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ACE on deck: KC-130 detachment arrives to support Black Sea Rotational Force

US Marine Corps News

6/1/2010
By Cpl. R. Logan Kyle, Black Sea Rotational Force

MIHAIL KOGALNICEANU AIRFIELD, Romania -- Marines with Marine Aerial Refueler Transport Squadron 452, based out of Newburgh, N.Y.; and VMGR-234, from Fort Worth, Texas, arrived at Mihail Kogalniceanu Airfield, Romania, May 28, to support Black Sea Rotational Force as the air combat element of the Security Cooperation Marine Air-Ground Task Force currently deployed to Eastern Europe.

The ACE’s mission is to provide the Marines and Sailors of Black Sea Rotational Force with air resupply operations and troop transport support, as well as to provide support of Romanian special forces airborne training, said Maj. George Christel, a pilot with VMGR-452.

“It feels great, and we’re excited to be here,” said Christel, a native of Clinton, N.Y. “I think for all of us, it’s our first time in Romania, and we’re looking forward to the experience.”

The Marines arrived with their compliment of two KC-130T Hercules aircraft, which they will use to support several flight operations scheduled throughout BSRF. Both KC-130 squadrons are composed of reserve and active-duty Marines from 4th Marine Aircraft Wing.

The Marines are working in the Black Sea, Balkan and Caucasus regions to promote regional stability, build enduring partnerships and build the capacity of partner nations’ military forces. The Security Cooperation MAGTF is Marine Corps Forces Europe’s commitment to a rotating presence of Marines in Eastern Europe to meet U.S. European Command’s theater security objectives - the first of its kind in the region.

For some Marines, like Sgt. Geoff Boreman, a flight mechanic trainee with VMGR-452, this deployment will also serve as a valuable training experience.

“I’m in training to become a flight mechanic,” said Boreman, a Newburgh, N.Y., native. “I’ve gone through about five months of ground training, and I’ll learn more about the different systems on the plane while I’m here.”