Stingers return home from Afghanistan

Photo By Cpl. Christopher Johns | Staff Sgt. Brian Hernandez, a maintenance administrator for Marine Light Attack Helicopter Squadron 267 “Stingers”, hugs and smiles at his family and friends. The Stingers returned home after a seven-month deployment to Afghanistan with 2nd Marine Aircraft Wing (Forward) in support of Operation Enduring Freedom. Hernandez’s family planned on going to a nice dinner to celebrate his safe return aboard Marine Corps Air Station Camp Pendleton, Calif., Nov. 23.  

MARINE CORPS AIR STATION CAMP PENDLETON, CA, UNITED STATES

11.23.2011

Story by Pfc. Christopher Johns 

Marine Corps Air Station Miramar

CAMP PENDLETON, Calif. - Marines with Marine Light Attack Helicopter Squadron 267 “Stingers” returned home Nov. 23 after a seven-month deployment to Afghanistan in support of Operation Enduring Freedom.

The Stingers logged more than 1,500 flight hours per month in support of 2nd Marine Aircraft Wing (Forward), equating to more than half the flight hours logged for 2nd MAW (Fwd).

While on deployment, the Stingers generated more than 6,700 attack and utility helicopter missions, 294 named operations and general support missions resulting in 170 strikes and 171 enemies killed in action. The Stingers made accurate use of 1,986 two and three quarter inch rockets and 73 Hellfire missiles.

The Stingers took part in offensive air support, armed escort, airborne supporting arms coordination, resupply, interdiction and insertion and extraction of ground troops.

They provided VIP air lift support and aerial reconnaissance on multiple occasions for personnel such as Gen. James F. Amos, the commandant of the Marine Corps, Lt. Gen. Terry Robling, the deputy commandant for aviation in the Marine Corps, and Gen. John R. Allen, the commander of the International Security Assistance Force.

“The Marines were very excited and everything went as smooth as could be hoped for,” said Maj. James J. Brown, the Stingers’ executive officer.

After hard work and dedication to all the missions and operations the Stingers supported, their final mission lay just ahead of them- to come home and see their families.

• Date Taken: 11.23.2011
• Date Posted: 11.29.2011 19:50
• Story ID: 80683
• Location: MARINE CORPS AIR STATION CAMP PENDLETON, CA, US