Marine Corps and United States Naval Service HMLA 367 MAG 24 JOHN P GIGUERE AWARD Established in honor of Captain John P Giguere killed in action during a pilot rescue mission in Grenada for the most outstanding light attack helicopter squadron Bell 2019 Symposium John P Giguere Award 47 47

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Marine Aviation Logistics Squadron of the Year MALS 26 MAG 26 DONALD E DAVIS AWARD Established in honor of Colonel Donald E Davis who designed the Marine aviation logistics support program for the highest degree of leadership logistic expertise innovation and superior accomplishments in support of Marine aviation CAE 48 Donald E Davis Award For professional excellence in providing sustained superior aviation logistics support from 1 January 2018 to 31 December 2018 The Patriots of Marine Aviation Logistics Squadron 26 superbly planned and executed tactical aviation logistics to sustain the combat readiness of Marine Aircraft Group 26 Extending the Aviation Combat Element s operational reach nearly 30 of the Patriots deployed throughout the year to sustain the lethality of the Aviation Combat Element Revolutionizing aviation logistics support the Patriots underwent a dynamic operational restructuring by implementing the Retail Supply Chain Modernization concept ultimately combining the material management of more than 11 300 line items into one division Pioneering innovations in maintenance they applied a more durable sealant on nearly 120 constant frequency generators and avoided more than 6 4 million in potential repair charges Evidenced by their accomplishments perseverance and unfailing devotion to duty the Marines and Sailors of Marine Aviation Logistics Squadron 26 reflected credit upon themselves and were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Marine Corps and United States Naval Service

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Marine Wing Support Squadron of the Year For sustained meritorious service from 1 January 2018 to 31 December 2018 while providing unmatched aviation ground support In addition to providing continuous aviation ground support to their home station Marine Wing Support Squadron 272 showcased combat readiness by consistently exceeding standards throughout Weapons and Tactics Instructor Course 2 18 During Hurricane Florence The Untouchables completed 60 missions for Marine Corps Air Station New River North Carolina with uninterrupted refueling clearing routes and standing water removal Sending a detachment to Norway in support of Trident Juncture 18 The Untouchables provided 236 121 gallons of fuel to Marine Aircraft Group 31 life support for 478 Marines and served as the arrival and assembly offload element to draw over 1 000 items from Marine Corps Pre Positioning Program Norway From scheduled training events to real world support the squadron aggressively planned equipped and executed all missions and surpassed all standards By their proven record of expeditionary service Marines of Marine Wing Support Squadron 272 reflected great credit upon themselves and upheld the highest traditions of the United States Marine Corps and United States Naval Service MWSS 272 MWSG 27 JAMES E HATCH AWARD Established in honor of Colonel James E Hatch designer of the Marine Wing Support Group and its subordinate squadrons for the most outstanding wing support squadron who enhances support to aviation by furnishing transportation engineering and communication essentials Honeywell James E Hatch Award 49

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Marine Air Command and Control Unit of the Year MACS 2 MACG 28 EDWARD S FRIS AWARD Established in honor of Major General Edward S Fris a pioneer in the development of Marine Corps aviation command and control for the most outstanding air command and control squadron in Marine aviation Raytheon 50 Mcaa Journal www fl ymcaa org Edward S Fris Award For outstanding contributions from 1 January 2018 to 31 December 2018 Marine Air Control Squadron Two provided aviation command and control in support of continued hurricane relief in Puerto Rico Exercise Trident Juncture 18 Marine Expeditionary Units Special Purpose Marine Air Ground Task Force Crisis Response and joint coalition and special force exercises During this time the squadron maintained an aggressive operations tempo and responded to requests for support with professionalism and tenacity In all the squadron supported 11 deployments across 3 theaters and 21 training exercises spread throughout the globe Spanning 4 dispersed locations composed of 6 detachments providing command and control services resulting in 3 380 mishap free controlled events As The Eyes of the MAGTF the squadron devoted resources into initiatives such as the AN TPS 80 Ground Air TaskOriented Radar Operational Testing and Evaluation at Weapons and Tactics Instructor Course 1 19 These investments will shape future doctrine and employment of Marine aviation command and control The accomplishments of Marine Air Control Squadron 2 were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Marine Corps and United States Naval Service

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Superior Performance in Marine Aviation For outstanding contributions to Marine Corps aviation from 1 January 2018 to 31 December 2018 The Marines and Sailors of Marine Fighter Attack Squadron 121 demonstrated maintenance excellence tactical prowess and safety in the execution of 1 674 sorties encompassing 2 474 hours This included two iterations with the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit the F 35B Lightning II s first operational shipboard deployment bilateral exercises with Japan and South Korea and a deployment to the Singapore Airshow Leading tactical operational and logistical advances The Green Knights tested and optimized digital interoperability techniques with 7th Fleet AEGIS destroyers refined post flight intelligence distribution techniques and pioneered the shipping of large form factor aircraft components to ships at sea Always seeking to build and solidify partnerships with key allies in the region the squadron participated in coalition exercises with the Japanese Self Defense Forces and the Republic of Korea Air Force providing initial exposure of F 35 capabilities to these critical regional allies Throughout 2018 the Marines and Sailors of Marine Fighter Attack Squadron 121 ensured that the unit remained always ready to fight and win tonight upholding the highest standards of the United States Marine Corps and United States Naval Service VMFA 121 MAG 12 COMMANDANT S AVIATION TROPHY Established to recognize superior performance and accomplishment of all assigned tasks by a Marine squadron Pratt Whitney Commandant s Aviation Trophy 51

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Marine Aviation Safety For superior performance meritorious service and professionalism in support of I Marine Expeditionary Force from 1 January 2018 to 31 December 2018 Marine Light Attack Helicopter Squadron 369 continuously set the bar for operational readiness and aviation safety The Gunfighters flew 4 723 flight hours successfully accumulating over 47 820 flight hours since the last Class A mishap Throughout their participation in the Unit Deployment Program the squadron planned and executed training exercises of an advanced nature involving both foreign and U S military units and heavy and medium lift aviation assets During Exercise Cobra Gold 18 the Gunfighters showcased the latest tactics and techniques in expeditionary basing close air support and light air assault operations while flying 214 sorties for over 396 hours By their dedication to duty constant professionalism and attention to detail the Marines of Marine Light Attack Helicopter Squadron 369 reflected great credit upon themselves and upheld the highest traditions of the United States Marine Corps and United States Naval Service HMLA 369 MAG 39 PETE ROSS AWARD Established in honor of First Lieutenant Joseph Pete Ross who perished while flying during a drill at Naval Air Station Glenview IL for the Marine aviation unit compiling the best safety record over the past year GE Aviation 52 Mcaa www flymcaa org PeteJournal Ross Award

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1962 to 2018 Past Aviation Awardees ALFRED A cUNNINgHAM AWARD RoBERt gUY RoBINsoN AWARD 2018 Capt Daniel J Bono 2017 Capt Hugh E Anderson 2016 LtCol Steve E Gillette 2015 Capt Jason R Caster 2014 Capt Jason T Stephenson 2013 Maj Robert J Weingart 2012 Maj John E Grunke 2011 Capt Gregory J Youngberg 2010 Capt Henry J Hortenstine 2009 Maj Scott W Wadle 2008 Capt William G Heiken 2007 Maj C W Hasle 2006 Maj Ricardo Martinez 2005 Capt G J Pawson 2004 Capt Matthew C Shortal 2003 Capt Scott D Schoeman 2002 Capt J M Holtermann 2001 LtCol Steven W Busby 2000 LtCol Andrew W O Donnell Jr 1999 Maj Michael L Lawrence 1998 Captain Kevin J Wolfe 1997 Maj John Robert Parker 1996 Capt Robert J Charette Jr 1995 LtCol Wallace G Duncan Jr 1994 LtCol Martin D Peatross 1993 Capt Mark A Dungan 1992 LtCol Daniel A Driscoll Jr 1991 LtCol Michael M Kurth 1990 LtCol John G Castellaw 1989 LtCol Robert J Garner 1988 LtCol Larry D Outlaw 1987 LtCol Stephen D Haley 1986 Maj Ivan M Behel 1985 Capt Michael C Albo 1984 Col Laurence R Medlin 1983 LtCol William G Barnes Jr 1982 Maj Bruce B Knutson Jr 1981 LtCol Alfred J Allega 1980 Maj T David Seder 1979 Maj Mike D Ryan 1978 Col Walter R Ledbetter 1977 Col Harvey D Bradshaw 1976 Maj R H Brinkley 1975 LtCol James L Bolton 1974 LtCol Michael P Sullivan 1973 Maj Howard L DeCastro 1972 Maj Lee T Lasseter 1971 Maj David G Vest 1970 Capt John J Barrett 1969 LtCol Paul W Niesen 1968 Maj David L Althoff 1967 Maj Vincent J Guinee Jr 1966 LtCol Charles H Ludden 1965 Capt Raymond R Powell 1964 LtCol Thomas J Ross 1963 Col Michael R Yunck 1962 LtCol John H Glenn Jr 2018 Capt Philip R Schmitz 2017 Capt Christopher A Smith 2016 Maj Jason P Whittaker 2015 Capt Anthony J Cesaro 2014 Capt Bradley N Buick 2013 Maj Matthew A Brown 2012 Capt David C Dunsworth 2011Maj Marc E Blankenbicker 2010 Capt John Cimina 2009 Capt Brian A Adams 2008 Maj Anthony Baggs 2007 Maj H W Qualkinbush 2006 Capt J L Purdon 2005 Capt M D Williams 2004 Capt Charles B Dockery 2003 Maj Joseph E Maybach 2002 Maj J A Craft 2001 Maj John H Pylant 2000 Maj Chris Pappas III 1999 Maj David A DeMorat 1998 Capt John P Farnam 1997 Capt Francisco M Ball 1996 Maj Justin B Orabona 1995 LtCol Jeffrey A White 1994 Maj Barry B Bizzell 1993 LtCol Terry G Robling 1992 Maj Henry J Krauss 1991 Maj Richard J Findlay 1990 Maj John A Blum 1989 Capt Mark F McKeon 1988 Maj Terry L Breithaupt 1987 Maj Michael I Mott 1986 LtCol Joseph C Garbrous 1985 LtCol Richard C Kindsfater 1984 LtCol James E French 1983 Maj Wayne A Stanley 1982 Maj David Vanesselstyn 1981 Maj George P Sweeney III 1980 Capt Gary P Newell 1979 Maj Richard G Hoopes 1978 Maj Leonard R Fuchs Jr 1977 LtCol Gerland C Lindgren 1976 Maj O E Hay 1975 CWO3 Don E Diederich 1974 Maj William T Bridgham Jr 1973 CWO 3 John C Bardon 1972 Capt William D Carr Jr 1971 Capt John D Cummings EARLE HAttAWAY AWARD 2018 Capt Kristina F Warren 2017 Capt Kevin F Champaigne 2016 Maj Michael J Malone 2015 Capt Devin D Johnson 2014 Capt Narciso Corral 2013 CWO 2 Theodore B Hensley 2012 CWO 2 Charles T Dine 2011 CWO 2 Ricky J Savage 2010 CWO 2 Nathan Young 2009 Capt Matthew J Neely 2008 Capt Jonathan Goins 2007 Capt A A Angell 2006 Capt L R Domitrovits 2005 Capt R A Dill 2004 CWO3 Steven P Hulse 2003 Maj Kris S Karnetsky 2002 Maj W E Hidle 2001 Maj John F Sisson 2000 Maj Brent E Meeker 1999 Maj Roosevelt G Lafontant 1998 Maj Paul F Callan 1997 Maj Jerald D Holm 1996 CW0 2 Robert A Murphy 1995 Maj Byron F Stebbins 1994 Maj Lloyd L Denn 1993 Maj Paul F Lease 1992 Capt Kevin T McCutcheon 1991 Maj Bonnie J Robison 1990 Maj Steve S Demers 1989 LtCol John E Torsak 1988 Col Donald E Davis 1987 Maj Richard Christiansen 1986 Capt Ernie L Ellis 1985 Capt Michael J Cooper 1984 Capt Stephen C Lambeth 1983 CWO 3 Leroy Sanderson 1982 Capt Robert E Fugate 1981 Capt Donald Schwartz Jr 1980 1stLt Mark C Hunt 1979 Maj Donald B Frost 1978 Maj Frederick M Stitcher 1977 1stLt Herbert Donahue Jr 1976 Capt D Ratcliffe 1975 Capt Courtney B Payne 1974 Capt Vernon L Clark 1973 Capt Louis E Sergeant Jr 1972 LtCol Earle Hattaway RoBERt F gIBsoN AWARD 2018 Capt Steven E Nye 2017 Capt Michael R Jacobellis 2016 Maj Jason A Lambert 2015 Capt Benjamin J Kiley 2014 Maj Jason A Sharp 2013 Maj Kenneth W Phelps III 2012 Capt Christopher J Forsythe 2011 Maj Koichi Takagi 2010 Capt Michael J Pruden 2009 Capt Christopher M Nelson 2008 Capt Amanda Donnelly 2007 1stLt Andrea L Goeman 2006 Capt D A Funkhouser 2005 Capt K M Karcher 2004 Maj Lorna M Mahlock 2003 Maj Christopher S Richie 2002 Maj K A Knarr 2001 CWO James M Graham II 2000 Capt Matthew Culbertson 1999 Major John C Reimer 1998 Major Jeffery S Carusone 1997 Capt Blaise R Strandquist 1996 Capt Michael C Bogna 1995 Capt Rodney D Burnett 1994 Maj William L Clemente 1993 Capt Robert S Crosetto 1992 Capt Paul D McGraw 1991 Capt Mark R Cyr 1990 Capt Mark R Cyr 1989 Capt Dale L Kratzer 1988 Capt Chad W Hocking 1987 Capt Francis W Chesney 1986 Capt Kelvin K Womack 1985 Capt Randolph L Hill 1984 Maj William L Groves 1983 Capt Richard J Martin Jr 1982 Maj Jimmie T Turner 1981 Maj Timothy J Balch 1980 MSgt Bobbie D Hodges 1979 1stLt Timoth J Kirk 1978 Capt William W Smith 1977 Capt Paul F Cibuzar 1976 GySgt W E Grogan 1975 Maj Mitchell Steinberg 1974 Maj James W Bierman 1973 CW0 4 Robert D Favreau 1972 1stSgt Frederico Verceles sILVER HAWK AWARD 2018 Gen Glenn M Walters 2017 Gen Glenn M Walters 2016 LtGen Robert E Schmidle Jr 2015 LtGen Kenneth J Glueck 2014 Gen James F Amos 2013 Gen James F Amos 2012 Gen James F Amos 2011 Gen James F Amos 2010 Gen James F Amos 2009 Gen James F Amos 2008 Gen James F Amos 2007 LtGen Jack W Bergman 2006 LtGen Jack W Bergman 2005 Gen William L Nyland 2004 Gen William L Nyland 2003 Gen William L Nyland 2002 LtGen Michael P DeLong 2001 LtGen Frederick McCorkle 2000 MajGen Thomas A Braaten 1999 Gen Terry Dake 1998 LtGen Terry Dake 1997 LtGen Jefferson Davis Howell Jr

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1996 General Richard D Hearney 1995 LtGen Harold W Blot 1994 MajGen Richard L Phillips 1993 MajGen Richard L Phillips and MajGen Clyde L Vermilya 1992 Gen John R Dailey 1991 LtGen Royal N Moore and MajGen Michael P Sullivan 1990 MajGen Michael P Sullivan 1989 Gen Joseph J Went and LtGen John I Hudson 1988 LtGen John I Hudson 1987 LtGen Frank E Petersen Jr 1986 LtGen Frank E Petersen Jr 1985 MajGen Frank E Petersen Jr 1984 MajGen Leo J LeBlanc Jr 1983 MajGen Leo J LeBlanc Jr 1982 MajGen Leo J LeBlanc Jr 1981 LtGen William J White 1980 LtGen Andrew W O Donnell 1979 LtGen Thomas H Miller 1978 CWO 4 Henry Wildfang and MajGen Frank Lang 1977 CWO 4 Henry Wildfang 1976 CWO 4 Henry Wildfang 1975 CWO 4 Henry Wildfang 1974 MajGen Arthur H Adams 1973 MajGen Arthur H Adams 1972 MajGen Norman J Anderson FRANK E Petersen Jr AWARD 2018 1stLt Daniel J Lengyel 2017 1stLt Samantha A Sirois 2016 1stLt Curtis C King 2015 1stLt Kyle K McLeod DANNY L RADISH AWARD 2018 SSgt Gilbert B Hopper 2017 Sgt Cameron A Koerner 2016 Sgt Ryan A Hetu 2015 Sgt Nathaniel T Lubinus 2014 GySgt James E Garner 2013 Cpl Benjamin L Hebert 2012 Sergeant James R Reyes 2011 SSgt Bart C Davis 2010 Sgt Frank Conrad 2009 SSgt Bryan E Campbell 2008 Sgt Matthew R Crooks 2007 Sgt T D Martinez 2006 Cpl N A Robinson 2005 GySgt P O Burgess 2004 SSgt Wade M Davis 2003 Sgt Bryan K Cox 2002 SSgt A D Ritacco 2001 Sgt Joshua C Eveslage 2000 Sgt Robert J Ostrander 1999 Sgt Bruce W Keller 1998 Sgt Dennis L Pennington 1997 SSgt Sean M Sterling 1996 Sgt Scott A Pfister 1995 Sgt Kenneth W Jourdan 1985 CWO 3 Terry D Ruhter 1984 CWO 3 Timmy A Bahr 1983 GySgt Cary M Depew 1982 CWO 2 James R Kikta 1981 SSgt Daniel A Weier 1980 GySgt Earl E Lipford 1979 MGySgt Edward T Hunt Jr 1978 CWO 2 Terry D Ruhter 1977 Sgt David R Gorton 1976 GySgt S D Alvarez 1975 MSgt Thomas J Guthrie Jr 1974 GySgt Donald Schwartz Jr 1973 GySgt Edward C Rinehart 1972 SSgt Richard F Smith Helicopter 1994 SSgt Joseph Womack 1993 Cpl James H Brown 1992 Sgt Leonard R Domitrovitis 1991 Sgt Richard N Gravel 1990 Sgt Thomas E Newman 1989 Sgt David A Brown 1988 Sgt James E Bowling II 1987 Sgt Micharel R Bishop Jr 1986 Sgt Michael H Schmitt 1985 SSgt David H Dielman 1984 GySgt Kelly M Neidigh 1983 Cpl Gregory S Floyd 1982 Sgt Bobby G Clement Jr 1981 Sgt Kenneth R Boone 1980 SSgt Dewey L Johnson 1979 Sgt Ralph Rainey 1978 SSgt G T Chavarria 1977 SSgt Tery R Armstrong 1976 Cpl G E Estepp 1975 Sgt Joseph F Kerce 1974 Sgt Robert D Brooking 1973 SSgt James T Connacher 1972 Cpl Lester E Cox Jr WILLIE D SPROULE AWARD 2018 GySgt Robert M Surozenski 2017 Sgt Keanu B Kinney 2016 GySgt Ronald L Strzalkowski 2015 GySgt Mark A Eastmead 2014 Sgt Kevin M Adcock 2013 Cpl Sean A Radcliff 2012 SSgt Chad D Brown 2011 Sgt Justin H Mauldin 2010 GySgt Donald Wilson 2009 Sgt Esteban Amezquitazamora 2008 Cpl Brandyn C Gutche 2007 Sgt R P Roberthon 2006 SSgt Eric Williams 2005 SSgt B M Rioux 2004 GySgt Jersey J Bray 2003 SSgt Troy A Bissen 2002 Sgt J D Clement 2001 Cpl Michael L Youngblood 2000 SSgt Ruben Garibay Jr 1999 GySgt Brian E Trimble 1998 SSgt Francis Masterson III 1997 GySgt Oscar G Adley Fixed Wing 1996 Sgt Robert A Petersen 1994 MGySgt Ehore N Dicandiatt 1995 SSgt Paul D Kogut 1993 GySgt Jerry L Lewis 1994 Cpl Willie J Timms Jr 1992 MSgt Cary M Depew 1993 Sgt Steven M Dalrymple 1991 MSgt Bruce A Taylor 1992 Sgt Rodney W Troup 1990 Sgt Michael V Davis 1991 Cpl Dale M Harp 1989 Sgt Scott S Steele 1990 Cpl Thomas E Covey 1988 MSgt James R Noe 1989 Sgt Edwin Jimenez 1987 SSgt David Rodriguez 1988 Sgt Steven R Davis 1986 CWO 3 Edward J Delehant 54 MCAA Journal www flymcaa org 1987 Sgt Margie E Traub 1986 Cpl Joseph D Gamble 1985 SSgt Lou Ann Rickley 1984 Sgt Jesus L Zarate 1983 Sgt David L Washa 1982 Sgt Bernard A Leever 1981 Sgt Valerio D Capote 1980 Sgt Neil V McCarty 1979 Cpl Jose R Guzman 1978 Sgt David B Shrader 1977 Sgt Stephen P Givens 1976 Cpl M A Bogaczyk 1975 Sgt Stephen H Foreman 1974 Sgt Rickey A Hess 1973 Sgt Ronald L Harvin 1972 Sgt Gary Griswold KENNETH W SOUTHCOMB AWARD 2018 MSgt Jeffrey J Swindell 2017 MSgt Willie J Milline 2016 MSgt Olga J McCray 2015 Sgt Teresa Morman 2014 MSgt Rodolfo Flores Jr 2013 Cpl Michael L Denney 2012 MSgt Erika E Johnson 2011 Sgt Catalina Delgado 2010 MSgt Scott Kieweg 2009 MSgt Frank C Orduno 2008 Sergeant Javier Lopeztapia 2007 SSgt A M Hayes 2006 GySgt T L Adkins 2005 GySgt R W Rowe 2004 MSgt Anthony J Jackson 2003 GySgt David Parulis 2002 GySgt W B Downing 2001 GySgt James M Pasko 2000 SSgt Alan J Papke 1999 GySgt Mark Obey 1998 GySgt Kenneth W Oisten 1997 SSgt Michael L Shideler 1996 SSgt Michael S Martin PAUL G VESS AWARD 2018 GySgt Ryan J Straub 2017 SSgt Christopher E Norman 2016 SSgt Juan Ogomuro 2015 GySgt Brian D Hoover 2014 Sgt Eric J Smith 2013 Cpl Mario A Cabrera 2012 Sgt Christopher A Green 2011 Sgt Ryan J Straub 2010 Sgt Steve Bougnadeth 2009 SSgt Thomas M McNelis 2008 Sgt Michelle Carter 2007 SSgt C C Wilson 2006 GySgt G C Krenek 2005 GySgt J H Kreitzer 2004 Sgt Henry L Sapp 2003 GySgt Duwayne W Darby 2002 GySgt A L Garrant 2001 GySgt Arlington A Finch 2000 Sgt Brandy R Vaughn 1999 SSgt James F Lewellyn 1998 SSgt Dale W Benton 1997 Sgt Robert Vanravenswaay 1996 SSgt Adam R Chitty 1995 GySgt James T Baker 1994 SSgt Andrew McLaughlin 1993 Cpl Kurt E Peterson 1992 GySgt Ronald G Hayward 1991 SSgt Charles W Anderson 1990 SSgt Walter B Jarek 1989 Cpl Lansden R Good III 1988 Cpl James H Parish Jr 1987 GySgt Ronald H Cowles 1986 SSgt Karl E Duggin 1985 GySgt Donald L Erickson 1984 GySgt Edward G Robinson 1983 SSgt James C Addington 1982 Sgt Dennis K Ellis 1981 GySgt James O Stephens 1980 SSgt John A Chemsak 1979 GySgt Samuel E Cooper 1978 GySgt Barry B Mertz 1977 GySgt Raymond Clapsadle GAINES B GILBERT AWARD 2018 Sgt Jordan A Rubio 2017 Sgt Shane M Tietje 2016 Sgt Tyler J Bluder 2015 SSgt Francisco A Valdez 2014 Sgt Jason T Connolly 2013 GSgt Juan G Jimenez Jr 2012 Sgt Blake A Cooper 2011 Sgt Nicholas W Passage 2010 Sgt Cleavland Smith 2009 GySgt Sean C Kuietauskas 2008 Sgt Brian D Kolterman 2007 Sgt J D Quigley 2006 Sgt J H Barr 2005 Sgt B A Roczicka 2004 SSgt Carl E Moser 2003 Sgt Zachary F Ritter 2002 Sgt B D Auten 2001 SSgt Gary L Shopper 2000 SSgt Michael T Kuzniar 1999 Sgt Sally D Morris 1998 Sgt Anthony J Ramos 1997 SSgt Mark A Mitchell 1996 Sgt Porfirio A Velasquez Torres 1995 SSgt Gary L Glisan 1994 SSgt Lisa A Borbe 1993 SSgt John A Graboski KENNETH A INNIS AWARD 2018 GySgt Anthony R Maggard 2017 MSgt Lance A Gruben 2016 WO Michael L Ott 2015 MSgt Herbert A Smith 2014 SSgt Adele Grullon Knupp 2013 GSgt Justin E Hackworth 2012 GySgt Jeffrey P Riley 2011 Sgt Xavier W Wethington 2010 SSgt Gene A Gibbs 2009 MSgt Gary G Gumienny 2008 GySgt Rachel L Eltz 2007 SSgt K J Williams 2006 Sgt N A Norville 2005 GySgt J A Dobbins 2004 GySgt Russell T Sinclair 2003 SSgt Charles C Robinett 2002 GySgt R G Eskam 2001 Sgt Michael Soto 2000 GySgt Vernon K Abshire 1999 Sgt Victor B Watts 1998 SSgt Kenneth C Reynolds 1997 GySgt Carol A Franssen 1996 Sgt Andrew C Johnson 1995 SSgt Dean L Jones 1994 MGySgt Donald L Kopff 1993 GySgt Samuel R Schmidt 1992 GySgt Timothy P Bougher 1991 SSgt Brent W Pforthmiller 1990 Cpl Derek R Andersen 1989 Sgt Timothy J Didas 1988 Sgt Brian E Dundon

