thedrifter
03-27-04, 04:39 PM
MACS-4 Marines return from Afghanistan
Submitted by: MCB Camp Butler
Story Identification Number: 2004323185817
Story by Sgt. Danny L. Patterson
MARINE CORPS AIR STATION FUTENMA, Okinawa, Japan (March 11, 2004) -- After nearly two years deployed in support of Operation Enduring Freedom, the final 17 Marines of Marine Air Control Squadron-4 returned to Okinawa March 11.
Marines of MACS-4 began supporting Operation Enduring Freedom when a Tactical Air Operations Center detachment deployed to Noble Eagle in Guam in October 2001 to control air space, route aircraft and provide data-link communication. Shortly after they returned to Okinawa, they were tasked again along with the rest of the squadron.
In April 2002, MACS-4 deployed as a squadron to Afghanistan and Uzbekistan. There, an Air Traffic Control detachment went to Karshi-Khanabad Airfield in Uzbekistan and the TAOC detachment went to Kandahar Airfield in Afghanistan.
“The TAOC’s mission was to provide air surveillance of Southern Afghanistan, traffic management, and data-link communications with the Combined Air Operations Center in Qatar,” said Lt. Col. Gilbert C. Gonzalez, commanding officer for MACS-4. “The ATC’s mission was to provide all-weather air traffic control services for U.S. and coalition aircraft.”
According to Capt. Bradley D. Hitchcock, assistant operations officer for MACS-4, it took many Marines with various Military Occupational Specialties to accomplish this task.
“Everyone throughout 1st MAW did something to contribute to the squadron’s success,” the Los Angles native said. “No matter if it was with Marines or equipment everyone added to our success.”
Hitchcock said during the deployment there were many rotations of Marines coming in and going out. Even though the conditions in the regions were not pleasant, many Marines volunteered to participate through more than one rotation.
“During the two years we deployed, nearly 400 Marines went to the Middle East with MACS-4,” Hitchcock said. “Some Marines missed back-to-back holidays because they wanted to help.”
http://www.usmc.mil/marinelink/image1.nsf/Lookup/2004323185928/$file/Release0131-2004-01low.jpg
Marine Corps Air Station Futenma - Soon after his return to Marine Corps Air Station Futenma, Staff Sgt. Ken Newlon, radar technician for MACS-4, meets his wife Cheryl and youngest daughter Jennifer on the flightline. Newlon was deployed and away from his family for three months and says it feels great to be back with them. Photo by: Sgt. Danny L. Patterson
http://www.usmc.mil/marinelink/mcn2000.nsf/main5/B1B7A460650588D785256E600083ADDD?opendocument
Ellie
Submitted by: MCB Camp Butler
Story Identification Number: 2004323185817
Story by Sgt. Danny L. Patterson
MARINE CORPS AIR STATION FUTENMA, Okinawa, Japan (March 11, 2004) -- After nearly two years deployed in support of Operation Enduring Freedom, the final 17 Marines of Marine Air Control Squadron-4 returned to Okinawa March 11.
Marines of MACS-4 began supporting Operation Enduring Freedom when a Tactical Air Operations Center detachment deployed to Noble Eagle in Guam in October 2001 to control air space, route aircraft and provide data-link communication. Shortly after they returned to Okinawa, they were tasked again along with the rest of the squadron.
In April 2002, MACS-4 deployed as a squadron to Afghanistan and Uzbekistan. There, an Air Traffic Control detachment went to Karshi-Khanabad Airfield in Uzbekistan and the TAOC detachment went to Kandahar Airfield in Afghanistan.
“The TAOC’s mission was to provide air surveillance of Southern Afghanistan, traffic management, and data-link communications with the Combined Air Operations Center in Qatar,” said Lt. Col. Gilbert C. Gonzalez, commanding officer for MACS-4. “The ATC’s mission was to provide all-weather air traffic control services for U.S. and coalition aircraft.”
According to Capt. Bradley D. Hitchcock, assistant operations officer for MACS-4, it took many Marines with various Military Occupational Specialties to accomplish this task.
“Everyone throughout 1st MAW did something to contribute to the squadron’s success,” the Los Angles native said. “No matter if it was with Marines or equipment everyone added to our success.”
Hitchcock said during the deployment there were many rotations of Marines coming in and going out. Even though the conditions in the regions were not pleasant, many Marines volunteered to participate through more than one rotation.
“During the two years we deployed, nearly 400 Marines went to the Middle East with MACS-4,” Hitchcock said. “Some Marines missed back-to-back holidays because they wanted to help.”
http://www.usmc.mil/marinelink/image1.nsf/Lookup/2004323185928/$file/Release0131-2004-01low.jpg
Marine Corps Air Station Futenma - Soon after his return to Marine Corps Air Station Futenma, Staff Sgt. Ken Newlon, radar technician for MACS-4, meets his wife Cheryl and youngest daughter Jennifer on the flightline. Newlon was deployed and away from his family for three months and says it feels great to be back with them. Photo by: Sgt. Danny L. Patterson
http://www.usmc.mil/marinelink/mcn2000.nsf/main5/B1B7A460650588D785256E600083ADDD?opendocument
Ellie