2nd MAW News

Archive: March, 2005

AL ASAD, Iraq- Staff Sgt. Mayra Lazada stands in front of the Marine Tactical Air Control Squadron 28 colors. Nicaraguan born Lazada decided to join the Marine Corps to show her appreciation for the United States granting her family political asylum in 1984 from civil war torn Nicaragua - AL ASAD, Iraq- Staff Sgt. Mayra Lazada stands in front of the Marine Tactical Air Control Squadron 28 colors. Nicaraguan born Lazada decided to join the Marine Corps to show her appreciation for the United States granting her family political asylum in 1984 from civil war torn Nicaragua

Nicaraguan refugee serves Corps to serve country that aided family in time of need

In 1979, when communism swept through Nicaragua, the Lazada family hoped for a better life, not only for themselves, but for their children. In 1984 the Lazada’s sought political asylum in the United States and settled in El Paso, Texas. After 11 years of growing up in the United States, Mayra Lazada graduated from Parkland High School in 1995.

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AL ASAD, Iraq -- Staff Sgt. Roger W. King, helicopter mechanic assigned to Marine Light/Attack Helicopter Squadron 269 and Gravette, Ark., native, reinstalls the tunnel cowling of a UH-1N Huey after daily and turnaround inspections of the tail rotor driveshaft. King recently re-enlisted and will make a lateral move to become an MV-22 Osprey flight line mechanic. - AL ASAD, Iraq -- Staff Sgt. Roger W. King, helicopter mechanic assigned to Marine Light/Attack Helicopter Squadron 269 and Gravette, Ark., native, reinstalls the tunnel cowling of a UH-1N Huey after daily and turnaround inspections of the tail rotor driveshaft. King recently re-enlisted and will make a lateral move to become an MV-22 Osprey flight line mechanic.

Helicopter mechanic re-enlists in Iraq with Corps' newest aircraft in mind

Aspiring to join the officer ranks, and with the MV-22 Osprey in mind, Staff Sgt. Roger W. King re-enlisted here March 11. A helicopter mechanic assigned to Marine Light/Attack Helicopter Squadron 269, currently in Iraq supporting the mission of the 2nd Marine Aircraft Wing (Forward) during Operation Iraqi Freedom, King has served in the Corps for

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A C130J Hercules from Marine Aerial Transport Refueler Squadron 252 refuels a Marine Fighter Attack Squadron 142 F/A-18 Hornet 20,000 feet in the air during combat operations over Iraq. - A C130J Hercules from Marine Aerial Transport Refueler Squadron 252 refuels a Marine Fighter Attack Squadron 142 F/A-18 Hornet 20,000 feet in the air during combat operations over Iraq.

Aviation Combat Element excels during River Blitz

On Feb. 20, 2005 Marines, Sailors and soldiers attached to the 1st Marine Division and Iraqi Security Forces increased security operations throughout the Al Anbar Province for Operation River Blitz. The security measures in and around the provincial capital, Ramadi, were designed to ensure the safety of the local Iraqis from insurgents by

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New generators keep Al Asad running at full power

Through coordinated efforts of Marines, soldiers and international civilian contractors, Al Asad has moved from relying on outside sources of electricity, to having the internal capability of supplying the whole air base with power. After only 37 days, four of the 19 new Cummings generators that arrived here throughout the month of February, are up

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AL ASAD, Iraq (March 8, 2005) - Lance Cpl. Anthony J. Kondziella prepares to fire a .50 caliber sniper rifle during a familiarization firing exercise here. Kondziella is a part of Marine Wing Support Squadron 271's Immediate Reaction Team, a unit of Marines and sailors that provide security for explosive ordnance disposal. - AL ASAD, Iraq (March 8, 2005) - Lance Cpl. Anthony J. Kondziella prepares to fire a .50 caliber sniper rifle during a familiarization firing exercise here. Kondziella is a part of Marine Wing Support Squadron 271's Immediate Reaction Team, a unit of Marines and sailors that provide security for explosive ordnance disposal.