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JACK W DEMMOND AWARD Michael A Hough Award 2018 GySgt Jonathon E Thornton 2017 Sgt Jordan M Mercado 2016 MSgt Christopher D Collins 2015 Sgt Robert B Plumb 2014 SSgt Victor Carmona Jr 2013 SSgt Jose A Zazueta 2012 Sgt Joy E Spears 2011 GySgt Tracy Wilson 2010 MSgt Steven Lemke 2009 SSgt Robert Leatherman 2008 SSgt Blair R Clark 2007 SSgt B A DeBusk 2006 SSgt S L Leonard 2005 SSgt K D Voss 2004 SSgt Hector M De La Pena 2003 SSgt Elibert S Ginez 2002 Sgt C B Peoples 2001 SSgt Michael S Hounshell 2000 GySgt Lisa C Beeksma 1999 Sgt Ronald R Phillips 1998 Sgt Paul F Smith 1997 Sgt Ralph A VanAssche 1996 SSgt Timothy King 1995 Sgt Mark L Unger 2018 Maj Robert F Guyette 2017 LtCol Brian J Taylor 2016 SSgt Scott A Colagrossi II 2015 LtCol Vasilios E Pappas 2014 Maj Josue M Diaz 2013 GSgt Johnny L Kilgore 2012 LtCol Jason R Maddocks 2011 LtCol Matthew G Kelly 2010 LtCol Eldon E Metzger 2009 LtCol Eric J Ropella 2008 GySgt Benjamin Gonzalez 2007 LtCol J E Rector JAMES E NICHOLSON AWARD 2018 SSgt Jamie L Murray 2017 Sgt Brandon D Young 2016 SSgt Jimi A Banda 2015 Sgt Jason Alvarez 2014 Sgt Zachary A Kirk 2013 Sgt Brett S Johnson 2012 Sgt Cory J Sowell 2011 Sgt Joshua D Obermier 2010 Sgt Ryan Fuss 2009 Sgt Thomas M Reed 2008 GySgt Arthur W Cochran 2007 GySgt Brian J O Toole 2006 Sgt E J Amezquitazamora 2005 GySgt Anthony Garcia 2004 GySgt Marvin M Magcale 2003 GySgt Vincent F Young 2002 GySgt R J Watson 2001 SSgt Daniel W Annunziata 2000 SSgt Trisha A Schmidt 1999 MGySgt Jeffery A Davis 1998 SSgt Rosa A Clarke 1997 Sgt Sarah L Hart 1996 Sgt Daniel C Gutierrez 1995 GySgt Clayton T Kribs 1994 GySgt Timothy P Hinger 1993 SSgt Michael A Hoffman 1992 SSgt Robert G Meserve 1991 GySgt William R Shearer 1990 MGySgt John E Merchant 1989 MGySgt Robert D Targett 1988 GySgt George C Johnson 1987 MSgt Tommy Lane Jr 1986 MSgt William R Griffith 1985 MSgt Daniel Smith III 1984 MSgt James W Varney 1983 Sgt John A Lopresti 1982 MSgt Robert MacLaughlin 1981 GySgt John K Jones 1980 MSgt Donald J Turk 1979 MSgt Hershal A Buchann 1978 MSgt Edward D Boyd 1977 Sgt David L Ford JAMES MAGUIRE AWARD 2018 Capt Joshua P Brooks 2017 GySgt Clinton J DuClos 2016 Cpl Steven F Emond 2015 SSgt Joseph Napolitano 2014 Cpl Gavin L Christian 2013 Cpl Clayton J Rice 2012 VMR Belle Chase 2011 GySgt Garry D Sandy 2010 Cpl William H Rogers Jr 2009 Capt John C Reeves 2008 Capt Luke T Watson 2007 LtCol R L Bomhold 2006 LtCol J E Munroe 2005 MWSG 37 2004 LtCol Kevin L Gross 2003 VMU 1 2002 Sgt D R Pash 2001 Maj Douglas S Kurth 2000 Maj Richard Coleman Jr 1999 CWO Crane P Dauksys 1998 1stLt Brian J Shortsleeve 1997 MAWTS 1 1996 LtCol Paul Pisano 1995 MAWTS 1 1994 1stLt Eric L Rine 1993 Maj Christabol H Mendez 1992 Capt George B Brown 1991 MGySgt Ronald A Perez 1990 MSgt Cecil D Walden 1989 GySgt Mallie F Elkins Jr 1988 MSgt Michael S Mullen 1987 Capt Raymond C Ferrara 1986 Maj Joseph E Noble 1985 MSgt Timothy J Brinton 1984 Maj Howard B Eddins III 1983 Capt Mark C Hunt 1982 Cdr Manley Carter USNR 1981 Col James D Jahn ROBERT M HANSON AWARD 2018 VMFA AW 242 2017 VMFA AW 533 2016 VMFA 121 2015 VMFA 314 2014 VMFA 312 2013 VMFA 251 2012 VMFA AW 533 2011 VMFA 232 2010 VMFA 112 2009 VMFA 122 2008 VMFA 232 2007 VMFA AW 242 2006 VMFA AW 332 2005 VMFA AW 242 2004 VMFA 312 2003 VMFA 323 2002 VMFA 251 2001 VMFA AW 121 2000 VMFA AW 332 1999 VMFA 312 1998 VMFA 122 1997 VMFA 312 1996 VMFA 232 1995 VMFA AW 332 1994 VMFA 312 1993 VMFA 312 1992 VMFA AW 242 1991 VMFA 235 1990 VMFA 115 1989 VMFA 451 1988 VMFA 115 1987 VMFA 115 1986 VMFA 323 1985 VMFA 212 1984 VMFA 112 1983 VMAT 101 1982 VMFA 115 1981 VMFA 235 1980 VMFA 323 1979 VMFA 333 1978 VMFA 531 1977 VMFA 112 1976 VMFA 323 1975 VMFA 323 1974 VMFA 232 1973 VMFA 333 1972 VMFA 115 1971 VMFA 115 1970 VMFA 212 1969 VMFA 251 1968 VMFA 314 1983 No Award Given 1982 VMA 214 1981 VMA AW 533 1980 VMA AW 533 1979 VMA AW 121 LAWSON H M SANDERSON AWARD 2018 VMAQ 3 2017 VMAQ 4 2016 VMAQ 2 2015 VMAQ 3 2014 VMAQ 3 2013 VMAQ 1 2012 VMAQ 4 2011 VMAQ 2 2010 VMAQ 1 2009 VMAQ 4 2008 VMAQ 1 2007 VMAQ 3 2006 VMAQ 1 2005 VMAQ 2 2004 VMAQ 1 2003 VMAQ 1 2002 VMAQ 1 2001 VMAQ 3 2000 VMAQ 2 1999 VMAQ 4 1998 VMAQ 1 1997 VMAQ 2 1996 VMAQ 1 1995 VMAQ 4 2018 VMA 231 2017 VMA 223 2016 VMA 223 2015 VMA 211 2014 VMA 311 2013 VMA 211 2012 VMA 223 2011 VMA 231 2010 VMA 214 2009 VMA 311 2008 VMA 231 2007 VMA 211 2006 VMA 211 2005 VMA 542 2004 VMA 513 2003 VMA 542 2002 VMA 223 2001 VMA 311 2000 VMA 223 1999 VMA 223 1998 VMA 211 1997 VMA 214 1996 VMA 211 1995 VMA 211 1994 VMFA AW 533 1993 VMFA AW 242 1992 VMA 231 1991 VMA 311 1990 VMA 331 1989 VMA AW 224 1988 VMA 311 1987 VMA 214 1986 VMA AW 242 1985 VMA AW 332 1984 VMA 211 HENRY WILDFANG AWARD 2018 VMGR 352 2017 VMGR 352 2016 VMGR 352 2015 VMGR 252 2014 VMGR 352 2013 VMGR 234 2012 VMGR 252 2011 VMGR 352 2010 VMGR 352 2009 VMGR 152 2008 VMGR 352 2007 VMGR 252 2006 VMGR 152 2005 VMGR 252 2004 VMGR 352 2003 VMGR 234 2002 VMGR 234 2001 VMGR 152 2000 VMGR 352 1999 VMGR 252 1998 VMGR 234 1997 VMGR 252 1996 VMGR 152 1995 VMGR 252 1994 VMGR 152 1993 VMGR 352 ROYAL N MOORE AWARD KEITH B MCCUTCHEON AWARD 2018 HMH 463 2017 HMH 772 2016 HMH 464 2015 HMH 366 2014 HMH 461 2013 HMH 361 2012 HMH 461 2011 HMH 466 2010 HMH 463 2009 HMH 464

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2008 HMH 362 2007 HMH 465 2006 HMH 466 2005 HMH 769 2004 HMH 465 2003 HMH 462 2002 HMH 465 2001 HMH 461 2000 HMH 464 1999 HMH 466 1998 HMH 462 1997 HMH 361 1996 HMH 462 1995 HMH 361 1994 HMM 268 1993 HMM 164 1992 HMM 265 1991 HMLA 369 1990 HMM 163 1989 HMM 261 1988 HMLA 169 1987 HMM 261 1986 HMLA 269 1985 HMM 163 1984 HMM 261 EDWARD C DYER AWARD 2015 HMM 364 2014 HMM 364 2013 HMM 268 2012 HMM 262 2011 HMM 165 2010 HMM 268 2009 HMM 161 2008 HMM 261 2007 HMM 262 2006 HMM 266 2005 HMM 268 2004 HMM 161 2003 HMM 161 2002 HMM 163 2001 HMM 161 2000 HMM 265 1999 HMM 266 1998 HMM 264 1997 HMM 365 1996 HMM 263 1995 HMM 365 John I Hudson Award 2018 VMU 3 2017 VMU 2 2016 VMU 2 FRED MCCORKLE AWARD 2018 VMM 161 2017 VMM 264 Rein 2016 VMM 365 2015 VMM 363 2014 VMM 265 2013 VMM 365 2012 VMM 266 2011 VMM 365 2010 VMM 261 2009 VMM 266 2008 VMM 263 JOHN P GIGUERE AWARD 2018 HMLA 169 2017 HMLA 267 2016 HMLA 269 2015 HMLA 369 2014 HMLA 169 2013 HMLA 269 2012 HMLA 267 2011 HMLA 367 2010 HMLA 269 2009 HMLA 367 2008 HMLA 773 2007 HMLA 169 2006 HMLA 167 2005 HMLA 773 2004 HMLA 369 2003 HMLA 267 2002 HMLA 169 2001 HMLA 269 2000 HMLA 167 1999 HMLA 269 1998 HMLA 369 1997 HMLA 169 1996 HMLA 369 1995 HMLA 269 DONALD E DAVIS AWARD 2018 MALS 12 2017 MALS 39 2016 MALS 13 2015 MALS 12 2014 MALS 36 2013 MALS 12 2012 MALS 36 2011 MALS 16 2010 MALS 26 2009 MALS 11 2008 MALS 29 2007 MALS 11 16 2006 MALS 26 REIN 2005 MALS 16 2004 MALS 11 2003 MALS 39 2002 MALS 31 2001 MALS 14 2000 MALS 13 1999 MALS 12 1998 MALS 36 1997 MALS 31 1996 MALS 36 1995 MALS 14 1994 MALS 36 1993 MALS 12 1992 MALS 36 1991 MALS 14 JAMES E HATCH AWARD 2018 MWSS 372 2017 MWSS 172 2016 MWSS 272 2015 MWSS 274 2014 MWSS 372 2013 MWSS 273 2012 MWSS 373 2011 MWSS 374 2010 MWSS 371 2009 MWSS 273 2008 MWSS 171 2007 MWSS 273 2006 MWSS 372 2005 MWSS 273 2004 MWSS 374 2003 MWSS 373 2002 MWSS 172 2001 MWSS 371 2000 MWSS 273 1999 MWSS 371 1998 MWSS 271 1997 MWSS 172 1996 MWSS 274 1995 MWSS 172 1994 MWSS 174 1993 MWSS 373 1992 MWSS 271 1991 MWSS 174 EDWARD S FRIS AWARD 2018 MACS 1 2017 MACS 4 2016 3D LAAD 2015 MACG 38 Fwd 2014 MACG 28 FWD 2013 VMU 2 2012 MACS 4 2011 MACS 2 2010 MTACS 28 2009 MTACS 38 2008 MACS 2 2007 1st Stinger Battery 2006 VMU 1 2005 VMU 2 2004 MTACS 38 2003 MACS 2 2002 MACS 4 2001 MACS 24 2000 2d LAAD 1999 MTACS 28 1998 MASS 1 1997 MACS 6 1996 MTACS 28 1995 MWCS 18 1994 MACS 4 1993 MATCS 38 1992 MASS 1 1991 2d LAAD 1990 MASS 2 1989 MASS 2 1988 3d LAAD 1987 MAGG 18 1986 MACS 2 1985 2d LAAM CMC AVIATION AWARD 2018 VMGR 152 2017 VMX 1 2016 VMFA 251 2015 VMM 261 2014 VMGR 252 2013 VMGR 152 2012 VMU 3 2011 VMGR 152 2010 VMU 2 2009 HMM 265 2008 VMU 1 2007 HMH 363 2006 HMM 161 2005 MACS 1 2004 HMH 464 2003 VMFA AW 121 2002 HMT 303 2001 VMGR 234 2000 HMM 365 1999 HMM 265 1998 MWSG 37 1997 VMFA 232 1996 VMFA 251 1995 VMGR 252 1994 SOES Cherry Point 1993 VMGR 152 1992 VMGR 152 1991 HMM 266 1990 VMFAT 101 1989 VMFA 251 1988 VMGR 352 1987 HMH 464 1986 VMAT 203 1985 HML 267 1984 H MS 12 1983 VMFP 3 1982 HMA 369 1981 VMGR 352 1980 VMFA 531 1979 VMGR 252 1978 VMFA 251 1977 VMA 223 1976 VMAQ 2 1975 VMA AW 224 1974 VMFA 115 1973 HMH 463 1972 VMA AW 224 1971 HMM 262 1970 VMFA 314 1969 VMO 6 PETE ROSS AWARD 2018 VMFA 312 2017 VMM 262 Rein 2016 VMFT 401 2015 VMGR 352 2014 HMLA 169 2013 HMH 463 2012 HMM 262 2011 VMGR 452 2010 HMLA 369 2009 HMM 161 2008 HMLA 369 2007 HMLA 775 2006 HMLA 369 2005 VMA 223 2004 HMLA 369 2003 HMM 261 2002 VMFA 232 2001 HMH 769 2000 VMFA 112 1999 HMLA 775 1998 HMH 769 1997 HMLA 773 1996 HMM 764 1995 HMM 764 1994 VMFA 134 1993 VMFT 401 1992 VMFA 134 1991 VMFA 134 1990 VMAQ 4 1989 VMAQ 4 1988 VMA 142 1987 VMA 322 1986 VMA 142 1985 VMFA 122 1984 VMFA 112 1983 VMA 124 1982 VMFA 321 1981 VMA 124 1980 VMFA 112

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Marine Corps Combat Art Ben Kristy Aviation Curator National Museum of the Marine Corps Honor Courage and Commitment are the basic principals embraced by all Marines Along with a dose of gritty realism those principals are reflected in the thousands of works of art now held by the National Museum of the Marine Corps NMMC Initiated in 1942 by Brigadier General Robert Denig the Marine Corps Art Program s mission is to keep Americans informed about what their Marines are doing at home and overseas Managed by the NMMC the collection has grown to include over 350 artists and nearly 8 000 works of fine art Marine Corps combat artists have been given the same simple guidance since 1942 Go to war do art The strength of the collection rests on the authentic and unvarnished focus these works have on the human condition under the most trying of circumstances war Beyond works created by official combat artists the NMMC s Art Collection includes a great number of works created by Marines who captured their experiences during quiet times between missions or as a means of mentally processing their own experiences in a combat zone A small set of works by First Lieutenant James Lovett Parmelee donated to the museum in the late 1960s serve as a good example of these sorts of paintings Parmelee a Chicago native joined the U S Naval Reserve as an aviation cadet and accepted his commission into the U S Marine Corps Reserve as a second lieutenant on 16 March 1943 After receiving his designation as an Naval Aviator following flight training at Naval Air Station Corpus Christi Texas he was assigned to Marine Fighting Squadron 113 VMF113 at Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point North Carolina and by October 1943 was overseas with Marine Fighter Squadron 114 VMF114 The Death Dealers flying the Curator s CORNER Vengeance Above the Ben Hai 1967 LtCol Albert Leahy III Photograph Courtesy of the National Museum of the Marine Corps Chance Vought F4U 1 Corsair Parmelee s natural artistic talent led him to create along with Lieutenant J K Wallace the unit insignia for VMF 114 and paintings capturing the daily events of life on Espiritu Santo Guadalcanal and finally Nissan Island part of the Green Islands as VMF 114 moved forward into combat On the morning of 30 April 1944 thenFirst Lieutenant Parmelee launched into the pre dawn light into a lowhanging cloud deck as part of a twelve plane fighter sweep which was to cover the efforts of a rescue seaplane searching for survivors of a missing American PT boat Entering the cloud deck Parmelee s section leader Lieutenant William Hobbs Jr radioed and requested a bearing from the mission leader Hobbs acknowledged the bearing but neither he nor Lieutenant Parmelee emerged from the other side of cloud formations over New Ireland Island Despite several days of searching by Marines of VMF 114 neither Hobbs or Parmelee were recovered nor was the wreckage of their aircraft In 1968 having learned of the existence of the then Marine Corps Museum via a newspaper story Dr Arthur Parmelee donated a set of his late brother s paintings of camp activities fellow flyers and various aircraft to the museum Parmelee s untitled watercolor depicting the recovery of a Chance Vought F4U 1 which has nosed over while landing on a rough runway is a quiet reminder of the risks of flying high performance aircraft from forward airfields this painting was utilized in the Centennial of Marine Aviation Exhibition at the Smithsonian s National Air and Space Museum in 2011 While Lieutenant Parmelee s work is an example of art created by a Marine who painted in his free time 2019 Symposium 57

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the Marine Corps Art Program as a combat artist on a two year commitment and spent seven months in Vietnam on assignment during which he earned the Bronze Star with Combat V for meritorious service While in Vietnam Leahy was able to talk his way into flying on numerous combat missions with a variety of units including at least one mission in the right seat of a Grumman A 6 Intruder as a guest bomber navigator with VMA AW 242 Leahy s Vengeance Above the Ben Hai captures the moment that his Intruder rolls in on the targeted North Vietnamese antiaircraft position marked by a white phosphorous rocket and is starting its dive through the low cloud layer and enemy fire As both a gifted artist and pilot Leahy takes the view into the cockpit and captures both the beauty and danger of the moment Black Sheep Over Baghdad 2018 Marc Poole Photograph Courtesy of National Archives and Records Administration much of the artwork within the NMMC s Art Collection was created by Marine combat artists purposely deployed to record and captures scenes from a combat zone Lieutenant Colonel Albert Mike Leahy III was called to active duty from the Reserves during the Korean War and was trained as a helicopter engine mechanic and reached the rank of sergeant 58 MCAA Journal www flymcaa org Having caught the flying bug Leahy earned his Naval Aviator wings and a commission as a second lieutenant in March 1954 He went on to fly with HMX 1 from 19591962 Leahy graduated from the Philadelphia College of Art with a Bachelor of Fine Art Graphics in 1964 while still in the Marine Reserves and then taught at the Famous Artists Schools in Westport Connecticut In 1967 Leahy entered While artists both active duty or Reserve Marines and civilians have captured the commitment accomplishments and sacrifices of Marine Corps aviation since the 1940s in general Marine aviation is in fact under represented within the NMMC s larger art collection To help address this the NMMC and the Marine Corps Heritage Foundation has embarked on a multi year effort to commission aviation themed paintings that capture important events in Marine Corps aviation primarily from Vietnam forward In 2019 the first of these new pieces were added to the NMMC s Art Collection including a remarkable artwork produced by Mississippi based professional art instructor and gallery director Marc Poole Inspired by a chance encounter with an AV 8B Harrier II from VMA 214 at his local airport Gulfport Biloxi International Poole set out to create a painting which would emotionally connect with his 1992 painting of a WWIIera VMF 214 Vought F4U Corsair Author s Note This painting is

