By Pfc. K.L. Clark
The Jet Stream Staff
The Marines of Marine Wing Support Squadron 273, known as the "Sweathogs," deployed from the Air Station to Al Anbar province, Iraq, on Sept. 23, 2008.
During their seven-month deployment, MWSS-273 will be spread out amongst different areas of Al Anbar providing aviation ground support, explosive ordnance disposal, convoy support, embarkation and anything else that is needed in supporting the I and II Marine Expeditionary Forces, according to Chief Warrant Officer 2 Jared Ellis, the remain-behind element executive officer of MWSS-273.
The Sweathogs are no strangers to providing the kind of support they will be tasked with on this deployment. They performed the same vital role in Iraq during their last deployment.
"We went to Iraq in support of [Operation Iraqi Freedom] back in 2006 doing the same things we plan on doing this time for the Marines there," Ellis said. "We also did eight helicopter recoveries, we supported Hajj efforts, a pilgrimage Muslims take once in their lifetime to Mecca, and we supported the female Marines who are with the Lioness program."
The Lionesses are an all-female search team, first started a few years ago to provide culturally-sensitive search methods to the Iraqi women.
Over the last year, the Sweathogs have gone through countless training evolutions in preparation for this deployment. The squadron has been to Fort Stewart, Ga., for self-supportive measures, to Camp Lejeune, N.C., doing ground support for 14 days and to Yuma, Ariz., for Desert Talon as an embarking squadron over the last year, Ellis stated.
With all the training they have received, the Marines of MWSS-273 feel they are more than ready for this deployment.
"I am very excited about this deployment because of all we are doing in Iraq," said Cpl. Robert Hacker, a food service non-commissioned officer of the squadron. "They are more receptive to our efforts now, and they realize that we are trying to provide them with a better life."
"Our [initial response platoon] is top-notch and have been trained to the equivalent of infantrymen," Hacker added. "We are more ready now than when we were in '06."
All the training they have received combined with the eagerness to accomplish their mission has the Sweathogs anticipating a very successful deployment. The Marines and sailors of MWSS-273 are ready to get their boots dirty and support their fellow Marines, according to Lt. Col. William Bowers, the commanding officer of MWSS-273.
"The squadron has worked very hard to complete all of its training for this deployment and is more than ready to execute any mission it is tasked with in theater," Bowers said. "This is a great team with outstanding Marines and Sailors, and we know how important expeditionary aviation ground support is to the success of the Marine Air-Ground Task Force."