October 16, 2006 — The morning began just as any other day for the Marines of Marine Fighter Attack Squadron 251, Carrier Air Wing One, Carrier Strike Group Twelve, until they were surprised by an unexpected visit. Gen. Michael W. Hagee, commandant of the Marine Corps, accompanied by Sgt. Maj. John E. Estrada, sergeant major of the Marine Corps, made an unplanned MORE
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October 12, 2006 — The Marines with Marine Heavy Helicopter Squadron 463 turned their mission over to the Marines with HMH-363 Oct. 7 in Al Asad. The squadrons' mission is to provide assault support, which encompasses everything from moving cargo, supplies and passengers to supporting raids in the Al Anbar province of Iraq. The Pegasus Marines of HMH-463, Marine MORE
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October 12, 2006 — Prior to the United States involvement in World War II, a Marine aviation squadron was born, marking the birth of another aircraft carrier based squadron. It continues to operate to this day under the name Marine Fighter Attack Squadron 251, while making its mark in the history books. On December 1, 1941, VMFA-251, Carrier Air Wing One, Carrier MORE
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October 10, 2006 — Marine Heavy Helicopter Squadron 463 turned over its CH-53D Sea Stallion helicopters to its replacement squadron, HMH-363, during the last few remaining days of its deployment in Al Asad. Since the aircraft were brought into action during Vietnam in the late 1960s, they have transitioned between several CH-53D squadrons throughout the Marine Corps. MORE
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October 07, 2006 — It’s a dirty, hot job, but someone has to do it. The often filthy profession of a CH-53E Super Stallion helicopter mechanic has been ably performed by many dedicated Marines for the past seven months in Al Asad. Cpl. James B. Cheek, known affectionately as “Cheeks” around the flight line maintenance section of Marine Heavy Helicopter Squadron 361, MORE
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October 05, 2006 — Normally, the United States Navy is associated with ships and the blue waters of the world's oceans, but 15 sailors with the Mobile Air Cargo Handling Team have moved several hundred miles inland to support the long-standing Navy and Marine Corps team. As part of Marine Aviation Logistics Squadron 16, Marine Aircraft Group 16 (Reinforced), 3rd MORE
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October 05, 2006 — Between cooked meals at the dining facilities and packed Meals, Ready-to-Eat, the service members in Iraq will never go hungry. However, not all forward operating bases have mess halls, and MREs aren't considered a delicacy after eating them for several weeks straight. The Class 1 food services of Al Asad, tries to help diminish that by providing MORE
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October 05, 2006 — During operations in a combat zone, squadrons have to rely on motivated and dedicated Marines to ensure that the aircraft or vehicles are ready to perform at their peak performance levels. For the Marines of Marine Light Attack Helicopter Squadron 167 this is done with the help of the Miles brothers. With their technical expertise and ability to MORE
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October 03, 2006 — The CH-53E Super Stallion helicopter is a very versatile aircraft, as it can lift up to 16 tons and fly indefinitely with its aerial refueling probe. While in use with Marine Heavy Helicopter Squadron 361 in the Al Anbar province of Iraq, the helicopter is usually focused on cargo and troop transportation. However, the occasional situation comes MORE
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October 02, 2006 — During the hustle and bustle of operations aboard Al Asad Air Base, Marines can be found in an automotive graveyard, rummaging through old broken-down vehicles and salvaging the usable parts for use in their humvees, Medium Truck Vehicle Replacements and other types of vehicles here. These scrapped vehicles are located at the Defense Reutilization MORE
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