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Poole went to extraordinary lengths to ensure that the visual elements of the painting would be faithfully accurate From speaking to the pilots involved he was able to largely determine where over Baghdad the action took place He then used Google Earth to refine the tightly packed neighborhoods of central Baghdad and the bend in the Tigris River which serve as the background for the painting Lieutenant Colonel Bardo former commanding officer of VMFA 121 provided Poole with a number of images which he had taken over Baghdad in the spring of 2003 of his flight helmet and of the VMA214 aircraft at the time and it was this point that Poole discovered that the Harrier II which Bardo piloted on 10 April 2003 was the very same aircraft that Poole had seen at his local airport in 2017 and which served as the inspirational basis for the painting in the first place Untitled 1944 1st Lieutenant James Lovett Parmelee Photograph Courtesy of the National Museum of the Marine Corps now part of the collection of the National Museum of the Naval Aviation Pensacola Florida While searching for a suitable topic story Poole reached out to noted military historian and retired USMC F A 18 pilot Jay Stout for assistance Stout put Poole in touch with a number of Marine Harrier pilots and from multiple discussions with them Black Sheep Over Baghdad was born The painting depicts the moment on 10 April 2003 when VMA 224 pilot then Captain Tyler Bardo launched an AGM 63E laser guided Maverick at a clock tower located in the dense urban environment of Baghdad Captain Bardo flying as wingman to Major Mark Butler had finished escorting a flight of helicopters over the city when they were directed to contact the forward air controller from Charlie Company 1st Battalion The unit had been receiving sustained RPG and automatic gunfire from a clock tower and had already sustained one fatality After making multiple runs on the difficult target Butler hit the tower with an LGB which failed to detonate and with Butler providing the laser signature for the CURATOR S CORNER target the laser Maverick fired by Captain Bardo impacted the target and silenced the enemy fire With the opening of the NMMC s Combat Art Gallery in 2016 the museum is now able to display more the amazing works of art which it holds and multiple future exhibitions are in currently in the planning stages Reproductions of many of paintings from the collection including many aviationthemed pieces are available for purchase through RequestAPrint https www requestaprint net marines index php with a portion of the proceeds of all sales supporting the Marine Corps Heritage Foundation which in turn provides support for the NMMC s Art Program and the combat artists If you have flight gear personal effects or other artifacts which you would like to donate to the National Museum of the Marine Corps you can contact Aviation Curator Ben Kristy at benjamin kristy usmcu edu or Assistant Aviation Curator Eric Marr at eric marr usmcu edu 2019 Symposium 59

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SQUADRON NEWS VIEWS The MCAA Donald E Davis Squadron Holds 2019 Reunion Aviation Logistics Marines DONald E DAVIS Squadron T he Marine Corps Aviation Association MCAA Don E Davis Squadron held its annual reunion from the 21st 24th March 2019 at the Grand Hotel in Pensacola Florida the home of the Blue Angels More than 100 members and guests of the squadron toured socialized and reminisced We had the privilege to be supported by Major Shawn Hennessy commanding officer of AMS 2 and the Marines of MATSG 23 throughout the event with transportation technical support and a Color Guard as well as briefs from the Command on mission and school changes in the aviation logistics arena The reunion was packed with a full agenda starting with a Welcome Aboard Reception Members enjoyed a round of golf tour of the Blue Angels spaces and a visit to the National Naval Aviation Museum lunch at The Oaks and a sunset Dolphin cruise in the bay The weekend concluded with a banquet on Saturday evening in The Grand ballroom In addition to a full social program business meetings were held with Squadron officers and general membership to advance and promote MCAA objectives and 60 MCAA Journal www flymcaa org the Marine Corps Aviation Logistics Community of Interest They installed Master Gunnery Sergeant Rob McCutcheon USMC Ret as their communications officer and elected Master Sergeant Paul Cerkez USMC Ret to the Don Davis Board of Directors The business meeting concluded with ratification of the 2019 bylaws and discussions regarding next year s reunion location The executive roundtable which followed the business meeting served as the squadron s active duty ASL interface In attendance were active duty leadership from a number of key community of interest commands Most notably Lieutenant General Jon Dog Davis USMC Ret former DCA and the current MCAA National Commander participated in all events During the roundtable two presentations of significance were provided by Colonel Russ Blauw HQMC ASL 1 and Colonel Ryan Goulette commanding officer of MATSG 23 Blauw s presentation provided highlights of the many readiness challenges and initiatives underway across Marine Corps and Naval Aviation Colonel Goulette s presentation provided an overview and details about the progress that has been made across the aviation logistics training environment Both presenters asked that the Davis Squadron leadership to provide insights and bring industry expertise to bear in assisting with a number of key obstacles facing their communities The reunion concluded on Saturday evening with a formal banquet at the hotel with the Guest of Honor Deputy Commandant for Aviation Lieutenant General Steven Stick Rudder highlighting the evening s activities with a brief on Marine aviation today and the future vision as well Rudder

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Squadron News provided an inspirational and targeted message to the community emphasizing the value and influence of the logistics profession as a key enabler to combat successes as Marine aviation moves ever forward with additional capabilities and the accompanying logistics challenges He emphasized that Marine aviation logistics is now one of the principle metrics during acquisition and fielding to ensure battlefield success over the entire lifecycle of an aviation asset Marine aviation logistics and the individual Marines who develop refine and perform the tasks will continue to be a critical driver to the Marine Corps success helping to ensure maximum readiness for Marine aviation within the Marine Air Ground Task Force postured to address our nation s challenges today and those of the future with confidence During the banquet in aviation logistics professional excellence was highlighted and celebrated Active duty aviation logistics instructors who made significant impactful and measurable contributions to Marine aviation logistics during 2018 were recognized Gunnery Sergeant Master Sergeant sel Juan Hernandez EAF Instructor and Staff Sergeant William Liesenfelder ATI Instructor for both AMS 1 and MATSG 23 were awarded for innovation and excellence Also noteworthy a Sustained Superior Achievement Award was presented to Rick Owen for his decades of steadfast service to the squadron its families and his important contributions to the advancement of aviation logistics interests The Recruiter of the Year went to Active Duty Lieutenant Colonel Bill Slack 2nd MAW ALD C The oldest Marine present was Colonel James Garner USMC Ret who is 97 years young Special recognition went to the corporate sponsors Lockheed Martin Andromeda Technologies Inc and Mustang Services The banquet concluded with both a silent and live auction provided by the generous support of its members contributing immensely to the scholarship fund Looking ahead the squadron continues to vigorously advance its principled purpose Family support with the upcoming awarding of the Pete Freeman Scholarship and participation with active duty Marines from all levels during selected events 2019 Symposium 61

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John Glenn Squadron T he Marine Corps Aviation Association John Glenn Squadron Acquisition Awards Ceremony took place on 28 February 2019 at the River s Edge Conference Center aboard Naval Air Station Patuxent River Maryland The John Glenn Squadron has been recognizing Marine Corps Aviation Acquisition Professionals since 2005 The Guest of Honor was The Honorable James Hondo Geurts Assistant Secretary of the Navy Research Development and Acquisition ASN RDA The Senator John Glenn Test Pilot of the Year Award went to Lieutenant Colonel Frederic Neubert a CH 53K Developmental Test Pilot from The Blackjacks of AIRTEVRON 21 HX 21 The award is named after the squadron namesake the late Senator John H Glenn Jr Joining Neubert in celebrating this significant recognition were the Commander Test Wing Atlantic Captain Tom Lou Tennant and Neubert s brother Lieutenant Commander John Neubert Lieutenant Commander Neubert is also a graduate of the U S Navy Test Pilot School The Lieutenant General Michael A Hough Acquisition Officer of the Year Award was presented to Lieutenant Colonel Alex Ramthun from the AV 8B Program Office PMA 257 Attending the ceremony was the namesake for this award Lieutenant General Michael Hough who was the Deputy Commandant of Aviation when the John Glenn Squadron was formed in 2005 The Leader Joyce Acquisition Staff Noncommissioned Officer of the Year award was presented to Gunnery Sergeant Nathan 62 MCAA Journal www flymcaa org L R Col Girard CO of the MCAA John Glenn Squadron Pax River GySgt Marple LtCol Ramthun LtCol Neubert and The Honorable Geurts Assist SecNav ASN RDA L R Col Girard Mr Geurts GySgt Marple Ms Leader Medeiros Ms Kuehn CAPT Hills USN Ret Rolls Royce Award Sponsor Marple Marple supports the Small Tactical Unmanned Aircraft Systems Program Office PMA 263 The award is named after the late Master Gunnery Sergeant Gary Leader and Gunnery Sergeant Sean Joyce who lost their lives in an MV 22A mishap at Quantico Virginia on 20 July 1992 Representing the Leader and Joyce families at this year s ceremony were Ms Jennifer Kuehn who was Master Gunnery Sergeant Leader s fianc at the time of his death and Ms Tiffani Leader Medeiros Master Gunnery Sergeant Leader s oldest daughter The John Glenn Squadron s Awards Ceremony will be held in June 2019 The 2019 John Glenn Orbital Classic is scheduled to be held on 12 September 2019 on NAS Patuxent River s Cedar Point Golf Course we hope to see you there

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Capt Cummings meeting president richard M nixon in 1972 at MCas el toro Ca probably wouldn t live through the night without proper medical attention The platoon requested an emergency medical evacuation pHoto CoUrtesy LEATHERNECK MaGaZine Scarface 12 Captain Roger M Henry and copilot First Lieutenant David J Cummings were standing by in their AH 1G Cobra gunship call sign Scarface 12 on routine alert at landing zone LZ Baldy when they were tasked to provide medevac escort for two CH 46 transport helicopters We do the usual thing get a brief line up the two Frogs CH 46s and our two Snakes Henry s aircraft and one other Cobra and off we go Captain Henry related The medevac package rendezvoused with the OV 10 for a mission brief The weather was not good Henry said It was the densest damn fog I ve ever seen It was down to less than 1 000 feet in the valley There was no way in hell that a 46 could get into the area for a pick up but they tried Despite persistent but unsuccessful maneuvering the two 46s terminated their approach and retired to the edge of the weather mass to wait for a better opportunity In the meantime Henry received permission from the CH68 Mcaa Journal www flymcaa org 46 mission commander to scout the LZ From his position in the higher visibility front gunner s seat Henry took control of the aircraft while Cummings gave him directional headings and watched the clearance for the rear blades When I initially attacked the mountain I flew in below the level of the cloud fog cover so I could get close to the mountain and then walk up the side I was able to put the skids close to the dark green scrub growth that loomed out of the fog at times almost scraping the trees and go from bush to bush at slow speed often dipping below 30 knots Normally Henry would sit in the rear seat but in this case he was on a check ride for Cummings qualification to be an airborne commander At the time Henry was a qualified combat flight instructor and a Cobra test pilot I could see very little because of the fog It was literally tree to tree I was trying to hold my heading and watch the scrub growth at the same time It s all visual My skids were almost touching the tops of the growth It was the only way to do it Dave was in the back seat giving me directions come this way or that Henry depended on Cummings directions because he had to keep his eyes outside the cockpit focused on the rough terrain The radio operator on the ground was trying to direct him by sound It sounds like you re to the east of me come west Or it sounds like your north of me come south Henry had to abort I missed and flew right by them I climbed back up and missed them again One time I got past them and I got hung up I couldn t back up because it was so tight I tried three times to get in Then I realized I m running out of gas and I went back to LZ Baldy to refuel Upon his return the CH 46 pilot told him I don t know whether we can continue to try this Henry was adamant If I don t get in this kid is going to die The platoon had already told him that the casualty was not going to make it if we don t get him out of here Henry tried again but I went by him in the fog and dropped off the edge of a cliff

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Henry noticed a waterfall and thought the platoon was probably at the top I tucked the nose of the aircraft toward it and climbed up the waterfall When I reached the top I found myself looking at a foot trail and a dozen pup tents That is all I could see so I simply turned the bird to the left parallel to the trail and landed I then told the radio operator I am here bring him over The response I got back was that they could see my tail rotor but I needed to turn around to see the landing site I could see nothing but fog back there but I carefully did as instructed and found myself at the top of a big bomb crater and they were in it I then carefully moved the Cobra around and down the far side of the crater to center it at the bottom edge for a very hairy landing There just was not enough room to get more than the first half of the skids settled so I had to keep things stable while Dave got out to load the wounded Marine The landing had taken five separate attempts and three hours of flight time Cummings climbed out of the helicopter Dave and I had already talked about what we were going to do and he agreed Cummings would ride the rocket pod and the badly wounded man would take his place in the helicopter Henry remembered a gunnery sergeant who wasn t really tall but was built like a guerrilla carrying the wounded man who weighed maybe 150 pounds like a rag doll He gently at arm s length slid him into the back seat Dave ran the seat belt and shoulder harness around and over his arms so he couldn t move Cummings straddled the right inboard rocket pod with his stomach pressed against the wing and the upper part of his body hunched over it The side of the aircraft kept him from rolling inboard while a seven shot rocket pod kept him from rolling outward He s not going anywhere Henry stated confidently He got a go Ground crew on base prep the helicopter pHoto CoUrtesy LEATHERNECK MaGaZine sign from Cummings and lifted the gunship out of the zone Dave gave a V for victory sign with his fingers Henry said and the radio exploded with You guys are crazy After the Cobra cleared the mountains I knew we were OK Henry declared Leveling off at 4 000 feet Henry accelerated the Cobra to 100 knots to maintain good flight control but that is a lot of wind blowing he said glancing at his co pilot exposed to the slip stream Slashing rain and extreme cold plus the deafening shrill and shuffle vibrations of the engine and rotors battered and buffeted the airman To add insult to injury the windstorm thrust Cummings flight helmet forward causing the chin strap to choke him After what seemed like an eternity to Cummings the gunship broke into clear sky 1 200 feet over Spider Lake and raced for the desperately needed medical facility I couldn t see the landing pad Henry said And then I heard this boom boom on the side of the aircraft It was Dave pointing madly at the ground After landing I remember this Marine running out with a stretcher He was absolutely amazed at the sight of Dave trying to climb off the pod He was frozen I shut down the aircraft My hand was frozen on the cyclic because I had been gripping it for so long I literally had to pry my hand off it The wounded Marine was whisked off to the medical facility to be treated A short time later he was taken to Marble Mountain for emergency treatment According to Lieutenant Colonel Gregory J Johnson a retired Marine 46 pilot who wrote Rescue at Hill 845 for Leatherneck Magazine May 1989 the Marine survived and eventually recovered For their actions both pilots were each awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross And for Captain Henry a stern rebuke from the squadron commander He gave me a direct order to never use the Cobra to rescue someone again Twenty nine days later Captain Henry used his Cobra to evacuate another seriously wounded Marine in direct violation of the squadron commander s order An unrepentant Henry explained hotly I did it because the Marine would have died if I hadn t gone in there He was bleeding out and they could not get it stopped Henry explained Once More unto the Breach Dear Friends Once More On the morning of 4 January 1970 Captain J K Van Riper s Company L 3rd Battalion 7th Marines Colonel Ret suffered several casualties after a firefight with an unknown enemy force in the proximity of Hill 845 Impeded by the thick vegetation often triple canopy steep slopes thick fog and rain it was difficult to evacuate casualties It took the better part of the day to carry our dead 2019 Symposium 71

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MajGen Earnest Cheatham CG of 1stMarDiv left shakes hands with then Maj Cummings 1983 Photo Courtesy U S Marine Corps and wounded along in the final punishing climb while fighting to the top It was dark before we reached the mountaintop Arnold Punaro Major General Ret wrote in On War and Politics the Battlefield inside Washington s Beltway As darkness settled in we had one emergency WIA remaining in the landing zone Captain Van Riper recalled a seriously wounded Marine who had taken a bullet through his left leg breaking it and nicking the femoral artery Second Lieutenant Buzz Boehm commander of the battalion reaction force professionally described the wound His leg was a friggin mess bleeding like hell Surprisingly the man was lucid and talked calmly to Boehm about the wound AK 47 just above the knee Sir tumbled on impact shattering the bone and severed the femoral artery If I don t get out soon probably lose the leg Boehm blurted out Who the hell are you anyway Uhhh chief company corpsman he responded 72 MCAA Journal www flymcaa org As I looked out from this zone near Hill 845 I could see two CH 46 medevacs headed toward our position Captain Van Riper recalled Just at this time clouds and fog closed in around the landing zone the two CH 46 aircraft disappeared from sight and the sound of their blades quickly faded away However another mission package was on the way Captain Henry and First Lieutenant Toby R Gritz were in the lead Cobra escorting two Frogs on the mission to evacuate Lima Company s Marine The medevac was dicey because it was at night in the fog under flares from Basketball an Air Force flare aircraft Henry recalled We were in a valley area with hillsides all around and the clouds were coming down eating the zone It was so bad that I told my wingman to stay out in orbit Gritz later died in a mid air collision over Marble Mountain Henry found his mark in a saddle on a very steep ridge and pulled up to lead the 46 aircraft in If you don t get in here real quick on my tail you re not getting in he warned The transport followed him in but as it flew over the zone his aircraft suddenly pulled up then on its side and then snapped level and disappeared into the overcast I thought I was watching the guy crash Henry observed He probably developed vertigo and got disoriented by the flickering light of the magnesium flares bouncing off the clouds Henry pulled clear of the clouds and radioed the other Frog get on my six and I will lead you in which he did But as soon as they started the 46 pilot suddenly broadcast Scarface I m Popeye low fuel and I m turning back At the time Henry s aircraft was also low on fuel but he ignored the warning light and pressed on Screw this Henry stated in an interview with the author I m going to go get the kid A short time later perhaps fifteen minutes Van Riper said I heard a helicopter well below me and I realized it was literally

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climbing the mountain at treetop level Basketball continued to drop flares in an effort to light the landing zone Henry used the light but discovered he had picked the wrong hillside and had to pull off The radio operator on the ground radioed Hey Scarface you re on the wrong hill we re over here On the ground Lieutenant Buzz Boehm was on the radio trying to get help I got an interruption from Scarface 1 2 I immediately knew it was the call sign of the Cobra squadron The pilot asked me for our position and situation and if I could walk him in Boehm said We could hear but not see a chopper we had maybe 20 25 meters visibility We placed flares and strobes out to mark the LZ and walked him in Henry spotted their lights and sat down When we touched down Toby climbed out of the front cockpit Henry explained and dropped the left side ammunition bay door He and I had already discussed how to transport the wounded man We knew he couldn t fit in the cockpit because his fractured leg had been splinted with a tree limb to keep it straight I told the radio operator to make sure the casualty can t thrash around The company wrapped the Marine in ponchos sedated him with morphine Henry thought he was in La La Land and tied him on the left side Lieutenant Boehm recalled The Skipper yelled for rope not much was available so several Marines pitched in with their issue web belts until we could safely secure the man His feet rested against the inboard rocket pod with his head at the upper end Gritz climbed back in the front seat strapped in and the Cobra lifted off All this happened in a few minutes Henry recalled Lieutenant Boehm said as the Cobra lifted out of the zone We cheered like crazy Captain Van Riper expressed his feelings I remember that night as clearly as if it was yesterday During two tours of duty in Vietnam with U S and Vietnamese units in the field and during two other tours of combat I never saw heroics on the level displayed by Captain Henry and Lieutenant Gritz on the evening of January 4 1970 Their skill as aviators and their daring in the most hazardous of conditions represented gallantry for which I have no personal comparison either on active duty or my 80 years of life The unit radioed they were going to write Henry up for a decoration but he told them not to do it If you do I ll get in serious trouble he said As far as I m concerned it was a standard medevac no muss no fuss Just don t worry about it Everyone agreed Henry contacted Basketball We re coming out and I m running out of gas real quick Gimme a line of flares right down the main road If it quits I want to be able to land it I made it all the way back to LZ Baldy and did a flame out approach into the pits figuring it was going to quit at any time I touched down and there were two Frog crewmen there who took off with the wounded Marine while a third Marine appeared right next to my cockpit plugged in the grounding plug to my bird removed the fuel cap and started pumping and it never quit I asked myself how could I get away with this Back at the Ready Alert pad at Marble Mountain Air Facility Henry opened the ammo compartment and found it awash in the casualty s blood When the crew chief finished refueling I grabbed the fuel hose and hosed the compartment down to wash out the blood I told him not to say anything to anyone and thought I was good but I forgot about the fuel truck driver By the time he returned to the squadron area the news about the medevac was all over the place Henry was told that ominously The CO wants to see you I knew what was going to happen The CO chewed me out till he ran out of words then the XO took over and he chewed and then he gave it back to the CO back and forth until he finally said OK Captain do you have anything to say Yes sir if I had to do it all over again I d do the same thing That afternoon Henry was grounded thrown out of the squadron and was assigned as the base club s officer According to Henry the squadron awards board collected statements recommending him for the Navy Cross while at the same time the adjutant was preparing a court martial referral Eventually both recommendations were dropped and that s the last Henry heard of it Henry remained in the Marines Corps retiring as a lieutenant colonel with almost 26 years of service During his years of service he was awarded a Meritorious Service Medal Distinguished Flying Cross Air Medal with one single mission and 25 strike flight credits two Bronze Stars with Combat V a Navy Commendation Medal and the Vietnamese Cross of Gallantry with Silver Star Cummings earned four Distinguished Flying Crosses four single mission Air Medals the Bronze Star with Combat V a Purple Heart and several other personal awards In 1988 he was selected to command a Cobra squadron but while on a trip he suffered a heart attack and died Gritz served a tour as a forward air controller In a rare occurrence for an aviator he was assigned as a platoon commander when the officer was wounded He was commissioned through the enlisted commissioning program My heartfelt thanks to Colonel Jim Van Riper USMC Ret Lieutenant Colonel Roger Henry USMC Ret Lieutenant Colonel Greg Johnson USMC Ret and Lieutenant Colonel Buzz Boehm for their unstinting assistance with the article Semper Fi to them Dick 2019 Symposium 73

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WING UPDATe 1st MaW oKinaWa The 1st Marine Aircraft Wing 1st MAW the Corps only permanently forward deployed aviation wing resides within a vast area of operations that is a vital driver of the global economy and includes the world s busiest international sea lanes and nine of the ten largest ports The 36 nations comprising the culturally diverse Asia Pacific region are home to more than 50 of the world s population 3 000 different languages several of the world s largest militaries and five nations allied with the United States through mutual defense treaties The Asia Pacific is also a heavily militarized region with seven of the world s ten largest standing militaries five of the world s declared nuclear nations and two major adversaries that continue to pressure the status quo in the Pacific Given these conditions the strategic complexity facing the region is unique The Marines Sailors and Civilian Marines of 1st MAW play a vital role in maintaining a lethal force in readiness to respond to any crisis within the region by supporting training deployments hosting Unit Deployment Program UDP squadrons and providing critical theater level exercise support to maintain strategic partnerships across the Pacific 74 74 Mcaa McaaJournal Journal www fl www flymcaa org ymcaa org update Currently 1st MAW consists of approximately 7 500 Marines and Sailors and is organized into three Marine Air Groups MAG 12 24 36 and one Marine Air Control Group MACG 18 geographically dispersed between Marine Corps Air Station MCAS Futenma in Okinawa MCAS Iwakuni on mainland Japan and MCAS Kaneohe Bay in Hawaii The capabilities of 1st MAW consist of legacy and next generation fixed wing fighter attack support aerial refueling and assault support tiltrotor and heavy helicopter assault support next generation light attack support and unmanned aerial intelligence surveillance and reconnaissance as well as a positive and procedural capability to command and control aircraft and missiles The mission of the 1st MAW as the Aviation Combat Element ACE of III Marine Expeditionary Force III MEF is to provide combat ready task organized forces capable of conducting aviation operations across all six functions of Marine aviation in Naval and expeditionary environments and command and control of aviation forces from a deployable Tactical Air Command Center in order to contribute to the accomplishment of our nation s security objectives as required by standing operational plans in the INDO PACOM area of operations AOR engagement operations in an F 35B Lightning ii Joint strike Fighter from vMFa 121 flies over Mount suribachi during exercise valiant shield 18 at iwo to formerly iwo Jima on 18 sept 2018 pHoto CoUrtesy U s Marine Corps

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Personnel of 1st MAW maintained a high operational tempo throughout 2018 while supporting the full spectrum of operations from conducting unitlevel training to supporting bilateral and multilateral theater security cooperation exercises throughout the Pacific AOR to transitioning to the next generation of unmanned aircraft system RQ 21B and radar system TPS 80 to supporting real world deployments These events are necessary to maintain critical partnerships with our allies in theater to keep our warfighting skills honed and to enhance security through presence within our theater The weight of an ever present Fight Tonight readiness requirement coupled with 1st MAW s aggressive Training and Exercise Employment Plan and joint and partnered military training requirements generated a daunting operational tempo for units assigned to the Wing Marines and Sailors continued to demonstrate operational excellence and unparalleled crisis response readiness as observed by the accumulated in excess 34 000 flight hours flown and 1 2 million pounds of cargo transported in support of more than 75 combined joint and bilateral exercises unitlevel training events or missions tasked across the Asia Pacific Region Additionally 1st MAW continued to battle the reality of conducting military operations in host nation and politically charged environments demonstrating that there is No Better Friend No Worse Enemy than United States Marines As the ACE for III MEF 1st MAW forward deployed forwardengaged and postured to respond to crisis in close proximity to an unstable threats within the AOR Marines trained alongside interservice and bilateral partners on crisis response in preparation for a major contingency and 1st MAW major subordinate elements MSE excelled at full spectrum operations many of which supported the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit MEU UDP and numerous joint combined and bilateral exercises Marine Aircraft Group 12 In 2018 MAG 12 conducted the six functions of Marine aviation supported by aviation ground support and aviation logistics support as a tactical command element of the 1st MAW From expeditionary and advanced bases MAG 12 was part of the directforward presence in crisis response and in support for national objectives in the PACOM AOR Throughout the year MAG 12 squadrons flew more than 6 350 sorties accumulated over 12 575 flight hours and delivered over 200 000 pounds of ordnance Amid theater operations units continually trained alongside their interservice and bilateral counterparts from Japan Thailand Australia South Korea and the Philippines MAG 12 squadrons continued to build international and military relationships They also refined operational tactics techniques and procedures across the globe through participation in exercises Cobra Gold Cope North Key Resolve Pitch Black RIMPAC and Valiant Shield Highlights included Marine Fighter Attack Squadron 121 VMFA 121 during Forager Fury employed externally mounted ordnance for the first time Marine All Weather Fighter Attack Squadron 242 VMFA AW 242 expended 206 000 pounds of ground ordnance as part of Guam ULT across a diverse mission set and the F 35 s from VMFA 121 landed on Iwo To for the first time The Marines of MAG 12 aboard MCAS Iwakuni continued to strengthen relationships with their host nation one of the ways this was done was through Marines volunteering to help the local Japanese community recover after the devastating floods that hit the region Overall in 2018 MAG 12 squadrons operations demonstrated a depth and commitment to maintaining stability and partnerships across Pacific nations while posturing the Fight Tonight force for any clime or place 1ST MAW OKINAWA support of Marine Forces Pacific overseas contingency operations and other operations as directed Marine Air Control Group 18 Marine Air Control Group 18 MACG 18 provided worldclass command control and communications as a fully capable Marine Air Control and Command System MACCS for all sized Marine Air Ground Task Forces MAGTFs MACG 18 was heavily engaged in supporting Theater Security Cooperation Missions and Phase 0 operations as a part of theater contingency plans and real world tasking fielding brandnew equipment sets as well as innovating new tactics techniques and procedures for theater specific mission sets Marines support spanned across the INDOPACOM AOR directly impacting the ability of the MAGTF to effectively operate anywhere within the largest combatant command in the United States Deployments included MACCS detachments in support of the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit MEU expeditionary communications support to a multitude of exercises and short notice mission sets air defense support missions to 7th Air Force on the Korean Peninsula as well as providing dedicated liaison personnel to the 607th Air Operations Center 607th Air Support Operations Group 621st Air Control Squadron 623rd ACS and the 610th Air Control Flight Additionally MACG 18 s meteorological and air traffic 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control services were used extensively in support of exercises throughout the INDOPACOM region while the Low Altitude Air Defense LAAD section supported the 31st MEU s demanding training schedule as well as those of our joint and coalition partner forces Of note the LAAD UDP section is expected to grow by one additional section per year over the next two years The MACCS is in an age of transformation and MACG 18 is receiving upgraded systems such as the Common Aviation Command and Control System CAC2S Phase II beginning with Marine Air Control Squadron 4 MACS 4 receiving their system earlier this year with Marine Tactical Air Command Squadron 18 and Marine Air Support Squadron 2 both set to take delivery this upcoming year Additionally MACS4 recently received their first of two Ground Air Task Oriented Radar systems enabling the control group to begin utilizing this new capability in upcoming exercises and deployments These upgraded systems will enable MACG 18 to deliver increased interoperability across the MAGTF s major combat elements integrating new and emerging systems while facilitating the sunset of aging systems Finally MACG 18 conducted advanced training with the MAGTF and our joint and coalition partners enabling aviation command and control operations in exercises to include Yama Sakura Vigilant Ace Northern Viper Balikatan MEFEX Max Thunder Pitch Black Midori Guardian Blue Chromite Valiant Shield Cobra Gold and Marine Rotational Force Darwin Australia These events continue to showcase MACG 18 s persistent presence throughout the INDOPACOM region and have proved invaluable in advancing the combat readiness of the control group and the MAGTF as a whole 76 MCAA Journal www flymcaa org Marine Aircraft Group 24 In 2018 MAG 24 focused its efforts on conducting high tempo operations in support of operational and exercise deployments Personnel conducted numerous high visibility bilateral joint and unit level operations and training throughout the Pacific Theater MAG 24 s specific operational and exercise support included 31st MEU Marine Rotational Force Darwin MRF D Pacific Eagle Philippines the Rim of the Pacific Exercise and multiple unit level training events in support of 3rd Marine Regiment The operational deployments and training exercises events that MAG 24 participated in throughout 2018 enabled multiple opportunities for practice and execution of air tasking order development point terminal attack controller and forward air controller training and expeditionary airfield and forward arming and refueling point operations within the Hawaiian Islands and throughout the world The training events and deployments conducted by MAG 24 s showcase the expeditionary posture that is maintained within the Pacific Theater enabling rapid response to crisis situations and contingency operations across the globe After completing the Special Purpose Marine Air Ground Task Force Crisis Response Central Command 17 2B deployment in Kuwait Marine Tiltrotor Squadron 363 VMM 363 prepared to uproot the squadron and move to MAG 24 in Hawaii USS Bonhomme Richard put to sea on 2 July 2018 with seven aircraft aboard After a four day transit the Red Lions executed a division break into their new home station of MCAS Kaneohe Bay on 8 July Despite its undermanned state as most of the personnel hadn t arrived yet the squadron was still able to execute the Long Range Raid and Amphibious Assault Final Exercise in support of the RIMPAC on 27 and 28 July VMM 363 successfully passed the Safe for Flight inspection held on 1 5 October with flying colors proving they were ready and capable to conduct flight operations in their new home Of note a Travel Channel film crew filmed a Red Lion division launch in November helping spread Osprey awareness throughout the nation Overall 2018 was a busy year for the Red Dragons of VMM 268 The first quarter of the year was spent preparing for the upcoming deployment to Darwin for MRF D The Red Dragons executed a 96 hour tether immediate deployment drill in order to demonstrate rapid response readiness for possible crisis response in the Pacific April saw the change of command for the Red Dragons Lieutenant Colonel Patrick Sugar Ray Robinson gave command to Lieutenant Colonel Richard RAKE Alvarez In late May the Red Dragons deployed to MRF D During this five month deployment multi national joint training between the Australian Defense Force and the United States Marine Corps was top priority MRF D included participation in exercises Pitch Black Talisman Saber and Koolendong These exercises included participation from over twenty five different nations MRF D also included two cross country flights One to Townsville in Eastern Australia and another to Nackaroo in North Central Australia On 17 September 2018 the Red Dragons launched on a trans Pacific flight TRANSPAC for the redeployment of all aircraft back to MCAS Kaneohe Bay The TRANSPAC aircraft flew a new route for their return from Darwin that had them making a stop for fuel in Palau before landing in Guam The two divisions consolidated in Guam and then launched for Wake Island as a flight of eight MV 22 s with tanker support from Marine Aerial Refueler Squadron 152 VMGR 152

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1ST MAW OKINAWA MAG 24 conducts a group motivational run with the CG at MCAS Kaneohe Bay on 11 Oct 2018 Photo Courtesy U S Marine Corps The Sumos and Omega Aerial Refueling Services contract air From Wake Island the Red Dragons successfully redeployed all assets to MCAS Kaneohe Bay The Red Dragons once again proved their relevance to the Pacific Theater by demonstrating the now routine nature of the MV 22 TRANSPAC flight The year ended as a remarkable year for Marine Light Attack Helicopter Squadron 367 HMLA367 Starting in January 2018 by completing the AH 1Z transition and sending the final AH 1W pilots and maintainers to Camp Pendleton California for AH 1Z series conversion training Concurrently the rest of the squadron began detailed planning for HMLA 367 s upcoming movement to Southern California for integrated training exercise ITX while simultaneously conducting live fire support on the Big Island at Pohakuloa Training Area for four weeks Immediately following the training at Pohakuloa Training Area HMLA 367 sent Marines to Norway to support Exercise Clockwork while passing the first two maintenance inspections of the year In March 2018 HMLA 367 sent 31 Marines to Camp Pendleton for the third and final AH 1Z acceptance detachment spending 49 days in Camp Pendleton testing and accepting 9 AH 1Z and 1 UH 1Y from within MAG 39 as well as Bell Helicopter Textron Inc This resulted in 656 maintenance actions 1 709 maintenance man hours and 18 4 flight hours with all 10 accepted aircraft being heavily relied on to support fire support coordination exercise during ITX 3 18 As April 2018 arrived HMLA 367 was able to successfully support various ground units at ITX for six weeks Over the course of the exercise HMLA 367 supported 127 FRAGs 100 provided the ground combat element GCE 100 air tasking coverage gained 881 flight hours and expended over 115 200 pounds of ordnance Aircrew were able to accomplish a remarkable amount of training that included 202 initial syllabus events and gaining 47 new qualifications and designations The efforts of the maintenance department had a massive impact on the success of HMLA 367 during this time by being able to maintain an average readiness of 91 6 for the AH and 72 8 for the UH Maintainers were also major contributors to HMLA 367 s success in passing the Marine Corps Combat Readiness Evaluation and conducting a max launch of 22 aircraft to North Island without a single aircraft being stranded due to maintenance In June 2018 182 Marines from HMLA 367 remained on North Island for 5 weeks conducting flight operations aboard USS Bonhomme Richard and USS John P Murtha During July Scarface consolidated all personnel and aircraft to begin participation in RIMPAC live fire operations at Pohakuloa Training Area and flight operations aboard the Australian HMS Adelaide From September October 2018 HMLA367 prepared for and passed the Marine Aviation Logistics Squadron Maintenance Inspection and the Commanding General s Readiness Inspection Scarface was also able to achieve their fiscal year flight hours despite two hurricanes that cancelled several weeks of flight operations Throughout the year HMLA 367 was able to maintain a high operational tempo while simultaneously training aircrew and maintainers for the AH 1Z They were also able to maintain a mishap free record throughout multiple exercises detachments and aboard Navy ships Due to their exceptional performance throughout the entire year HMLA367 was nominated for both the John P Giguere HMLA of the Year Award and the Pete Ross Safety Award Marine Heavy Helicopter Squadron 463 HMH 463 conducted three maintenance inspections and passed all three receiving the highest overall Commander Naval Air Forces grade of any squadron thus far 2019 Symposium 77

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HMH 463 conducted Defense Security Cooperation Agency operations on the Big Island to aid the people during the eruption of the Kilauea Volcano The squadron completed two 31st MEU rotations multiple detachments to the Pohakuloa Training Area and two Weapons and Tactics classes HMH 463 acted as the ACE for the world s largest joint Naval exercise The squadron conducted initial deck landing and certifications aboard the Royal Australian Navy ship HMAS Adelaide HMH 463 supported operations during RIMPAC flying 173 sorties for 279 1 hours from HMAS Adelaide transporting 149 830 pounds of cargo and 870 personnel In April 2018 Marine Unmanned Aerial Vehicle Squadron 3 VMU 3 conducted a relief in place between its third and fourth detachments in support of Special Operations Task Force operations in the Philippines Philippines Detachment 4 subsequently supported operations with the RQ 7B Shadow until the conclusion of VMU 3 s mission in the Philippines Marines provided hundreds of hours of multi sensor imagery reconnaissance and control of indirect fires In total VMU 3 detachments have flown thousands of RQ 7B hours in support of military operations in the Philippines The RQ 7B was flown by VMU 3 during RIMPAC 2018 for its final Marine Corps flight on 29 July 2018 Marines with 1st MAW prepare for a pugil stick match during the Wing s Warrior Games competition on MCAS Futenma Okinawa Japan on 25 Oct 2018 The Warrior Games were held to bring together the Marines and Sailors of 1st MAW through good spirited competition Photo Courtesy U S Marine Corps On 21 May 2018 VMU 3 conducted one of the first winging ceremonies for Unmanned Aircraft Systems UAS Officers and UAS Operators aboard USS Missouri BB 63 The awarding of breast insignia signifies the Marine Corps commitment to unmanned aviation and assists in identifying UAS personnel as individuals with unique experience in varied operational environments Marine Aircraft Group 36 In August 2018 VMU 3 began the transition from RQ 7B Shadow to RQ 21A Blackjack VMU 3 continued to build toward Full 78 MCAA Journal www flymcaa org Operational Capability throughout 2018 with the intent of deploying an RQ 21 detachment in support of the 31st MEU MAG 24 capped the year off by highlighting themselves with their physical prowess during the 1st MAW Warrior Games held in Okinawa Japan MAG 24 was able to highlight the Marine Corps mission of having skilled smart and strong warfighters ready to rapidly respond to any crisis and be prepared to Fight Tonight MAG 36 employs five type model series aircraft among four squadrons and provides aviation ground support AGS and aviation logistics support for joint multinational Theater Security Cooperation and is the primary aviation force provider for the 31st MEU The tenant and UDP squadrons in MAG 36 executed distributed operations in every clime and place from cold weather operations in mainland Japan and Korea to the tropical jungles of the Philippines and Thailand Through deliberate adaptive exercise and deployment fortraining planning MAG 36 was able to maintain proficiency while participating in training and Theater Security Cooperation exercises This includes Blue Chromite Kamandag Tamagachi Rescue Exercise Vigilant Ace Forrest Light Marine Air Support Activity Cobra Gold Balikatan Korean Military Exchange Program Northern Viper Fuji Freeze and Fuji Fire During two of these exercises MAG 36 served as the ACE and deployed the Headquarters Combat Operations Center twice during Blue Chromite and Cobra Gold Throughout the year MAG 36 continued to advance aviation and Marine innovation by conducting high value training leveraging rotary wing tilt rotor and AGS capabilities in support of the MAGTF enabling distributed and F 35 forward arming and refueling point operations MAG 36 also contributed to the detailed planning for deployment of aviation assets

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1ST MAW OKINAWA onto T AKE class shipping A key milestone was the assimilation of the F 35 detachment to the 31st MEU ACE which streamlined the command and control of this strategic weapon system and increasing the overall lethality of amphibious operations In addition to the 11 066 flight hours flown to increase pilot and aircrew proficiency MAG 36 supported Presidential and Vice Presidential operations in the Philippines Strengthening Alliances and Combat Readiness Australia MRF D is an annual deployment of task organized forces in support of the Marine Forces Pacific s force posture strategy and USINDOPACOM s reorientation to the Asia Pacific Theater In April of 2018 1st MAW deployed an ACE led by MAG 24 with combined elements from Hawaii and Okinawa that deployed to Darwin Australia in support of MARFORPAC s rotational force concept The ACE consisted of detachment forces from VMM 268 Marine Aviation Logistics Squadron 24 MALS 24 Marine Wing Support Detachment 24 MWSD24 Marine Wing Support Squadron 171 MWSS 171 172 and MACG18 The aviation detachment conducted operations across the vast Australian ranges supported multiple GCE field and training events and provided assault support and casualty evacuation capabilities The 2018 MRF D rotation further developed the Marine Corps bilateral relationship with Australia provided realistic MAGTF training opportunities validated rotational basing and facility requirements and advanced barracks and flight line expansion programs at RAAF Darwin for future MRF D ACE operations Marines of VMFA AW 242 show Japanese Officer Exchange Program JOEP participants an F A 18D Hornet at MCAS Iwakuni Japan on 11 Oct 2018 The JOEP increases cohesion confidence and partnership between U S and Japanese pilots Photo Courtesy U S Marine Corps In September of 2017 VMM 268 became the first Osprey squadron to complete the TRANSPAC flight from Hawaii to Australia and back from their deployment with MRF D in Australia by crossing over 5 300 nautical miles with aerial refueling Republic of the Philippines During the year 1st MAW conducted Exercise Balikatan which greatly improved interoperability increased readiness and developed professional relations between the United States and the Republic of Philippines during a challenging and politically charged period From 7 to 18 May 2018 1st MAW conducted Exercise Balikatan with detachments from MAG 36 12 MWSS 172 and MACG 18 in support of the 3rd Marine Division in the Republic of the Philippines The exercise provided opportunities for 1st MAW units to train in assault support offensive air support and C2 in support of MAGTF operations The training areas in the Philippines allowed personnel to focus on tactics techniques and procedures required in amphibious and air assault operations to further enhance cooperation interoperability and adjacent relationships within III MEF and with Philippine military counterparts Thailand In February 1st MAW participated in annual military to military training with Thailand in exercise Cobra Gold 18 CG18 a Multinational Joint Exercise conducted in the Kingdom of Thailand and composed of forces from over 30 different participating or contributing nations The Wing led the planning and execution of CG 18 acting as the Commander of Marine Forces responsible for all participating Marines Marines and Sailors and leaders from the Royal Thai Armed Forces RTARF lead a battle staff simulation designed to improve interoperability among the seven partner nations represented at the Command Post Exercise CPX The scenario was based on a United Nation Resolution and sanctioned multinational action in real world anti piracy counterterrorism and HA DR missions The goal of the exercise was to foster multinational military decision making among the staff and senior leadership at an operational level in a complex environment with 2019 Symposium 79

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A KC 130 Hercules from VMGR 152 and two MV 22 Osprey from VMM 268 fly over the Northern Territory Australia on 17 Aug 2018 at the conclusion of the Marine Rotational Force Darwin 18 deployment Photo Courtesy US Marine Corps military and civil actors Combined forces operated at Royal Thai Naval Base Utapao Khorat and all throughout Thailand While cooperating with the Royal Thai Marine Corps Marine forces supported the combined execution of the field training exercise FTX humanitarian crisis action events and staff exercise in order to advance USINDOPACOM Theater engagement objectives CG 18 greatly improved U S joint and combined interoperability and improved Thai capacity for planning and execution of military operations by using short duration joint combined and integrated FTX events Additionally CG18 allowed USINDOPACOM to demonstrate strategic force projection through rapid deployment of joint and combined task forces While 1st MAW staff conducted CG18 at the command level MAG 12 provided VMFA AW 251 VMGR 152 MACG18 and MALS 12 components that operated out of Korat and Utapao Royal Thai Air Force Base Thailand during the exercise Republic of Korea In 2018 1st MAW took advantage of multiple opportunities to develop partner relationships with Republic of Korea ROK military forces The vital partnership directly impacts United States ability to execute Fight Tonight responsibilities against threats to stability in the 80 MCAA Journal www flymcaa org 1st MAW Theater of operations In order to maintain combat readiness interoperability operational knowledge and environmental focus in the Korean Theater of Operations 1st MAW deployed forces in support of multiple FTX and joint and combined CPXs in support of Combined Forces Commander CFC and Combined Marine Component Commander CMCC staffs All throughout 2018 1st MAW Marines and Sailors deployed to the Korean Peninsula in support of multiple squadron unit level training evolutions SSANG Yong 18 KMEP Joonbi North Max Thunder and CPX incorporated aviation sorties and field training in support of joint and combined forces Exercise Key Resolve supported the CFC through establishment of 1st MAW operations from Camp Foster Okinawa and 1st MAW staff deployed to Osan Air Base thereby strengthening 1st MAW s ties with USAF 7th Air Force and the ROK Air Force The CMCC CPX provided 1st MAW with an opportunity to support MEF level C2 aviation operations while subordinate groups and squadrons executed both live and virtual training events The 1st MAW Headquarters and battle staff combined efforts provided opportunities for Marine Corps aviation to execute air tasking orders ATO in a simulated joint and combined aviation battlefield in excess of 850 sorties on each ATO day 1st MAW Focus for 2019 At the beginning of 2019 1st MAW remains the Marine Corps tip of the spear in the Pacific maintaining a forward posture and preparing to engage across a full spectrum of contingencies and crises The Wings focus will remain the ability to succeed in Fight Tonight scenarios while contributing to the strategic balance in the Pacific In 2018 Marines and Sailors achieved several major milestones towards rebalancing the Pacific including continued successful MRF D deployments in Australia the implementation of F 35 s into 1st MAW s arsenal and continuing to improve our facilities by executing major aviation related military construction projects on Marine Corps air stations throughout the AOR The Pacific Theater is unique and provides a challenging setting for Marine Corps and United States force projection capabilities However the diverse operating environment offers opportunities to rigorously test warfighting technological concepts such as digital interoperability and common operational pictures with real time tracking This allows for development of Marine Corps warfighting concepts such as Marine Corps Force 2025 and expeditionary air basing concepts Furthermore vast distances associated with operations in the Pacific Theater demand a robust and resilient ability to conduct logistical support and C2 operations As the United States approaches the 75th anniversary of several historic Marine Corps battles in the Pacific during World War II 1st MAW is honored to carry on the proud legacy of providing integrated aviation support to our infantry brethren across the Asia Pacific Theater in any clime and place

