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Beaufort warriors continue OIF support

Marine Corps News

Story Identification #: 2005210144930
Story by Cpl. Micah Snead

MARINE CORPS AIR STATION BEAUFORT, SC (Feb. 11, 2005) -- As II Marine Expeditionary Force prepares to deploy to Iraq, Beaufort-based Marines continue to depart the Air Station to augment combat-bound units in North Carolina.

More than 100 Marines from Marine Wing Support Squadron 273 and Marine Aircraft Group 31 left the Air Station Monday morning. Marines have been deploying from the Air Station since late 2004 to fill billets inside the II MEF structure. The MEF is preparing to relieve I MEF of control of the Western provinces in Iraq.

The Sweathogs of '273 will unite with the support Marines of Marine Wing Support Group 27 aboard Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point before deploying to Iraq. The Sweathogs handle various support requirements ranging from construction and maintenance to firefighting and fuel storage.

The entire squadron of Sweathogs returned from a six-month deployment to Iraq in August but this detachment includes a mixture of combat veterans and rookies.

"I've been wanting to go for a while and finally I'm going," said Cpl. Daniel Benavides, food service specialist, MWSS-273. "I'm excited and anxious to be out there. I don't know what to expect, but I'll make the best of it."

A smaller group of Marines bound for Iraq also departed the Air Station Monday. The 21 Marines from Marine Aircraft Group 31 will serve as security force augments once they arrive in Iraq.
The MAG augments range in jobs from engineer mechanics and machinists to field wiremen and warehouse clerks but they will be getting back to their roots as basic Marines in Iraq.

"We're all volunteers and we're going to be filling in any empty spots we can," said Sgt. James York, a mobile facility technician from Marine Aviaition Logistics Squadron 31 who is serving as the platoon sergeant for the augments. "We all come from different squadrons, jobs and backgrounds but we'll be working together as Ôriflemen, first' like all Marines."

The Marines carried with them different hopes and aspirations for the deployment but there was a common sentiment among most of them.

"I think we're all just looking forward to doing our job and coming home safe," said Pfc. Sharif Hale, warehouse clerk, Marine Aircraft Group 31 Headquarters.

Nearly all of the Marines who deployed Monday, and those already reinforcing the ranks of II MEF, are volunteers and that aspect makes them stand out from the other services, according to Gunnery Sgt. Ronald S. Morgan, MAG-31 detachment staff non-commissioned officer-in-charge.

"These Marines are chomping at the bits to get over there, do their jobs and get home," Morgan said. "I think they'll be very successful. As Marines, success is in our nature."