Moonlighters take command as the ACE for SPMAGTF-CR-AF

Photo By Gunnery Sgt. Jessika Alarcon | Lieutenant Colonel Greig T. Gehman, the commanding officer for Medium Tiltrotor Squadron 764, speaks to the unit during a transfer of authority ceremony at Morón Air Base, Spain, Feb. 1, 2017. From August 2016 through January 2017, the Special Purpose Marine Air Ground Task Force-Crisis Response-Africa Aviation Combat Element, composed of VMM-266 and Marines from Marine Aerial Refueler Transport Squadron 252, flew more than 2,300 hours, carrying more than 3,000 passengers and nearly two million pounds of cargo and fuel in support of SPMAGTF-CR-AF. The ACE supported multiple bilateral exercises in Africa and Europe and supported simultaneous crisis response operations, resulting in the highest aircraft utilization rate in the history of the SPMAGTF. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Sgt. Jessika Braden)  

MORóN AIR BASE, SPAIN

02.01.2017

Story by Sgt. Jessika Alarcon 

U.S. Marine Corps Forces, Europe and Africa     

MORÓN AIR BASE, SPAIN-- A transfer of authority ceremony held between Medium Tiltrotor Squadron 266 and Medium Tiltrotor Squadron 764 marked the close of VMM-266’s deployment in support of Special Purpose Marine Air Ground Task Force-Crisis Response- Africa.
During the ceremony, the casing of the VMM-266 colors symbolized the completion of their mission as the Air Combat Element for the SPMAGTF.
Colonel Daniel Q. Greenwood, the SPMAGTF commanding officer, highlighted the outgoing ACE’s contribution to the unit’s mission.

“It’s truly eye-watering when you think about what the squadron has done for the SPMAGTF over the last seven months,” Greenwood said. “It’s absolutely amazing to think about the distances this squadron has covered to enable the missions we’ve accomplished.”

The oncoming squadron is the first reserve squadron to take command as the SPMAGTF’s ACE and brings approximately 270 Marines and Sailors, scheduled to conduct multiple large-scale exercises, mission essential air support operations, as well as several military operations working cohesively with numerous NATO allies.

“We are ready to tackle the challenges that lie ahead,” said Lt. Col. Greig T. Gehman, the commanding officer for VMM-764. “I look forward to our Marines working together and growing professionally during this deployment.”
Over the course of a 6-month deployment, VMM- 266 flew more than 2,300 hours, carrying more than 3,000 passengers and nearly two million pounds of cargo and fuel in support of SPMAGTF-CR-AF. The squadron played a key role in Operation Oaken Steel in Entebbe, Uganda, while simultaneously providing fixed wing air-to-air refueling in support of Operation Odyssey Lightning.
With support from the Air Combat Element, Combat Logistics Element, Ground Combat Element, and Command Element, the SPMAGTF gives U.S. Africa Command and U.S. Marine Corps Forces Africa a broad range of military capabilities to respond to crises in the U.S. AFRICOM area of responsibility.

• Date Taken: 02.01.2017
• Date Posted: 02.03.2017 05:26
• Story ID: 222281
• Location: MORóN AIR BASE, ES