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Marines and Sailors keep on rolling home from OIF

Marine Corps News

Release Date: 6/5/2003

Story by Sgt. A.C. Strong

MARINE CORPS AIR STATION MIRAMAR, Calif.(May 17, 2003) -- Elements of Marine Aircraft Group 16 Headquarters, Marine Wing Support Group 37, MAG 39 and Marine Wing Support Squadron 373 returned to Miramar May 17.

The scream of the civilian airliner's engine was drowned out by the crowd as it touched down and taxied toward the hundreds of onlookers gathered behind the yellow ribbon at Hangar 4.

"You never get used to it," said Trish Dubinok, wife of assistant operations officer for MAG-16, Lt. Col. Jefferson "Dwarf" Dubinok. "You take each day as it comes. Knowing he was on his way home, and having to wait was the worst."

She didn't have to wait long as the 214 Marines and Sailors disembarked and she and her husband Ð who had been tipped off that she was dressed all in white - were quickly reunited.

Lt. Col. Dubinok played an instrumental role in the planning process of the rescue of Army Pfc. Jessica Lynch.

The role of MAG-16 in the rescue has been downplayed by the media. However, without the assistance of 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing Marines, the rescue likely would not have gone so smoothly or had such a memorable ending.

"I think we did a tremendous job over there in all areas," said Dubinok. "And I believe that all of 1st Marine Expeditionary Force played a much larger role over there than we originally thought."

The colonel added, "I'm happy to be home."

Most of the Marines returning with this group are either leaving on permanent change of station orders or retiring.

However, some are actually bouncing right back out on deployment in just a few weeks.

The Marine Heavy Helicopter Squadron 361 Marines leave on the Unit Deployment Program this summer.

"They've done an admirable job," said Lt. Col. John Guthrie, MAG-16 rear commanding officer. "I am proud of them all."

For most Marines, their thoughts were already moving away from their deployment and were on their immediate future.

"Excuse me," said Staff Sgt. Timothy J. Pernie, a 4th MAW Marine who served as ground security chief in the desert, "but I have to go get me a nice, thick steak."