Raiders fly, refuel for MEU’s air-ground exercise
Story Date
3/28/2009
By
Byline
Gunnery Sgt. Scott Dunn
,
Unit
11th MEU
Dateline
ATWATER, Calif.
Page Content
Marine aerial refueling tankers flew missions for a Marine Expeditionary Unit’s air-ground task force exercise that began March 20 at military and civilian installations throughout the state.
In KC-130J Hercules turboprop aircraft, Marine Aerial Refueler Transport Squadron 352 aviators tactically airlifted 11th MEU equipment and personnel March 26 and refueled an AV-8B Harrier jet March 28.
“(The squadron’s) support was a prime example of sharing military assets to allow the most realistic training,” said 1st Lt. Brendan Shue, assistant officer in charge of the MEU’s 1st Radio Battalion Detachment.
The 11th MEU, which is comprised of 2,200 Marines and sailors based at Camp Pendleton, is carrying out its exercise plans from Fort Hunter Liggett and getting ready for a deployment later this year.
The San Diego-based Raiders flew a dozen members of the 11th MEU’s embassy-liaison team from the remote Army post to Castle Airport in this San Joaquin Valley city, which served as a simulated sovereign country for the MEU’s training missions.
Squadron executive officer Maj. David Peterson piloted the refueling mission. The Hercules left Castle Airport and 25 minutes later circled 22,000 feet above Hunter Liggett.
Harrier pilot Capt. Daniel S. Fiust of Marine Attack Squadron 513 flew from the squadron’s home station in Yuma, Ariz., stopping to refuel at Naval Air Station North Island in San Diego.
The Harrier linked up three times to the Hercules via an aeronautical hose, taking on 2,206 gallons of fuel in total, according to Hercules loadmaster Staff Sgt. Robert Bardash.
Six of the Harrier squadron’s jets will reinforce the 11th Marine Expeditionary Unit’s aviation combat element, Marine Medium Helicopter Squadron 166 (Reinforced) when the unit deploys.
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ATWATER, Calif. -An AV-8B Harrier, piloted by Capt. Daniel S. Fiust of Marine Attack Squadron 513, takes in fuel March 28 while training above Fort Hunter Liggett, seen below. A KC-130J Hercules turboprop aircraft from San Diego-based Marine Aerial Refueler Transport Squadron 352 circled dozens of times, 22,000 feet above the remote Army post, and refueled the Harrier three times, pumping 15,000 pounds of fuel in total. Fiust conducted surveillance, reconnaissance and simulated guided-munitions strikes as part of an 11th Marine Expeditionary Unit air-ground task force exercise. The Harrier flew from the squadron’s home station in Yuma, Ariz., stopping once at Naval Air Station North Island in San Diego. Six of the squadron’s jets will reinforce the 11th Marine Expeditionary Unit’s aviation combat element, Marine Medium Helicopter Squadron 166 (Reinforced) when they deploy. , Gunnery Sgt. Scott Dunn, 3/28/2009 4:50 PM
ATWATER, Calif. -The unit ensign for Marine Aerial Refueler Transport Squadron 352, a skull and crossbones, flies above a KC-130J Hercules at Castle Airport here March 26. The Hercules model serves as the Marine Corps’ aerial refueling tanker and tactical airlifter, and the squadron recently flew refueling and transport missions in support of the 11th Marine Expeditionary Unit’s air-ground task force exercise at military and civilian installations throughout the state. The MEU, which is comprised of 2,200 Marines and sailors, is training for a deployment later this year., Gunnery Sgt. Scott Dunn, 3/26/2009 11:35 AM
ATWATER, Calif. -The unit ensign for Marine Aerial Refueler Transport Squadron 352, a skull and crossbones, flies above a KC-130J Hercules at Castle Airport here March 26. The Hercules model serves as the Marine Corps’ aerial refueling tanker and tactical airlifter, and the squadron recently flew refueling and transport missions in support of the 11th Marine Expeditionary Unit’s air-ground task force exercise at military and civilian installations throughout the state. The MEU, which is comprised of 2,200 Marines and sailors, is training for a deployment later this year. , Gunnery Sgt. Scott Dunn, 3/28/2009 2:30 PM
ATWATER, Calif. -Staff Sgt. Robert Bardash, loadmaster, signals to crew chief Lance Cpl. Nicolas Peters as their KC-130J Hercules turboprop aircraft prepares to take off on a refueling mission from Castle Airport here March 28. The San Diego-based Raiders recently flew refueling and transport missions in support of the 11th Marine Expeditionary Unit’s air-ground task force exercise at military and civilian installations throughout the state. The MEU, which is comprised of 2,200 Marines and sailors, is training for a deployment later this year. , Gunnery Sgt. Scott Dunn, 3/28/2009 2:43 PM
