Photo By Cpl. Jonathan Televich | A Marine with Marine Tactical Electronic Warfare Squadron 2, Marine Aircraft Group 16...... read more read more
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by Cpl. Jonathan K. Teslevich
3rd Marine Aircraft Wing PAO
AL ASAD, Iraq (Aug. 26, 2006) – More than 30 years have passed since the first EA-6 Prowler flew into combat during the Vietnam War. Today, it continues to provide lifesaving electronic warfare support to U.S. service members during Operation Iraqi Freedom.
Marine Tactical Electronic Warfare Squadron 2, Marine Aircraft Group 16 (Reinforced), 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing (Forward), reached the milestone of 3,000 combat flight hours during a mission high above the Iraqi desert at Al Asad, Iraq, July 13.
According to the official Marine Corps fact file, the Prowler is normally assigned to assault support and attack strike missions in hostile territory. The Prowler's mission is to defeat deadly anti-aircraft systems and collect electronic data on the battlefield.
The Prowler dominates the electronic battlefield and the safe return of thousands of aircraft and crews makes obvious the need to field the aircraft. The EA-6B exhibited its abilities during conflicts in the Middle East and Balkans, where aircraft losses were much lower when it was in the air.
While the capabilities of VMAQ-2's Prowlers may be unmatched in the aviation world and though the squadron recently made its own entry in the history books, they might as well be 34,000-pound paperweights without the Marine maintainers and aircrews who keep the "Death Jesters" airborne daily.
"This is a really old aircraft. It is amazing we can fly the amount of flight hours that we do," said Capt. Mark S. Gombo, an electronic countermeasures officer and Purke, Va., native. "The amount of maintenance hours is unbelievable, but the fact is, we continue to fly this airplane. I am and a lot of others are impressed with the people who built this airplane and those maintaining it."
The engineers and assembly line workers at Grumman Aircraft Corporation, which manufactured the EA-6B, were commended by several VMAQ-2 Marines for their quality design and construction.
However, the people receiving the most praise from their superiors in the squadron are the "Death Jesters'" maintainers.
"The maintenance department has busted their butts, adapted and overcome supply issues, a nonstop flight schedule and a difficult work environment," said Gunnery Sgt. Jonathan L. Falcon, maintenance control chief and a Fayetteville, N.C., native. "These aircraft were left here by VMAQ-1 and have been in Iraq for nearly a year, flying in a sandy environment that is not good for them. I'm not surprised though that (the Prowlers) go up. It all goes back to the maintainer."
Although the maintainers take pride in the recent milestone, safety has been the focus of their efforts.
"I try to do everything as safely as possible and follow all the publications and guidelines, because there's no point in accomplishing 3,000 flight hours if someone gets hurt along the way," said Lance Cpl. James R. Elmore, a power plants mechanic and Houston, native. "I imagine that any aircraft takes a lot of work, but to accomplish 3,000 hours with this one, means a lot to me. I always sit down to watch them take off, and it's a good feeling to watch something I put a lot of work into go in the air."
| Date Taken: | 08.26.2006 |
| Date Posted: | 10.17.2006 09:43 |
| Story ID: | 8038 |
| Location: | AL ASAD, IQ |
| Web Views: | 156 |
| Downloads: | 45 |
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