thedrifter
09-23-03, 06:41 AM
'Vikings' recognized on 9/11, enlisted Marines awarded for actions during OIF
Submitted by: MCAS Miramar
Story Identification Number: 2003922195744
Story by Cpl. James S. McGregor
MARINE CORPS AIR STATION MIRAMAR, Calif.(Sept. 11, 2003) -- More than 100 enlisted Marines with Marine All-Weather Fighter Attack Squadron 225 were recognized at an awards ceremony Sept. 11 at the Officer's Club here.
Approximately 200 Vikings and family members were present as Marines were awarded for their efforts during Operation Iraqi Freedom. The squadron deployed in support of OIF Jan. 28 and returned May 5. During the deployment VMFA(AW)-225 amassed more than 2,015 flight hours in 962 flights and more than 8,660 direct maintenance man-hours.
From privates first class to master sergeant, certificates of commendation to Navy Commendation Medals and Presidential Unit Citations, the ceremony ran the gamut of individual and unit awards for the squadron's enlisted Marines.
"We're recognizing the efforts of Marines in the squadron during the war against terrorism across the globe that began on Sept. 11, 2001," said 1st Lt. Thomas L. Sallee, intelligence officer, VMFA(AW)-225. "Pulling together as a team was a great accomplishment, so we wanted to get together and do one big ceremony for all our enlisted Marines," the Leunenburg, Mass., native added.
The Marines were recognized for showing incredible displays of teamwork and "self-sacrifice across the board" during their deployment, Sallee continued.
"The last thing these Marines were thinking about was self," Sallee explained. "They did what it took to get the bombs in target. Maintenance, intel, logistics, everything was there. Putting mission ahead of self was what the Marines did."
Gunnery Sgt. Kevin W. Layne, jet engine mechanic, VMFA(AW)-225, explained the experience, describing the best and worst times of the deployment.
"The worst time was the first night of the war, when the alarms and sirens went off and seeing everyone reacting to it," Layne said. "With good training and all the things we do to prepare for it everybody made it, but it was just nerves. The best experience in Kuwait was being told we were done and going home and job well done," he added.
Sallee recognized the added significance of the ceremony.
"Having this awards ceremony on Sept. 11 is important to us because it serves as a reminder of why we do what we do," Sallee said. "We deployed to Kuwait in the first place because of the attacks of 9/11, and our efforts that are being awarded today were in honor of the people who died that day."
http://www.usmc.mil/marinelink/image1.nsf/Lookup/200392220449/$file/225awards1_small.jpg
Gunnery Sgt. Kevin W. Layne, jet engine mechanic, Marine All-Weather Fighter Attack Squadron 225, one of many awardees, recives his Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal during the 'Vickings' Operation Iraqi Freedom awards ceremony at the Officers Club here, Sept. 11.
Photo by: Cpl. James S. McGregor
Sempers,
Roger
:marine:
Submitted by: MCAS Miramar
Story Identification Number: 2003922195744
Story by Cpl. James S. McGregor
MARINE CORPS AIR STATION MIRAMAR, Calif.(Sept. 11, 2003) -- More than 100 enlisted Marines with Marine All-Weather Fighter Attack Squadron 225 were recognized at an awards ceremony Sept. 11 at the Officer's Club here.
Approximately 200 Vikings and family members were present as Marines were awarded for their efforts during Operation Iraqi Freedom. The squadron deployed in support of OIF Jan. 28 and returned May 5. During the deployment VMFA(AW)-225 amassed more than 2,015 flight hours in 962 flights and more than 8,660 direct maintenance man-hours.
From privates first class to master sergeant, certificates of commendation to Navy Commendation Medals and Presidential Unit Citations, the ceremony ran the gamut of individual and unit awards for the squadron's enlisted Marines.
"We're recognizing the efforts of Marines in the squadron during the war against terrorism across the globe that began on Sept. 11, 2001," said 1st Lt. Thomas L. Sallee, intelligence officer, VMFA(AW)-225. "Pulling together as a team was a great accomplishment, so we wanted to get together and do one big ceremony for all our enlisted Marines," the Leunenburg, Mass., native added.
The Marines were recognized for showing incredible displays of teamwork and "self-sacrifice across the board" during their deployment, Sallee continued.
"The last thing these Marines were thinking about was self," Sallee explained. "They did what it took to get the bombs in target. Maintenance, intel, logistics, everything was there. Putting mission ahead of self was what the Marines did."
Gunnery Sgt. Kevin W. Layne, jet engine mechanic, VMFA(AW)-225, explained the experience, describing the best and worst times of the deployment.
"The worst time was the first night of the war, when the alarms and sirens went off and seeing everyone reacting to it," Layne said. "With good training and all the things we do to prepare for it everybody made it, but it was just nerves. The best experience in Kuwait was being told we were done and going home and job well done," he added.
Sallee recognized the added significance of the ceremony.
"Having this awards ceremony on Sept. 11 is important to us because it serves as a reminder of why we do what we do," Sallee said. "We deployed to Kuwait in the first place because of the attacks of 9/11, and our efforts that are being awarded today were in honor of the people who died that day."
http://www.usmc.mil/marinelink/image1.nsf/Lookup/200392220449/$file/225awards1_small.jpg
Gunnery Sgt. Kevin W. Layne, jet engine mechanic, Marine All-Weather Fighter Attack Squadron 225, one of many awardees, recives his Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal during the 'Vickings' Operation Iraqi Freedom awards ceremony at the Officers Club here, Sept. 11.
Photo by: Cpl. James S. McGregor
Sempers,
Roger
:marine: