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Fighting Phoenix reaches Japan

Marine Corps News

Release Date: 10/21/2003

Story by Cpl. Anthony D. Pike

MARINE CORPS AIR STATION IWAKUNI, Japan -- Navy Electronic Attack Squadron 128 arrived on Station Oct. 14 bringing with them five EA-6B Prowlers and nearly 200 Sailors for a three-month deployment.

The Fighting Phoenix came to the Station from Naval Air Station Whidbey Island, Wash., and are replacing Electronic Attack Squadron 133.

The Fighting Phoenix are coming to Iwakuni as a combat component of Marine Aircraft Group 12 and are to be used in the Suppression of Enemy Air Defenses (SEAD) missions, according to Cmdr. Charles Drummond, VAQ-128 commanding officer.

"I want to make sure we provide the SEAD combat capable aircraft and air group to III Marine Expeditionary Force and Pacific Fleet Combat Commanders," said Drummond. "I want to introduce the command and the squadron here to a new theater of joint operations in the Western Pacific. I also want to further the development of our expeditionary expertise mainly in this theater of operations."

The squadron has recently been involved in operations in the 'War on Terror' and will use their time in Iwakuni to focus on future missions as well as working with the Marine Corps.

"All of our experience on deployments have been geared to the Middle East," said Command Master Chief Mark Curley, VAQ-128. "Now we are looking forward to working in the Western Pacific. Japan in itself is a unique place to go and do these missions from. It also gives us a chance to work with the Marine Corps, which we haven't been able to do before because we also work very close with the Air Force."

The Sailors of the unit share a common interest in learning about the Japanese culture during their time here.

"I want to explore Japan," said Petty Officer 3rd Class Luis Argueta, aviation mechanic. "I grew up watching Japan animation and seeing tricked out cars, I am excited to learn more about the language and culture," said the Fairview, N.J., native.