Submitted by: MCAS New River
Story Identification Number: 200392592517
Story by Sgt. Christine Odom



MARINE CORPS AIR STATION NEW RIVER, N.C.(September 25, 2003) -- The primary objective of the Marine Corps is to accomplish the mission. Whether the mission is to deploy or conduct training, there have always been Marines who execute those orders. Some of those Marines can be found at Marine Wing Support Squardon-272 aboard the Air Station.

The "Untouchables" were activated in 1986 to provide essential aviation ground support requirements to designated rotary-wing components of an Aviation Combat Element and all support and attached elements of a Marine Air Control Group.

According to the New River Web site, when tasked to operate an airfield, MWSS-272 must conduct all aviation and ground refueling, aircraft recovery and firefighting, expeditionary airfield services, explosive ordinance disposal and weather services.


If tasked to support airfield functions, the squadron gives essential engineer services, field mess facilities, internal airfield communications, and nuclear, biological and chemical defense. They also provide individual and unit training; motor transport support; routine or emergency sick call and aviation medicine, and security and law enforcement with an airbase commandant.

On their most recent deployment in February, the "Untouchables" traveled to Iraq in support of Operation Enduring Freedom/Iraqi Freedom. A great deal of groundwork went into the preparation for OEF/IF. The squadron's pre-deployment plans were to develop an aviation ground support standard operating procedure, a battle book, and command and control enablers.

In addition, they conducted two weeklong field exercises in December and sand table drills throughout January. Numerous scenarios based on possible forward-arming refueling point missions were prepared for any and all situations that could arise, explained Capt. Shawn Miller, S-4 officer-in-charge at MWSS-272.

When the squadron was ready, more than 500 of their warfighters departed New River in February. There was an additional 109 Marines augmented from MWSS-273 at MCAS Beaufort, S.C., and 13 Sailors from the Beaufort Hospital attached to the squadron.

The "Untouchables" took one and a half squadrons worth of gear with them to the deserts of Iraq. The gear included canteens, weapons, generators and utility (HWMMV) and cargo (7-Ton) trucks. They also took a million gallons of JP-8 fuel and had a 200,000 mobile refueling capability, added Miller.

According to Sgt. John P. Ogiba, airfield operations training noncommissioned officer who deployed to Iraq, the squadron was dispersed in several locations to include Camp Coyote, Ahmed al Jaber Airbase, Ali al Salem Airbase and Expeditionary Airfield Joe Foss.

"We set up Coyote, Ali was an Air Force base, and Jaber was a Kuwaiti base," said Ogiba. "Coyote was the landing strip for the C-130s and a starting point for all the birds."

There were five C-130s housed at the expeditionary airfield, added Ogiba.

"[MWSS-272's] mission was to support," said Cpl. Harley J. Hoad, bulk fuel specialist. "We refueled all coalition aircraft, 53s, 46s and Hueys along with British helicopters. We did re-supplies and supported other MWSSs and FARPs."

Ogiba said one of their primary missions during OEF/IF was to ensure the re-supply of convoys going north into Iraq. Furthermore, they had the task of maintaining the camp and aiding in medical evacuations.

In addition to completing mission, the Marines also had to train in rapid runway repair, dust abatement, revetment construction, equipment training and medical treatment.

There isn't much these warfighters don't do in garrison or out in the field. Regardless of where they go, MWSS-272's will continue to support the mission until it is accomplished.


Sempers,

Roger