Photo By Lance Cpl. Andrea Cleopatra Dickerson | Col. Andrew G. Shorter, the Marine Air Group 14 Commanding Officer addresses Marine...... read more read more
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MARINE CORPS AIR STATION CHERRY POINT, N.C. — Col. Andrew G. Shorter, the commanding officer of Marine Aircraft Group 14, addressed the Marines of Marine Wing Support Squadron 271 at their headquarters aboard Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point Thursday for the first time since the squadron changed hands. Marine Wing Support Group 27 relinquished command of MWSS-271 to MAG-14, April 1, as part of the 2010 Force Structure Review.
The realignment changes how the unit operates when they deploy forward. 271 will now fall under a new command element during future deployments.
“With the MWSG-27 Headquarters set to deactivate, each of the subordinate elements was designated to be placed under a Marine Aircraft Group,” said Sgt. Maj. Timothy King, the MAG-14 sergeant major. “This process is nothing new to the Marines who were around in the early 90’s. The Armed Forces are always beefed up during a conflict to defeat the adversary and then cuts must occur to remain fiscally smart. This is the perfect time to adjust the forces for the next unforeseen conflict.”
In addition to performing their normal job functions, the Marines in flying and maintenance squadrons may have the opportunity to learn skills outside their normal job, said King.
“The Marine Corps is going to continue evolving to a leaner and more mobile fighting force,” he said. “No matter how many Marines we have, we will continue to do more with less.”
Shorter and King took time out of their hectic schedules to address the Marines of MWSS-271 and answer questions and concerns about the new changes within their squadron.
“I just wanted to personally come tell you how pleased I am that you are now a part of MAG-14,” Shorter told his new Marines.
During his time with the Marines of MWSS-271, Shorter took time to introduce himself, welcomed the new squadron and shared some MAG-14 history.
“During World War II, when MAG-14 was in Okinawa, we had units attached to MWSS-271,” Shorter told the Marines. “So it is not a new thing for squadrons like you to be attached to an air group. It’s like a hand and glove type of relationship that we are going back to. Some might even say it’s like going ‘Back to the Future.’”
Shorter also conveyed to Marines that the new changes with the squadron would be fairly transparent to them.
“Your commanding officer will report to me with whatever he needs, and I will support you just like I support all of my other squadrons. I want to make sure you get cared for the same way you did when you fell under Group 27,” said Shorter.
The entire Marine Corps, in some manner, is going through some type of reorganization, said King.
“The changes in the amount and size of units and the number of personnel are all part of changes for a more lethal, mobile and flexible force,” he said.
King used his opportunity to speak with the Marines as a chance to encourage and motivate them.
“You all are truly the workhorses of the wing,” he said. “There is no other squadron here that can do what you do.”
King said he really wanted to convey that MWSS-271 and MAG-14 must come together as one large team in order to accomplish their mission.
“With more and more operations being expeditionary, our combined efforts will continue to make the impossible possible,” he said.
| Date Taken: | 04.06.2012 |
| Date Posted: | 04.12.2012 14:57 |
| Story ID: | 86663 |
| Location: | MARINE CORPS AIR STATION CHERRY POINT, NC, US |
| Web Views: | 132 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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