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AL ASAD AIRFIELD, Iraq, Dec. 14, 2004 – Aviation is continuing to play a part in mopping up insurgents in Fallujah, the commander of the 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing said here today. Marine Maj. Gen. Keith J. Stalder commands about 9,000 Marine and Army troops based at this airfield between Baghdad and the Syrian border. He said aviation helped Marines and soldiers in the city with the combat they faced in retaking Fallujah and aviation continues to target the small pockets of insurgents that remain. "The wing is still flying missions -- mostly fixed-wing, but some rotary-wing missions as well,"...

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...

Marines prepare to cast votes in IraqSubmitted by: 3rd Marine Aircraft WingStory Identification #: 2004829182754Story by Cpl. Joel A. Chaverri AL ASAD, Iraq (Aug. 29, 2004) -- As November’s general elections approach, the time for Marines to consider their vote has arrived. After working hard to help stand up the first elections for the people of Iraq since the removal of Saddam Hussein from power, the time has now come for American forces to exercise their freedom to vote. Even while deployed to a war zone, those who wish to vote are actively supported by the military. However, it’s...

Marines dedicate Al Taqaddum airfield to fallen aviatorSubmitted by: 3rd Marine Aircraft WingStory Identification #: 200482772511Story by Sgt. Nathan K. LaForte AL TAQADDUM (GREENE FIELD), Iraq (Aug. 22,2004) -- A group of Marines recently gathered on the flightline of Al Taqaddum, Iraq to pay tribute to their fallen brother. In the late afternoon sun Aug. 22, they dedicated the airfield at TQ to Lt. Col. David S. Greene, a reserve Marine AH-1W Super Cobra pilot with Marine Light Attack Helicopter Squadron 775, Marine Aircraft Group 16, 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing, killed in action July 28. Greene was flying a...

AL ASAD, Iraq, May 21, 2004 — When Marine Master Sgt. Michael L. Sunday received orders to Iraq in March, he expected to travel to foreign countries with unfamiliar surroundings and even less familiar faces. Almost immediately upon his arrival to Camp Wolverine in Kuwait however, the 41-year-old New Cumberland, Pa., native began to feel right at home. Marine Master Sgt. Michael L. Sunday (left), ordnance chief for Aviation Logistics Department, 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing, pays a surprise visit to a former student, Lance Cpl. Rafael E. Lopez, a 20-year-old aviation ordnance technician with Marine Aviation Logistics Squadron 16. The...

 Local Iraqi starts independent newspaperSubmitted by: 3rd Marine Aircraft WingStory Identification #: 2004514111914Story by Staff Sgt. A.C. Mink Al Asad, Iraq (May 14, 2004) -- Ammar Aloba Idi of Jooba, and Sevan Lousinian, Department of Defense Arabic translator, presented the pilot edition of The Voice of the Euphrates, the first independent newspaper for the local region, to Maj. Gen. James F. Amos, commanding general, 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing, here May 13. "For 35 years, Saddam teach people, in school and television, to deal with United States as enemy," said Aloba Idi. "This will take a lot of time -...

HMLA-167, HMM-261 squadrons change hands in Western Iraq Submitted by: 3d Marine Aircraft WingStory Identification Number: 2004577152Story by Staff Sgt. A.C. Mink AL ASAD, Iraq (May 7, 2004) -- In an unprecedented occurrence here, two East Coast squadrons, attached to a West Coast aircraft group, carried out a dual change of command ceremony, April 30. Lt. Col. James D. "Stripper" Grace, Marine Light Attack Helicopter Squadron 167, 2nd Marine Aircraft Wing, relinquished command to Lt. Col. Christopher M. "Tone" Clayton as simultaneously Lt. Col. Michael H. "Shepard" Belding passed the Marine Medium Helicopter Squadron 261 colors to Lt. Col....

Reserve Marines receive Combat Aircrew InsigniaSubmitted by: 3d Marine Aircraft WingStory Identification Number: 20044284057Story 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,...

 Fallen Marine honoredSubmitted by: 3d Marine Aircraft WingStory Identification Number: 2004325155833Story by Staff Sgt. A.C. Mink AL ASAD, Iraq (March 25, 2004) -- Inside the hollow walls of an abandoned aircraft bunker, Marines and Sailors gathered Thursday, to pay tribute to Cpl. Andrew Brownfield, killed in action here March 18 in the Al Anbar Province of Western Iraq. "Andy lived to make other people smile," said Cpl. Stephen S. O'Rourke, Brownfield's friend and fellow aviation ordnance systems technician with Marine Wing Support Squadron 374, Marine Wing Support Group 37, during his tearful memorial. Brownfield arrived in country approximately one...

