thedrifter
03-27-07, 05:47 AM
Sweathogs complete second deployment supporting aviators in Iraq
Published Mon, Mar 26, 2007
BOB SOFALY | The Gazette
By LORI YOUNT
lyount@beaufortgazette.com
843-986-5531
Sgt. Jonathan Fritz already had one seven-month deployment under his belt, but the second time around he had to leave behind his daughter, Jasmine, who turns 1 year old today.
And as he held Jasmine on his left hip and his wife, Angela, on his right, on his return Monday night from his second deployment with Beaufort-based Marine Wing Support Squadron 273, he wasn't sure if he could let them go again. After six years in the Corps, he is seriously debating whether he will re-enlist next year.
"I don't know yet," he said, distracted by every move Jasmine made. "(Deployments) put it in a negative light."
Fritz returned with about 300 other Marines in his unit Monday to Marine Corps Air Station Beaufort. The other half had returned earlier this month.
The squadron, known as the Sweathogs, deployed in August and completed its second seven-month deployment since 2004 to the air base in Al Asad, Iraq -- the only Marine Wing Support Squadron to have done so.
In Iraq the Sweathogs provided aviation ground support at the base and the Al Anbar province, including distributing 26 million gallons of fuel to aircraft, repairing runways, transporting more than 26 tons of cargo and participating in missions that helped recover seven downed aircraft.
For Cpl. Michael Ashbrook, his first deployment wasn't what he expected.
"In some ways, it went by a lot quicker than most people say," said Ashbrook, a mechanic.
However, his first deployment hasn't changed his mind about staying in the Corps, even if it means missing momentous occasions at home, including the birth of his first child, Skyler, who was born Jan. 17.
"We're over there to help," said Ashbrook, trying to soothe his crying daughter in his arms. "We're there until we get the job done."
Ellie
Published Mon, Mar 26, 2007
BOB SOFALY | The Gazette
By LORI YOUNT
lyount@beaufortgazette.com
843-986-5531
Sgt. Jonathan Fritz already had one seven-month deployment under his belt, but the second time around he had to leave behind his daughter, Jasmine, who turns 1 year old today.
And as he held Jasmine on his left hip and his wife, Angela, on his right, on his return Monday night from his second deployment with Beaufort-based Marine Wing Support Squadron 273, he wasn't sure if he could let them go again. After six years in the Corps, he is seriously debating whether he will re-enlist next year.
"I don't know yet," he said, distracted by every move Jasmine made. "(Deployments) put it in a negative light."
Fritz returned with about 300 other Marines in his unit Monday to Marine Corps Air Station Beaufort. The other half had returned earlier this month.
The squadron, known as the Sweathogs, deployed in August and completed its second seven-month deployment since 2004 to the air base in Al Asad, Iraq -- the only Marine Wing Support Squadron to have done so.
In Iraq the Sweathogs provided aviation ground support at the base and the Al Anbar province, including distributing 26 million gallons of fuel to aircraft, repairing runways, transporting more than 26 tons of cargo and participating in missions that helped recover seven downed aircraft.
For Cpl. Michael Ashbrook, his first deployment wasn't what he expected.
"In some ways, it went by a lot quicker than most people say," said Ashbrook, a mechanic.
However, his first deployment hasn't changed his mind about staying in the Corps, even if it means missing momentous occasions at home, including the birth of his first child, Skyler, who was born Jan. 17.
"We're over there to help," said Ashbrook, trying to soothe his crying daughter in his arms. "We're there until we get the job done."
Ellie