Marine Harrier pilots fly into history over Fallujah

3rd Marine Air Wing ^ | 12 November 2004 | Cpl. Paul Leicht

[A.A. Cunningham]

Marine Harrier pilots fly into history over Fallujah
Submitted by: 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing
Story Identification #: 2004111222824
Story by Cpl. Paul Leicht

AL ASAD, Iraq (Nov. 12, 2004) -- Since Alfred A. Cunningham first flew in 1912, the tradition of Marine aviation has had a singular, versatile focus: supporting the Marine on the ground.

As U.S. Marines make their assault through the narrow streets of Fallujah against anti-Iraqi forces and terrorists, the physical and mental demands of Marine pilots flying overhead are proving no less intense.

Whether flying convoy escorts, close air support or aerial reconnaissance in conjunction with the Litening Pod, Marine AV-8B Harrier pilots soar through a unique trial by fire.

"You have to always keep your guard up (in the air) during these sorties, because in an instant there could be troops in contact with the enemy and need immediate attack," said Capt. Ryan P. Hough, pilot, Marine Attack Squadron 542, whose squadron is near the end of their six-month deployment to Iraq in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom II. "As a single seat pilot in the Harrier, you are always juggling many tasks: radar, navigation, the Litening Pod and communications, all at one time and you are expected to do these tasks perfectly."

Harrier pilots deal with many issues everyday in a rapidly changing battlefield.

"We spend lots of time mission planning and tracking the friendly movements and the targets that are being struck," explained Capt. Charles W. Delpizzo, pilot, VMA-542. "We fly with the same maps that the Forward Air Controllers have in their hands so we can easily be talked onto a target using landmarks or street names. It is imperative that the pilots know everything they can about the fight on the ground. There are also many other restrictions to include airspace, other aircraft, no fire areas, collateral damage, and (communications). If the FAC is having trouble talking to Division, then we may not get approval to strike that target. The pilots that are here have trained for years for this very thing back home and are doing very well here in Iraq."

For Marine pilots like Hough and Delpizzo, flying over Iraqi battlefields like Fallujah have proved to be supreme tests of courage, bravery and skill.

"Fallujah has been particularly challenging because of the congested airspace," added Hough, who graduated from the U.S. Naval Academy in 2000. "You have to be able to find the specific target in a dense urban environment, close to Marines, with only a short time that you are allotted in order to enter the target area that you are sharing with other aircraft."

Echoing countless other Marine aviators, Hough attributed the success of his squadron to the enlisted Marines who maintain the AV-8B Harrier.

"All of this is possible because of the hard work and dedication of our maintenance Marines," Hough said. "They have worked tirelessly, seven days a week, twelve hours a day, for six months."

Nearing the end of his first deployment, the Bainbridge Island, Wash., native said the amazing teamwork and dedication he has seen by the enlisted Marines has been 'eye watering.'

"We have flown over the skies of Iraq for six months and in that time we have fulfilled Joint Tactical Attack Requests for every kind of ground unit," recounted Hough. "The tasks were varied, including convoy escorts at night, supporting recon teams during raids and providing on-call close air support for the troops on the ground... Even though there were many sorties where no ordnance was expended, we were still able to use our Litening Pod to give reconnaissance."

Designed almost with Marines in mind, the Harrier's systems and flexibility help pilots to increase response time when supporting troops on the ground.

"We have a digital (close air support) page which allows us to enter data into our system without having to write it down," said Delpizzo. "The aircraft then tells you things like time and speed required to time on target, graphically depicts your route on the moving map, designates the target in the Heads Up Display and even shows you where the 'friendlies' are located in relation to that designation. All of this was designed with a Night Systems mindset and makes providing (close air support) at night a bit easier."

Working as a 'super squadron,' VMA-542 and other detachments within the Harrier community have operated as a team from the Al Asad flight line: VMA-214, VMA-211 with the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit and VMA-311 currently en route to join the fight.

Soon to leave 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing forces at Al Asad, VMA-542 will return home to Marine Corps Air Station Yuma knowing they were there when and where it mattered most for their fellow Marines in battle.

"It has been a great honor to fly in support of OIF II," said Hough.

[A.A. Cunningham]

Seen through Night Vision Gear, an AV-8B Harrier piloted by Capt. Michael Murphy, Marine Fighter Attack Squadron 214, flies amidst the clouds while refueling from a KC-130 with Marine Aerial Refueler Transport Squadron 452 in the skies over Fallujah, Iraq, below Nov. 9. Harrier pilots deal with many tasks in the air over the dense urban environment and are required to do them perfectly.
Photo by: Cpl. Paul Leicht

With a pair of Laser Maverick missiles in the foreground, an AV-8B Harrier with Marine Fighter Attack Squadron 542 taxis for take off at Al Asad, Iraq, Nov. 11. Harrier pilots are using precision-guided ordnance to avoid collateral damage and support Marines on the ground in Fallujah.
Photo by: Cpl. Paul Leicht

[jack308]

I was pleased to serve on the Alfred A Cunningham, DD-752 back in the Tonkin Gulf Yachtclub.

[Narf]

I suppose then that you have one or two Olongapo stories hidden away somewhere?

[jack308]

Yeah, one about the chief's head being found on the bridge into town, but I preferred liberty in Kaoshiung (for obvious reasons).

[A.A. Cunningham]

Which carriers did you escort?

[pfflier]

Yuma had an excellent Veteran's day parade yesterday. Notably missing was the USMC contingent. They are "at work" and we are proud of them.

The parade was the kind you don't see much of anymore. Parents and children standing on the sidewalk waving flags. People buying poppies, and parents teaching their children to stand in respect as the flag goes by.

One sad reminder that time marches on was the "Pearl Harbor Survivors". They used to ride in the bed of a GI truck, there were about 20 of them. Now, there are two. If you get a chance to thank a vet or an active duty soldier, do it now.

[Conspiracy Guy]

I only see red X's

[Fiddlstix]

BTTT

[jack308]

Its been a long time, but I believe we were plane guard for the Hornet and Bon Homme Richard at various times.

[Narf]

I only see red X's

Sounds like it's about time to cut back on the homemade hooch!

[Narf]

What was your rank/rate?

[jack308]

Left as an ETR2. Worked on the IFF, SPS-29, SPS-10 and Radar repeaters.

[A.A. Cunningham]

I have a brother who served on the Oriskany, '71-'74.

[blackie]

Roger that!

[Narf]

Tron chaser, eh? Did you stay in that field after you got out?

[jack308]

Funny you should mention the Oriskany. As I write this I am in Oriskany NY.

The Oriskany's anchors and one of the A-4s are sitting in the town park a couple of miles away.

[jack308]

Yes, I own a small electro-optics firm in NY. (www.terahertztechnologies.com)

[RaceBannon]

Oh, My Gosh, I just figured out your screen name!!!

And I was an Air Winger!!

[RonF]

All we see are red "X"'s. You didn't put

alt="descriptive.text"

in with the img tag.

[ProudVet77]

ETR3 here, we had SPS40, SPS-5, but I worked on WLR-1, WLR-3 and ULQ-6 and stood watches as an EW.