Marine Harrier pilots fly into history over Fallujah

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

[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.