Welder to warrior; Fond du Lac native answers call to serve

On September 12, 2001, Anthony J. Kondziella knew what he had to do. Thirty days after the tragedies of that dark day, the Fond du Lac, Wis. native was raising his right hand to affirm the oath of enlistment into the United States military, as he joined the Marine Corps' Delayed Entry Program on August 11, 2001. "I was deeply bothered that they

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AL ASAD, Iraq -- Major Peter D. Charboneau, communications and electronics officer with Marine Air Control Group 28 (Reinforced), stands next to his son, Lance Cpl. Joe B. Charboneau, helicopter mechanic with Marine Light/Attack Helicopter Squadron 269, on March 4 after spending time together riding their bikes. Father and son are here supporting Operation Iraqi Freedom 04-06. - AL ASAD, Iraq -- Major Peter D. Charboneau, communications and electronics officer with Marine Air Control Group 28 (Reinforced), stands next to his son, Lance Cpl. Joe B. Charboneau, helicopter mechanic with Marine Light/Attack Helicopter Squadron 269, on March 4 after spending time together riding their bikes. Father and son are here supporting Operation Iraqi Freedom 04-06.

Marine father, son serve together in Al Asad

Major Peter D. Charboneau is a busy man. The communications and electronics officer for Marine Air Control Group 28 (Reinforced) isn’t just in charge of overseeing the upgrade of fiber optic lines, telephone switches and data servers around this former Iraqi air base. He’s also responsible, to the best of his abilities, for keeping an eye on one

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Sgt. Maj. William Burton, sergeant major, Marine All-Weather Fighter Attack Squadron 224, poses with fellow sergeant major, Sgt. Maj. Michael J. Closterman, sergeant major, Marine Wing Headquarters Squadron 2, March 5. Closterman was Burton?s drill instructor 21 years ago and now they are both serving in Al Asad, Iraq. - Sgt. Maj. William Burton, sergeant major, Marine All-Weather Fighter Attack Squadron 224, poses with fellow sergeant major, Sgt. Maj. Michael J. Closterman, sergeant major, Marine Wing Headquarters Squadron 2, March 5. Closterman was Burton?s drill instructor 21 years ago and now they are both serving in Al Asad, Iraq.

Drill instructor, recruit meet in Al Asad as sergeants major

In Oct. 1983 recruit William Burton arrived at Marine Corps Recruit Depot, Parris Island, S.C., for training with “H” Company, 3rd Recruit Training Battalion. While Burton went through the rigors of boot camp, one of his drill instructors, Sgt. Michael J. Closterman, had an impact on him that would last throughout his career. “Whenever I think

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Deployment marks first combat tour for MWHS-2

Since 1955, Marines and sailors of Marine Wing Headquarters Squadron 2 have been performing those command and staff functions necessary to accomplishing the 2nd Marine Aircraft Wing mission. Although 2ndMAW has deployed to fight battles in the skies over many foreign lands since its inception in July 1941, its headquarters squadron, affectionately

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(From left to right) Lance Cpls. Anthony Kondziella, Josh M. Nalley (bottom,) Christopher W. Smith and Justin R. Graff (top,) serving with Marine Wing Support Squadron 271's Immediate Reaction Team, stand ready every hour of the day to complete the IRT mission. The platoon of Marines has been conducting security escorts for the squadron's Explosive Ordnance Disposal team as they respond to calls on and around Al Asad air base, Iraq. - (From left to right) Lance Cpls. Anthony Kondziella, Josh M. Nalley (bottom,) Christopher W. Smith and Justin R. Graff (top,) serving with Marine Wing Support Squadron 271's Immediate Reaction Team, stand ready every hour of the day to complete the IRT mission. The platoon of Marines has been conducting security escorts for the squadron's Explosive Ordnance Disposal team as they respond to calls on and around Al Asad air base, Iraq.

IRT Marines are on guard

When the explosive ordnance disposal team gets a call to investigate or remove an improvised explosive device, they aren't the only ones who roll out in the face of danger to eliminate the threat. The Immediate Reaction Team from Marine Wing Support Squadron 271's is right in the mix, providing security for the EOD technicians as they respond to

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Lieutenant Colonel Robert Kuckuk, commanding officer, Marine Attack Squadron 311 speaks at his change of command ceremony, Feb. 28. Kuckuk takes command of a squadron who is three months into a six month deployment in Iraq. - Lieutenant Colonel Robert Kuckuk, commanding officer, Marine Attack Squadron 311 speaks at his change of command ceremony, Feb. 28. Kuckuk takes command of a squadron who is three months into a six month deployment in Iraq.