KALSU, Iraq -- A native of Reno, Nev., Cpl. Michael K. Kono is on his second deployment in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom. The casinos and poker tables are thousands of miles away, but he has his chips stacked up and is ready to go all in.
The 2002 graduate of Washoe County High School is one of the few Marines in a detachment from Marine Wing Communications Squadron 38 that provides all 2nd Marine Aircraft Wing (Forward) units here with radio and computer networks and telephone and data services.
A computer network administrator, Kono is in charge of constantly updating the security of the networks and making sure the base’s air boss is always able to contact other bases to coordinate 2nd MAW's mission throughout Iraq.
“I’m proud to do my part to help accomplish the mission,” said Kono. “Later on I can tell my children that I actually contributed to the progress of Iraq.”
Kono set foot on the yellow footprints at Marine Corps Recruit Depot San Diego on July 21, 2002. He left the depot 13 weeks later, after becoming one of ‘The Few. The Proud.’
“I looked at the other services and they didn’t interest me,” he said. “If I was going to join the military I figured, ‘why not join the best?’ We have finer traditions than the other services.”
Having completed Marine Combat Training and network administrators’ school, Kono joined his current unit, based at Marine Corps Air Station, Miramar, Calif., in May 2003.
The following year the squadron deployed to participate in Operation Iraqi Freedom and Kono served at Al Asad air base, where he assisted with setting up local area networks.
“During that deployment I was still learning how to do things,” he said. “My participation then was very limited.”
And this time around he’s a lot more experienced and has moved up to the ‘no-limit’ tables. Whenever he’s not helping other Marines with their computer problems he’s submerged in books that will help him advance both as a leader of Marines and as a computer networks guru.
“This field is always changing,” he said. “There’s always something new to learn and every day provides a challenge simply because there are a lot of changes in this job.”
To get away from the routine of working a 12-hour shift every day, Kono lifts weights and does cardiovascular exercises regularly. He’s also been getting ready to rumble. During his last deployment he learned the basics of boxing and he recently started training again to hone his skills and stay in shape.
Planning on staying in the Marine Corps, his plans include a tour of duty in Japan and assignment as a recruiter. “I’ve always wanted to go to Japan and see something different,” he said. “I’d also like to be a recruiter and help others find out about the Marine Corps, which has helped me out so much.”
Without counting cards or using mirrors, his lucky streak has earned him winnings he’ll cherish for the rest of his life. The contributions Kono brings to the mission of the forward deployed 2nd Marine Aircraft Wing assist with reducing the number of insurgents and foreign fighters in Iraq and will allow the Iraqis to take the jackpot.
“I see a lot of the Iraqis and the Americans working together toward getting the Iraqi government started,” he said. “There’s a lot of progress being made.”
- For more information about the Marine reported on in this story, please contact Sgt. Juan Vara by e-mail at varaj@acemnf-wiraq.usmc.mil -