2nd MAW News

Archive: May, 2005

AL TAQADDUM, Iraq (March 29, 2005) - A wounded Marine is carried on to a CH-46 from Marine Medium Helicopter Squadron 364. The HMM-364 'Purple Foxes' are currently flying casualty evacuation missions in support of the 2nd Marine Expeditionary Force (Forward) CASEVAC team. The team responds to calls from throughout the Al Anbar province, flying into the face of danger to extract wounded Marines, soldiers and civilians. - AL TAQADDUM, Iraq (March 29, 2005) - A wounded Marine is carried on to a CH-46 from Marine Medium Helicopter Squadron 364. The HMM-364 'Purple Foxes' are currently flying casualty evacuation missions in support of the 2nd Marine Expeditionary Force (Forward) CASEVAC team. The team responds to calls from throughout the Al Anbar province, flying into the face of danger to extract wounded Marines, soldiers and civilians.

Purple Foxes speed to casualties throughout Al Anbar Province

Whenever service members walk on to the field of battle there is an understanding they could be injured at any moment. The Purple Foxes of Marine Medium Helicopter Squadron 364 spend their days here working to increase the chances of survival from injuries sustained on the battlefield. “Our mission is to provide quick responsive casualty

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AL TAQADDUM, Iraq - Lance Cpl. Kevin Cota, a crew chief with Marine Light/ Attack Squadron 775 greases the rotor of a UH-1N here May 22. Cota and the Coyotes are working hard to support casualty evacuations and ground Marines throughout Iraq. - AL TAQADDUM, Iraq - Lance Cpl. Kevin Cota, a crew chief with Marine Light/ Attack Squadron 775 greases the rotor of a UH-1N here May 22. Cota and the Coyotes are working hard to support casualty evacuations and ground Marines throughout Iraq.

Coyotes sniff out insurgents throughout Iraq

Activated reserve Marines from Johnstown, Pa., along with active duty personnel from Camp Pendleton, Calif., came together to make Marine Light/Attack Helicopter Squadron 775 in 2003. The squadron is busy in the middle of their second deployment to Iraq in two years, performing the same mission, at the same place and at the same time of year.

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Lt. Cmdr. Ray Stewart, chaplain for Marine Air Control Group 28 and Lance Cpl. Chase R. Hartsell, a tactical network systems specialist assigned to 2nd Force Service Support Group’s Combat Logistics Battalion 2 pose for a phtograph here. Stewart and Hartsell were reunited here. They had not seen each other since 1997. - Lt. Cmdr. Ray Stewart, chaplain for Marine Air Control Group 28 and Lance Cpl. Chase R. Hartsell, a tactical network systems specialist assigned to 2nd Force Service Support Group’s Combat Logistics Battalion 2 pose for a phtograph here. Stewart and Hartsell were reunited here. They had not seen each other since 1997.

Reunion in Iraq brings two families back together

He’s got the whole world in His hands – so it should not come as a surprise that after almost ten years two lives come back together in Al Asad, Iraq and with them, families. Lt. Cmdr. Ray Stewart, chaplain for Marine Air Control Group 28 became acquainted with the family of Lance Cpl. Chase R. Hartsell more than a dozen years ago at Harbor Lake

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St. Augustine native is back for more

His whole life, James C. Saurman knew he wanted to be a military man — shoot guns, play in the mud, go to war. After graduating from Alan D. Nease High School in May 2002, the St. Augustine, Fla., native chose a path for his future that would allow him to do just that. Saurman was a part of his high school’s Junior ROTC program and through the

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Tactical data networking Marines keep flightline online

Each day, countless servicemembers use computers to check e-mail, type reports and transfer data in order to support operations. From supply data and flight schedules, to mission orders and causality evacuation requests, information travels through data networks constantly. “Everyday servicemembers use computers to plan, coordinate and track

