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Photo Information

Micheal McGarr participates in a K-9 training demonstration at Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point, N.C., Sept. 18, 2015. The demonstration was a part of a series of activities available for spouses and families to partake in, for the 2nd annual Open House event hosted by Marine Air Control Squadron 2. The event was designed to emphasize the importance of family readiness by allowing the family members to visit the work space and become familiar with the equipment that their Marines use on a day-to-day basis. Garr is the chief trainer of the K-9 unit, with Headquarters and Headquarters squadron at MCAS Cherry Point.

Photo by Cpl. U. Roberts

MACS-2 hosts Open House for spouses, families

18 Sep 2015 | Cpl. U. Roberts 2nd Marine Aircraft Wing

To some people, family consists of all of the people living in the same house hold, but for Marine Air Control Squadron 2, family is the glue that keeps their Marines together and focused.

MACS-2 hosted an Open House for spouses and families to fortify their high morale and esprit-de-corps, Sept. 18, 2015. 

The event was designed to emphasize the importance of family readiness by allowing the family members to visit the work space and become familiar with the equipment that their Marines use on a day-to-day basis. 

 “Family readiness ties directly into our overall readiness,” said Lt. Col. Charles Smith, the commanding officer of MACS-2. “It’s critical that our families understand the importance of readiness and how it applies to their Marine and [how it applies to] keeping our Marines ready to deploy in 96 hours.”

Putting in countless hours to support MACS-2 can be tiring but with a strong support system, like family, the Marines are prepared and energized to get the job done.

“The Marines put in a lot of time and effort into the equipment and their own personal readiness, so if the family supports the Marine holistically then [overall] readiness is going to go up,” said Smith. “The family plays a pivotal role in assisting the Marine in maintaining a high state of readiness.”

During the event, the families were able to learn about the different capabilities of motor transport and utility vehicles, weapon systems and communication equipment.

“Today I did a radio check and I learned about radio frequencies,” said Danyel Manns, the spouse of Sgt. Carlyle Manns, an aviation communications systems technician with MACS-2. “From the event I see that my husband’s work is a little more tedious that I thought. The Marines work really hard.”


2nd Marine Aircraft Wing