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thedrifter
01-12-09, 06:25 AM
Cherry Point Marines and Sailors deploy, return
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January 11, 2009 - 9:36 PM
Sun Journal Staff

CHERRY POINT - The advance phase of more than 3,000 Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point Marines and Sailors now being deployed for Iraq left here on Sunday.

The deployment of 2nd Marine Aircraft Wing (Forward) came in the early hours on Sunday just after families of Marines from Marine Attack Squadron 223 and Marine Aviation Logistics Squadron 14 met about 100 Marines returning to the base from seven months of supporting training exercises and patrols in the Asia-Pacific region.

The first phase of a deployment that will send 2nd Marine Aircraft Wing personnel left Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point for Al Anbar Province in Iraq left as scheduled, said 1st Lt. Abe Sipe, Cherry Point Public Affairs.

A squadron of Harriers assigned to provide aviation support to Coalition Forces in the Al Anbar Province began the third deployment in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom for the 2nd Marine Aircraft Wing (Forward), Sipe said. Support squadrons will soon follow.

The 2nd Marine Aircraft Wind (Forward) is made up of Marines and Sailors from the Marine Wing Headquarters Squadron 2, the Marine Wing Support Group 27, the Marine Air Control Group 28, and the Marine Aircraft Group 26.

The Wing will be headquartered at Al Asad with detachments at Korean Village, Al Taqaddum, Al Qaim and other locations throughout the Al Anbar Province.

Its mission is to support the Multi-National Force West by providing command and control of aircraft, close air support, assault support, aerial reconnaissance, medical and casualty evacuations, logistical and engineering support and electronic warfare. 2nd MAW (Forward) maintains assets to meet its own engineering, logistical and administrative needs.

Ellie