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As the Intruders approached their target they climbed to 200 feet From the right seat Carr spotted enemy MiGs above They looked like little arrowheads circling watchfully about 1 500 feet up He threw a switch and informed Sheets that the A 6 s three plus tons of ordnance were now armed We came in underneath this wheel of MiGs Carr recalls maybe 12 15 of them We were hoping to catch them on the ground and bomb the hell out of em The airbase was alerted however Sheets kept the A 6 straight and level as they approached the airfield A few seconds later he thumbed the release on the stick freed all 12 Mk 20s and banked the Intruder hard to the left Carr remembers seeing one of the MiGs dive toward them OK so now we had a problem says Carr Now the MiG 17 was on our tail Compared to the MiG the A 6 was no sprinter Carr armed the aircraft s Sidewinder missiles but there was little chance that Sheets could get into a position to take a shot Instead he began to jink performing quick dodging maneuvers that made it tough for the MiG pilot to keep them in his sights Sheets intended to drag the MiG toward the coast hoping to run it out of gas Carr remembers seeing puffs of smoke from the MiG s 37 mm cannon That s when an F 4 Phantom appeared like a big brother late to a fight The F 4 fired a missile the MiG went down in flames and Sheets and Carr made it back to the USS Coral Sea MiGs were among the reasons that A 6 crews preferred the cover of darkness or nasty weather Using terrain following radar the crews flew low and fast no matter the hour Because of the complexity of carrier operations says Carr only about a quarter of his flights from the Coral Sea were at night But missions from land he says were almost all at night If darkness suited the A 6 perhaps one reason was that the airplane was no beauty queen The twin intakes for the Pratt Whitney J 52 P 8B turbojets swelled amidships giving the craft a portly look A bent refueling probe protruded from the top of a large rounded snout The plane wasn t pretty remembers Carr Only Grumman could make a plane that ugly The intruder s genesis predates Vietnam During the Korean War the U S Navy lacked an all weather carrier launched strike aircraft So in March 1957 the service s Bureau of Aeronautics issued a request for proposals detailing a requirement for a subsonic two seat attack bomber Boeing Douglas Vought Martin Bell Lockheed Grumman and North American submitted a total of 11 designs Interviews with flight crews led designers to focus on crew coordination The Navy wanted the side by side seating says Joe Ruggiero a Grumman engineer who worked on the A 6 from the prototype to the final A 6F and was later a Northrop Grumman program director for the EA 6B Prowler the Intruder s electronic warfare variant They thought correctly that it would enhance the workload in the cockpit The design team knew it was going to be a bomber and the radar system requirements did not lend themselves to a pointy nose The engineers designed a plane that could carry lots of ordnance under the fuselage and wings What eventually showed up on the drawing boards was the configuration of the A 6 Intruder Grumman won the design competition and signed the contract early in 1958 Two years later the prototype rolled out and the insults rolled in The pointy end was on the wrong end says Carr Some called it a flying drumstick Well it was a really ugly plane when 2019 Symposium 83

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you first looked at it says retired Rear Admiral Rupe Owens who has flown every version of the A 6 But when it went to work flying in combat the tadpole looking plane became a thing of beauty John Vosilla a Northrop Grumman spokesman bristles at the putdowns When we look at a project at Grumman we re looking at engineering not works of art he says To me and my team says Ruggiero it was a beautiful airplane Both Charlie Carr and Rupe Owens liked the Intruder s sideby side seating So did the Marine Corps Bruce Byrum now a retired general another Vietnam veteran who like Carr and Owens logged more than 3 000 hours as an A 6 pilot There was a lot the bombardier navigator could do to help says Byrum He wasn t just a passenger along for the ride to operate the weapons system A good bombardier navigator he says monitored the radio rate of descent airspeed power settings and attitude as well as the aircraft s place in the landing pattern as crews returned to the ship He had as much to do with the pilot s success as the pilot Byrum adds Carol Reardon a military historian at Pennsylvania State University and author of Launch the Intruders an account of a Vietnamera A 6 squadron called the Sunday Punchers finds that the crew concept was critical to the Intruder s success in Vietnam where it flew 35 000 combat sorties Pilots and B Ns bombardier navigators had to learn to trust each other s skills she writes Repeatedly instructors reminded them that the A 6 required two minds functioning in synch with each other Both members of an A 6 crew got the same award for the same mission Both suffered the consequences of an error The A 6 community could afford no loners The crews say that the two84 MCAA Journal www flymcaa org abreast arrangement enhanced interaction With two guys sitting side by side you could communicate with hand gestures if need be says Owens You could simply look at the other guy and nod Good communication was important in dodging surface toair missiles SAMs Intruder pilots relied on their own skills at lowaltitude flying the eyes of their bombardier navigators and the power of their Pratt Whitney engines You could outfly the SAMs with the A 6 says Owens What you did was make hard turns At their intercept speed of about Mach 3 the SAMs couldn t turn with the A 6 especially at low level Owens remembers approaching a target when points of light far ahead came at his airplane streaming long bright tails of flame five in all We managed to out turn them all but I remember the sound of those five rocket motors from the SAMs as they went by It got loud Real loud SAMs harassed many A 6s and took their toll of the 69 Intruders lost to combat in Southeast Asia 36 were claimed by anti aircraft fire 10 by SAMs and only two by MiGs The intruder earned a reputation as a dependable attacker that could drop bombs in pitch darkness in any weather on both stationary and moving targets Its reliability was due mainly to a new bomb release tool the Digital Integrated Attack and Navigation Equipment system or DIANE Coupled to an analog computer the system could take into account any angle of climb or dive speed G force and wind and calculate when to drop a payload accurately DIANE s Vertical Display Indicator gave the pilot a representation of terrain sky and horizon as well as heading radar altitude vertical speed and angle of attack The aircraft s terrainhugging capability was key to lowaltitude missions When Intruders were striking some targets A 7 Corsairs and F 4 Phantoms flew along in formation and released their ordnance when directed by the A 6 crews using DIANE The Intruder also carried an Airborne Moving Target Indicator a unique Doppler radar that gathered returns from moving ground objects And ground based acoustic and seismic sensors air dropped along supply trails provided another method for A 6

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crews with the help of ground controllers to find targets moving on such routes as the Ho Chi Minh Trail Sometimes at night says Byrum enemy anti aircraft fire used colored tracer rounds fired aimlessly into the night sky when aircraft were detected flying in the area to warn all vehicles on the road that we were there Intruders generally dropped Rockeye cluster bombs first which pierced vehicles gas tanks or weapons caches and set off secondary fires These provided visual aim points for a second pass in which crews would drop Mk 82s In the absence of secondary fires they would head off for preassigned secondary targets The Intruder absorbed lots of punches On one daylight mission North Vietnamese 23 mm antiaircraft fire damaged an A 6 in Byrum s squadron The crew diverted to Da Nang Byrum flew close to look them over and escort them to the airfield It was hard to believe that the aircraft was still flying he says The A 6 had taken a direct hit to the leading edge of the right wing near its root The pilot in the left side of the cockpit couldn t see the damage His bombardier navigator could though and had apparently decided to say little about it probably hoping to delay an ejection over enemy territory The hole in the wing was about the diameter of a 50 gallon drum says Byrum You could see the landing gear up inside the now visible wheel well Miraculously no fuel or hydraulic fluid sprayed out so Byrum and his navigator refrained from reporting the damage to the pilot No sense in unnerving him Byrum followed the stricken Intruder to touchdown By the time he taxied up the pilot of the damaged A 6 had shut down and climbed out Coming around to the starboard side of his airplane he was stunned by what he saw His first reaction was to knock the bombardier navigator to the ground Obviously he wasn t On USS Constellation late in 1968 a catapult crewman gives the signal that an A 6 is ready to launch A centerline D 704 refueling store augmented the four drop tanks beneath the wings The D 704 s propeller driven by wind in flight powered a motor that extended and retracted its refueling hose Photo Courtesy Naval Historical Center happy Byrum recalls We didn t bother to open our cockpit Although we couldn t hear what he was yelling he was just as upset with us I don t know what he would have done differently He surely did not want to eject They didn t call it the Grumman Iron Works for nothing says Ruggiero Look at the Wildcat and the Hellcat We built planes that would take the fight to the enemy and bring back safely the youngsters who flew them Back on the ship round theclock all weather ops made one day meld into the next for A 6 crews They often flew two missions per day one attack and one as refuelers for the rest of a carrier s air wing There was little free time If they weren t flying their combat mission says Reardon they were planning it or debriefing it and that took several hours in itself 2019 Symposium 85

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The crews did have moments of relaxation Movies were very popular says Reardon if they were not very new and not always G rated When the films began to grow old the crew ran them backward for kicks making up their own dialogue like kids used to do with old Japanese monster movies she says Carr recalls wearing out the 1971 shark documentary Blue Water White Death We sat and watched it I don t know how many times By the end of that cruise we d seen every damned shark in the world For some squadrons says Reardon the transit from the States involved a little below the radar late night drinking to dull the anxiety of what lay ahead Once active air ops began though they refrained They saved the craziness for their times between periods when the carrier was on combat station when they went ashore in the Philippines Reardon says or some exotic location such as Singapore or Hong Kong Carr doesn t recall any drinking on the transit Doesn t mean it didn t happen he says I just didn t see it We did operations planning We had targets and we had to plan em And we flew He does remember a stop in Hawaii We pulled into Pearl Harbor and raised holy hell for a couple days And when they got orders to come off the line for 86 MCAA Journal www flymcaa org the last time and head home he remembers that magically beer and spirits appeared The Navy retired the A 6 on February 28 1997 after 693 had rolled off Grumman s assembly line By then it had inspired a shoulderto shoulder camaraderie The Intruder Association which Owens chairs carries that torch gathering pilots and bombardier navigators to share stories and rekindle friendships The Navy and the Marine Corps finally got a plane that could unite the services says Carr You d never get those guys together except for their common love of the A 6 He would receive 10 Distinguished Flying Crosses and a Silver Star and flew in Operation Desert Storm Carr retired a full colonel in August 1994 The Intruder s precision strike role was briefly handled by the F 14 Tomcat The other multicrew tactical aircraft of today the F 15E Strike Eagle and the F A 18F Super Hornet are like the Tomcat tandem seaters with the weapons systems officer behind not beside the pilot Their fundamental design rule is to be streamlined These aircraft are expected to do it all attack dogfight recon electronic warfare The F A 18 is a tanker too They sport broad wings for maneuverability but they re packed with the tools for ground attack They re designed to fight their way in deliver their payloads and fight their way out The A 6 s shoulder to shoulder cockpit is now a quaint curiosity in the pantheon of aerospace engineering Another shoulderto shoulder workhorse was the General Dynamics F 111 which was retired in 1996 Grumman s electronic warfare version the EF 111A was retired in 1998 That leaves the EA 6B Prowler Though the Marine Corps may fly the Prowler into the next decade the Navy plans to fully convert to the tandem seat EA 18G Growler by 2012 Ruggiero reflects warmly on his airplane We didn t have to be supersonic he says Our plane was a good truck and didn t have to be pointy We had to deliver weapons to the target in all kinds of weather Reardon remembers a bombardier navigator who offered a suggestion for her book s cover that he thought would perfectly suit the airplane and its mission He said You should make the cover pitch black black as the darkest night and make it sopping wet Rafael Lima is a writer and documentary video producer based in Coral Gables Florida

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A Few Anecdotes About Charlie Carr By Captain Bill Kretzschmar USMC Ret The MCAA National Commander requested input from Yellow Sheet readers about Colonel William Charlie Vulture Carr I was privileged to have served with Vulture in 1967 with VMA AW 533 at Chu Lai Republic of Vietnam Here s a tale or two about this Navy Marine Corps A 6 Intruder community legend Tale One While every squadron has its share of characters what each one needs but not all have is a musically inclined live wire personality who can strum a guitar or tickle the ivories on a piano someone who d initiate and lead in sing a long sessions at happy hours reunions or squadron parties In 1967 68 our Chu Lai based A 6 squadron VMA AW 533 had such a talent in the person of Charlie Carr Then a warrant officer bombardier navigator Vulture would tweak aircrews morale at our beachfront tinroofed open sided piano equipped o club at the expeditionary airbase playing and singing golden oldie flying leatherneck related ballads Charlie could play that piano as well as he could find a flea on a hound dog s back in North Vietnam in the darkness of night while traveling at over and under 500 500 airspeed 500 altitude then pickle off a few tons of Mark 83 500 pounders What s more he was a lyricist who could make up songs to suit the situation He was good for morale One example of that musical creativity A crew would drop into the club after a night mission up north They d invariably start talking about it about having once again flown into and escaping from the jaws of the Doom Pussy the cat of death They might describe the flak not simply as intense but as like a wall of steel Charlie would hear their debrief then ease over to the piano and croon lyrics like this I flew through a flaming wall of steel I m telling you that shit was unreal And it s still up there that wall of steel That shit s unreal And then all were singing it Charlie came up with songs for all type missions all situations Tale Two This next tale of Charlie is perhaps better known My not having been in this squadron with him it is purely anecdotal and my version of it may have a flaw or two perhaps embellished with retellings and age He was with VMA AW 224 aboard USS Coral Sea President Richard Nixon in reaction to North Vietnam s 1972 Spring Offensive in the south as peace talks were taking place in Paris retaliated with a massive bombing campaign in the north VMA AW 224 was tasked with the first ever mine laying of Haiphong Harbor and then Captain Carr I believe was crewed with the ship s carrier air group CAG commander in the lead aircraft of a flight of four Charlie sensed that the crews were a little apprehensive about this mission The fact that it was to be a daytime mission only increased their concern To try to help lighten things up a bit lead BN Carr had the flight equipment shop make up eight white headbands with a red circle in the middle Kind of like the Japanese Kamikaze pilots wore When it came time to man aircraft Vulture led the four crews out onto the flight deck After a few paces and when visible to the bridge they executed a sharp about face then reverently bowed facing the bridge Whether or not CAG took part in this ceremony is unknown The mission was a success the harbor mined no crews lost After returning to the ship and opening the cockpit canopy Charlie was greeted with the flight deck bullhorn blaring out Captain Carr report to the bridge Wondering if he should be worried about something he did as ordered Upon arriving on the bridge the carrier s captain said to him Captain Carr in all my years in Naval Aviation that was the funniest damn thing I ve ever seen He continued But don t you ever do anything like that again Now I ve probably got young sailors writing home that we re launching suicide missions 2019 Symposium 87

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WING UPDATe 2nD MaW CHerry point The year 2018 proved to be a testament to the resiliency and dedication of the Marines and Sailors of 2nd Marine Aircraft Wing 2nd MAW The character of Wing personnel was made evident by the countless tasks that were completed to improve readiness and meet support requirements as members of II Marine Expeditionary Force s II MEF aviation combat element ACE During the year the Wing supported numerous CONUS and worldwide contingencies and training exercises providing the six functions of Marine aviation across the range of military operations flying over 68 000 flight hours riGHt LCpl Clayton t Combs right is assisted in removing a mission oriented protective posture suit during a decontamination drill on MCas Cherry point nC on 29 Mar 2018 Combs is an expeditionary systems technician with vMa 542 pHoto CoUrtesy U s Marine Corps 88 Mcaa Journal www flymcaa org Marine Aircraft Group 14 M arine Aircraft Group 14 MAG 14 maintained its high operational tempo in support of combat contingencies humanitarian and community relations operations around the globe As a headquarters MAG 14 supported Integrated Training Exercise ITX 3 18 facilitating the provision of close air support to multiple units From a global perspective MAG 14 units supported every major geographic combatant command while moving almost 5 000 Marines and Sailors and over 7 000 short tons of equipment Marine Aerial Refueler Transport Squadron 252 VMGR 252 continued to support Special Purpose Marine Air Ground Task Force Crisis Response Africa SPMAGTF CR AF in both the European and African Theaters with KC 130J aircraft After their 13th consecutive rotation they received a six month reprieve to refit and return to the SPMAGTF rotation In addition to operational support VMGR 252 supported multiple Weapons and Tactics Instructor WTI courses conducted cold weather training in Canada Harvest Hawk shoots air to air refueling airshow support and celebrated their 90th anniversary celebration AV 8B Harriers from Marine Attack Squadron 542 VMA 542 deployed in support of the 26th Marine Expeditionary Unit 26th MEU aboard USS Iwo Jima supporting exercises and combat operations while VMA 223 provided support to SPMAGTF CR Central Command SPMAGTF CR CC 19 1 as part of Operation Inherent Resolve OIR within the Central Command CENTCOM area of operations AOR Marine Tactical Electronic Warfare Squadron 3 VMAQ 3 officially deactivated in May of 2018 leaving VMAQ 2 as the final Marine EA6B Prowler Squadron VMAQ 2 conducted the final deployment for the Marine Corps EA 6B Prowler fleet at Al Udeid Air Base Qatar in support of Operation INHERENT RESOLVE OIR and Operation FREEDOM S SENTINEL returning to Continental United States CONUS in November 2018 to prepare for its decommissioning on 8 March 2019

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2ND MAW CHERRY POINT Marine Aircraft Group 26 MAG 26 continued to provide assault support capabilities to operating forces at home and around the world in 2018 Marines and aircraft of MAG 26 supported combat operations cooperated with host nation forces as the ACE of forward deployed MAGTFs and provided force projection from U S Naval ships The Group participated in multi national exercises conducted training across the United States and was postured and ready to support civil authorities during crises at home As a headquarters MAG 26 served as the ACE headquarters in support of ITX 1 19 in Twentynine Palms California This effort included months of planning and more than 800 Marines and Sailors and 28 aircraft supporting the culminating service level training event for multiple battalions preparing to deploy As the ACE the Group facilitated more than 1 600 flight hours and the fulfillment of more than 65 lines of tasking and 30 assault support requests in less than 2 months MAG 26 support to this exercise was all the more impressive as it came less than 30 days after Hurricane Florence hit the East Coast disrupting operations at all 2nd MAW installations Through diligent planning and determined execution MAG 26 units were able to overcome the storm s effects and return to the fight within days of the storm s passing Around the globe Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadrons 261 VMM 261 263 and 266 provided continuous support to SPMAGTF CR AF 18 1 and 18 2 operating from Moron Air Base Spain and Naval Air Station Sigonella Italy providing a quickreaction force for the Mediterranean and North Africa Additionally VMM 162 deployed as the ACE for the 26th MEU following a six month workup cycle VMM 264 supported the 22d MEU and deployed to the Mediterranean and the Middle East These MEUs and SPMAGTFs provided a persistent forward Marines and sailors with 2nd MAW and Troops with the Norwegian Home Guard participate in quick reaction drills during Exercise Trident Juncture on Vaernes Air Base Norway on 3 Nov 2018 The exercise enhances the U S and NATO Allies and partners abilities to work together collectively to conduct military operations under challenging conditions Photo Courtesy U S Marine Corps presence capable of responding to the entire range of military operations for the combatant commanders of CENTCOM and European Command In addition to training opportunities in Israel Jordan and Djibouti MAG 26 aircraft engaged in combat operations in OIR Marine Aviation Logistics Squadron 26 MALS 26 and Marine Wing Support Squadron 272 MWSS 272 provided critical logistics and combat maintenance support throughout these deployments and without their support these missions would have been impossible VMM 365 participated in Exercise Trident Juncture a North Atlantic Treaty Organization NATO exercise conducted in Norway and the North and Baltic Seas responding to a simulated attack on a NATO Ally This exercise brought together nearly 50 000 personnel 250 aircraft and more than 70 ships from 31 allied nations Operating from USS Iwo Jima VMM 365 provided critical assault support to this effort gaining valuable training in highaltitude and arctic environments By building relationships with partners across Europe and operating in a distant and austere environment this exercise greatly enhanced the ability of MAG 26 to respond to crises ranging from humanitarian operations to large scale military conflicts Marine Wing Support Group 27 On 22 May 2018 Marine Wing Support Group 27 MWSG 27 conducted its reactivation ceremony under the command of Colonel Paul D Baker and on 6 August MWSG 27 achieved Initial Operational Capability The transfer of authorities for MWSS 271 272 274 and MWSD 273 were complete by 20 November and all Full Operational Capability requirements were completed in December MWSG 27 S 3 operations served as lead for the aviation ground support operational advisory group quarterly updates This entailed hosting the quarterly teleconferences and reviewing the Executive Steering Committee ESC top ten programmatic and operational items MWSG 27 served as lead for the airfield security operations review and S 3 operations hosted the first working group in review of this topic in August 2019 Symposium 89

