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2nd MAW 'thrusts' into Arizona desert

USMC NewS

MARINE CORPS AIR STATION YUMA, ARIZ. (April 10, 2003) -- Marines and Sailors from various units within the 2nd Marine Aircraft Wing are here conducting Exercise Diamond Thrust 03.

More than 1,130 Marines and Sailors, and more than 50 aircraft from MCAS New River, N.C., MCAS Cherry Point, N.C., and MCAS Beaufort, S.C., deployed here to train in a desert environment, in preparation for possible involvement in Operation Iraqi Freedom.

Major Gen. John G. Castellaw, 2nd MAW commanding general, addressed some of the personnel taking part in the exercise, at an exercise inbrief held April 6 at the Station Theater.

"You've been watching the news," said Castellaw. "The war is not over ... if it was over there'd be something else. In either two weeks or two months you're going to be involved in what the nation calls you to do."

The 2nd MAW units here comprise the Aviation Combat Element of a notional Marine Expeditionary Brigade. They are supported by personnel from the 2nd Marine Division's 6th Marine Regiment, out of Camp Lejeune, N.C., who comprise the Ground Combat Element.

According to Maj. James H. Adams, ACE future operations officer, some of the training to be conducted throughout the exercise includes air to ground ordnance delivery by both fixed- and rotary-wing aircraft, air combat maneuvers, urban close air support, aerial refueling operations, electronic warfare, controlled aircraft and missiles, helicopter rope and suspension training, and academic training.

The exercise marks a significant milestone for the individual units within the ACE.

"Something like this has never been done before," said Maj. Tim M. Salmon, ACE current operations officer. "The squadrons don't deploy as an ACE. They support CAX [the Combined Arms Exercise held annually at Twentynine Palms, Calif.] and they support WTI [the Weapons and Tactics Instructors Course held annually here]. Now the 'grunts' are here to support the ACE."

Colonel James J. Cooney, Station commanding officer, addressed those attending the exercise inbrief, and welcomed them to the installations and ranges here.

"Have a good deployment," he said. "Be safe out there."