Photo By Cpl. Terry Haynes | A Marine greets a loved one aboard Marine Corps Air Station Beaufort after returning...... read more read more
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Marines and Sailors of Marine Fighter Attack Squadron
251 returned from a six-month deployment March 14.
The squadron was deployed to the Indo-Asia-Pacific Region
in support of the Unit Deployment Program. The goal
of the UDP is to promote interoperability and combined capabilities
with partner nations throughout the region.
“I’ve learned a lot of useful things during this deployment,”
said Lance Cpl. Matthew Reyes, an aircraft maintainer with
VMFA-251. “This training has definitely helped us prepare
for the stress that comes with being deployed. I’ve been doing
the same job that I always do, but being in that environment
with a whole different operational tempo has helped
me sharpen my skills when it comes to my job.”
While deployed, the Marines and Sailors participated in
exercise Cobra Gold where they trained with Royal Thai
military personnel. Cobra Gold is an annual international
exercise that seeks to improve participants’ capability to
conduct joint operations, and to improve capacity with different
activities, including security enhancing techniques
and responding to large-scale natural disasters. As a part of
Marine Aircraft Group-31, the squadron needs this training
because it allows them to partake in training that can’t be
conducted while aboard MCAS Beaufort.
“This was the longest I have ever been from home,”
said Cpl. John Leonard, a maintenance administrator with
VMFA-251. “Being on this long deployment was really challenging but our command really stepped up to the plate and took care of us by helping us stay in touch with our families. Thanks to the leadership of this squadron we were able to successfully complete the mission.”
Marines of MAG-31 and the families of the deployed Marines and Sailors made signs and banners for their returning loved ones. They lined up on the flight line and greeted the Marines and Sailors as they made their way to the squadron’s hangar.
“It’s been a long six months being apart from my husband,” said Emily Ellis, a Marine spouse. “This first week was awful, but we were able to talk a lot so it made much more bearable. It’s the best feeling in the world having him back. I’m so proud of him and thankful he’s home now.”
As the remainder of VMFA-251 returns to MCAS Beaufort, the squadron is beginning to transition back into a training mindset.
“The Marines worked hard on this deployment and deserve a well-earned break,” said Staff Sgt. Dustin Cheuvront, an aviation ordnance technician with VMFA-251. “You can tell everyone is a lot closer knit after the deployment. I think we’ll be able to build on the knowledge we gained from this deployment so we can maintain mission readiness and succeed in the future.”
| Date Taken: | 03.22.2018 |
| Date Posted: | 03.22.2018 13:17 |
| Story ID: | 270288 |
| Location: | BEAUFORT, SOUTH CAROLINA, US |
| Web Views: | 134 |
| Downloads: | 1 |
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