Photo By Gunnery Sgt. Justin Boling | Aviation ordnance technicians, with Marine Fighter Attack Squadron 251, take off...... read more read more
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MARINE CORPS AIR STATION BEAUFORT, S.C. -- Marine Fighter Attack Squadron 251 spent six weeks aboard the USS Enterprise in preparation for their upcoming six-month deployment. The squadron focused on developing skills and achieving the necessary qualifications for all Marines and sailors while afloat.
“We have to be qualified to work on the flight deck,” said Sgt. Jeffery Grant, an avionics technician with VMFA-251. “There are so many dangers such as fuel lines, jet blast and hazardous areas that Marines and sailors need to be aware of.”
During the six weeks Marines and sailors of VMFA-251 managed to complete 97 percent of their training and all without any significant injury, despite inclement weather and a work schedule of 12 hour shifts.
“We didn’t work this schedule by choice but out of necessity,” said Lt. Col. Michael Sobkowski, commanding officer of VMFA-251. “Only through the leadership of our non-commissioned officers and staff non-commissioned officers was the squadron able to accomplish this strenuous task.”
According to Sobkowski, learning to function as a team and build a relationship with key personnel on the aircraft carrier is pivotal to the success of their upcoming deployment.
The relationship between Marines and sailors of VMFA-251 and the Enterprise’s flight tower operators is just one example of a relationship that had to be developed before the deployment.
“One of the hardest things that had to be done was learn to communicate with the carrier’s tower, nothing could be done without their permission, from moving aircraft to shutting down engines,” said Cpl. Wesley Tingle, a power line technician. “I felt like it took away some of my power to lead, but I turned my attention to looking out for my Marines.”
While on the Enterprise the squadron’s F/A-18 Hornets flew with mixed payloads of live and dummy ordnance during air-to-air and air-to-ground missions. This is a unique opportunity for pilots, maintenance Marines and sailors to train.
“Using live ordnance during the exercise helps get our minds in deployment mode,” said Capt. Michael Fisher, a pilot for VMFA-251. “You learn how important it is to hit the target the first time.”
For both maintainers and pilots, the exercise gave them time to learn and receive all necessary aircraft carrier qualifications before the squadron actually deploys on the Enterprise.
Besides dealing with live munitions, the aircraft carrier presented other obstacles during the exercise that Marines and sailors had to overcome. Nighttime operations are especially dangerous. The hazards from the days are all present but are hidden by darkness of a night at sea.
“Night crew had to learn how to operate with their heads on a swivel,” said Grant. “Marine leaders had to really know where their Marines were to ensure they stayed safe and completed all of their tasks.”
The exercise was also a time to test family readiness before the upcoming deployment. Marines and sailors of VMFA-251 were advised to get prepared for the deployment months before the exercise began.
“Our family readiness officer has worked diligently to prepare families, and keep lines of communication open between the command and families,” Sobkowski said.
With families and service members readied, the Thunderbolts have another six-week exercise scheduled. After training and repair time back in Fightertown, they will board the Enterprise so the brave men and women of VMFA-251 can complete their jobs successfully.
| Date Taken: | 09.22.2010 |
| Date Posted: | 09.27.2010 08:54 |
| Story ID: | 57062 |
| Location: | MARINE CORPS AIR STATION BEAUFORT, SOUTH CAROLINA, US |
| Web Views: | 98 |
| Downloads: | 3 |
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