thedrifter
07-16-09, 06:44 AM
Beaufort-based 'Halks' swoop in
7/17/2009 By Lance Cpl. Claudio A. Martinez , Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni
MARINE CORPS AIR STATION IWAKUNI, Japan —
Marine All Weather Fighter Attack Squadron 533 arrived here July 13 from Marine Corps Air Station Beaufort, S.C., for a six-month tour as part of the Unit Deployment Program.
Lt. Col. James E. Quinn commands the “Hawks”, consisting of approximately 200 service members and about 10 F/A-18 aircraft.
During their tour here, VMFA (AW )-533 is slated to participate in various exercises across the Pacific from Bangladesh to Okinawa, Japan.
“We’ll get some good training in,” said Sgt. Maj. James M. Thetford, the VMFA (AW )-533 squadron sergeant major. The younger Marines who have never been on a deployment have already experienced what it takes to move the squadron, and now they’ll see how they have to conduct themselves in another country, Thetford added.
Though this is one of many times VMFA (AW )-533 has deployed here, a majority of the Marines are experiencing their first tour here.
“They’re all East Coast Marines. Some of them haven’t been west of the Mississippi, and now they’re going to see what it’s like on the other side of the world,” said Thetford. “They’ll get to see the culture of Japan and see that there’s differences but yet there’s not.”
Some of the Marines started noticing differences as soon as they got off the plane.
“It’s really humid here, like breathing water,” said Lance Cpl. Justin Forman, a VMFA (AW )-533 armor. “It’s different.”
Forman said while being here, he looked forward to some of the training and other deployments scheduled for the squadron.
Other Marines shared Forman’s feelings when they received their orders to come here.
“I was pretty excited and couldn’t wait to get out here and see what Japan is like,” said Pfc. Keith Fleming, a VMFA (AW )-533 embarkation and logistics specialists. “I want to see Japan as it is, go hiking around here and get to know the locals.”
Fleming said he was also pretty exited with the scheduled deployments to the Philippines, Bangladesh and Okinawa and he looks forward to experiencing some of the culture.
While the VMFA (AW )-533 personnel are currently undergoing briefs and getting settled into their new barracks, the sergeant major was able to sum up the general feeling of the squadron in a few words.
“We’re happy to be here.”
Ellie
7/17/2009 By Lance Cpl. Claudio A. Martinez , Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni
MARINE CORPS AIR STATION IWAKUNI, Japan —
Marine All Weather Fighter Attack Squadron 533 arrived here July 13 from Marine Corps Air Station Beaufort, S.C., for a six-month tour as part of the Unit Deployment Program.
Lt. Col. James E. Quinn commands the “Hawks”, consisting of approximately 200 service members and about 10 F/A-18 aircraft.
During their tour here, VMFA (AW )-533 is slated to participate in various exercises across the Pacific from Bangladesh to Okinawa, Japan.
“We’ll get some good training in,” said Sgt. Maj. James M. Thetford, the VMFA (AW )-533 squadron sergeant major. The younger Marines who have never been on a deployment have already experienced what it takes to move the squadron, and now they’ll see how they have to conduct themselves in another country, Thetford added.
Though this is one of many times VMFA (AW )-533 has deployed here, a majority of the Marines are experiencing their first tour here.
“They’re all East Coast Marines. Some of them haven’t been west of the Mississippi, and now they’re going to see what it’s like on the other side of the world,” said Thetford. “They’ll get to see the culture of Japan and see that there’s differences but yet there’s not.”
Some of the Marines started noticing differences as soon as they got off the plane.
“It’s really humid here, like breathing water,” said Lance Cpl. Justin Forman, a VMFA (AW )-533 armor. “It’s different.”
Forman said while being here, he looked forward to some of the training and other deployments scheduled for the squadron.
Other Marines shared Forman’s feelings when they received their orders to come here.
“I was pretty excited and couldn’t wait to get out here and see what Japan is like,” said Pfc. Keith Fleming, a VMFA (AW )-533 embarkation and logistics specialists. “I want to see Japan as it is, go hiking around here and get to know the locals.”
Fleming said he was also pretty exited with the scheduled deployments to the Philippines, Bangladesh and Okinawa and he looks forward to experiencing some of the culture.
While the VMFA (AW )-533 personnel are currently undergoing briefs and getting settled into their new barracks, the sergeant major was able to sum up the general feeling of the squadron in a few words.
“We’re happy to be here.”
Ellie