2nd Marine Aircraft Wing
Story by Cpl. Cullen J. Tiernan
Al ASAD, Iraq (Dec. 11, 2005) -- For two years, and two consecutive holiday seasons, Marine Medium Helicopter Squadron 774 has been deployed in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom.
The Wild Geese, a reserve squadron headquartered in Naval Station Norfolk, Va., were visited by Lt. Gen. John W. Bergman, the commander of the Marine Forces Reserve, who congratulated the Marines for the outstanding job they are doing and the hardships they have dealt with while deployed at Al Asad, Iraq, Dec. 7.
"As I look around here, I have no clue who's reserve or active duty," said Bergman as he spoke to the Wild Geese. "There is no difference. Due to our aggressive training, our level of readiness is very high and you are proving that fact every day. This will be your second Christmas in Iraq in two years, and that will make Christmas 2006 all the more special."
The Wild Geese were activated to fill a medium lift billet for two years, and HMM-774 is serving the requirement's second seven-month rotation.
"Nobody likes to be away from family and loved ones, especially over the holiday season," said Maj. Jeffrey Scramstead, the flightline officer-in-charge with HMM-774 and a Middle River, Minn., native. "For a majority of the squadron, I don't think it is as much of a shock since this is the second consecutive year in a row. For some, however, it's not only their first time to Iraq, but also their first time being away for an extended period of time. In spite of those facts, the squadron is doing remarkably well."
Scramstead said the general's visit raised the squadron's motivation even higher. He stressed that it's always nice to see the support, and to see their commander take the time to come and speak with the Marines.
"I think the visit showed his drive to ensure the Marines under his command are taken care of and doing well," said Cpl. Steven M. Lyday, the intelligence chief with HMM-774, and an Acworth, Ga., native. "This is the second Christmas I have been deployed. The first one was not as difficult as this one, but that is because of some events in my family during the past year."
"It's nice to know that our hard work, sweat and blood get recognized and appreciated by a man of his magnitude," said Cpl. Jason Mauro an aerial gunner and observer with HMM-774 and a Virginia Beach, Va., native.
Lyday said everyone in the squadron looks out for one another, and try to keep each others" spirit and motivation up. He said the officers throughout the command put together events to go along with the holidays to bring as much cheer as possible.
During the meeting, the Marines were given the opportunity to ask Bergman any question they might have.
"I had heard an apparent sentiment that the reserves might not be able to spin up fast enough to embark on a mission of this scale," said Lyday. "Most of the justification I have heard used was that the last call up was the previous Gulf War. I was curious about his view on the ability of the reserves to move into stride with active duty Marines as seamlessly as possible and asked Lt. Gen. Bergman for his thoughts."
Bergman asked Lyday how he felt about their deployment and readiness.
"I told him that I saw us doing it very well and the time we had for training was adequate," said Lyday. "He said that he was unable to tell who was active duty or reserve, and he liked that. He then commented on the need for Reserve Marines to perform our training again as we embark on our civilian careers after the activation is complete. I am coming up on the end of my first reserve contract, so it is kind of nice right now. I am able to experience the full aspect of the Marine Corps which I honestly felt like I might miss."
It's not often the squadron, especially the junior Marines, is visited by a three star general, so that is something unique in itself, said Scramstead. Since HMM-774 is comprised of mostly reserve Marines, it's always nice to see the support, and for Bergman to take the time to come and speak with to the squadron, he said.
"The level of motivation is high, especially when we can see the fruits of our labor and the outcome of ongoing missions," said Scramstead. "We all feel a tremendous sense of pride in supporting counter insurgency operations, supporting the development of the Iraqi Security Forces, and the creation of a secure environment that enables Iraqi self-reliance and self-governance. Also, there is a small glimmer of light at the end of the tunnel as we commence the 17th month of our 24-month mobilization."
Bergman said the Wild Geese and Marine reservists throughout the Corps are doing an outstanding job adapting to every hardship they face.
"Whatever you think it is in New Orleans, it's worse," said Bergman, whose Marine Forces Reserves headquarters is stationed in New Orleans. "We're not getting shot at in New Orleans, but we are conducting a real nation building mission, and we're proving whatever challenge we face, we're ready."