Photo By Lance Cpl. Glen Santy | Maj. James Poppy, Marine Aerial Refueler Transport Squadron 252 detachment...... read more read more
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MARINE CORPS AIR STATION CHERRY POINT, N.C. - Though there were no bright balls of fire in the sky, fireworks were still going off in people’s hearts as they reunited with their loved ones on the Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point flight line, July 4
A detachment of more than 40 Marines and one Sailor with Marine Aerial Refueler Transport Squadron 252 returned to MCAS Cherry Point for a two-week operational pause from supporting the 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit to rest, spend time with family and conduct refresher training before returning to service.
For the Robinson family the return of their loved one was not a moment too soon. Both Suzy, wife of Capt. Samuel Robinson, the legal officer of the VMGR-252 detachment, and 3-years-old James were celebrating their birthdays on Independence Day.
“Today is special to us because not only is it James’s birthday but it’s my birthday too, and it’s the best birthday present we could have asked for,” said Suzy.
With a baby girl due in August, Suzy has taken on the role of both mother and father in the house but said she has had constant support from the squadron to include frequent phone calls from other spouses and family.
“Of course [deploying] puts a strain on all of us,” said Capt. James Robinson. “But the strength I have with my family helps me put aside my worries and remember why I do all of this, for my family and my country.”
Lt. Col. Charles Moses, the VMGR-252 commanding officer, said that though the detachment is home, they will still be on alert.
“I feel proud that they are home,” said Moses. “But obviously the job is never done and their job is not done until November. This will give them the ability to reset in between their operational application of what we bring to the fight, but right now it’s to get them back for the 4th of July. There’s no better day to get them back home and safe.”
The 24th MEU deployed in March as the Central Command theater reserve, and has participated in multilateral exercises in Jordan and Morocco. It is expected to rotate with another MEU and return to the East Coast in November.
While attached to the MEU, the detachment is under the command of Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron 261 (Reinforced).
The detachment’s return marks the first time the entire squadron has been at home together since September 2010. Before that, the whole squadron had not been in the same place at the same time since Sept. 11, 2001.
| Date Taken: | 07.04.2012 |
| Date Posted: | 07.04.2012 15:34 |
| Story ID: | 91093 |
| Location: | MARINE CORPS AIR STATION CHERRY POINT, NORTH CAROLINA, US |
| Web Views: | 289 |
| Downloads: | 1 |
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