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Deploying with MAG-13 unique experience for British pilot

USMC News

Story Identification Number: 200337125452
Story by Sgt. Molly C. King

ABOARD THE USS BONHOMME RICHARD --(Feb 27, 2003) -- ABOARD THE USS BONHOMME RICHARD -- For one member of Marine Aircraft Group-13 from Yuma, Ariz., the opportunity to deploy aboard the USS Bonhomme Richard (LHD-6) in support of Operation Enduring Freedom is a unique one.

Flight Lieutenant Stephan Long, British Royal Air Force Harrier pilot from Guildford, England, joined Marine Attack Squadron-311, part of MAG-13, in December for a scheduled exchange pilot training program, and now has deployed with the unit to support Operation Enduring Freedom.

Long, who knew he wanted to fly by the time he was five years old, petitioned his British command to allow him to train in the United States, in hopes of not only receiving training in Yuma, but also deploying as part of a real-world operation with U.S. forces.

The fact that Long is fully integrated into the unit is testimony to the closeness of the alliance between the United States and the United Kingdom, said to Lt. Col. Michael Hile, VMA-311 commanding officer.

"The international support our administration receives has always been strongest from the United Kingdom," said Hile.

Long is happy to be the means of that support, he said.

"It's the way it should be," said Long. "The United States has always been there for us and has shown a lot of faith in us."

Since joining his U.S. counterparts, he has been learning the differences of flying U.S. Harriers.

"I have a steep learning curve," Long said. "It's the same aircraft but there are different procedures, software and switches."

Long also desires to learn all he can about the radar systems in the American Harriers and to gain knowledge of integrating with the forward air controller both of which he has limited experience.

While Long wants to learn much from flying the U.S. Harriers, he also has a quantity to teach the MAG-13 pilots, said Hile.

"He has every advanced qualification and targeting pod experience which will greatly aid our efforts here in MAG-13," He said.

MAG-13 recently acquired the LITENING Pod II targeting pod, while the British RAF has been operating a similar system for years, said Hile.

"He has years of experience to bring to the table, while we only have months."

Long hopes to benefit the unit with his experience in the targeting field, as well as offer a new perspective to U.S. pilots.

"We plan our operations differently, so hopefully I'll be able to get people thinking about different ways to accomplish missions by offering a new perspective and way of looking at things," he said.

Through all this learning process, Long is focused on making a contribution to his fellow pilots, the unit, and to any mission with which the unit will be tasked.

"It's interesting times, and if something's going to happen, I want to be involved," said Long. "It's what I've been training for the past eight years."

Hile holds high expectations for Long and wants him to benefit from this experience.

"(I hope) that he walks away knowing that he experienced something truly unique," said Hile, "that he was able to be a productive member of this command and able to influence things for the better."