ATWATER, Calif. -Co-pilot 1st Lt. Jon “Ponch” Baker flies a KC-130J Hercules above Fort Hunter Liggett during an aerial refueling mission March 28 in support of a recent 11th Marine Expeditionary Unit air-ground task force exercise. Hercules pilot Maj. David Peterson, who handed the flight controls to the lieutenant, spoke to Baker’s superior pilot skills: “His quick, constant learning and vigilant over-watch make him one of our finest.” The San Diego-based Marine Aerial Refueler Transport Squadron 352 flew refueling and transport missions to support the 11th MEU’s command element and aviation-combat element, Marine Medium Helicopter Squadron 166 (Reinforced). The MEU, which is comprised of 2,200 Marines and sailors, is training for a deployment later this year. , Gunnery Sgt. Scott Dunn, 3/28/2009 5:23 PM
ATWATER, Calif. -An AV-8B Harrier, piloted by Capt. Daniel S. Fiust of Marine Attack Squadron 513, takes in fuel March 28 while training above Fort Hunter Liggett. A KC-130J Hercules turboprop aircraft from San Diego-based Marine Aerial Refueler Transport Squadron 352 circled dozens of times, 22,000 feet above the remote Army post, and refueled the Harrier three times, pumping 15,000 pounds of fuel in total. Fiust conducted surveillance, reconnaissance and simulated guided-munitions strikes as part of an 11th Marine Expeditionary Unit air-ground task force exercise. The Harrier flew from the squadron’s home station in Yuma, Ariz., stopping to refuel at Naval Air Station North Island in San Diego. Six of the squadron’s jets will reinforce the 11th Marine Expeditionary Unit’s aviation combat element, Marine Medium Helicopter Squadron 166 (Reinforced) when they deploy later this year. , Gunnery Sgt. Scott Dunn, 3/28/2009 3:50 PM
FORT HUNTER LIGGETT, Calif. -Aircrew chief Staff Sgt. Jamie Bellamy, left, and crew members Lance Cpl. Joseph Frey and Sgt. Michael Beasley, load baggage and equipment onto a KC-130J Hercules here March 26. The crew and pilots of Marine Aerial Refueler Transport Squadron 352 recently flew refueling and transport missions in support of the 11th Marine Expeditionary Unit’s air-ground task force exercise at military and civilian installations throughout the state. The MEU, which is comprised of 2,200 Marines and sailors, is training for a deployment later this year., Gunnery Sgt. Scott Dunn, 3/26/2009 10:28 AM
ATWATER, Calif. -Lance Cpl. John D. Buckner, an air crewman with Marine Aerial Refueler Transport Squadron 352, supports members of the 11th Marine Expeditionary Unit’s embassy liaison team, which is training here from a concurrent exercise at Fort Hunter Liggett, Calif., March 26. The San Diego-based Raiders wear a red-eyed version of the Jolly Roger as their squadron ensign, and they fly a skull and crossbones when taxiing the KC-130J, the Marine Corps’ aerial refueling tanker and tactical airlifter. The squadron flew refueling and transport missions to support the 11th MEU’s command element and aviation-combat element, Marine Medium Helicopter Squadron 166 (Reinforced). The MEU, which is comprised of 2,200 Marines and sailors, began a Marine air-ground task force exercise March 20 at military and civilian installations throughout the state. The exercise, scheduled to end April 9, is intended to prepare the unit for a deployment later this year., Gunnery Sgt. Scott Dunn, 3/26/2009 11:24 AM
ATWATER, Calif. -Aircrew Marines from San Diego-based Marine Aerial Refueler Transport Squadron 352 inspect a KC-130J Hercules turboprop aircraft here after a refueling mission March 28 above Fort Hunter Liggett. The squadron flew refueling and transport missions to support the 11th Marine Expeditionary Unit’s command element and aviation-combat element, Marine Medium Helicopter Squadron 166 (Reinforced). The MEU, which is comprised of 2,200 Marines and sailors, began a Marine air-ground task force exercise March 20 at military and civilian installations throughout the state. The exercise, scheduled to end April 9, is intended to prepare the unit for a deployment later this year. , Gunnery Sgt. Scott Dunn, 3/28/2009 6:43 PM
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