thedrifter
01-03-09, 07:00 AM
Marine squadron deploying to Japan
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January 2, 2009 - 3:03 PM
BY JAMES GILBERT, SUN STAFF WRITER
As part of its upcoming seven- to nine-monthlong deployment, Marine Attack Squadron 211 will make a historic return to Wake Island, where the squadron heroically defended the island from Japanese attackers in December 1941.
"Marines have always been reverent of their history," said Gunny Sgt. Bill Lisbon, of the public affairs office at Marine Corps Air Station Yuma. "Anytime a present-day Marine can go back and experience that, it is something that builds on the Corps' tradition and a way to touch the past."
Lisbon said the squadron, which is designated the "Wake Island Avengers," hasn't been back to the island since sometime in the 1990s.
Approximately 160 Marines from Marine Attack Squadron 211 and Marine Aviation Logistics Squadron 13 are scheduled to leave the air station Monday en route to Japan and be aboard ship throughout Southeast Asia with the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit.
Lisbon said the squadron's eight AV-8B Harriers are tentatively leaving the air station Monday morning, with the main body expected to depart later that same afternoon.
In all, approximately 135 VMA-211 Marines will deploy, with approximately 25 MALS-13 Marines augmenting the squadron in supporting roles.
Upon arriving at the Marine Corps Air Station in Iwakuni, Japan, the squadron is scheduled to attach to the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit.
Sailing aboard the USS Essex, the squadron is scheduled to conduct training in Thailand, the Philippines and Australia.
An 80-Marine, six-Harrier detachment from VMA-211 last deployed from November 2007 to June 2008 aboard the USS Tarawa with 11th MEU, based in Camp Pendleton, Calif.
During that deployment, the Avengers trained and provided humanitarian aid in Djibouti, Kuwait and Bangladesh.
According to the squadron's Web page, in November 1941, VMA-211 departed with their 12 Wildcats aboard the USS Enterprise to Wake Island.
Then on Dec. 8, the Japanese attacked Wake Island, destroying seven aircraft on the ground. In the next two weeks, the remaining five planes repelled numerous attacks and inflicted great losses on the enemy.
During the battle, the Marine ground forces and VMA-211 caused the loss of at least four enemy warships, and the remaining 211 pilots shot down at least 21 enemy aircraft.
After the island fell, what was left of the squadron was transferred to Palmyra Atoll in the South Pacific and adopted the name "Avengers" in memory of those squadron members who were killed or captured on Wake Island. They fought the rest of the war flying the F-4U Corsair.
In July 2005, the Avengers deployed to Al Asad Airbase, Iraq, with the 13th MEU for combat operations in support of Iraqi Freedom, returning to Yuma in February 2006.
In September 2006, the Avengers deployed to the Al Anbar Province, Al Asad, Iraq, in support of Iraqi Freedom. During 206 days of sustained combat operations, the Avengers flew more than 2,700 missions and 5,200 flight hours in support of I MEF and II MEF. The squadron returned from Iraq in March 2007.
The Avengers received the Marine Corps Aviation Association "Attack Squadron of the Year" award in 1984, 1995, 1996, 1998 and 2006, and the CNO Safety Award in 1994, 1995, 1996, 2004 and 2005.
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James Gilbert can be reached at jgilbert@yumasun.com or 539-6854.
Ellie
Comments 0 | Recommend 2
January 2, 2009 - 3:03 PM
BY JAMES GILBERT, SUN STAFF WRITER
As part of its upcoming seven- to nine-monthlong deployment, Marine Attack Squadron 211 will make a historic return to Wake Island, where the squadron heroically defended the island from Japanese attackers in December 1941.
"Marines have always been reverent of their history," said Gunny Sgt. Bill Lisbon, of the public affairs office at Marine Corps Air Station Yuma. "Anytime a present-day Marine can go back and experience that, it is something that builds on the Corps' tradition and a way to touch the past."
Lisbon said the squadron, which is designated the "Wake Island Avengers," hasn't been back to the island since sometime in the 1990s.
Approximately 160 Marines from Marine Attack Squadron 211 and Marine Aviation Logistics Squadron 13 are scheduled to leave the air station Monday en route to Japan and be aboard ship throughout Southeast Asia with the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit.
Lisbon said the squadron's eight AV-8B Harriers are tentatively leaving the air station Monday morning, with the main body expected to depart later that same afternoon.
In all, approximately 135 VMA-211 Marines will deploy, with approximately 25 MALS-13 Marines augmenting the squadron in supporting roles.
Upon arriving at the Marine Corps Air Station in Iwakuni, Japan, the squadron is scheduled to attach to the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit.
Sailing aboard the USS Essex, the squadron is scheduled to conduct training in Thailand, the Philippines and Australia.
An 80-Marine, six-Harrier detachment from VMA-211 last deployed from November 2007 to June 2008 aboard the USS Tarawa with 11th MEU, based in Camp Pendleton, Calif.
During that deployment, the Avengers trained and provided humanitarian aid in Djibouti, Kuwait and Bangladesh.
According to the squadron's Web page, in November 1941, VMA-211 departed with their 12 Wildcats aboard the USS Enterprise to Wake Island.
Then on Dec. 8, the Japanese attacked Wake Island, destroying seven aircraft on the ground. In the next two weeks, the remaining five planes repelled numerous attacks and inflicted great losses on the enemy.
During the battle, the Marine ground forces and VMA-211 caused the loss of at least four enemy warships, and the remaining 211 pilots shot down at least 21 enemy aircraft.
After the island fell, what was left of the squadron was transferred to Palmyra Atoll in the South Pacific and adopted the name "Avengers" in memory of those squadron members who were killed or captured on Wake Island. They fought the rest of the war flying the F-4U Corsair.
In July 2005, the Avengers deployed to Al Asad Airbase, Iraq, with the 13th MEU for combat operations in support of Iraqi Freedom, returning to Yuma in February 2006.
In September 2006, the Avengers deployed to the Al Anbar Province, Al Asad, Iraq, in support of Iraqi Freedom. During 206 days of sustained combat operations, the Avengers flew more than 2,700 missions and 5,200 flight hours in support of I MEF and II MEF. The squadron returned from Iraq in March 2007.
The Avengers received the Marine Corps Aviation Association "Attack Squadron of the Year" award in 1984, 1995, 1996, 1998 and 2006, and the CNO Safety Award in 1994, 1995, 1996, 2004 and 2005.
---
James Gilbert can be reached at jgilbert@yumasun.com or 539-6854.
Ellie