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Reserve Marines receive Combat Aircrew Insignia
Submitted by: 3d Marine Aircraft Wing
Story Identification Number: 20044284057
Story by Sgt. Rob Henderson
AL ASAD, Iraq(March 31, 2004) -- Seven Reserve Marines of Marine Aerial Refueler Transport Squadron 234, headquartered in Fort Worth, Texas, received their Combat Aircrew Insignia at a squadron formation here, March 31.
Many of the awardees, enlisted crewmen on Marine KC-130s, flew in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom last year, and are proving their mettle once again this year.
"For a KC-130 crewmember, the Combat Aircrew Insignia is hard to come by," said Lt. Col. Clarke D. Clodfelder, officer-in-charge, VMGR-234, Al Asad detachment. "It wasn't until the last 10 years or so that Marine KC-130s were looked at to be employed in more of an assault-support role instead of just for refueling."
A change in Marine Corps tactics opened the door for enlisted aircrew members to begin receiving the insignia with the same frequency as their peers in the aviation community, but the change didn't make achieving the insignia less strenuous.
In order to be awarded the Combat Aircrew Insignia, a Marine has to graduate from an aircrew school and fly combat missions in a designated combat zone. The wings can be awarded for single missions during which an enemy is engaged or for targeted missions against fortified enemy positions, according to the Assignment Classification and Travel System manual.
"As an enlisted aircrew member, the Combat Aircrew Insignia is something that lets everyone else know you've been there, done that and participated in the real thing," said Clodfelder, a native of Highlands Ranch, Colo.
For one recipient, the Combat Aircrew Insignia symbolizes his transformation from the groundside of the Marine Corps to the aviation community.
Sgt. Jason T. Tauch, flight mechanic, was deployed with 7th Marine Regiment, Marine Corps Air Ground Combat Center Twentynine Palms, Calif., to Mogadishu, Somalia, during Operation Joint Guardian in 1994. During Operation Joint Guardian, Tauch earned a Combat Action Ribbon while supporting the United Nation's withdrawal from the war-torn country.
A few years after separating from the Marine Corps, Tauch rejoined as a reservist, but this time, he yearned for something different. Training as a KC-130 flight mechanic, he was ready to take his test for full certification prior to being deployed early February. This deployment coming on the heels of another deployment to Al Jabar, Kuwait, in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom last year.
"I was glad to be here, because I got my qualification as a flight mechanic, and I got the Combat Aircrew Insignia," said Tauch. "Coming back to Iraq this year really let me learn what this job is all about."
For the detachment, tasked with augmenting VMGR-352, 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing, Marine Corps Air Station Miramar, Calif., this is the best way to thank the Marines for their hard work and dedication to duty, according to Clodfelder.
"When we get the chance to do something positive, reward someone or recognize someone, that makes it all worthwhile," he said.
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