thedrifter
10-20-06, 07:05 AM
Marines return from Qatar
October 20,2006
ZAC GOLDSTEIN
SUN JOURNAL STAFF
CHERRY POINT — Lt. Col. Jerry Reid took a few steps away from the UC35 he’d been piloting and wrapped up his wife and two children in a hug as they ran toward him.
Reid, one of four Marines returning from Qatar on Thursday, just completed a seven-month stretch that was full of firsts.
It was the first deployment for the Marine Transport Squadron One (VMR-1) “Roadrunners,” the Cherry Point squadron that operates the Pedro rescue helicopters. About eight members of the 130-strong VMR-1 were sent overseas to Al-Udeid Air Base in Qatar to transport VIPs and other personnel across the region.
It was also a breaking-in of sorts for the UC35, a small, Cessna-like airplane the squadron began using only within the past year.
Next to his family, Reid said he missed most the camaraderie of his unit. He said Al-Udeid is primarily an Air Force base, and while it was well-maintained, he missed hanging around other Marines.
Returning to native soil also gives Reed some more favorable flying conditions.
“(The Middle East) is a much more challenging environment,” he said. “Air controllers are harder to understand.”
Lt. Col. Pete Buck, the squadron’s commanding officer, said it would be another year and a half before the Roadrunners deploy again.
“They’re a small group, but they’ve done a superb job,” he said “We’re excited to have them back in the fold.”
Zac Goldstein can be reached at 635-5673 or at zgoldstein@freedomenc.com
Ellie
October 20,2006
ZAC GOLDSTEIN
SUN JOURNAL STAFF
CHERRY POINT — Lt. Col. Jerry Reid took a few steps away from the UC35 he’d been piloting and wrapped up his wife and two children in a hug as they ran toward him.
Reid, one of four Marines returning from Qatar on Thursday, just completed a seven-month stretch that was full of firsts.
It was the first deployment for the Marine Transport Squadron One (VMR-1) “Roadrunners,” the Cherry Point squadron that operates the Pedro rescue helicopters. About eight members of the 130-strong VMR-1 were sent overseas to Al-Udeid Air Base in Qatar to transport VIPs and other personnel across the region.
It was also a breaking-in of sorts for the UC35, a small, Cessna-like airplane the squadron began using only within the past year.
Next to his family, Reid said he missed most the camaraderie of his unit. He said Al-Udeid is primarily an Air Force base, and while it was well-maintained, he missed hanging around other Marines.
Returning to native soil also gives Reed some more favorable flying conditions.
“(The Middle East) is a much more challenging environment,” he said. “Air controllers are harder to understand.”
Lt. Col. Pete Buck, the squadron’s commanding officer, said it would be another year and a half before the Roadrunners deploy again.
“They’re a small group, but they’ve done a superb job,” he said “We’re excited to have them back in the fold.”
Zac Goldstein can be reached at 635-5673 or at zgoldstein@freedomenc.com
Ellie