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KALSU, Iraq ? Cpl. Curtis M. Fike, a refrigeration mechanic assigned to Marine Wing Communications Squadron 38, Alpha Company, Detachment Kalsu originally from Cincinnati, Ohio, troubleshoots a diesel generator in the squadron?s compound May 16. The generator provides the detachment with the power necessary to execute their mission. - KALSU, Iraq ? Cpl. Curtis M. Fike, a refrigeration mechanic assigned to Marine Wing Communications Squadron 38, Alpha Company, Detachment Kalsu originally from Cincinnati, Ohio, troubleshoots a diesel generator in the squadron?s compound May 16. The generator provides the detachment with the power necessary to execute their mission.

Communications detachment keeps Marines in Kalsu connected

In this remote base occupied mostly by U.S. Army personnel, the Marines’ presence is minimal. As inconspicuous as it may be, the contributions they make to accomplish the mission of the American forces in Iraq are enormous. Comprised of a communications officer and representatives from the data, radio, wire, utilities and multi-channel ultra high

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AL ASAD, Iraq - Sgt. Seth Thornton, a CH-53E Super Stallion crewchief assigned to Marine Heavy Helicopter Squadron 465, talks with the helicopter aircraft commander after shutting down the aircraft after a mission May 19. Thornton, from Abilene, Texas, is on his third deployment to Iraq in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom. - AL ASAD, Iraq - Sgt. Seth Thornton, a CH-53E Super Stallion crewchief assigned to Marine Heavy Helicopter Squadron 465, talks with the helicopter aircraft commander after shutting down the aircraft after a mission May 19. Thornton, from Abilene, Texas, is on his third deployment to Iraq in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom.

What is it about Iraq? Abilene Marine keeps coming back

Sgt. Seth Thornton, a CH-53E Super Stallion crewchief assigned to Marine Heavy Helicopter Squadron 465 and Abilene, Texas, native, never imagined he’d be serving his country in Iraq. Since January 2003, he’s deployed here on three different occasions.Recently, Thornton had the opportunity to soar the Iraqi skies with a fellow Texan who also calls

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Muxsters keep communications flowing throughout Iraq

In today’s Marine Corps, communication between the separate entities is essential for planning and executing operations. The ability of units to communicate across the vast expanses of Iraq becomes crucial to operations throughout the country. The Marines of Marine Wing Communication Squadron 28’s multi-channel radio operators platoon ensure the

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AL ASAD, Iraq ? Petty Officer 1st Class Jennifer Vann, a steel worker with Naval Mobile Construction Battalion 24, uses a concrete saw to cut a section of the runway here out so that it may be replaced. Vann is one of the Seabees who works the day shift for the runway reconstruction project scheduled to take the duration of their deployment here. - AL ASAD, Iraq ? Petty Officer 1st Class Jennifer Vann, a steel worker with Naval Mobile Construction Battalion 24, uses a concrete saw to cut a section of the runway here out so that it may be replaced. Vann is one of the Seabees who works the day shift for the runway reconstruction project scheduled to take the duration of their deployment here.

Seabees aid Marines, start runway project to ease takeoffs, landings

Almost 40 sailors with Naval Mobile Construction Battalion 24 began a runway reconstruction project here May 16. The project includes excavating the old joints in the runway that are cracking, chipping and separating after years of wear and tear. Pouring new concrete will give jet aircraft a smooth surface for landings and take-offs and could

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AL QAIM, Iraq - Lance Cpl. Daniel Nance, crash crewman with Marine Wing Support Squadron 271's Aircraft, Rescue and Fire Fighting section comes from a family of first responders. His mother, stepfather, cousin and uncle have all been emergency response personnel at some point in their lives. - AL QAIM, Iraq - Lance Cpl. Daniel Nance, crash crewman with Marine Wing Support Squadron 271's Aircraft, Rescue and Fire Fighting section comes from a family of first responders. His mother, stepfather, cousin and uncle have all been emergency response personnel at some point in their lives.