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MAG-13 Augments MAG-16 In Iraq

Marine Corps News

Story Identification #: 20046710486
Story by Lance Cpl. Matthew T. Rainey

AL ASAD, Iraq (June 7, 2004) -- Since early March, the skies of Western Iraq have been filled with helicopters and KC-130 Hercules aircraft from Marine Aircraft Group 16, 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing. Now there's a new asset in theatre ready to support the 1st Marine Expeditionary Force.

   Marine Attack Squadron 214, MAG-13, 3rd MAW, along with its sister squadron VMA-542, MAG-14, 2nd MAW, have joined forces to augment MAG-16 with the AV-8B Harrier II.

   Nicknamed the "Black Sheep," VMA-214, and Marines from Marine Aviation Logistics Squadron 13 have come to Iraq ready to contribute and become part of the growing MAG-16 family.

   "We bring a fixed-wing tactical force. We have great targeting capability from a distance, day and night," said Capt. Philip B. Kendro, Harrier pilot, VMA-214. "The enemy does not like fast movers. They know we will rain metal down on them. We can make the enemy flee by our presence alone, or if we need to, we can respond by dropping bombs."

   Setting up has been a smooth process for the new additions because of the degree of cooperation.

   "Working with MAG-16 has been very beneficial to us," said 1st Lt. Niklas Mecchi-Ericson, communicationscommucomco officer, MAG-13, here temporarily to assist in the establishment of communications to the Harrier units. "We've had a good working relationship since the beginning.

   "Things have worked out well. People welcomed us in - it's the 'shared pain' concept," added the Sacramento, Calif., native.

   Cpl. Albert Abbo, supply clerk, currently attached to MAG-16, agreed with Mecchi-Ericson.

   "Everybody is getting along and we are all making sure that the job is getting done," said Abbo, whose hometown is Philadelphia.

   Part of the reason the MAG-13 personnel have been able to feel at home is due to the hard work of MAG-16 and other base personnel taking care of creature comforts.

   "MAG-16 has been very helpful to us. They have helped us out with supplies and things are a lot better because of their bus route," said Petty Officer 3rd Class Steven Paige, Fleet Marine Force hospital corpsman, VMA-214, from Cottondale, Fla.

   Arrangements started even before the advance party arrived May 6.

   "We started getting ready for their arrival as soon as the possibility arose of them coming out," said 1st Lt. Gabriel Balch, communications officer, MAG-16, and West Chester, Pa., native.

   According to the Marines who are returning for their second deployment to Iraq, compared to the last time, conditions have vastly improved.

   "I got back from Iraq about seven months ago," said Kendro, who grew up in Reston, Va. "(This) base is well maintained and the living quarters are fantastic. We have (air conditioning)."

   For some junior Marines, Iraq is new territory.

   "I was caught off guard a little. We had to rush and get prepared to go in a hurry. Then we got here and we made ourselves at home. It's not bad at all here," said Lance Cpl. Michael Paine, avionics technician, VMA-214.

   "We are bringing a lot to the fight. Not only are we helping the helicopters out here, but we're helping out the grunts, which is what we are all here to do," said Mecchi-Ericson.