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MWSG 27 conducted Phase I and II of the Expeditionary Airfield Bogue EAF Bogue roadshow in the effort to increase tilt rotor TR and rotor wing RW usage at EAF Bogue and identify additional opportunities in which the MWSS could facilitate TR RW training Phase II of the road show was designed to engage key leadership command operations operations officers and WTIs aboard Marine Corps Air Station MCAS New River North Carolina Marine Air Control Group 28 Marine Air Control Group 28 MACG 28 supported exercises and contingencies around the world ranging from Group level exercises and cold weather training during Exercise Ullr Shield to real world contingency support in CENTCOM and Africa Command to the large scale NATO Exercise Trident Juncture in Norway While in support of Joint Forces Command Naples Exercise Trident Juncture MACG 28 deployed personnel and assets from all five of its subordinate squadrons from Norway participating in both sea and air lift operations MACG28 also supported service level exercises Ullr Shield 2 18 WTI 1 19 ITX 3 18 Mountain Exercise 1 18 joint level exercises Red FlagNellis 18 3 and Virtual Flag 18 4 and coalition Exercise Maple Flag 51 Despite a high exercise and training schedule tempo MACG28 deployed Marines to support multiple rotating contingencies and deployments such as the 22d MEU 26th MEU Battlespace Command and Control Center Theater BC3 T SPMAGTF CR AF 18 2 and 19 1 Task Force Southwest Afghanistan and the Unit Deployment Program UDP in support of the 31st MEU and 1st MAW It was a busy yet highly successful year for MACG 28 Despite having to overcome recovery operations due to Hurricane Florence MACG 28 90 MCAA Journal www flymcaa org showcased its ability to employ the Marine Air Command and Control System across the range of military operations Marine Aircraft Group 29 MAG 29 started 2018 with annual safety training before diving into a high operational tempo The first major cold weather exercise took place when Marine Heavy Helicopter Squadron 366 HMH 366 Marine Light Attack Helicopter Squadron 167 HMLA 167 MALS 29 and MWSS 274 dispatched personnel and aircraft to Fort McCoy Wisconsin for Exercise Ullr Shield MWSS 274 also sent a detachment with VMA 542 to Mountain Home Idaho in support of Exercise Ice Dragon as well as a detachment in support of HMH 464 during Exercise Frigid Condor in New Brunswick Maine Although the majority of MAG 29 units were at Exercise Ullr Shield HMH 461 sent an extended training flight ETF to Nashville Tennessee Concurrently MALS 29 conducted a trip to Pennsylvania State University to learn metal additive manufacturing to bolster local repair capabilities while Marine Heavy Helicopter Training Squadron 302 HMHT 302 went to Naval Air Station NAS Jacksonville Florida on an ETF In the face of logistical adversity HMH 461 adapted and self deployed to Exercise Raven 18 3 in Smyrna Tennessee HMLA 269 provided an area familiarization flight for the Commander of Marine Forces Command Lieutenant General Brilakis and sent several Marines to the Advanced Canadian Cold Weather Survival Course MALS29 broke new ground by working with engineers to develop a repair capability on aircrew nuclear biological chemical respirator masks Visiting Canadians departed after finishing their deployment for training DFT Despite some initial friction Marines expressed positive impacts to maintenance as the flying squadrons within MAG 29 began using their wireless portable electronic maintenance aids HMLA 269 and HMH 461 were awarded the Chief of Naval Operation s CNO Safety Award it was HMH 461 s second award in two years HMHT 302 received the Commander Theodore G Ellyson Aviator Production Excellence Award for Fiscal Year 17 HMH 464 supported the 10th Marines at Exercise Rolling Thunder in the Fort Bragg complex In midMarch cross country detachments from HMLA 167 269 HMH 366 461 and MALS 29 launched for WTI 2 18 in Yuma Arizona HMLA 269 launched an additional cross country to support external air support EAS MALS 29 hosted Naval Air Systems Command engineers to discuss uses of cold spray dimensional restoration and laser paint removal also working with Commander Naval Air Forces to stand up an oil analysis lab on MCAS New River April was a busy month involving multiple community relation events service level exercises and ETFs HMLA 167 269 and HMH 461 provided support for Fleet Weeks in New Orleans Port Everglades and Miami In mid April HMHT 302 hosted representatives from Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency to observe Wi Fi integration within the maintenance department Meanwhile HMH 464 deployed to Twentynine Palms to support ITX 3 19 Nearing the end of April MAG 29 hosted the Assistant Secretary of the Navy while HMLA 167 conducted two ETFs to Philadelphia Pennsylvania and Albert J Ellis Airport in Jacksonville North Carolina April came to a close with all detachments supporting EAS and WTI 2 18 and returning to MCAS New River Community relations events and visits from general officers continued into the month of May The Commanding General of II MEF Lieutenant General Hedelund visited MAG 29 and HMLA 269 to conduct a training flight and

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June began with the completion of HMH 461 s short deployment to Honduras in support of SPMAGTF SC 18 Following HMH 461 s return MAG 29 began hosting midshipmen for professional training of midshipmen PROTRAMID which continued through August During the first half of the month HMLA 269 conducted a DFT to Hunter Army Airfield in Savannah Georgia in support of the 160th Special Operations Aviation Regiment s training exercise HMLA 167 flew an ETF to Charlotte North Carolina to focus on flight hour generation flight leadership and increasing pilot proficiency Nearing the end of June MALS 29 initiated and hosted the first ever USMC wide Additive Manufacturing and Innovation Summit All MALS units in the Marine Corps came together for the Summit to discuss the future of MALS support via 3D printing In MAG 29 s first event of July HMHT 302 flew a single CH 53E to NAS Patuxent River Maryland to serve as a static display for a retirement ceremony at Air Test and Evaluation Squadron HX 21 HMLA 269 executed a cross country flight with one UH 1Y and one AH 1W to Westover Air Reserve Base in Massachusetts for the Great New England Air and Space Show In the third week of July HMLA 167 ferried a single UH 1Y to Davis Monthan Air Force Base AFB Arizona for delivery to the 309th Aerospace Maintenance and Regeneration Group AMARG Soon after MAG 29 participated in the Exercise Trident a UH 1y venom with the 22nd MeU takes off from the flight deck during flight operations aboard Uss Kearsarge LHD 3 on 28 Dec 2018 pHoto CoUrtesy U s Marine Corps 2ND MAW CHerry point observe a gunshoot Multiple units participated in the Cherry Point Airshow which was a huge success and voted as the best airshow in America by USA Today In the latter part of the month HMH 461 began a deployment in support of SPMAGTF Southern Command SPMAGTF SC 18 to Honduras May ended with continued support of community relations by HMLA 269 sending representation to Congressional Marine Day and both HMLA 167 and HMH 366 supporting Fleet Week New York Marines with MaCG 28 work in a tactical air control center during exercise Ullr shield on 22 Jan 2018 exercise Ullr shield is designed to improve the capabilities of 2nd MaW in extreme cold weather environments pHoto CoUrtesy U s Marine Corps LCpl Joseph Krieter observes his surroundings from a UH 1y venom during a live fire range as part of integrated training exercise itX at MCaGCC twentynine palms Ca on 9 nov 2018 itX is a large scale combined arms training exercise intended to produce combat ready forces capable of operating as an integrated MaGtF Krieter is a crew chief with HMLa 167 pHoto CoUrtesy U s Marine Corps 2019 Symposium 91

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Marines with Alpha Battery 2nd LAAD Battalion fire a stinger training launch simulator as part of Exercise Arctic Edge on Fort Greely AK on 14 Mar 2018 The Marines are part of the U S Army Alaska led Joint Force Land Component Command in support of Alaskan Command s Exercise Arctic Edge conducted under the authority of U S Northern Command Exercise Arctic Edge 2018 is a biennial large scale joint training exercise that prepares and tests the U S military s ability to operate tactically in the extreme cold weather conditions found in Arctic environments Photo Courtesy U S Marine Corps Juncture main planning conference and HMHT 302 executed an ETF to Trenton New Jersey to accomplish core skills introduction training Finishing out the month HMLA 269 launched aircraft on an ETF to Savannah to support Marine Special Operations Company India in a 2nd Marine Raider Battalion MRB training exercise The month of August began with the return of HMLA 269 from their ETF in Savannah HMLA 167 traveled to Elizabeth City North Carolina on 3 August to conduct visit board search and seizure training in support of 2nd MRB During the second week of August HMH 461 departed for Gulfport MS to support Raven 18 06 unit readiness exercise Consecutively detachments from HMH 464 and HMLA 167 returned from the 26th MEU August ended with MAG 29 beginning the WTI 1 19 deployment with HMLA 167 launching a cross country ferry to MCAS Yuma Arizona 92 MCAA Journal www flymcaa org Support for WTI 1 19 continued into September with HMH 461 and HMH 464 launching cross country ferries to MCAS Yuma MAG 29 focused on Marine Week Charlotte with the commanding officer of HMH 464 serving as the ACE Commander for the event HMLA167 269 and HMH 464 provided aircraft for Marine Week Charlotte Immediately following Hurricane Florence impacted the North Carolina coast forcing aircraft and personnel evacuation before making landfall between Wilmington NC and MCAS Cherry Point NC MAG 29 hangared 50 aircraft on MCAS New River and evacuated 30 aircraft including 120 Marines to airfields in Tennessee and West Virginia with aircraft returning to MCAS New River a week later Once non essential personnel returned assessments of damages and reconstitution of the force became the focus of effort October began with the largest evolution MAG 29 would undertake in 2018 the NATO cold weather Exercise Trident Juncture HMLA 269 HMH 366 and MALS 29 sourced detachments to form the ACE for the exercise on amphibious ready group shipping in Norway HMLA 167 conducted a cross country flight in mid October to Twentynine Palms California in support of ITX 1 19 Concurrently HMLA 167 delivered three AH 1Ws to 309th AMARG at Davis Monthan AFB Soon after HMLA 269 HMH 464 and 461 began the redeployment of aircraft and personnel following the completion of WTI 1 19 HMH 461 completed a single cross country flight for the fleet fly in at NAS Whiting Field The Commandant of the Marine Corps General Neller visited HMLA 269 following his visit to Camp Lejeune HMH 464 and HMHT 302 closed out October with a delivery of a single CH 53E to Fleet Readiness CenterWest and an ETF to Asheville North Carolina respectively HMH 461 kicked off November s events with a cross country to Homestead AFB Florida setting up a static display for the Wings Over Homestead Air and Space Show HMHT 302 returned from their ETF in Asheville while HMH461 completed their redeployment from the SPMAGTF SC 18 shortly after HMLA 269 provided static displays at the United States Naval Academy for Veteran s Day Before the Thanksgiving holiday HMLA 167 recovered aircraft from ITX 1 19 and delivered four AH 1Ws to the 309th AMARG In late November MAG 29 hosted a staff delegate for Senator Tom Cotton of Arkansas with presentations from HMLA 269 and HMH 464 In the last days of November MAG 29 welcomed home the Marines from Exercise Trident Juncture December began with HMHT 302 executing a three day ETF to Charleston South Carolina to accomplish core skills introduction training Lieutenant General Hedelund visited MAG 29 to discuss

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Overall 2018 was a busy yet very successful year for MAG 29 The Group s focus remained on readiness and warfighting while continuing to train to and develop tactics techniques and procedures in a cold weather environment Marine Aircraft Group 31 The fighter squadrons of MAG 31 provided operational support in all corners of the globe The four F A 18 squadrons tackled an extremely high tempo year as each squadron was tasked in increasingly demanding ways The MAG s resident F 35B squadron Marine Fighter Attack Training Squadron 501 VMFAT 501 continued to train both experienced fleet aviators and newly winged pilots in the future of Marine Corps fighter attack aircraft In 2018 Marine All Weather Fighter Attack Squadron 224 VMFA AW 224 became one of two permanent composite F A 18 units within the Marine Corps The squadron successfully transitioned to a mix of F A 18C and F A18D aircraft and reduced its total number of Weapons Systems Officers WSOs in the transition In the fall the squadron deployed 8 F A 18Cs Ds and 170 personnel to rland Main Air Base Norway for participation in Exercise Trident Juncture resulting in improved integration with coalition forces The squadron ended the year focused on maintaining readiness and building aircrew proficiency in preparation for an upcoming UDP deployment to the Western Pacific Marine Fighter Attack Squadron 251 VMFA 251 began the year supporting Exercise Cobra Gold while deployed to the Western Pacific in support of UDP In the spring the Thunderbolts successfully redeployed twelve aircraft to MCAS Beaufort South Carolina In the summer VMFA 251 became the first single seat F A 18 squadron to transition to a composite squadron integrating F A 18Ds and WSOs Additionally the squadron participated in the Naval Weapons System Evaluation Program NWSEP at Tyndall AFB Florida gaining valuable training and experience Following a few brief months at home VMFA 251 travelled to NAF El Centro California to provide EAS for WTI 1 19 During the five weeks of EAS the squadron provided all WTI 1 19 Hornet maintenance and support flying 231 sorties while covering 71 of all EAS fixed wing frags and achieving a 100 sortie completion rate VMFA 312 began 2018 aboard USS Theodore Roosevelt executing combat missions in support of OIR as the last MAG 31 tactical air integration squadron Upon their return the World Famous Checkerboards shared lessons learned from Carrier Air Group 17 through participation in Checkered Flag NWSEP and a detachment in Greenville South Carolina The flawless execution of both aviation and maintenance operations during this demanding period was recognized through the designation by the Marine Corps Aviation Association of VMFA 312 as the winner of the Pete Ross Award for Excellence in Aviation Safety VMFA 115 deployed to Isa Air Base Bahrain as part of SPMAGTF CR CC where they flew aroundthe clock missions in support of OIR Due to the dedication and performance from the squadron s aviators maintainers and support personnel VMFA 115 was able to provide constant over watch to U S and Coalition Forces engaged against the enemy in combat operations Upon return to MCAS Beaufort VMFA 115 began the process of retiring the oldest F A18 Hornets in the Marine Corps the F A 18A The squadron will continue flying the F A 18C until transitioning to the F 35 VMFAT 501 maintained their role as the only unit that trains pilots to fly the F 35B within the Marine Corps training Marine and coalition partners in the operation and tactics of fifth generation fighter attack aviation VMFAT 501 made great gains in training and maintenance efficiency over the past year to further enable the Marine Corps tactical aircraft transition to the F 35B In addition to training F 35B students VMFAT 501 provided invaluable training and integration to myriad of other Marine aviation assets as the Marine Corps continues to incorporate fifth generation capabilities into the ACE Conclusion While each day comes with its own set of new and unique challenges 2nd MAW continues to focus on its top priorities by taking care of Marines and Sailors families and aircraft to ensure we are able to answer the call and support our counterparts on the ground To account for an ever changing environment 2nd MAW will continue to challenge MAGs squadrons Marines and Sailors with unique training opportunities deployments and equipment advancements to guarantee we continue to lead the way second to none In the end even with a renewed commitment to our sortie based training plans and the implementation of new equipment or technology to fight for every inch of readiness it is the Marines and Sailors on the flight line who will continue to make the biggest difference Adapting to the challenges associated with change and the process of continually learning and refining best practices is no small task but it is one they never shy away from It is because of their efforts and the support of their families that 2nd MAW will continue To Fight To Fight Well 2019 Symposium 93 2ND MAW CHERRY POINT the AH 1Z transition Mid December was immersed with detachments from HMH 366 and HMLA 269 deploying on the 22d MEU In the last weeks of December before the holiday period HMLA 167 delivered a single UH 1Y to the 309th AMARG and received its first three AH 1Zs of the transition

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the ground crew prepares Geiger s airplane 1917 pHoto CoUrtesy U s Marine Corps uncertain terms Another early Marine aviator who served with Geiger Christian F Schilt recipient of the Medal of Honor described Geiger as a rough and ready go getter As square a shooter as ever lived He had no nerves he was hard He s a deep thinker He d get you in his office and sort of look at you as though he was going to give you hell He lived and played hard Another early Marine aviator Louis Woods even believed that Geiger could read my mind The School of Hard Knocks As the sixth of seven children childhood wasn t easy for the young Roy Born in 1885 in a small logging town near Jacksonville Florida Roy s father was the superintendent of the local school district Unfortunately Roy was only seven years old when his father died suddenly Thereafter his mother struggled financially but she was determined that her children pursue their education Roy s adventuresome spirit was a constant challenge for her from his failed attempt to soar off a shed roof in a manned aircraft resulting in a broken arm to his disappearance for days after he hopped an empty train wagon to Chicago Illinois With his savings from various odd jobs Geiger paid for his college room and board After graduation he quickly transitioned from a Lt Geiger seated on right with fellow Marines in north China 1914 pHoto CoUrtesy U s Marine Corps brief teaching stint to law school at John B Stetson University Disappointed in his new career as a lawyer he enlisted in the Marine Corps for four years Despite being medically unqualified for numerous reasons flat feet too short 5 feet 6 inches underweight 140 pounds heart murmur and eyestrain the Marine Corps gave him waivers and accepted his enlistment With his sardonic humor he remarked I guess the Corps considered me more dead than alive To prove they made a wise choice he performed with excellence Within seven months he was promoted to corporal and was commissioned as a second lieutenant on 3 February 1909 at the age of twenty two His distinguished academic and athletic record saved him from being discharged for a few drunken and disorderly black marks Oh I Just Wanted to Fly That s All As many Marines do Geiger started in various infantry assignments his first one was aboard USS Delaware then as a recruiter in New York City His first combat mission was for expeditionary duty in Nicaragua with the 1st Provisional Regiment Leading his men in skirmishes and peacekeeping actions while in Panama Geiger gained a life long mentor Major Smedley Butler By March 1913 Geiger was shipping out for his first tour of the Pacific concluding in his service with the Legation Guard in Peking His China duty ended in January 1916 when he was given his next assignment flight training at the Naval Aeronautic Station in Pensacola Florida There he would fly seaplanes such as the Curtiss Pushers and the N 9 Tractors His only mishap was when he crashed his N 9 trainer into Pensacola Bay Geiger escaped unharmed but the plane was a total wreck At the rank of captain he earned his wings as an Naval Aviator becoming Marine Aviator Number Five on 9 June 1917 The year before the looming entry of America into World War I the Marine Corps challenge was to build and train an effective air combat unit however first they had to find more planes As a man who was innovative in finding solutions Captain Geiger hunted for planes as well as potential pilots He found Curtiss Flying School with JN 4D Jennys and a few local pilots at an airfield in the Everglades soon Geiger had successfully recruited them and their planes into the Marine Corps By March 1918 The First Marine Aviation Force FMAF comprised 90 officers and 825 enlisted men that was split into four squadrons A B C and D It was commanded by Major Alfred A Cunningham the Corps first aviator He was determined to get FMAF into the war with a combat 2019 Symposium 95

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mission Finally he was able to negotiate with the Navy for FMAF to join the Northern Bomb Group over Belgium The Marines would execute the day bombing Day Wing and the Navy would take the night Night Wing Cunningham was pleased that the FMAF now had a mission Flaming Coffins On 30 July 1918 the FMAF arrived in Brest France aboard USS De Kalb The dilemma they faced was that their aircraft had not arrived Meanwhile the British Royal Air Force had the opposite problem they were lacking pilots because many had been shot down but they had plenty of aircraft So Geiger arranged that his pilots would fly British planes after a short period of flight training in their DH 9s After some delay the FMAF received 17 De Havilland DH 4 bombers which were a hybrid British American designed two seater biplane The DH 4 was nicknamed The Flaming Coffin because the exposed 67 gallon gasoline tank could easily explode with one well aimed tracer As commander of Squadron A later changed to Squadron 7 Geiger set the example for his men by flying both the DH 9A and the DH 4 to dispel their fears He actually liked the DH 4 s weaponry There were fixed forward firing twin 30 caliber Marlin machine guns that fired through the propeller blades The observer gunner controlled dual 30 caliber Lewis machine guns mounted with a 360 degree swivel There were racks on the underside of the plane for 25 50 or 100 pound bombs which could be released by the pilot or the observer The first FMAF victory came in September when Marine aviator First Lieutenant E S Brewster and Gunnery Sergeant H B Wersheiner shot down a German Albatross One week later Marine crews dropped over 2 600 pounds of food and supplies to an isolated French regiment boxed in by German lines By the end of the war the U S Marine Day Wing in France had six 96 MCAA Journal www flymcaa org confirmed shoot downs and another eight possibles Lieutenant Ralph Talbot and his Gunnery Sergeant Robert G Robinson were each awarded the Medal of Honor and other aviators were recognized with four Distinguished Service Medals and thirty Navy Crosses one of which was award to Geiger for his distinguished service in the line of his profession as commanding officer of Airplane Squadron Number Two in which capacity he trained and led this squadron on bombing raids against the enemy For a few months after the armistice Geiger stayed in France to serve on the Judge Advocate Court of Inquiry Real Marines in the Banana Wars In face of the postwar demobilization the Corps newly born air force struggled to survive Even within the Corps leadership there were those who questioned the usefulness of the air arm and pondered if aviators were real Marines Between the wars Geiger worked hard to prove that his aviators were more than a gentlemen s flying club and certainly more than mere Naval Aviators in Marine uniforms After a brief stay at the FMAF Base in Miami Geiger and his family moved to Haiti in 1919 where he assumed command of Squadron E of the First Provisional Marine Brigade The Marines had been ordered to Haiti to fight the revolutionary bandits called Cacos who were attempting to overthrow the democratic government The mission of Squadron E was to run rescue missions for medical evacuations provide aerial reconnaissance deliver mail and some supplies and mainly to provide close air support CAS to the brigade Initially some of the ground air communications were rather ad hoc and primitive including hand signals and colored paper The topography was also challenging mountainous jungle areas with unpredictable weather and soft grassy fields full of ditches On one of his returns from Camp Haitien Geiger had to make an emergency landing Fortunately he made a safe landing but if he had set his plane down twenty feet sooner he would have crashed into a ten foot deep ditch During the 1920s Marine pilots were in service in various combat areas however the government considered them a luxury that should be eliminated This attitude forced Marine leadership to fight for funds on Capitol Hill For Squadron E there was only Geiger s creative use of local materials he constructed his office out of airplane crates with a roof made of flattened gasoline cans At least they had planes five JN 6 HG Jennys six DH 4B De Havillands and seven Curtiss HS 2 seaplanes Despite the lack of maneuverability of the early planes Marine pilots wanted a more accurate method of bombing than merely from horizontal flight Under Geiger s supervision Lieutenant Lawson Sanderson of Squadron Four decided to try the relatively new technique of glide or dive bombing he tied a bomb rack to the underside of his aircraft then using a rifle barrel as a bombsight lined up the plane with the target dove at the target with the nose of his aircraft at an angle of 35 to 45 degrees and released the bomb at an altitude of approximately 250 feet This technique became fundamental to the success of airground support General Alexander A Vandegrift recalled in his memoirs some of Geiger s wild tricks as well as the progress of the development of CAS in Haiti On one occasion two of Roy Geiger s pilots loaded a small bomb in one of the old Jennys and dropped it on a Caco stronghold while simultaneously a ground force attacked Vandegrift also acknowledged the close bond Geiger established with his counterparts in the Marine infantry Geiger wrote a letter in August 1920 of

