Photo By Sgt. Antonio Rubio | Marine All-Weather Fighter Attack Squadron 533 completed the Korean Marine Exchange...... read more read more
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OSAN AIR BASE, South Korea - Marine All-Weather Fighter Attack Squadron 533 completed the Korean Marine Exchange Program 14-13, Oct. 25 2014, aboard Osan Air Base, Republic of Korea.
The program increased combat readiness of Marine Aircraft Group 12, improved its operating skills as a Marine Air-Ground Task Force and enhanced joint and combined integration with the U.S. Air Force and ROK Marine Corps.
The “Hawks” are stationed at MCAS Beaufort, S.C., but are part of the unit deployment program to MCAS Iwakuni, Japan, under MAG-12, 1st Marine Air Wing, III Marine Expeditionary Force.
KMEP 14-13 is a multinational exercise that focused on the integration of aviation and ground assets within the construct of a traditional Combined Arms Live Fire Exercise. Supporting assets included, but weren’t limited to, Marine Aviation Logistics Squadron 12 and Marine Wing Support Squadron 171.
“We accomplished forward air controller airborne training for a prospective forward airborne instructor crew, as well as training for initial qualifications for two FACA crews,” said Lt. Col. Al Bryant, VMFA(AW)-533 commanding officer. “We gained proficiency in close-air support, both day and night, for our crew and, from the ground combat element perspective, we helped train (the other services’) forward air controllers and joint terminal attack controllers.”
Bryant said the next scheduled training event is to be held at Kunsan Air Base, ROK, for Exercise Max Thunder with VMFA-155. Personnel not involved in Exercise MT are slated to participate in Exercise Keen Sword with VMFA(AW)-242. The last event on the squadron’s UDP training venue will be to participant in Exercise Cobra Gold in Korat Royal Thai Air Force Base, Thailand.
Sgt. Maj. Derrick Mays, VMFA(AW)-533 sergeant major, said one of his goals throughout this deployment was to see his Marines enjoy experiencing different parts of the world and interacting with different people, whether U.S. or foreign forces. He also said VMFA(AW)-533 achieved many advances in qualifications and designations for their maintainers and aircrew.
“The biggest accomplishment while in Osan was our Marines supporting the mission there,” said Mays. “A lot of the pilots got the opportunity to get their qualifications and the training allowed our Marines to become more proficient in their (military occupational specialty).”
According to Mays, the squadron consists of many Marines new to the fleet and this deployment gives them the chance to hone in their technical skills, something VMFA(AW)-533 aim’s to achieve in every exercise.
“In our powerline division, we have several new Marines who are trying to get their plane captain qualification,” said Mays. “With the flight hours we had here, they were able to get spun up on their syllabus. Hopefully in the near future, those Marines will become plane captains.”
With the completion of the KMEP 14-13, Mays said he enjoyed working with ROK and Air Force counterparts.
“Although we were able to become more technically proficient, there’s always room for growth and as we continue to move on this deployment, we’ll continue to put Marines on the forefront to become leaders in their departments,” said Mays.
| Date Taken: | 10.23.2014 |
| Date Posted: | 10.28.2014 03:51 |
| Story ID: | 146259 |
| Location: | OSAN AIR BASE, 41, KR |
| Web Views: | 361 |
| Downloads: | 1 |
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