VMFA-251 sets new ordnance record

Photo By Sgt. Elyssa Quesada | Lance Cpl. Dietrick Zook, an ordnance technician with Marine Fighter Attack Squadron 251, signals Capt. Chris Armes, a pilot with VMFA-251, to arm a missile for his flight before launching from the flightline Wednesday.  

10.10.2008

Story by Lance Cpl. Elyssa Quesada 

Marine Corps Air Station Beaufort

By Lance Cpl. Elyssa Quesada
Marine Corps Air Station Beaufort

Marine Fighter Attack Squadron 251, also known as the Thunderbolts, demolished the record of most ordnance dropped during a deployment to El Centro, Calif.

More than 806,000 pounds of ordnance was dropped between Aug. 18 and Sept. 18., which is the highest amount of ordnance dropped during a single training exercise within the 2nd Marine Aircraft Wing since 1987.

The record was made more impressive because the squadron loaded the ordnance with a minimal crew.

The Marines worked around the clock to meet the demands of the missions.

"It was definitely a good experience for my first deployment," said Lance Cpl. Dietrick Zook, an ordnance technician with VMFA-251. "I learned a lot in a fast amount of time."

Out of the ordnance dispensed, 100,000 pounds came from Mojave Viper, a training exercise designed to help train Marines for combat.

At times, the Thunderbolts worked down to the wire trying to load six jets at a time with live ordnance.

"The deployment was a great way to support the Marines on the ground and it's great training for our squadron," said Gunnery Sgt. Kevin Glydewell, the ordnance staff non-commissioned officer in charge with VMFA-251.

"The hardest thing to learn was doing everything the right way," Zook said. "Your mind is thinking about everything that's going on, what's next and what you have to do now."

The multiple ranges on the West Coast allowed the unit to drop large amounts of ordnance.

Naval Air Facility El Centro's desert range is used for air to ground bombing, rockets, dummy rounds and mobile - land target training.

A remote-controlled target area allowed aviators to practice ordnance delivery.

The target area uses the weapons impact scoring system, which beams target images to a range master control building for immediate verification of weapons delivery accuracy.

El Centro's combination of unique climate, vast desert terrain, limited non-military air traffic and its own bombing ranges make it an ideal environment for aerial combat maneuvering, air to air gunnery, bombing practice and electronic warfare training, according to their Web site.

"We were hoping to drop a million pounds of ordnance, but we ran out." Glydewell said. "There was just no more ordnance. We were able to set a record that will probably never be touched. That is something to be proud of."

"I'm extremely proud of the job the Marines did in El Centro," said Chief Warrant Officer Eugene Lucas, the Thunderbolts ordnance officer in charge. "It was a safe and effective working environment that allowed the air crew to receive necessary training."

• Date Taken: 10.10.2008
• Date Posted: 10.10.2008 10:26
• Story ID: 24793