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his belief in the importance of airground coordination What we need is to get the older officers of the Marine Corps acquainted with the work which we can do so that we will become a necessary part of their operations I think that every officer will return to the States a strong friend of aviation The planes have become an essential part of operations here Col Geiger flying at Quantico 1939 Photo Courtesy U S Marine Corps Barnstorming Across American On 21 January 1921 Major Roy Geiger turned over command of Squadron E which later became the Fourth Air Squadron to Captain Arthur H Page Returning to Marine Barracks Quantico Virginia Geiger assumed command of the First Aviation Group for the next three years making it his goal to give publicity and fame to the air branch of the Corps From airshows to aviation demonstrations Geiger s aviators impressed the crowds as well as the politicians responsible for funding the Marine Corps flying wonders One example of their achievements during this period was a record breaking flight from San Diego California to Washington D C in an 11 day 2 800 mile trip Geiger s purpose was to save the government money by flying some old Army surplus planes from the West Coast to the East Coast As head of the First Aviation Group Geiger had shown that he preferred to lead from the front to be at the controls of his own aircraft leading his men to be aggressive in trying new methods and tactics and to have a keen sense of judgment By 1924 he had flown over 739 hours in his 7 year career as an aviator For the next two decades Geiger interspersed his career with years of academic study From 1924 to 1925 he attended the Army s Command and General Staff School at Fort Leavenworth Kansas In a class of 235 he was the only Marine aviator with mostly West Point graduates When asked how he survived the intense curriculum in tactics and planning he said he spent long nights in the library He then rotated back to Haiti to command Observation Squadron Two with the First Brigade In 1927 he served as an instructor at Marine Corps School Division of Operations and Tactics at Headquarters followed by two years at the Army War College and later 1939 1940 another year at the Naval War College In 1932 President Herbert Hoover directly ordered that the Marine Corps reduce its numbers from 17 000 to 13 600 it was critical for Marine leadership to prove the merit for the Corps s existence The concept that saved the Corps was the Fleet Marine Force FMF The mission of FMF was to play an integral part of amphibious warfare one in which the Navy could not exist without Marine support and one in which the Army had no interest Lieutenant Colonel Geiger was a strong influence in creating the role played by Marine aviation and aircraft carriers in amphibious operations In June of 1935 he became commander of FMF Air One at Quantico The next four years Marine aviators were involved in various rescue missions for hurricane and earthquake relief in Santo Domingo and Nicaragua as well as participating in aerial demonstrations such as the Canadian National Air Show However the main focus of their training was the mastery of air ground support joint operations aerial navigation and instrument flying At the age of 56 Geiger was the most experienced Marine pilot with over 2 500 flight hours He was at the top of his game as he prepared his aviators for the coming war Facing the greatest challenges of his life Guadalcanal Guam and Okinawa Brigadier General Roy Geiger remained calm His reputation for being unflappable was built from many stories such as when one of his pilots asked What about the storm To which he replied Well what about it Perhaps Lieutenant General Holland Smith gave the best summation of Geiger he was a heavyset bearlike and totally fearless man He was someone who could only have happened in the Marine Corps He had flown and commanded almost every kind of aircraft or aviation unit that ever existed Like all Marine officers however he had always kept his feet on the ground In the illustrious history of the Corps General Roy Geiger is celebrated most for his command of the Cactus Air Force during the Guadalcanal campaign and for being the only Marine Corps officer to hold command of a field Army when he assumed command of U S Tenth Army during the Battle of Okinawa On 23 January 1947 he died at Bethesda Naval Hospital and was buried in Arlington National Cemetery 2019 Symposium 97

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WING UPDATE 3RD MAW MIRAMAR The 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing s 3rd MAW mission is to provide combatready expeditionary aviation forces capable of short notice worldwide deployments to the Marine Air Ground Task Force MAGTF fleet and unified component commanders We are comprised of over 15 000 Marines Sailors and civilians who create a combat ready team with a solid foundation of capability standards spirit and trust that continues to provide us enduring success year after year As a combat ready team we focus on excellence and mission success We accept nothing less than superior performance as aviation is unforgiving of mediocrity Our aggressive warrior ethos adherence to high standards and eternal bond as brothers and sisters of the Corps make us the ultimate example to our partners here in Southern California Arizona and around the globe of what true service is to the nation We demonstrate the embodiment of professionalism in everything we do our work ethic our daily interactions and our behavior toward others and while we are enjoying well earned liberty We are continually improving ourselves embracing change and leaning forward in our efforts to remain combatready to conduct any mission assigned 98 98 MCAA MCAAJournal Journal www flymcaa org www flymcaa org W e are representatives of our country our service and our families Our personal interactions set the standard by which 3rd MAW is judged We always maintain the highest standards of professionalism and human dignity The actions or inactions of even the newest individual plays a critical role in our preparation for combat Our leadership is proactive and engaged Always building teaching challenging and developing the Marines Sailors and civilians under our care We thrive on challenges and seek timely solutions to produce positive results We are always accountable and accept responsibility for our actions Honor courage and commitment are our cornerstone guide and creed We will not waiver in our assigned mission In 2018 3rd MAW saw the passing of command from Major General Mark Notso Wise to Major General Kevin Wolfy Iiams Major General Iiams philosophy of FIX FLY FIGHT has pervaded every mission event engagement exercise policy and document this Wing has supported or developed The Wing continued to witness an aggressive operational tempo fully engaged in the six functions of Marine aviation and used their full capabilities to support the complete spectrum of military operations in support of U S Indo Pacific Command INDOPACOM U S Central Command CENTCOM U S Northern Command NORTHCOM and U S Southern Command SOUTHCOM objectives The Wing continued to deploy and redeploy with Special Purpose Marine Air Ground Task Force Crisis Response Central Command SPMAGTF CR CC SPMAGTF Seven for border support SPMAGTFPeru sourced numerous individual augments to units around the world provided squadrons and detachments to 1st MAW and III Marine Expeditionary Force MEF as part of the Unit Deployment Program UDP while maintaining a forward deployed presence by supporting the 11th 13th 15th and 31st Marine Expeditionary Units MEU Marines and Sailors of 3rd MAW focused training on major theater war fighting capabilities and responsibilities to ensure a ready contingent of trained Marines and Sailors from its bases in the Continental United States CONUS In addition to the demands presented by supporting global aviation operations 3rd MAW remained heavily involved with MAGTF training and joint service interoperability exercises throughout CONUS and the Pacific Theater 3rd MAW supported two Integrated Training Exercises ITX two Weapons and Tactics Instructor WTI courses conducted Exercise Winter Fury Exercise Summer Fury Exercise Steel Knight MEF Exercise 2018 and supported multiple joint exercises to include Red Flag and Northern Lightning Personnel supported global operations and exercises while continuing its transition to the MV 22 Osprey AH 1Z Viper UH 1Y Venom and F 35B Lightning II During 2018 our Marines accumulated 89 564 flight hours and 52 204 sorties in support of contingency operations training and other scheduled deployments We had Marines and Sailors deployed to the Middle East throughout the Pacific and aboard numerous U S Navy vessels around the world The Wing remains postured to FIX FIGHT FIGHT anytime anywhere Marine Aircraft Group 11 Marine Aircraft Group 11 MAG 11 led by Colonel Simon Simple Doran generated embarked and integrated relevant combat ready aviation forces capable of providing offensive air support anti aircraft warfare assault support aerial reconnaissance and terminal area control of aircraft The unit also generated critical aviation logistics support provided

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3RD MAW MIRAMAR In a display of military might and raw power multiple FA 18 Hornets from MAG 11 stage in preparation for take off during a training exercise at MCAS Miramar CA on 1 Feb 2019 Photo Courtesy U S Marine Corps twelve of the functions of aviation ground support supported the generation of squadrons assigned to Navy carrier air wings and trained Marine fighter attack pilots weapons systems officers and Navy strike fighter pilots to standard In July MAG 11 Headquarters deployed as a site command to ITX 5 18 All of this was done to ensure success in combat and provide support to the MAGTF and combatant commanders MAG 11 continued to effectively employ the F A 18 Hornet and the KC 130J Hercules in support of MAGTF operations In November MAG 11 relinquished operational command of Marine Wing Support Squadron 373 MWSS 373 to the newly formed Marine Wing Support Group 37 HQ MWSG 37 Throughout the year MAG 11 units were deployed in support of the 13th MEU III MEF UDP and SPMAGTF CR CC Marine All Weather Fighter Attack Squadron VMFA AW 225 was deployed as part of the UDP at Marine Corps Air Station MCAS Iwakuni Japan Prior to deploying the Vikings prepared by completing Red Flag Nellis 18 2 WTI 18 2 Expeditionary Warfare Training Group Pacific EWTGPAC Fires Exercise FIREX Summer Fury and Forager Fury Marine Fighter Attack Squadron VMFA 232 prepared for deployment to MCAS Iwakuni Japan as part of the UDP During this period the squadron supported pilot training at TOPGUN 3 18 Additionally they participated in Exercises Summer Fury Distant Frontier Red Flag Alaska and Steel Knight During their detachment to Eielson Air Force Base AFB Alaska in support of Distant Frontier and Red Flag Alaska they focused on air combat tactics and large force employment in an effort to enhance interoperability with joint platforms from the United States Korea and Finland VMFA 314 deployed to Bahrain in support of SPMAGTF CR CC After returning to Miramar they supported ITX 5 18 and WTI 1 19 In September the squadron was placed in a non deployable status until transition to the F 35C was complete In addition the squadron took on a non traditional role of training Category III and Category IV F A 18 aircrew in refresher training in order to assist Marine Fighter Attack Training Squadron VMFAT 101 production Concurrently the squadron flew sorties supporting EWTGPAC FIREXs and Exercise Steel Knight VMFA 323 prepared for future deployments by increasing their qualifications through TOPGUN 18 and WTI 2 18 In addition they detached to Naval Air Station NAS Key West and went aboard USS John C Stennis CVN 74 and USS Carl Vinson CVN 70 for training Marine Aerial Refueler Transport Squadron VMGR 352 continually deployed a detachment in support of SPMAGTFCR CC The squadron also provided logistical support for Distant Frontier Summer Fury Recon Team Leaders Course Air Naval Gunfire Liaison Companies ANGLICO EWTGPAC FIREXs Composite Training Unit Exercise COMPTUEX WTI Naval Special Warfare teams Steel Knight and ITX MWSS 373 deployed in support of SPMAGTF CR CC Upon returning 2019 Symposium 99

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live AIM 9M and two AIM 120 airto air missiles Two pilots were sent to the WTI course in September marking the culmination of several months worth of preparation by the pilots and the entire squadron LCpls Katelyn Denham Jamie Malinowski and William Rousseau aviation ordnance technicians with MALS 11 handle a 1 000 pound Guided Bomb Unit 32 during a routine ordnance evolution in support of Red Flag Alaska 19 1 at Eielson Air Force Base AK on 12 Oct 2018 Photo Courtesy U S Marine Corps to Miramar the squadron supported Mountain Warfare Training Center MWTC Veterans Village Summer Fury and WTI Marine Aviation Logistics Squadron MALS 11 continued their aviation logistical support of MAG 11 tenant squadrons in order to maintain battle ready aircraft for the MAGTF commander MALS 11 Marines deployed alongside MAG 11 squadrons around the world with more than one third of their force either preparing for deployment or on deployment at any given time Marine Aircraft Group 13 MAG 13 under the leadership of Colonel William Kelvin Sauerland provided functions of offensive air support anti air warfare and command and control of aircraft in support of the 13th and 15th MEUs I MEF SPMAGTF CR CC and numerous CONUS training exercises The deployment of VMFA 211 with the 13th MEU in 2018 marked the first time in history that the F 35 Lightning II deployed on a ship with a CONUS unit 100 MCAA Journal www flymcaa org The newest F 35B squadron VMFA 122 reached Initial Operational Capability in September 2018 and participated in Exercises Summer Fury and Northern Lightning The latter was the squadron s first deployment for training operating in a joint environment In the fall VMFA 211 set a joint service milestone as the first American F 35 squadron to go on a combat deployment as well as employ weapons in combat Marine Attack Squadron 214 VMA 214 welcomed back its detachment from the 15th MEU in April 2018 The same month the squadron supported EWTGPAC and WTI 2 18 Several pilots and Marines participated in the Arctic Thunder Air Show and Open House in June at Elmendorf AFB In July the squadron participated in Exercise Summer Fury and conducted forward based operations at the Red Beach facility at Camp Pendleton California which was the first time AV 8B s had done so in over six years Throughout the year the squadron had the opportunity to employ four VMA 311 supported EWTGPAC in April 2018 as well as WTI 2 18 In May the squadron supported the Special Operations Tactical Air Controller Course and sent four aircraft to the Central Texas Airshow in Temple Texas They also employed two live AIM 9M air to air missiles at the end of the month The squadron improved their air to ground capability in July by employing laser guided bombs and rockets against moving targets In August the squadron refreshed their training and readiness by participating in Exercise Northing Lightning at Volk Field Wisconsin September included more Special Operations Tactical Air Controller courses and WTI support as well as a deployment of four aircraft to the MCAS Miramar Airshow The year was filled with historic events for Marine Unmanned Aerial Vehicle Squadron One VMU 1 The squadron supported WTI 2 18 in April Additionally that month they welcomed back their RQ 21A detachment from the 15th MEU This marked the first RQ 21A deployment for a West Coast MEU detachment In May the squadron held a winging ceremony in commemoration of the newly approved Unmanned Aerial System UAS breast insignia Over 30 officer and enlisted Marines were officially winged In July with Marines the 13th MEU detachment departed on deployment while concurrently the future 11th MEU detachment supported ITX 5 18 This detachment trained in support of their pre deployment training and future deployment In September VMU 1 flew in support of WTI 1 19 where they executed dual aircraft operations for the first time ever Simultaneously VMU 1 made further history flying the Marine Corps first ever MQ 9 Reaper aircraft The squadron received personnel from all

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During 2018 MALS 13 provided aviation logistics support for the seventeen F 35B Lightning IIs five RQ 21A Blackjack Systems and thirty six AV 8B Harrier aircraft assigned to MAG 13 Personnel of MALS 13 also served as the point of entry of all aviation logistics support for Marine Operational Test and Evaluation Squadron One s MV22Bs AH 1Zs UH 1Ys and CH 53Es At the beginning of the year twenty four MALS 13 Marines were deployed in support of VMA 214 on the 15th MEU In July 2018 twenty one MALS 13 Marines deployed on the 13th MEU with VMFA 211 for what became the first F 35B combat deployment MALS 13 also achieved another unique first by deploying a Remote Expeditionary Support Package to Wisconsin in support of eight F 35Bs and nine AV 8Bs for Exercise Northern Lightning This was also one of the first operational tests for LINK 16 an aircraft modification MALS 13 coordinated at MCAS Yuma which demonstrated a vast improvement in the interoperability of the AV 8B Throughout the year MALS 13 coached and inspected adjacent MAG 13 squadrons helping VMFA 122 achieve Safe For Flight after re designation to F 35B VMA 311 passed their 3rd MAW and Commander Naval Air Force inspections and all MAG 13 units to exceed Flight Hour Program goals Marine Aircraft Group 16 MAG 16 the largest MAG in the Marine Corps under the leadership of Colonel Craig Cunan LeFlore and Sergeant Major Abel Leal continued to provide MAGTF commanders with assault support transport of combat troops supplies and equipment day and night under all weather conditions during expeditionary joint and combined operations Through the commander s philosophy of Mission Accomplishment Through Combat Readiness MAG 16 provided highly trained Aviation Combat Elements for deliberate SPMAGTF CC UDP and MEU deployments as well as pulling units off the ready bench to support on call Aviation Combat Elements for SPMAGTF Seven and SPMAGTFPeru Personnel of MAG 16 also supported Exercises Summer Fury and Steel Knight with sourcing from all squadrons across the flight line The Group continues to strike a balance between supporting Global Force Management and providing external support to the MEF at home through fragmentary orders and internal unit training to build combat readiness Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron 161 Reinforced VMM161 Rein wrapped up their 13 month deployment with the 15th MEU aboard USS America Amphibious Ready Group and returned to CONUS in February 2018 The squadron aggregated forces after they were spread across 5th and 6th Fleets for the majority of the deployment and executed distributed STOVL operations and several other Theater Security Cooperation exercises while returning across the Pacific VMM161 Rein conducted training detachments and supported air shows in various locations including Los Angeles County California and Dubuque Iowa The squadron also executed air support for the California Wildland Fire Fighting exercise VMM 362 was reactivated on 17 August 2018 It formerly stood down as HMH 262 in 2012 It continues to make progess towards Initial and Final Operational Capability VMM 163 conducted several joint exercises with the U S Air Force including one at Edwards Air Force Base California and another with the 20th Special Operations Squadron at Cannon and Kirtland Air Force Bases in New Mexico The squadron supported multiple air shows and completed their Marine Corps Combat Readiness exercise at Naval Air Facility El Centro California The squadron conducted their change of operational control to the 11th MEU in October and shortly after executed their Realistic Urban Training exercise 3RD MAW MIRAMAR three MEFs in a concerted effort to support combat operations deploying from garrison In total VMU 1 supported four service level exercises welcomed one MEU while deploying another trained two Weapons and Tactics Officers and executed the first flight of a Group 5 aircraft VMM 165 executed several unit training detachments including one to Joint Reserve Base Fort Worth Texas in preparation for their upcoming combat deployment to Kuwait The squadron also conducted joint training with the Air Force providing aviation support to the Red Flag Rescue 18 2 exercise in Nevada Marines of VMM 165 then conducted their Marine Corps Combat Readiness Evaluation while executing Integrated Tactical Exercise 5 18 with nine MV 22s at the Twentynine Palms Strategic Expeditionary Landing Field Finally the squadron deployed to Kuwait as part of the SPMAGTF CRCENTCOM VMM 166 Rein conducted their change of operational control to the 11th MEU in the early part of the year During their workups they conducted realistic urban training and three at sea periods including their Certification Exercise While on deployment they sent detachments from their Composite ACE to Iraq Kuwait UAE Djibouti the Mediterranean and completed several Theater Security Cooperation and combat operations Marine Heavy Helicopter Squadron 361 HMH 361 started the year by sending a four aircraft CH 53E detachment to the 13th MEU The squadron continued its training program executing their Marine Corps Combat Readiness Evaluation at Naval Air Station Fallon while simultaneously supporting Mountain Exercise 18 2 in Bridgeport The squadron then 2019 Symposium 101

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deployed to Okinawa as part of UDP 18 2 During the UDP the squadron supported exercises at Clark Air Base in the Philippines Yakota Japan and Pohang South Korea They departed Pohang for Iwakuni Japan to hangar the aircraft in anticipation of Typhoon Trami HMH 462 received their 5 x CH 53E MEU Detachment in February following their deployment with the 15th MEU The squadron executed several unit training detachments to various locations including Davis Monthan AFB Marine Corps Mountain Warfare Training Center and San Francisco California during the year In addition the squadron conducted a large six aircraft CH53E detachment for training to NAF El Centro to provide tactical support to the MAWTS 1 WTI Course 1 19 and to build combat readiness for the squadron Finally the squadron was tasked to provide the ACE for the SPMAGTF Peru The squadron rapidly organized the unit and gained attachments from MALS 16 MACG 38 HMLA 169 MALS 39 and 3rd MAW enablers They set sail aboard USS Somerset and conducted foreign humanitarian assistance demonstrations and Theater Security Cooperation exercises with the Peruvian Marines and Air Force HMH 465 conducted a large 6 x CH 53E Detachment for Training to NAF El Centro to provide tactical support to the MAWTS 1 WTI Course 2 18 and to build combat readiness for the squadron In May the squadron was on the road again with 6 x CH 53Es conducting their Marine Corps Combat Readiness Evaluation at Creech Air Force Base Nevada The squadron trained and organized a MEU Detachment to provide to the 11th MEU in September In November the squadron deployed to MCAS Futenma Okinawa for the UDP 19 1 HMH 466 remained busy on UDP 18 1 in Okinawa During this time they conducted Exercise Cobra Gold 18 and spent several months 102 MCAA Journal www flymcaa org An MV 22 Osprey with VMM 161 flies over SoCal during the 2018 MCAS Miramar Air Show on 29 Sept 2018 The show honored 100 Years of Women in the Marine Corps by featuring several performances and displays that highlight accomplishments and milestones women have made since the first female enlistee Opha May Johnson joined the service in 1918 Photo Courtesy U S Marine Corps embarked on USS Bonhomme Richard The squadron also deployed from Okinawa to South Korea to conduct exercises SSANG YONG and the Korean Marine Exchange Program The squadron redeployed to CONUS in May of 2018 The squadron sent training detachments to the Marine Corps Mountain Warfare Training Center to support Mountain Exercise and El Centro to build combat proficiency At the end of the year HMH 466 was tasked to provide the ACE for SPMAGTF Seven rapidly building the ACE attaching supporting elements and deploying to NAF El Centro to provide border support MALS 16 continues to provide support to every squadron across MAG 16 MALS 16 sent detachments with every major unit exercise MEU SPMAGTF UDP and MAWTS 1 WTI courses Marine Aircraft Group 39 Leading the effort across the Marine Corps to transition to and deploy the AH 1Z Viper and UH 1Y Venom aircraft MAG 39 led by Colonel Matthew Rush Mowery maintained its warfighting focus as it prepared and deployed tiltrotor and support squadrons in support of SPMAGTF CR CC and light attack helicopter squadrons in support of U S Marine Corps Forces Pacific s MEUs and UDPs The Marines of MAG 39 prepared for deployments and contingency operations by conducting numerous exercises and training events throughout the western United States and around the globe These included Mountain Exercise Native Fury ITX 2 18 and 5 18 Scorpion Fire 18 3 Rim of the Pacific Exercise 18 Summer Fury Seattle Sea Fair 1 7 Los Angeles Fleet Week Valiant Mark Steel Knight the Miramar Air Show and other detachments for training in various locations including Bridgeport Roving Sands Nellis Fallon El Centro Yuma and Fort Hunter Liggett In January of 2018 MAG 39 served as the ACE for ITX 2 18 deploying an unprecedented 1 100 Marines and sailors to Twentynine Palms to demonstrate the MAG s ability to control airspace and fight in a deployed environment During that timeframe the MAG 39 Chemical Biological and Nuclear Defense Section conducted numerous evolutions of aircraft

