HMLA-167 deploys to Afghanistan, sends detachment to Okinawa

Photo By Cpl. Manuel Estrada | Marines with Marine Light Attack Helicopter Squadron 167 sort and load all the gear of the squadron so their gear will arrive with them when they arrive in Afghanistan to support Operation Enduring Freedom, May 2.  

JACKSONVILLE, NC, UNITED STATES

05.02.2013

Courtesy Story

Marine Corps Installations East       

JACKSONVILLE, N.C. - In the early morning hours, Marines and Sailors with Marine Light Attack Helicopter Squadron 167 exchanged goodbyes with their family and friends and left Marine Corps Air Station New River for Afghanistan in support of Operation Enduring Freedom, May 2.

HMLA-167 is replacing HMLA-169 based out of Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton, Calif., currently deployed to Afghanistan, said Maj. Matthew G. Humphrey, HMLA-167 executive officer.

The Marines spent several months training for the deployment to include training aboard Marine Corps Air-Ground Combat Center Twentynine Palms, Calif., along with Survival Evasion Resistance Escape (SERE) training, and rifle and pistol qualifications.

“We have done all the training needed,” Cpl. Juan Alcaraz, HMLA-167 UH-1Y Huey crew chief. “We are ready.”

The squadron will be performing utility support and close air support amongst all the mission-essential tasks demanded from an HMLA squadron, said Humphrey.

“We support the ground guys with whatever they need,” he added.

In addition to the deployment to Afghanistan, HMLA-167 will be sending a detachment of Marines and several AH-1W Super Cobras to Okinawa, Japan, to re-establish the Unit Deployment Program from the early 2000s, said Capt. Jeffery Eggers, senior maintenance officer for the detachment.

The UDP is where a squadron is sent over to Japan to reduce the requirements for long term Permanent Change of Station for Marines, said Eggers. This program saves the government money and lessens the burden of sending Marines oversees.

The detachment will depart from the air station toward the end of the month and will remain there for six months.

“The squadron, as a whole, is very excited to get both its deployments underway,” said Humphrey. “The Marines have done an outstanding job. They are ready. They are prepared for whatever theater they are going to and their performance thus far is nothing short of spectacular. I expect that to continue; it will continue. These Marines live up to the billing.”

• Date Taken: 05.02.2013
• Date Posted: 05.08.2013 10:24
• Story ID: 106533
• Location: JACKSONVILLE, NC, US