HMH-462 builds a brotherhood with Warriors' Night

Marine Corps Air Station Miramar
Story by Pfc. Raquel Barraza

Date: 09.28.2012
Posted: 10.01.2012 15:57
News ID: 95546
HMH-462 builds a brotherhood with Warriors' Night

MARINE CORPS BASE CAMP PENDLETON, Calif. – More than 180 Marines with Marine Heavy Helicopter Squadron 462 embodied the Marine Corps warriors’ ethos during a Warriors’ Night on Gold Beach aboard Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton, Calif., Sept. 27.

Marines participated in a 5-mile hike and other field events all in the spirit of competition and building camaraderie within their squadron.

“The whole point of this event is to bring the squadron together and creating a brotherhood for these Marines,” said Staff Sgt. Jeremy A. Meadows, the Warriors’ Night main coordinator and Lubbock, Texas, native.

Marines of all ranks came together to compete in grappling, water grappling, kettle bell tossing, tire tossing and tug-of-war, explained Meadows.

With the Squadron going on deployment soon, almost all the Marine of HMH-462, even Lt. Col. Robert B. Fanning, the commander officer of HMH-462, participated in the events of the night.

“We needed an officer in our team, so I personally asked the CO to grapple for our team,” said Sgt. James Hayes, the administration chief with HMH-462 and Redondo Beach, Calif., native.

After all the events, the Marines gathered around a bonfire to unwind.

“My favorite part is seeing the Marines all having and good time, because when the blouses come off, we’re all just Marines and brothers in the end,” said Hayes.

Although some Marines did not win any events, they all had a good time cheering and supporting their team and squadron.

“This event was pretty fun- it’s good to get out and play some games and hanging out with the guys,” said Lance Cpl. Jonathan Anderson, a flight line mechanic and Riverside, Calif., native.

Pilots, crew chiefs and all the other Marines of HMH-462 hope to make this an annual event and look forward to the next one.