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In April 2018 MAG 39 celebrated the 50th anniversary of its founding in Quang Tri Province by hosting numerous Vietnam veterans and their families HMLA 469 deployed in support of UDP and 31st MEU and HMLA 369 returned from deployment In July in cooperation with CALFIRE and Camp Pendleton Fire MAG 39 provided aircraft and personnel at a moment s notice to assist with firefighting efforts for three wild fires threatening local lives and property In September 2018 MAG 39 deployed a large portion of MWSS 372 to SPMAGTF CR CC 19 1 and received VMM 164 back from deployment In November HMLA 267 deployed in support of UDP 31st MEU and 11th MEU while HMLA 469 returned from deployment Along with sustaining the rapid pace of operational deployments the Marines of MAG39 supported a diverse assortment of Marine Corps training exercises interagency support operations and strategic relationship events most notably providing helicopter support to SPMAGTF 7 in support of border patrol operations in December of 2018 Marine Air Control Group 38 Led by Colonel Jeff Vandaveer Marine Air Control Group 38 MACG 38 connected the air and ground elements of the MAGTF by employing its task organized Marine Air Command and Control System MACCS at more than 150 exercises held across the Southwest United States and abroad including two WTI courses two ITXs two Steel Knight evolutions a Marine Expeditionary Force Exercise MEFEX and multiple training scenarios connected to MEUs a UDP and SPMAGTF CR CC deployments MACG 38 s 13th MEU Detachment pioneered the use of the Light Marine Air Defense Integrated System L MADIS a counter unmanned aerial systems platform that pairs a small radar sensor with a jamming system on a Polaris MRZR Utility Tactical Vehicle UTV This UTV based capability is internally transportable within a CH 53E or MV 22B where it may quickly arrive deploy and detect and jam drones in order to protect Marines and equipment from small UAS attacks The 13th MEU detachment also utilized a new Common Aviation Command and Control System Afloat to allow the ships of USS Essex Amphibious Ready Group to monitor the F 35B Lightning II aircraft that deployed for the first time with the MEU Marine Air Control Squadron 1 MACS 1 became the first unit in the Marine Corps to field the new AN TPS 80 Ground Air Task Oriented Radar G ATOR immediately fielding it various Marine Corps and joint exercises MACS 1 supported MAG operations during numerous exercises while also providing a detachment of Marines to operate AN TPS 59 longrange radar to conduct surveillance operations on the Korean Peninsula Based on its sustained excellence MACS 1 won the Edward S Fris Award as the Marine Air Command and Control Unit of the Year in 2018 Marine Tactical Air Command Squadron 38 MTACS 38 provided superior Tactical Air Command Center operations with CAC2S Phase II during MEFEX 2018 Providing superb aviation command and control datalink integration and battlefield situational awareness to 3rd MAW and I MEF staffs MTACS 38 s efforts were recognized with top scores from the MAGTF Staff Training Program evaluators in MEFEX 18 The 3rd Low Altitude Air Defense Battalion 3rd LAAD Bn Marines continued to advance the L MADIS system deploying detachments on both the 13th and 11th MEUs Additionally the battalion s Marines were integral in the development of the Compact Laser Weapon System CLaWS a directed energy weapon that fires a laser beam to disable drones and other unmanned aircraft During ITX 5 18 and Steel Knight 19 LAAD Marines fired live Stinger missiles at drone targets as part of the ground combat element defensive scenario a first after several decades 3RD MAW MIRAMAR decontamination training across 3rd MAW Detachments from the 15th MEU returned to HMLA 169 and MALS 39 and HMLA 469 sent a detachment to the 13th MEU In March VMM 164 deployed in support of SPMAGTF CR CC Marine Air Support Squadron 3 MASS 3 provided a Direct Air Support Center DASC to both ITX 2 18 and 5 18 as well as Steel Knight 19 taking the airspace controls from Twentynine Palms Range Control during the exercise flight windows This total control of airspace by the DASC was a significant departure from previous ITX and Steel Knight iterations where MASS 3 controllers simply augmented range control Marine Wing Communications Squadron 38 MWCS 38 provided the digital backbone that tied all MACCS s agencies together in every exercise supported by MACG 38 One of its company commanders Captain Ray Takor received the Alfred M Gray Trophy as the Corps top communications information systems officer Its operations officer Major Mike Bishoff received the 2019 Copernicus Award for his superior achievements in 2018 in the fields of Command Control Communications Computers and Intelligence Marine Wing Support Group 37 On 29 November 2018 the CG of 3rd MAW re activated Headquarters Marine Wing Support Group 37 HQ MWSG 37 and assigned Colonel Matt Seay as the CO and aligned MWSS 371 372 373 and 374 under the command With this re activation 2019 Symposium 103

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Show Torrance Armed Forces Day Celebration the Naval Air Facility El Centro Air Show MCAS Miramar Air Show MCAS Yuma Air Show the 40th Anniversary of Marine Aviation Weapons and Training Squadron One American Airlines Sky Ball 2018 San Diego Padres Tournament of Roses Parade San Diego State University Pittsburg St Patrick s Day Parade Recruiting Station Indianapolis and the University of Arkansas Marines of vMFa 232 conduct a pre flight function check of an F a 18C Hornet before a MaG 11 training exercise that included more than 30 aircraft at MCas Miramar Ca on 1 Feb 2018 pHoto CoUrtesy U s Marine Corps the Wing has regained a group level HQ to command and control all functions of Aviation Ground Support AGS within the Wing in garrison or deployed as part of the ACE within the MAGTF Additionally MWSG 37 provides enterprise level advocacy and training manning and equipping oversight to this niche capability essential to the 3rd MAW s ability to sustain and project combat power in austere environments In 2018 while acting as an element of the Marine Aircraft Wing staff and concurrently standing up the Group headquarters MWSG 37 oversaw the maintenance and certification of five expeditionary air site installations the fielding of the new P 19R Aircraft Rescue Fire Fighting vehicle and the exploration of tactics techniques and procedures relevant to the Expeditionary Advanced Base Operation EABO environment During MEFEX 18 3rd MAW used the core element of HQ MWSG 37 personnel to establish a command operating center and exercise group level command and control over the MWSSs This effort received positive recognition from the MAGTF Staff 104 Mcaa Journal www flymcaa org Training Program evaluators for integrating the aviation ground support planning and maneuver into the MAW s battle rhythm and decision making Over the past year various MWSSs evaluated the High Mobility Engineer Excavator HMEE s utility to Forward Aviation Combat Engineering FACE and the Tactical Aviation Ground Refueling System s TAGRS impact to Forward Arming and Refueling Point missions and opportunities created by the equipment and materials fielded in the new Airfield Damage Repair kits 3rd Marine aircraft wing in the community Marine and Sailors of 3rd MAW remain involved in the local communities and throughout the nation Personnel supported multiple community relations events to include Hosting Iwo Jima Survivors Marine Week Charlotte Los Angeles Fleet Week San Diego Fleet Week LA County Air Show San Diego County Air Show Spirit of Saint Louis Air Show the Heart of Texas Air Show Central Texas Air The Wing continues to support Educator s Workshops as part of a Marine Corps wide recruiting initiative A total of twelve workshops were supported aboard MCAS Miramar Additionally 3rd MAW supported 16 static display event requests with over 50 different aircraft and 21 flyover requests looking Forward Marines and Sailors of 3rd MAW operational supporting Lines of Effort LOE include 1 Building capability strength trust and resiliency in our Marines 2 Generating readiness and lethality in our units 3 Supporting and integrating the Wing s combat power and capabilities and 4 Fighting the Wing Our focus on these LOEs will ensure 3rd MAW consistently provides ready and lethal ACE in support of the MAGTF and large Naval forces The Wing continues to transition from legacy capabilities to the next generation of warfighting capabilities Our transition to the next generation involves continuing to refine develop and advance the capabilities of its people and operational concepts while completing the transition to the MV 22 Osprey employment of the AH 1Z Viper and UH 1Y Venom transitioning the AV 8B Harrier and F A 18 Hornet to the F 35 Lightning II and developing testing and employing new UAS and Counter UAS technologies

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WING UPDATe 4tH MaW neW orLeans The mission of the 4th Marine Aircraft Wing 4th MAW is to augment reinforce and sustain the Active Component as an operational aircraft wing under a Total Force construct The Wing is currently composed of approximately 6 904 Marines and 157 aircraft assigned to 4 groups and 21 squadrons Personnel conduct daily distributed operations from 21 sites in 14 states with rotary and fixedwing aircraft and unmanned aerial systems to include AH1W UH 1Y CH 53E MV 22B KC 130T J F A 18B F 5F N UC 12W UC 35C D and RQ21A It functions as a fully operational Marine Aircraft Wing integrating three core capabilities in support of the Marine Corps Total Force aircraft operations aviation ground support and aviation command and control 106 106 Mcaa McaaJournal Journal www fl www flymcaa org ymcaa org D uring calendar year CY 2018 within all of its groups personnel deployed units detachments and individual augments across the range of military operations in support of Special Purpose Marine Air Ground Task Force Crisis Response SPMAGTF CR operations Special Purpose Marine Air Ground Task Force Southern Command SPMAGTFSC operations and other joint and service level operations and training exercises To this end 4th MAW generated significant progress in accordance with the Aviation Plan Reserve Integration Strategy This advancement focused on continuing the development of reserve MV 22B squadrons as Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron 774 VMM 774 continued progress toward Full Operational Capability FOC Marine Aerial Refueler Transport Squadron 234 s VMGR 234 and Marine Aerial Refueler Transport Squadron 452 s VMGR 452 continued transitions from the KC 130T to the KC 130J and the reactivation of Marine Light Attack Helicopter Squadron 775 HMLA 775 at Marine Corps Air Station MCAS Camp Pendleton California In CY 18 4th MAW served to facilitate the efficient and effective synchronization of core capabilities in support of the Total Force by working to reduce the impact of high operational tempo on the Active Component This was achieved by aligning essential resources in order to rapidly reset refit units and detachments and by redirecting training to appropriate mission sets as dictated by the current threat environment and higher headquarters Specifically 4th MAW s contributions included over 580 Marines deployed with units or as individual augments in support SPMAGTF operations exercises and training worldwide and over 20 570 total hours flown by 4th MAW For example personnel provided significant support to Marine Forces Central Command activated and mobilized a UC 35D detachment from VMR Andrews mobilized members of the Aviation Command and Control Team for duty as battle directors and liason officers to the United States Central Command s CENTCOM Air and Space Operations Center Al Udeid Air Base Qatar At the same time in support of SPMAGTF CR AF 4th MAW sourced a UC 12W detachment from VMR Belle Chasse The Wing also sourced Marines to provide various capabilities to numerous Global Force Managament requirements to include SPMAGTF SOUTHCOM 18 in SOUTHCOM TF SW TAA 18 1 DJC2 18 1 CENTCOM SC TM 18 2 in CENTCOM and GDP RSM ROTO 8 and 9 in EUCOM

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4TH MAW NEW ORLEANS LEFT Marines with HMH 772 supports MARSOC on a raid mission during Exercise Raven in Gulfport MS Raven is a pre deployment joint training exercise in which HMH 772 supports MARSOC by providing air support and transportation Photo Courtesy U S Marine Corps ABOVE MARSOC Marines and Marines with VMGR 452 conduct the laying of the memorial wreaths at the Memorial Marker dedicated to honor the sacrifice of the fallen passengers and crew of Yanky 72 during the Memorial Ceremony on 14 Jul 2018 The Yanky 72 Memorial Ceremony was held to remember and honor the ultimate sacrifices made by the fallen Marines Photo Courtesy U S Marine Corps RIGHT TOP Marines with MACS 24 and soldiers from the 164th Theater Airfield Operations Group conduct assault landing zone operations with VMGR 234 during ITX 4 18 at MCAGCC Twentynine Palms CA on 13 Jun 2018 ITX 4 18 provides MAGTF elements an opportunity to undergo a service level assessment of core competencies that are essential to expeditionary forward deployed operations Photo Courtesy U S Marine Corps RIGHT BOTTOM A CH 53E Super Stallion lifts a U S Army Humvee during a joint training exercise near Joint Base McGuire Dix Lakehurst NJ on 6 Sept 2018 The CH 53E lifted five different vehicles in place for 101st Airborne Division Soldiers and HMH 772 Marines to practice how to safely and properly attach a vehicle and lift it off the ground Photo Courtesy U S Air Force 2019 Symposium 107

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Marines with MWSS 473 conduct cross training on a forward arming and refueling point setup and sit survey during ITX 4 18 at MCAGCC Twentynine Palms CA on 10 Jun 2018 ITX 4 18 provides MAGTF elements an opportunity to undergo a servicelevel assessment of core competencies that are essential to expeditionary forwarddeployed operations Photo Courtesy U S Marine Corps Personnel participated in multiple combined bi lateral and joint exercises in various combatant commanders area of operations The scope of this exercise support ranged from individual augments to the sourcing of large detachments Through participation in exercises such as Emerald Warrior Florida Red Flag Rescue Arizona Innovative Readiness Training IRT Old Harbour Alaska Key Resolve Korea CPX 18 1 Korea and Ulchi Freedom Guardian Korea 4th MAW Marines and Sailors supported the Active Component our sister services and our international partner nations In addition to these diverse theaterwide exercise contributions 4th MAW also provided critical support to Marine Corps service level 108 MCAA Journal www flymcaa org training exercises to include the Integrated Training Exercise ITX MARSOC s Exercise RAVEN USMC Weapons and Tactics Instructor Course WTI and various Marine Fighter Training Squadron VMFT adversary support to the fleet The largest of these ITX serves as the premier service level exercises within the Marine Corps as well as the culmination of a deploying unit s predeployment training plan Since 2006 4th MAW has been actively engaged in preparing units for deployments in support of overseas contingency operations In CY 18 4th MAW participated in ITX by providing Reserve aviation assets in support of the ground unit commander VMU 4 flew sorties from Camp Talega in California MASS 6 established a full Direct Air Support Center DASC as part of the Marine Aviation Command and Control System MACCS and Marine Light Attack Helicopter Squadron HMLA 775 provided rotary wing support Additionally during ITX 4 18 ground combat Marines training at the Marine Corps Air Ground Combat Center Twentynine Palms CA received extensive training in aviation close air support techniques tactics and procedures as a result of the sorties provided by Marine Fighter Attack Squadron VMFA 112 Additional exercise support was provided by Marine Aircraft Group 49 MAG 49 as Marine Light Attack Helicopter Squadron HMLA 773 and Marine Heavy Helicopter Squadron HMH 772 sourced

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Personnel of 4th MAW also provided CONUS based support to Marine Weapons and Tactics Instructor Squadron One MAWTS 1 Courses 1 18 and 2 18 This augmentation consisted of KC 130J refueling support from VMGR 234 rotary wing support from HMLA 775 and adversary aircraft from VMFT 401 As Marine aviation s only adversary fighter squadron VMFT 401 based at MCAS Yuma Arizona provided Red Air fixed wing threat profiles They also flew in support of Marine Corps U S Navy and U S Air Force fighter squadrons preparing for deployment In addition to exercise and training support FRAG relief and dedicated mission support was regularly provided to combatant commanders of 1st MAW 2nd MAW 3rd MAW I Marine Expeditionary Force I MEF II MEF III MEF Training and Education Command TECOM and Navy Army and Air Force units in the form of logistical support runs airborne aerial refueling support parachute operations support close air support and community relations events support This support included 177 KC 130T J sorties 8 MV 22B sorties 9 AH 1W UH 1Y sorties and 1 CH 53E sortie Reserve pilots assigned to Marine Aviation Training Support Group 42 MATSG 42 based in Pensacola Florida provided over 3 500 sorties and 7 500 flight hours in instructor pilot augment support to several Marine Corps Fleet Replacement Squadrons and the Naval Air Training Command s primary and advanced flight training squadrons The 4th Marine Aircraft Wing routinely provides operational tempo relief for the Active Component providing responsive short notice aviation support for Fleet Marine Forces and TECOM Throughout the year 4th MAW consistently demonstrated the ability to source both planned and emergent requirements in support of the Marine Corps Total Force This ability to seamlessly integrate with the Active Component whether in support of daily training operations or as part of a larger force in support of contingency operations highlights the unique capabilities inherent in 4th MAW As Marine aviation prepares for the future 4th MAW will continue to stand ready as a Total Force Reserve 4TH MAW NEW ORLEANS support to Exercise Raven VMGR 234 also provided Aerial Refueling support to Raven training exercises Exercise Raven is a Marine Corps Special Operations Command MARSOC mission rehearsal and certification exercise designed to evaluate MARSOC Marines in the full spectrum of operations while immersing them in an environment simulating their deployed area of operations An AH 1W SuperCobra with HMLA 775 performs a break turn after conducting a close air support mission during ITX 4 18 at MCAGCC Twentynine Palms CA on 18 Jun 2018 HMLA 775 also known as the Coyotes provided air combat element support to MAGTF 23 during ITX 4 18 Photo Courtesy U S Marine Corps 2019 Symposium 109

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TAPS SOME GAVE ALL Col Norman Glen Ewers age 95 Corona del Mar CA He joined the Navy following the attack on Pearl Harbor training as an Naval Aviator and earning a commission in the Marine Corps shortly thereafter He flew PBJ bombers in the Pacific during World War II He was awarded a Distinguished Flying Cross for his actions in the Bismarck Archipelago He served in Korean and Vietnam as a helicopter pilot He was awarded a Silver Star for saving a downed Navy pilot in Korea behind enemy lines and a second Silver Star in Vietnam for leading his squadron of helicopters into a highly intense fight not once but three times while maintaining the dangerous lead position This mission was photographed for Life Magazine as the cover story He was awarded a second Distinguished Flying Cross and two Navy Commendation Medals for combat bravery in Korea His career as a pilot continued for 27 years until his retirement in 1969 He also was awarded 28 Air Medals during 393 combat missions over three wars He is preceded in death by his wife Sue and is survived by three children MajGen Ronald Lee Beckwith 83 Fairfax VA He was an MCAA Life Member Born in Erie Pennsylvania he was commissioned as a second lieutenant in the Marine Corps in 1957 He retired after 34 years of honorable service He was a highly decorated combat aviator courageously serving multiple combat tours in Vietnam He commanded at many levels including MABS 15 VMFAT 101 MAG 15 and the 4th MAW Upon retirement he founded LeeCor Inc a defense consulting business which he ran for the remaining 28 years of his life He is survived by his wife Judith and two children LtCol David Graham Vest 83 Pensacola FL Born in Glasgow MT David entered the United States Marine Corps in June 1958 when he was commissioned as a second lieutenant In November 1959 he was designated as an Naval Aviator He had a distinguished 20 year career in the Marine Corps as a fighter pilot primarily flying the F 8 and F 4 His military career highlights include Combat tour in the Republic of Vietnam from 1967 1968 and Command of VMFA 531 from July 1976June 1978 His military awards include the Bronze Star the Purple Heart and an Air medal He was recognized as MCAA Marine Aviator of the Year in 1971 Upon completion of his military service he put himself through law school and practiced as a lawyer in Southern California for over 20 years He is survived by a nephew and niece Maj Robert Dean Bob Hatch 88 Gulfport MS He joined the Navy at age 18 and was selected for the Marine Corps aviation program shortly thereafter He flew several aircraft including fighter jets and helicopters and served in the Korean and Vietnam wars He was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross Korean Presidential Unit Citation Korean Service Medal Navy Unit Citation United Nations Service Medal National Defense Service Medals 2 and Air Medal for his meritorious service After retiring from the Marine Corps he started a residential construction business in Gulfport He was predeceased by his wife Barbara and is survived by his 4 daughters LtCol Matthew Stover 47 Beaufort SC He was born in Des Moines Iowa After high school he enlisted in the Marine Corps Reserve He served in Desert Storm Shield Upon returning home he attended college graduated and earned a commission becoming an Naval Aviator He flew CH 46s and KC 130s He served as the commanding officer for VMGR 152 and as the executive officer of MCAS Beaufort He is survived by his wife Kimberly and four sons Maj Matthew M Wiegand 34 Ambler PA He joined the Marine Corps in 2008 following graduation from the Naval Academy and was hand selected as an instructor to MAWTS 1 and stationed at MCAS Yuma Arizona He held the highest flight leadership and instructor qualifications in both the AH 1W Super Cobra and the AH 1Z Viper attack helicopters with nearly 2 000 flight hours Matt is survived by his wife Katrina Capt Travis W Brannon 30 Nashville TN He graduated from Sewanee University of the South with a degree in English and Economics Following graduation Travis dreamed of joining the Marines and was commissioned into the Corps in 2012 After completing flight school in 2015 Travis was assigned to fly Cobra helicopters which he did for nearly four years while stationed in Hawaii Travis is survived by his wife Virginia and his daughter LtCol James Craig Brown 89 Columbus OH He completed a 25 year career as a Marine Corps fighter pilot serving two tours in Vietnam Following his retirement in 1977 he served as the Executive Director of the Rotary Club in Columbus Ohio He was preceded in death by his wife Beverly and is survived by two daughters 110 MCAA Journal www flymcaa org

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703 630 1903 Marine Corps aviation assoCiation May 2018 HONORING THE BEST OF THE BEST IN MARINE AVIATION www flymcaa org 715 Broadway Street Quantico VA The The The Magazine of Marine Aviation www flymcaa org The The Magazine of Marine Aviation www flymcaa org Summer 2018 In This Issue The 2018 Aviation Award Winners 75 Years of MACCS Part Two The Battle for the City of the Dead The Magazine of Marine Aviation www flymcaa org Fall 2018 Winter 2019 In This Issue In This Issue In This Issue Lieutenant Karl S Day WWI Marine Bomber Pilot Marine Night Fighters in Okinawa Marine Air and the Franklin Under Fire 1945 The 2018 MCAA Symposium Recap The Flying Nightmares in Afghanistan The Bengals in Bosnia Moonlighters Reunite and Recount Their Legacy Skyhawkers Reunite Although Although fifirst rst chartered chartered in in 1972 1972 the the genesis genesis of of the the organization organization dates dates back to World War I with the First Marine Aviation Force back to World War I with the First Marine Aviation Force Veterans Veterans As As aa result sharing the legacy and heritage of Marine aviation and bringing result sharing the legacy and heritage of Marine aviation and bringing aviation aviation Marines Marines both both active active duty duty and and retired retired together together is is at at the the core core of of our mission our mission MCAA MCAA promotes promotes and and recognizes recognizes professional professional excellence excellence in in Marine Marine aviation supports the fraternal bond of its membership preserves aviation supports the fraternal bond of its membership preserves A Rusty Old Box The Legacy of The Commander Marine Marine aviation aviation heritage heritage and and safeguards safeguards the the future future of of Marine Marine aviation aviation through awards programs events and publications through awards programs events and publications MCAA MCAA currently currently has has 53 53 corporate corporate members members AA large large part part of of our our membership comes from the aerospace industry Through our membership comes from the aerospace industry Through our corporate corporate membership membership and and generous generous donations donations we we support support numerous numerous awards awards scholarship programs and the Semper Fi fund MCAA scholarship programs and the Semper Fi fund MCAA also also supports supports aviation aviation memorials memorials and and aircraft aircraft museum museum restorations restorations