Letter to All Hands, We are going back in to the brawl. We will be relieving the magnificent soldiers fighting under the 82nd Airborne Division, whose hard wonsuccesses in the Sunni Triangle have opened opportunities for us to exploit. For the last year, the 82nd Airborne has been operating against the heart of the enemy's resistance. It's appropriate that we relieve them: When it's time to move a piano, Marines don't pick up the piano bench - we move the piano. So this is the right place for Marines in this fight, where we can carry on the legacy of...

AL ANBAR PROVINCE, Iraq(March 11, 2004) -- July 2003 marked the return of the last units from Operation Iraqi Freedom to Marine Corps Air Station Miramar, Calif. Now, less than one year after their return home, the Marines and Sailors of Marine Wing Headquarters Squadron 3 have returned to provide the 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing with logistical support and force protection. "We are here to prepare and maintain work and living spaces for the Wing Headquarters element," said Lt. Col. Glenn Murray, commanding officer MWHS-3. Flying more than 8,000 miles across the Atlantic Ocean and touching ground on three separate...

NEW YORK - U.S. soldiers in Iraq have new gear for dispersing hostile crowds and warding off potential enemy combatants. It blasts earsplitting noise in a directed beam. The equipment, called a Long Range Acoustic Device, or LRAD, is a so-called "non-lethal weapon" developed after the 2000 attack on the USS Cole off Yemen as a way to keep operators of small boats from approaching U.S. warships. The devices have been used on some U.S. ships since last summer as part of a suite of protection measures. Now, the Army and Marines have added this auditory barrage dispenser to their...

Thursday, February 26, 2004 Marines taking over for Army in Iraq By Scott Schonauer, Stars and StripesEuropean edition, Thursday, February 26, 2004 Scott Schonauer / S&S Marine Staff Sgt. Marvin Clark secures the front rotor of a CH-46 "Frog" helicopter from the New River, N.C.-based Marine Medium Helicopter Squadron 261 at Al-Asad Airfield, about 110 miles from Baghdad. About 25,000 Marines are streaming into western Iraq to take command of security and rebuilding duties from the Army. Scott Schonauer / S&S A Marine guards a CH-46 "Frog" helicopter as crewmembers refuel the aircraft at Tallil air base in southern Iraq....

Official U.S. Navy file photo of USS Boxer (LHD 4). View Larger Download HiRes   USS Boxer to Deploy in Support of Global War on TerrorismStory Number: NNS040108-03Release Date: 1/8/2004 1:47:00 PMFrom Commander, U.S. 3rd Fleet Public AffairsSAN DIEGO (NNS) -- More than 200 Marines and 900 Sailors embarked aboard USS Boxer (LHD 4) will deploy Jan. 14 from San Diego to the Central Command (CENTCOM) area of responsibility (AOR) in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom II (OIF II) force rotation. As part of the OIF II force rotation, Boxer is providing amphibious lift for a portion of the...

Submitted by: Headquarters Marine Corps Story Identification Number: 200342885347 Story by Sgt. W.A. Napper Jr. KUWAIT(aPR. 25, 2003) -- During an all-hands staff noncommissioned officer meeting at a Kuwait air base April 22, Maj. Gen. James F. Amos, 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing commanding general, announced that the Commandant of the Marine Corps, Gen. Michael W. Hagee, has selected the 15th Sergeant Major of the Marine Corps - Sgt. Maj. John L. Estrada, 3rd MAW sergeant major. "I've never met anybody that's moved into that job," Maj. Gen. Amos said to the crowd. "And to think, you're one of us. What...

Submitted by: 3d Marine Aircraft Wing Story Identification Number: 200341343955 Story by Staff Sgt. John C. DiDomenico KUWAIT(April 9, 2003) -- Personnel eagerly await its daily arrival either in formation or by visiting their admin clerks. Those who receive it, smile and walk away with higher spirits. Others, who don't receive any, silently keep faith for the next day. No matter where they are, garrison or deployed, military personnel look forward to mail call. Although it has been deemed "snail mail," letters and packages arriving from family and friends keeps morale upbeat for the Marines and Sailors of 3rd Marine...

Olie North reporting, happened just a few minutes ago.