C-12 Detachment Marines Return from OIF
Marine Corps News
Release Date: 9/22/2003
Story by Sgt. M. P. Shelato
MARINE CORPS AIR STATION MIRAMAR, Calif.(Sept. 12, 2003) -- The Miramar Flight Division C-12 Detachment arrived at Hangar 3 Sept. 12 after being deployed in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom.
It took 13 days for the C-12 detachment to return from the Middle East, where it flew more than 900 hours in support of OIF since deploying in March.
Lt. Col. Dwight W. Jones, inspector general, Marine Corps Air Bases Western Area, was assistant officer in command of the deployed COMCABWEST C-12 Detachment during OIF, returned here as part of an advance return party in August.
"They were able to fly with the aid of all three (3rd Marine Aircraft Wing) air stations," Jones explained. One of the two deployed aircraft was originally stationed at Marine Corps Air Station Yuma, Ariz., a few Marines deployed from Marine Corps Air Station Camp Pendleton and Marines and one aircraft deployed from here.
Cyndy Maldonado, of Orange, Calif., anxiously awaited the return of her brother, Sgt. Augustine Bravo, who had been deployed for more than six months.
"It was difficult for me because we're so close," Maldonado said of the months her brother was deployed.
Maldonado relied on modern technology to communicate with her brother, instead of the traditional "snail mail."
"He was able to email me, so we were at least able to keep in contact while he was gone," Maldonado said.
Maldonado said she and her brother had plans to visit family and friends in Texas, as well as to spend some vacation time in Mexico.
The Miramar Flight Division recently surpassed 83,000 mishap-free hours and was awarded the Chief of Naval Operations (CNO) Aviation Safety Unit Award and the Joint Operational Support Airlift Center (JOSAC) Flying Unit of the Year award for 2002.
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