Recently, Fightertown's own Marine All-Weather Fighter Attack Squadron 533, also known as the Hawks, won the Lt. Gen. "Chesty" Puller Award. The award was given to the squadrion for its operational excellence and commitment to the Marine Expeditionary Force preservation campaign plan and will be presented to them sometime in May.
The Hawks dropped nearly 350,000 pounds of ordnance during a Western Pacific deployment and flew more than 246 hours without incident in April 2009.
"All we really did was perform," said Capt. Matt Humphries, the unit information officer for VMFA(AW)-533. "We only did what was expected of us as Marines. The fact that we are getting recognized for that makes it that much better."
The Hawks performed many of their duties without incidents.
"Aside from the stellar records, we have also achieved an incredible amount of aircrew training," said Lt. Col. James Quinn, commanding officer of VMFA(AW)-533.
With all the air crew training they have accomplished, the Hawks have made it easier to get the aircraft in the air safely.
"It is our job to get the aircraft out so the pilots can do their job," said Lance Cpl. Trevino Gabriel, an avionics ordnance technician with VMFA(AW)-533. "Winning the award was really something to be proud of."
In the last year, VMFA(AW)-533 has gained many Marines and lost many of their seasoned Marines during their performance and still managed to excel by utilizing hands-on training.
In order to accomplish all they have, the Hawks utilized the experience shared between one another.
"It is all about empowering the Marines to do a good job," Quinn said. "The non-commissioned officers and the staff noncommissioned officers are doing everything they can to mentor their junior Marines appropriately."
It takes a lot to perform at the highest level possible and has been expected of every Marine to give their best since the Corps' birth in 1775.
"We take great pride in our achievements, we take great pride in our work and we take great pride in being Hawks," Quinn said. "I tell the Marines when they first check in that the bar is set high, and the expectations will not change."
NEWS INFO
Date Taken:
02.19.2010
Date Posted:
02.19.2010 08:41
Story ID:
45561
Location:
MARINE CORPS AIR STATION BEAUFORT, SOUTH CAROLINA, US
Subscribe
