Photo By Vincent Abril | Cpl. Vincent H. See, an infantryman with Company C, 1st Battalion, 3rd Marines and...... read more read more
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RODRIGUEZ RANGE, South Korea – The 2nd Battalion (Assault), 2nd Aviation Regiment, 2nd Combat Aviation Brigade is well known for their ability to train with anyone at anytime across the peninsula. The 2-2 Aviation, also known as the Wild Card battalion, offers tactical speed, mobility and surprise to their patrons while conducting air assault operations utilizing UH-60 Black Hawk helicopters.
The 2-2 Aviation provided speed, mobility and surprise during an air assault exercise involving U.S. Marines with Company C, 1st Battalion, 3rd Marines and Republic of Korea Marines with 9th Company, 83rd Battalion, 2nd Marine Division Oct. 15, 2014 here.
As both U.S. and ROK Marines loaded the formation of Black Hawk helicopters that awaited them, one U.S. Marine was a bit more anxious than his counterparts.
Cpl. Vincent H. See, an infantryman with Company C, 1st Battalion, 3rd Marines and native of Wilmington, Massachusetts, was going to work with his uncle who is in the Army.
“I knew he was flying the mission on the 15th for a week,” said See. “He told me that he was flying the third bird, and we were just excited about being on the same mission.”
In a rare instance where family members from different services meet during joint military exercises, See was lucky, not only reunite with his uncle, but also fly in his aircraft during the training mission.
“It was surreal because it was only my second time in a helicopter, and my first time in a Black Hawk,” said See. “They gave me a headset so I could listen in on the radio chatter.”
See’s uncle was just as excited to see his nephew. Both have not seen each other in almost three years making this moment a special and lasting one.
“Vinny and I are from opposite sides of America,” said Chief Warrant Officer 4 Shawn J. McLaughlin, a UH-60 Black Hawk maintenance test pilot with Company B, 2-2 Aviation, 2nd CAB, 2nd Infantry Division and native of Vancouver, Washington. “He is also separated from me by almost a full generation. On top of that, he is at the beginning of his career and I am, shall we say, in my twilight. So getting to link up with him on some remote little pick up zone in the Republic of Korea, my wife’s homeland, is one of the coolest things I have ever done in my career.”
See sat next to his team as they flew off to carry out the training mission they came here for. His platoon commander shared in the excitement for the uncle and nephews reunification.
“I think it’s cool,” said1st Lt. Gene A. Harb, platoon commander with Company C, 1st Battalion, 3rd Marines and native of Lexington, Virginia. “This shows that we have different missions, capabilities and services, but Americans are all family and it kind of all ties back together.”
McLaughlin and See shared a hug that day as Family members often do. On such a rare occasion, it’s not known when another opportunity like this would present itself again. McLaughlin explained that they are not the only people in their family to serve.
“I have another nephew, Brandon McLaughlin, serving in the Coast Guard,” said McLaughlin. “My deceased father, Robert J. McLaughlin, retired after 21 years of active federal service. He served 18 years in the Air Force, 3 years in the Army during World War II. He was assigned to the 38th Cyclone Division and fought as an Infantryman in the Philippines.”
McLaughlin has been in the Army over 21 years and comes from a family that is grateful for their service.
“My immediate and extended family is very proud of our country and our service, “said McLaughlin. “I am excited to have had a chance to conduct an operation with one of my nephews before I [leave] the service.”
The two successfully completed the training exercise alongside their teammates.The opportunity for relatives to meet while serving in different branches of the military is rare. Service members place their mission above all else in an act of selfless service and sacrifice. That includes leaving family for extended periods of time. Sometimes, when the stars align, they are able to catch a glimpse of one another in a seemingly priceless moment.
“I will seriously remember this day for the rest of my life,” McLaughlin said.
| Date Taken: | 10.15.2014 |
| Date Posted: | 11.04.2014 04:11 |
| Story ID: | 146900 |
| Location: | RODRIGUEZ RANGE, KR |
| Hometown: | LEXINGTON, VA, US |
| Hometown: | VANCOUVER, WA, US |
| Hometown: | WILMINGTON, MA, US |
| Web Views: | 680 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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