MWSS-272 returns from Afghanistan to family, friends

Photo By Staff Sgt. John Suleski | Staff Sgt. Santwan C. Odum, a 2nd Marine Aircraft Wing band member, plays the bass trombone for families and friends of Marine Wing Support Squadron 272. Marines from the 2nd MAW band played at a homecoming event for an advanced party of MWSS-272 outside the station gym, Sept. 19.  

NC, UNITED STATES

10.11.2011

Story by Lance Cpl. John Suleski 

Marine Corps Installations East       

MARINE CORPS AIR STATION NEW RIVER, N.C. – The Untouchables of Marine Wing Support Squadron 272 returned from a seven-month deployment to Afghanistan in Marine Corps Air Station New River in a series of homecomings Sept. 19, Sept. 24 and Oct. 7.

More than 750 Marines returned during the homecomings, which marked the end of separation from loved ones. MWSS-272 Marines supported other aviation units while fulfilling their mission to support the Marines on the ground.

“I think we did a wonderful job out there,” said Sgt. Michael G. Shaheen, MWSS-272 aviation supply specialist. “We did our job, did it quick and did it well.”

Now, it is time to begin life at home again, said Brian J. Shaheen, his father.

“He’s a motivated Marine, but nothing motivates more than coming back home,” he said.

That sentiment was shared by Cynthia Marie Jackson, mother of Cpl. Terrance L. Jones, MWSS-272 water support technician.

She and Jones’ best friend, Amanda R. Barner, said they couldn’t wait to see him. The worst part was not knowing if he was safe, said Jackson. She would check Facebook daily to see if he had posted any updates.

“If a couple days went by without anything, it just absolutely worried me,” said Jackson.

Now her son is here, and she doesn’t have to worry anymore about the dangers of Afghanistan, she said.

One military couple had the unique experience of deploying together, Cpl. Zachary Armstrong, MWSS-272 automotive mechanic; and Cpl. Mallory Armstrong, MWSS-272 field radio operator.

Although the two served on different bases, they were able to see each other on a couple occasions, said Mallory. One of these occasions was when he pinned on her chevrons during her promotion to corporal.

Now, the two will live in their new apartment, which Mallory picked out over the Internet during the deployment, said her mother Melissa A. McClelland.

Like the Armstrong’s, the rest of the Untouchables will move on from this deployment and restart their lives at home.

• Date Taken: 10.11.2011
• Date Posted: 10.11.2011 09:47
• Story ID: 78308
• Location: NC, US