Posted on 09/28/2005 4:52:26 PM PDT by SandRat
AL ASAD, IRAQ (Sept. 28, 2005) -- When duty in Iraq called twice in two years, they were ready and continued their steadfast support of the Iraqi people and their desire to live in freedom.
The Moonlighters of Marine Medium Helicopter Squadron 764, Marine Aircraft Group 26, 2nd Marine Aircraft Wing, have recently finished their second deployment in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom.
HMM-764 is a reserve CH-46E Sea Knight squadron based out of Edwards Air Force Base, Calif. The Moonlighters will be returning to the United States after flying 3,800 mishap-free combat hours, transporting 14,918 passengers and hauling 26,972 pounds of cargo.
“Our primary mission was assault support,” said Lt. Col. Jacques Naviaux, the commanding officer of HMM-764. “Seven days a week, 24 hours a day, we were ready to move Marines, Soldiers and Iraqis throughout the area of operations.”
In a country where the roads are plagued with improvised explosive devices, the Moonlighters provided a much safer mode of transportation, flying Marines over the IED threat.
“We were able to save lives by being here,” said the San Diego native. “Seventy percent of our missions were flown under the cover of darkness. The Marines of HMM-764 thrived in a combat environment.”
Although Marines can sometimes get complacent at Al Asad, Naviaux said that the enemy threat is very real.
“We had a rocket land on the flightline, damaging three of our aircraft,” said Naviaux. “We were able to repair them over here, but it served as a reminder to all the Marines that we are in a combat zone.”
Marines throughout the squadron will go home with war stories, memories of turning wrenches in 120 degree heat, and many different experiences from two deployments into combat zones.
“I remember one time during (Marine Corps Marital Arts Program) training,” said Cpl. Deborah Myatt, an administrative clerk with HMM-764 from Lancaster, Calif. “It was 10 a.m. and we were finished for the day. We all put our hands in for the motivational cheer and boom, (indirect fire) goes off real loud and real close. I found out later it hit a gunnery sergeant in the face and she was later awarded the Purple Heart.”
While deployed, the Moonlighters didn’t let the high operational tempo stop them from training. They earned 60 different higher belts in the MCMAP, attended college courses, fired and carried the M-1014 Joint Service Combat shotgun, trained new crew chiefs and had eight combat meritorious promotions.
“Their maturity, confidence level and the way the Marines carry themselves has been extremely professional,” said Sgt. Maj. Daniel D. Townsend, the sergeant major of HMM-764. “It was a phenomenal task keeping the aircraft constantly flying and every Marine in the squadron attributed to that effort. We had great support from MAG-26 and Marine Aviation Logistics Squadron-26. The entire 2nd Marine Aircraft Wing welcomed us with open arms. It was a total team effort.”
The Columbus, Ohio, native, said the back-to-back deployments were especially hard on the families of reservists who do not live close to a Marine Corps installation. He said the Moonlighters’ Key Volunteer Network was fabulous and the communication from Al Asad to the United States was consistent.
“It was a good, quick seven-month deployment,” said Myatt, who is the current noncommissioned officer of the quarter for HMM-764, MAG-26 and 2nd MAW. “The time went by fast because we were constantly working, training and learning. We lived in a building with a cement roof, so I felt safer sleeping at night.
“While I’ve been here I’ve matured, and thought more about my life and career goals. If I don’t pick up sergeant and make it to the drill field, I know I want to be in the reserves for at least 20 years.”
Some of the Moonlighters said their second deployment wasn’t as exciting as their first, but they all are ready to get back to their families and loved ones.
“You make do with what you have,” said Cpl. Jarred Bolin, an avionics technician with HMM-764. “We have already been through this, under harder conditions. Now at Al Asad, we have running water. Even if the water isn’t clean enough to drink, it’s a luxury. Getting the birds up to fly missions was a fast-paced mission and we transported a lot of troops.”
According to Townsend, the Marines will leave Iraq with an experience level head and shoulders above what it was, as well as a couple pounds sweated out on the flightline in the desert heat.
“I’m a better Marine and I think a better person,” said Myatt. “One day at the (dinning facility) we met some people who spoke broken and had been tortured under the Saddam’s regime. One didn’t have an ear, and another’s brother had his tongue cut out of his mouth. Talking to them, I realized it’s not about (weapons of mass destruction) or fighting, it’s about people. People shouldn’t have to live in fear.
“These people didn’t have the freedom of speech we take for granted in the United States, like the right to protest. They are fighting to have their own country now. I think the Iraqi police are so brave. They put their lives and their family’s lives on the line every day so they might one day live in freedom.”
Marine PING
Moonlighters rock. Keep up the good stuff, fellas.
BTTT
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