VMA-231 Wraps up Deployment, Prepares to Head Home

Photo By Cpl. Ryan Rholes | A plane captian with Marine Attack Squadron 231 comunicates with a pilot from his squadron during routine, preflight inspections. Plane captians are responsible for giving the okay to each AV-8B "Harrier" before they take off, and have the authority to down birds before a mission.  

AFGHANISTAN

05.11.2010

Story by Cpl. Ryan Rholes 

Marine Corps Air Station Miramar

KANDAHAR AIR FIELD, Afghanistan – Almost 200 warriors from Marine Attack Squadron 231 are packing up and preparing to head home after spending six months supporting daily operations despite rocket attacks, extreme temperatures and sand storms.

The squadron, known also as "The Ace of Spades," is transferring authority to Marine Fighter Attack Squadron 232 later this month before flying back home to Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point, N.C.

The VMA-231 Marines worked as a seamless team, logging more than 8,000 flight hours and expending large amounts of munitions. They worked in 12-hour shifts to keep as many of their ten AV-8B Harriers in the air as possible. The Marines had to put in ten maintenance hours for each hour of flight while also working around the clock changing flare pods, and loading and arming munitions.

"The Marines have overcome so many challenges out here I wouldn't even know where to begin – the maintenance man hours alone these guys have done is mind boggling," said Chief Warrant Officer 2 Jeffrey Stapleton, the maintenance material control officer for VMA-231. "I can't say enough about the Marines out here. They have done a phenomenal job and it hasn't gone unnoticed."

Stapleton added that his Marines often operated from small forward operating bases, allowing Harriers to land closer to the front to reload and refuel, drastically shortening their turnaround time for getting back into the fight.

Although the Marines proved their and dedication to the combat mission are second to none, they also inherited a unique responsibility starting our fallen heroes on their journeys home. The squadron they replaced was responsible for organizing and performing repatriation ceremonies for fallen Marines and sailors. The Ace of Spades performed more than 27 ceremonies, saying goodbye to more than 40 Marines and one sailor.

"My Marines have done a phenomenal job performing these repatriation ceremonies," said Gunnery Sgt. Reco Crawford, the VMA-231 squadron gunnery sergeant. "What we do on a daily basis is fix and fly aircraft to provide air support for the Marines on the ground. But when we get the call that there is a fallen angel, operations stop and that Marine becomes our priority. No Marines is ever left behind and that is what I instill into my Marines when we do these ceremonies."

Sgt. Maj. Keith Smith, the squadron's sergeant major, gathered his Marines before they performed one of their last ceremonies to tell them he was proud of what they did for the squadron, but prouder still of the professionalism and dignity with which they conducted each ceremony. He equated what they did to the physical embodiment of the Marine Corps' mantra "no Marine left behind."

Pride is an integral part of what makes Marines who they are. These Marines can leave Afghanistan proudly, knowing they have extended The Ace of Spades' century-long trend of outstanding service.

• Date Taken: 05.11.2010
• Date Posted: 05.11.2010 04:15
• Story ID: 49460
• Location: AF