Miramar named 'best of the best'

[thedrifter]

Miramar named 'best of the best'
Submitted by: MCAS Miramar
Story Identification #: 2004513173059
Story by .



Washington(May 13, 2004) -- Miramar's top brass traveled to the nation's capitol May 7 to accept the prestigious honor of one of the best military installations in the world.

Maj. Gen. Jon A. Gallinetti, commander of Marine Corps Air Bases Western Area, took center stage in the Pentagon courtyard and applauded the hard work and dedication of Miramar's 11,000 Marines, Sailors and civilian employees as he accepted the 2004 Commander in Chief's Award for Installation Excellence.

"Winning this award for the first time means a great deal," said Gallinetti. "The Navy and Marine Corps has worked very hard to increase the capacity of what is involved at Miramar and has put a lot of money into improving not only the living conditions but also quality of life."

This year's event was especially ceremonious, remarked Deputy Under Secretary of Defense for Installations and Environment Raymond F. Dubois, as it commemorated the 20th anniversary of the Installation Excellence Award. In 1985, then-President Ronald Reagan gave a challenge to the men and women of the Department of Defense. He asked them to make use of their resources to sustain the mission, increase productivity of the workforce and enhance the quality of life for all who live and work at military installations worldwide.

The prize for producing the best Defense organizations in the world, added Dubois, would be a coveted "President's Cup." This award would be bestowed upon the top five installations within the Army, Navy, Air Force, Marine Corps and Defense Logistics Agency by the commander in chief.

Bob Stone, founder of the Installation Excellence Award, said the winners of this year's award "make us all proud."

"Installation Excellence is the way you wisely spent the tax payer's money to boost defense capability and show the troops you support that they are the most important people in the world. Our soldiers, Sailors, airmen and Marines must always know that they are the world's best. You do your part when you provide them with excellent facilities and services."

Several factors attributed to Miramar being named the Maine Corps' finest installation this year, including the station's dedication to maintaining combat readiness. The air station acted as a "major aerial port of embarkation and debarkation for Operations Enduring and Iraqi Freedom, flawlessly processing and deploying over 7,000 servicemembers," said Dubois.

Miramar's Marines, Sailors and civilian Marines, added Gallinetti, "met the demands of increased operational tempo with extraordinary skill and ingenuity, ensuring a safe deployment and return of our troops," said Dubois, was the "wing's outstanding support of families left behind. By developing Operation Enduring Families, this installation has worked hard to place special emphasis on the support needed by those families of deployed Marines."

Today, with the war on terrorism and air station Marines deployed around the world, Miramar makes family members and those left behind a top priority, added Gallinetti.

"It means a lot to our deployed troops to know that they have an installation like Marine Corps Air Station Miramar taking care of their families. It means a great deal to their quality of life."

In addition to executing superb initiative to improving quality of life to those aboard the air station, Dubois sad the Marines at Miramar excelled at achieving mission performance through "through technological innovations while simultaneously reducing their budget."

In a letter to this year's recipients, President George W. Bush thanked the men and women in uniform, their families and community supporters who helped the installations achieve this great success.

"Our nation is strong because of the dedicated men and women who have willingly assumed the duty of military life and built a great tradition of service and patriotism. As we continue to fight the war on terror, members of our armed forces are representing our country with bravery and distinction," he added. "I commend this year's recipients of the 2004 Commander in Chief's Award as you are recognized for your commitment to America through outstanding management, leadership and decision making."

Gallinetti said he was "very humbled and very proud" to be a recognized as a winner of this year's award.

"We are going to strive to continue that theme of excellence at Miramar and strive to take care of all the Marines, Sailors, civilians and their families here."

http://www.usmc.mil/marinelink/image1.nsf/Lookup/200451318339/$file/040430m5552mCINC001lo.jpg

Maj. Gen. Jon A. Gallinettti, commander of Marine Corps Air Bases Western Area, accepts the Commander in Chief's Award for Installation Excellence from H.T. Johnson, assistant secretary of the Navy, during a ceremony at the Pentagon May 7. Photo by: Sgt. Valerie A. Martinez

http://www.usmc.mil/marinelink/mcn2000.nsf/main5/7DCF0C147168023885256E93007631BC?opendocument


Ellie

[thedrifter]

Submitted by: MCAS Miramar <br />
Story Identification #: 2004513172221 <br />
Story by Cpl. Paul Leicht <br />
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MARINE CORPS AIR STATION MIRAMAR, Calif.(May 13, 2004) -- Military combat engineers have used a...

[thedrifter]

Deployed Marines return home
Submitted by: MCAS Miramar
Story Identification #: 2004513173237
Story by Cpl. Jeff Zaccaro



MARINE CORPS AIR STATION MIRAMAR, Calif.(May 13, 2004) -- A homecoming ceremony was held here at Hangar 4 May 5 to celebrate the return of more than 80 Marines who were recently deployed to Iraq in support of 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing operations.

The Marines were from various units stationed here, Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton, Calif., and Marine Air Ground Task Force Training Center, Twentynine Palms, Calif.

According to Master Gunnery Sgt. Charles Woods, Marine Wing Communications Squadron 38 operations chief and Kansas City, Mo., native, the Marines returned earlier than normal for a variety of reasons.

