'Black Knights' detachment fires up 'Haitian Vacation'

[thedrifter]

'Black Knights' detachment fires up 'Haitian Vacation'
Submitted by: MCAS New River
Story Identification #: 200467161834
Story by Sgt. Juan Vara



PORT AU PRINCE, Haiti(June 4, 2004) -- While supporting the stabilization and security missions of Marine Air Ground Task Force-8 here, the air crew from a detachment of Marine Medium Helicopter Squadron-264 warfighters from Marine Corps Air Station New River conducted some of their required training.

From May 31 through June 4, “Black Knights” flew to a range approximately 14 miles northeast of Port Au Prince International Airport, their temporary base of operations, and fired M2 .50 caliber machine guns at designated targets. The range is Haitian property leased by MAGTF-8 as a training asset.

“We conduct ‘gun runs’ to ensure the (air) crew can employ the CH-46E as an effective weapons system,” said Capt. Greg Martin, a squadron Sea Knight pilot who hails from Greensboro, N.C.

The “Phrog” has been the backbone of Marine aviation since the Vietnam War era and can be equipped with two .50 caliber machine guns on each side of the aircraft.

Each crew chief fired approximately 2,000 rounds of ammunition on four different targets, approaching them at different speeds.

Cpl. Amos A. Chapman, a CH-46E crew chief with the squadron, said practicing aerial gunnery is necessary for a crew chief’s mission.

“There are no sights on the guns, and we have to rely on feel,” said the Chicago native. “There might also be problems with the guns, and we have to learn how to fix them.”

Throughout his three years in the Corps, Chapman has practiced aerial gunnery more than a dozen times in a myriad of locations, to include Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune, N.C., Djibouti and Liberia.

Marines, Sailors and three CH-46E helicopters from HMM-264 have been in the Caribbean country since late April, conducting operations in support of MAGTF-8 that enhance its responsiveness, flexibility and mobility. They are reinforced by detachments from New River’s Marine Aviation Logistics Squadron-26 and MCAS Cherry Point’s Marine Wing Support Squadron-274.

http://www.usmc.mil/marinelink/image1.nsf/Lookup/200467162145/$file/264GunRunlow.jpg

PORT AU PRINCE, Haiti -- Sgt. Rory R. Bradely, a Gooding, Idaho, native and crew chief assigned to Marine Medium Helicopter Squadron-264, fires an M2 .50 caliber machine gun at a designated target while practicing aerial gunnery over a Haitian range June 3. Photo by: Sgt. Juan Vara

http://www.usmc.mil/marinelink/mcn2000.nsf/main5/F7EB5FD0556B7B4085256EAC006F9061?opendocument


Ellie

[thedrifter]

MIFH, UN Aid Villagers <br />
Submitted by: MCB Camp Lejeune <br />
Story Identification #: 2004688751 <br />
Story by Cpl. Mike Escobar <br />
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SOUTHEASTERN HAITI (June 8, 2004) -- Numerous helicopters circle the...

[thedrifter]

Deployed HMM-264 maintainers keep aircraft readiness in top shape <br />
Submitted by: MCAS New River <br />
Story Identification #: 20046810742 <br />
Story by Sgt. Juan Vara <br />
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PORT AU PRINCE, Haiti(June 5,...

[thedrifter]

Looking to Haiti’s future <br />
Submitted by: MCB Camp Lejeune <br />
Story Identification #: 20046415329 <br />
Story by Sgt. Ryan S. Scranton <br />
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PORT-AU-PRINCE, Haiti (June 2, 2004) -- PORT-AU-PRINCE, Haiti -...

[thedrifter]

Marines, US Soccer Foundation equip Haitian Athletic Association
Submitted by: MCB Camp Lejeune
Story Identification #: 20046975028
Story by Sgt. Ryan S. Scranton



