‘Bulldogs’ return from Afghanistan

Photo By Staff Sgt. S.T. Stewart | Staff Sgt. Sahr A. Musa, an airframe mechanic with Marine Attack Squadron 223, holds his daughter at the squadron’s hangar after returning from a 6-month deployment to Afghanistan May 6.  

MARINE CORPS AIR STATION CHERRY POINT, NC, UNITED STATES

05.06.2012

Story by Lance Cpl. S.T. Stewart 

II Marine Expeditionary Force   

MARINE CORPS AIR STATION CHERRY POINT, N.C. - It was an exciting week for more than 180 Marines and sailors of Marine Attack Squadron 223 as they returned to Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point, N.C., from a six-month deployment to Afghanistan.

After being delayed several hours due to a storm, the main portion of the squadron, more than 130 Marines and sailors, returned in the early hours of May 6 to the squadron’s hangar to impatient and enthusiastic families and friends.

The commanding officer and nine pilots flew 10 of the squadron's AV-8B Harriers home arriving May 7, followed later in the day by the final group of Marines and sailors.

During the deployment, the squadron provided close-air support and aerial reconnaissance to Marines and Afghan and coalition partners in southwestern Afghanistan.

“The Marines worked great together as one unit,” said Lt. Col. William R. Sauerland, executive officer of the squadron. “They did a remarkable job every single day, never failing a mission.”

After a full high-tempo tour, the squadron turned over their mission to Marine Attack Squadron 211 from MCAS Yuma, Ariz.

• Date Taken: 05.06.2012
• Date Posted: 05.11.2012 13:37
• Story ID: 88318
• Location: MARINE CORPS AIR STATION CHERRY POINT, NC, US