"Most of the Marines left for Iraq in February and were part of the advanced parties or may have received orders requiring them to return early," he said. "Nevertheless, it is superb to have them back."

The Marines were coming back to a world of change after being gone for several months.

Kimberly Rivera, wife of Sgt. Rodrigo Rivera, who had been deployed since February, awaited her husband's return with a newborn baby in hand.

"It feels really good to have him home," she said. "We just had a new baby, and he has really been wanting to see her. While he has been gone I have been sending him pictures so he is really excited to actually see and hold her."

For others, Iraq deployments have become a way of life and have been easier to deal with.

"Iraq was a little bit better this time since we had a little bit different mission, and things are going pretty good over there, but it always feel good to come home," said Sgt. Tanner Bass, MWCS-38 embarkation chief and Saginaw, Texas, native.

His wife, Karla, who was left home with four kids, found a few tricks to making the deployments go by faster.

"The only way to really get by is to just not watch the news and don't listen to all the gossip," she said.

With this homecoming the Marines will return to their work sections, and some will eventually return to Iraq, but nevertheless it is good to be back, added Tanner.

"I know he is going to have to go back, but for now it is nice to have him home," said Karla.

http://www.usmc.mil/marinelink/image1.nsf/Lookup/2004513175917/$file/20040505-M-5899-Z-001-homel.jpg

Cpl. Marivel Morales of Marine Aircraft Group 16 Personal Security Detachment, holds her baby girl for the first time in months after returning from Iraq in the late evening of May 5. Morales was one more than 80 Marines from various squadrons and bases who returned to MCAS Miramar after supporting 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing operations in Iraq. Photo by: Cpl. Jeff Zaccaro

http://www.usmc.mil/marinelink/mcn2000.nsf/main5/547E8050C20355A185256E9300765802?opendocument

Ellie

[Toby M]

Great picture of Cpl. Morales. That's what it's all about...

[thedrifter]

team Marines study real Marines
Submitted by: MCAS Miramar
Story Identification #: 2004513173437
Story by Sgt. W.A. Napper Jr.



MARINE CORPS AIR STATION MIRAMAR, Calif. (May 13, 2004) -- In the high-octane world of NASCAR racing, a mistake that uses an extra fraction of a second in the pits can cost a driver a trip down victory lane. A top squad of approximately seven pit crewmembers take care of a stock car the second it stops rolling down Pit Road. One crewmember jacks the car up, two replace the front and rear tires, two deal with gas, one cleans the windshield and one passes the driver water or any other items they may need.

Likewise, in Marine Forward Operating Refueling Point operations in a combat environment, every second counts. Each moment a pilot is on the ground their life and the lives of their crew is at risk. Seconds may mean the difference between life and death.

In an effort to streamline movement on the ground for Marine refuelers, Marine Wing Support Group 37 invited NASCAR's Team Marines pit crew to Marine Air Ground Combat Training Center Twentynine Palms, Calif., to view a FARP in action.

"(MWSG-37's Operations Officer) Lieutenant Colonel Blish read in a magazine about the British inviting their Formula One pit crews to review their operations, and their time on the ground was reduced by 50 percent," said Lt. Col. Thomas M. Doman, assistant operations officer, MWSG-37. "We've turned to our experts in NASCAR, and if we take off one minute that means less time they might get shot by RPGs."

After meeting three members of the Team Marines pit crew and Benny Parsons, also known as the "Voice of NASCAR," officials from MWSG-37 escorted the members aboard MAGCTC Twentynine Palms. After meeting at a rally point, everyone was escorted by a convoy to Landing Zone Gypsum Ridge to watch and critique Marine Wing Support Squadron 373 Marines refueling operations with CH-53s, CH-46s, UH-1s and AH-1s in a field environment.

"MWSS-373 was in the field for (Combined Arms Exercise) five and six, and this particular day was a day in between where they could set up FARP operations," said Doman, a Royal Oak, Mich., native. "We wanted this to be as realistic as possible to all effects, from the convoy to setting up area security."

After the pit crew had spent the day watching several landings from each aircraft, they addressed the Marines.

"One of the biggest things I've found to function better (in the pits) is to have that zeal, that enthusiasm for what you're doing," said Al Shuford, assistant safety director, Team Marines.

"You obviously love what you do, but you need to keep that spark all the time. What we do is create an internal competition and have a plan for refinement of movement (in Pit Row)," he added.

Shuford suggested having a plan for each refuel and to have the same Marines handle the same part of the process each time. Harold Holly, crew chief, Team Marines, agreed with Shuford that the FARP Marines' method was extremely efficient.

"The system I saw looks well designed," he said. "These guys have phenomenal teamwork, and teamwork is the biggest thing you can have."

Doman said he took three main points away from the pit crew's visit - to keep individual and team enthusiasm up, to have a solid plan each time and to practice immediate action drills. He's going to take those points to an upcoming Operational Advisory Group meeting to see how all of the Corps' MWSGs can implement those points into their annual training.

"It all comes down to small-unit leadership," said Doman. "It's things like this that opens up people's eyes for ideas on how to improve."

http://www.usmc.mil/marinelink/mcn2000.nsf/main5/0DAD8F212B50FDF485256E93007686C3?opendocument


Ellie