1st MAW hosts Black Knights, Hawks

Photo By 94th Airlift Wing | A pilot with Marine Fighter Attack Squadron 314, Marine Aircraft Group 12, 1st Marine Aircraft Wing, III Marine Expeditionary Force, walks down the flight line after completing a flight recently. The Black Knights of VMFA-314 are currently attached to MAG-12 as part of the Unit Deployment Program. During their visit to Okinawa, the squadron will participate in the Marine Division Tactics Course hosted by 1st MAW. (Photo by Lance Cpl. Gregory Moore)  

OKINAWA, JAPAN

05.12.2011

Courtesy Story

III Marine Expeditionary Force   

OKINAWA, Japan - The Marines and sailors with VMFA-314, commanded by Lt. Col. Max “Raisin” Cain II, arrived to Kadena Air Base Apr. 1 and VMFA (AW)-533, commanded by Lt. Col. George “Sack” Rowell, arrived May 5. While here, the squadrons will conduct various training, including the Marine Division Tactics Course, beginning at the end of the month.

MDTC is aviation combat training that teaches pilots advanced fighter tactics and advanced weapons tactics, said Capt. Bradley Rothman, an F/A-18 Hornet pilot with VMFA-314. MDTC involves threat simulations, basic fighter maneuvering, and air-to-air combat training in a formation of four or more aircraft.

Usually, MDTC is only available in the continental U.S., but instructors from Marine Aviation Weapons and Tactics Squadron 1 in Yuma, Ariz., are coming to Okinawa to bring the training to Japan.

The purpose of the training is to provide the F/A-18 aircrew and Marine Air Intercept controllers with “ground and airborne instruction in the doctrine, tactics and weapons employment considerations ... in a complex air-to-air environment,” according to the MDTC program guide.

The training will allow 1st MAW, along with Kadena’s 18th Fighter Wing flying F-15’s, to enhance cooperation and tactical integration between the services.

As the aircrews train in the skies above Okinawa, VMFA-314 and VMFA (AW)-533 Marines on the ground will be hard at work ensuring the equipment is operational.

Both squadrons’ maintainers are a vital part of ensuring the squadron is mission capable, said Chief Warrant Officer Javier Pina, a maintenance material control officer with VMFA-314.

The ground Marines’ tasks include maintaining the aircraft, loading ordnance and ensuring global positioning systems are working, said Pina.

Other Marines within the squadrons will also benefit from the training done during MDTC.

The training will be very useful for the squadrons’ intelligence analysts, said Sgt. Eric Visage, an intelligence specialist with VMFA-314.

It allows the analysts to familiarize themselves with specific platforms and equipment used to detect the enemy and report those threats, he said.

The analysts will support the MDTC training by providing pilots with information on the enemy as it would in a combat environment, Visage added.

• Date Taken: 05.12.2011
• Date Posted: 05.12.2011 02:31
• Story ID: 70241
• Location: OKINAWA, JP