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'Bats' exceed 3,000 flight hours in OIF II

Navy NewsStand

Story Identification #: 2004119122521
Story by Cpl. Paul Leicht

AL ASAD, Iraq (Nov 9, 2004) -- Marine All Weather Fighter Attack Squadron 242 exceeded 3,000 total flight hours during combat operations in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom II here Oct. 30.

With more than 1,500 sorties flown shortly after the squadron's Aug. 10 arrival on deck in the theater of operations, the 'Bats' of the 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing's only deployed Hornet squadron over Iraqi skies are launching into history.

During the past two and a half months the squadron has kept its Hornets ready and armed to the teeth with heavy ordnance, conducting numerous close air support missions in support of Marines on the ground throughout the Marine area of operations in Iraq.

"When you think about it, it's pretty impressive that we have flown this many hours in nearly 80 days," said Gunnery Sgt. Anthony J. Garcia, ordnance staff noncommissioned officer-in-charge, VMFA(AW)-242, and San Antonio native. "During normal training conditions we typically fly one third as many hours in that same amount of time."

In comparison, the squadron flew fewer hours while training during the seven months prior to deploying to Iraq, according to Staff Sgt. Rhonda K. Jackson, operations chief, VMFA(AW)-242.

While supporting their fellow Marines and other coalition forces on the ground, the 'Bats' have been working hard with other fixed-wing and rotary-wing aircraft to help destroy enemy insurgent positions in Iraqi towns and cities like Fallujah day and night with deadly precision.

"Our success has really come down to one thing," said Lt. Col. Kevin M. Iiams, commanding officer, VMFA(AW)-242. "The lower level leadership of our Marines with their superb training has shown through here (in Iraq). Each of our individual Marines has really done an outstanding job in these rather austere conditions. I am extremely proud of them and their dedication."