PORT-AU-PRINCE, Haiti(June 04, 2004) -- Marines and sailors from India Company, 3rd Battalion, 8th Marine Regiment, took time away from their day-to-day duties to deliver some soccer equipment to a local sports complex and challenge one of the local soccer teams to a friendly match.
The Marines delivered a variety of cleats, balls and jerseys donated by the United States Soccer Foundation before engaging in some friendly competition with a team from the Haitian Athletic Association.
“This was a good opportunity for us to get a break from operations, get a workout and help the community all at the same time,” said Capt. Jason Arthaud, India Company commander.
The game was not the first time that the Marines played soccer against one of the local teams.
“We’ve played other teams before. It’s been a great way for us to meet and interact with the community, and the Athletic Association has done a lot for the local people as well,” Arthaud explained.
The sports complex was started seven years ago as a way to bring the community together.
“I started this as more of a social program,” said Robert Duval, the association’s president, “Soccer was just an excuse to bring people together.”
But the complex does more than bring people together. Duval has been able to give an opportunity to kids with very little future.
“Ninety percent of these kids do not have parents, through this complex I’ve been able to feed them and even provide a temporary home for a few when I can.”
Located in the heart of one of Port-Au-Princes biggest slums, Duval turned an old bottling company’s abandoned dumpsite into several lush soccer fields.
“We’ve removed over twenty metric tons of glass form this site,” Duval said, “We brought in some dirt, a little seed and a lot of blood sweat and tears and this is what we ended up with,” he explained.
The association and the complex, built to have a positive impact on the people, operates completely by donations. This is one reason why Arthaud said donating equipment to this complex was so important.
“Mr. Duval has done something really good for the community and since we met him he’s never asked for a thing. He’s a genuinely good guy who is trying to do what we are, which is help the community,” Arthaud said.
Interacting with the kids through sports is a way for the Marines who patrol the city streets to learn about what the people’s needs are according to Pfc Ahmed Hernandez, a riflemen with India Company.
“Coming into direct contact with the community like this gives you a better sense of what will help make their lives better,” Hernandez said. “Doing things like this is fun and gives us a break from our normal routine. Besides, the more contact we have with them, the more opportunities we have to let them know that we are here to help, not harm them.”

http://www.usmc.mil/marinelink/image1.nsf/Lookup/20046975613/$file/060404-M-7466S-001lowres.jpg

PORT-AU-PRINCE, HAITI - A Haitian soccer player with the Haitian Athletic Association makes a move for the goal during a soccer game with Marines form India Company, 3rd Battalion 8th Marine Regiment. After the game Marines distributed soccer balls, cleats and jerseys to the kids donated by the United States Soccer Foundation. Photo by: Sgt. Ryan Scranton

http://www.usmc.mil/marinelink/mcn2000.nsf/main5/4B322338A492856885256EAE00410BE8?opendocument

Ellie

[thedrifter]

French Forces Recognize One Marine’s Leadership
Submitted by: MCB Camp Lejeune
Story Identification #: 20046815327
Story by Cpl. Mike Escobar



CAP-HAITIEN, Haiti (June 3, 2004) -- Multinational Interim Force-Haiti’s commander was awarded the Gold Medal of French Defense June 3 for outstanding leadership displayed during Operation Secure Tomorrow.
French Brig. Gen. Henri Clement-Bolle, commander of the French forces in Haiti, presented Marine Brig. Gen. Ronald S. Coleman the award aboard the French base.
“This medal is only for military personnel that contribute significantly to the national defense of France,” said French Lt. Col. Louis Acacio, assistant to the deputy commander of MIFH. “It is only given to very dedicated service members, usually after 15 years of service.”
“(The French) recognize the merit of Gen. Coleman in how he conducted the operations in Haiti,” Acacio added. “We appreciate the way he chose to lead the mission.”
The French also presented Coleman a black garrison cover, making him an honorary member of the 33rd French Marine Infantry Regiment.
“It’s truly an honor, and I never expected to receive these awards,” Coleman stated. “I didn’t even know about it until that same morning, and for the first time in a long time, I can honestly say that I was speechless.”
Acacio also said French forces with MIFH have been very impressed with Coleman’s style of leadership, and that it’s been an honor to work with him.
Likewise, Coleman said he deeply appreciates the French forces’ contributions to MIFH.
“It’s been so easy to work with the French,” he continued. “From the time they established a presence in Haiti’s northern regions to the present, they’ve gotten the job done. The Multinational Interim Force- Haiti couldn’t have accomplished the mission without the French.”

http://www.usmc.mil/marinelink/image1.nsf/Lookup/20046816229/$file/060304-M-0502E-006lowres.jpg

Cap Haitien, Haiti- Brigadier Gen. Ron Coleman, Combined Joint Task Force- Haiti commander, shakes hands with a French leader shortly after being presented the Gold Medal of French Defense. The French recognized Coleman’s leadership and contributions to Operation Secure Tomorrow. Photo by: Cpl. Mike Escobar

http://www.usmc.mil/marinelink/mcn2000.nsf/main5/2547DAFE746FBDB385256EAD006B4FB1?opendocument


Ellie