VMFA-115 heads to Bahrain
US Marine Corps News
By Cpl. Justin Boling | March 21, 2013
Marine Fighter Attack Squadron 115, also known as the Silver Eagles, embarked on a deployment to the Kingdom of Bahrain, March 4.
The Squadron will be reinforced by personnel from Marines Aviation Logistics Squadron 31, Marine Wing Support Squadron 273 and Marine power plant maintenance technicians from Naval Air Station Oceana, Va.
'We are ready to accomplish whatever mission we are assigned with speed and intensity,' said Sgt. Maj. James Huller, the squadron sergeant major. 'These Marines have a get-it-done attitude, and they know that wherever they go, they are the best on the flightline.
'This is a new deployment with a host of new challenges and missions for all of us to overcome,' said Huller.
The Kingdom of Bahrain is a small island country near the western shores of the Persian Gulf. The Silver Eagles will be a show of force in the region promoting security and stability.
'I have never been out of the country,' said Lance Cpl. Brandi Hauk, a powerline maintenance technician with VMFA- 115 from Dalmatia, Pa. 'One of the reasons I joined was to see something different than the East Coast.'
A powerline maintainer is responsible for making repairs on the aircraft's propulsion system at the operational level.
'We did a lot of work to get our aircraft ready to deploy and complete their assigned tasks,' said Chief Warrant Officer 2 Ramon Vasquez, the squadron's maintenance material control officer. 'More than 4,000 man hours were put into getting our aircraft ready over the past few months.'
The squadron has some of the oldest F/A-18 Hornet aircraft flown in the Marine Corps. The work of the Silver Eagle maintainers keeps them running neck and neck with the younger aircraft. While deployed maintainers, like Hauk, may be tested by fire to upkeep aircraft under an increased operational tempo.
'We will really put some pressure on the Marines. They have to step up to the task,' Vasquez said.
The Silver Eagles will work with U.S. Army, Navy and Air Force personnel on the small island nation, as well as, Bahraini defense forces.
'Communication and dealing with each other's 'red tape' is always an obstacle when working with other branches and countries' militaries,' said Vasquez, a native of Casa Grande, Ariz. 'We have our way of getting the job done, but that way varies a lot from how the Air Force does business.'
The Squadron's get-it-done attitude may be enough to bridge the gap of communication.
'I am very confidant in my ability to complete the mission,' said Hauk. 'The place may have changed, but I know that my quality of work will not.'
With their misty-eyed friends and family behind them, the Marines boarded their aircraft ready to keep wings in the sky and peace on the ground.
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