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MAG-29 participates in Operation Carolina Thunder

Marine Corps News

Story Identification #: 200542016203
Story by Lance Cpl. Jeffrey A. Cosola

MARINE CORPS AIR STATION NEW RIVER, N.C. (Apr. 20, 2005) -- A small and determined band of insurgent forces attempted to occupy a strategic airfield in fictional Northern Curbia on April 12, trying to use it as a transshipment point for a smuggling operation involving small arms and foreign mercenaries. Thanks to a well-executed operation, the overall security of the Curbian nation improved after a daring raid captured an insurgent leader and wrestled the airfield from enemy hands.

The training operation, designated Carolina Thunder, was designed as a stepping-stone for Operation Desert Talon 02-05, an upcoming large-scale exercise, and for ultimate deployment into operational theaters, said Lt. Col. Robert S. Barr, Marine Aircraft Group-29 S-3 operations officer.

“We’re exercising as if the MAG was deployed to Iraq,” said Barr. “And if Operation Iraqi Freedom goes on, we will.”

George Washington once stated, “There is nothing so likely to produce peace as to be well prepared to meet the enemy.”

Being well prepared to meet possible enemies was the fundamental reason why Marines from MAG-29 joined by the 2nd Battalion, 2nd Marine Regiment, Camp Lejeune, N.C., participated in the mission.

The raid portion of the exercise consisted of six CH-46E Sea Knights, two CH-53E Super Stallions, two AH-1W Cobras, two AV-8B Harriers, two F/A-18 Hornets, one UH-1N Huey and approximately 90 Echo Company infantry Marines. According to the fragmentary order, their mission was to locate and capture the insurgent leader Abdullah Almed Abdullah and destroy the weapons distribution site in the vicinity of Atlantic Field, stopping the flow of weapons and recruited guerilla personnel into Curbia.

The operation was reinforced by close air support, intended to cover the helicopter assault and landing force. After touchdown, the Marines on the ground established a security perimeter, circling around the target building prior to two “sticks” assaulting front and back doors. The insurgency was quelled in short order, with two enemy prisoners of war in tow, including Abdullah.

Marines from 2/2 gathered all pertinent intelligence and executed a series of patrols around the airfield before radioing for extract. Under the cover of a pair of watchful Cobras, the Marines gathered their gear and prisoners, boarded waiting helicopters and vanished in a matter of minutes.

“The execution of the mission was nearly flawless. The beauty of what we’re doing is that it’s the hallmark of the Marine Corps,” said Barr. “It’s operating as a Marine Air-Ground Task Force and we’re doing it. This is it.”

The mission for MAG-29 was to focus on how the War Eagles can best support operations in Iraq and provide training to headquarters staff and the MAG as a whole in operating as an Aviation Combat Element, said Col. Mark D. Mahaffey, MAG-29 commanding officer.

“We needed to anticipate participating in missions in Afghanistan, Africa and Iraq,” said Mahaffey. “If we’re able to exercise rudimentary command and control capabilities, the mission will be a success.”