thedrifter
12-23-02, 07:09 AM
MARINE CORPS AIR STATION CHERRY POINT, N.C. -- Marine Transport Squadron One Roadrunners replace Santa Claus's reindeer this year to provide sleigh rides to Marines, Sailors and their family members in Guantanamo Bay, Cuba.
"Sleigh rides" are flights provided by the Navy and Marine Corps to give Marine and Sailor families the opportunity to come home for the holiday season aboard C-9s.
"Commercial air service is very limited and difficult to get down there," said Maj. Brian Kuhn, a C-9 pilot for VMR-1.
The Roadrunners have been provided sleigh rides for the past several years and each year they get more and more popular, said Kuhn.
"This has become one of their most dependable ways to get home," Kuhn said.
The flights hold up to 90 personnel and travel from Cuba to several big cities in the United States. Marines of VMR-1 are providing service to Boston, St. Louis, Jacksonville, Fla. and Fort Worth, Texas this year.
The C-9 is scheduled to depart Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point for Cuba Dec. 28 at noon. On the flight back, the Roadrunners will stop in Jacksonville, Fla., before returning to Cherry Point. After refueling, the C-9 will fly to Boston, St. Louis and then to Fort Worth. The return flight will began in Fort Worth Jan. 8, fly to St. Louis, Boston and back to Cherry Point. From there they will fly to Jacksonville, Fla., Guantanamo Bay and return to Cherry Point Jan. 9.
Cherry Point personnel can also take advantage of these flights or other flights conducted by the Roadrunners throughout the year.
"Any (Department of Defense) personnel can fly with us on a space availability basis," Kuhn said.
Marines of VMR-1 conduct several flights throughout the year to many destinations on the east coast and as far west as Texas.
"Occasionally, if we have at least 75 passengers on board a flight, we can fly to the west coast," said Sgt. Christopher M. Pool, the assistant operation chief for VMR-1.
There are several benefits for flying with the Marine Corps, said Pool.
"You don't have to worry about layovers, schedules, losing your baggage, extra security checks and the flights are free," Pool said.
The Roadrunners plan flights 10 days in advanced and will have approximately 20 sleigh ride seats available. Personnel interested in a free flight can contact VMR-1at 466-5745.
Sempers,
Roger
"Sleigh rides" are flights provided by the Navy and Marine Corps to give Marine and Sailor families the opportunity to come home for the holiday season aboard C-9s.
"Commercial air service is very limited and difficult to get down there," said Maj. Brian Kuhn, a C-9 pilot for VMR-1.
The Roadrunners have been provided sleigh rides for the past several years and each year they get more and more popular, said Kuhn.
"This has become one of their most dependable ways to get home," Kuhn said.
The flights hold up to 90 personnel and travel from Cuba to several big cities in the United States. Marines of VMR-1 are providing service to Boston, St. Louis, Jacksonville, Fla. and Fort Worth, Texas this year.
The C-9 is scheduled to depart Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point for Cuba Dec. 28 at noon. On the flight back, the Roadrunners will stop in Jacksonville, Fla., before returning to Cherry Point. After refueling, the C-9 will fly to Boston, St. Louis and then to Fort Worth. The return flight will began in Fort Worth Jan. 8, fly to St. Louis, Boston and back to Cherry Point. From there they will fly to Jacksonville, Fla., Guantanamo Bay and return to Cherry Point Jan. 9.
Cherry Point personnel can also take advantage of these flights or other flights conducted by the Roadrunners throughout the year.
"Any (Department of Defense) personnel can fly with us on a space availability basis," Kuhn said.
Marines of VMR-1 conduct several flights throughout the year to many destinations on the east coast and as far west as Texas.
"Occasionally, if we have at least 75 passengers on board a flight, we can fly to the west coast," said Sgt. Christopher M. Pool, the assistant operation chief for VMR-1.
There are several benefits for flying with the Marine Corps, said Pool.
"You don't have to worry about layovers, schedules, losing your baggage, extra security checks and the flights are free," Pool said.
The Roadrunners plan flights 10 days in advanced and will have approximately 20 sleigh ride seats available. Personnel interested in a free flight can contact VMR-1at 466-5745.
Sempers,
Roger