VMGR-234 Joins Special-Purpose MAGTF
US Marine Corps News
By SSgt. Joel Chaverri | U.S. Marine Corps Forces Reserve | July 23, 2014
NAVAL AIR STATION JOINT RESERVE BASE FORT WORTH, Texas -- Marine Aerial Refueler Transport Squadron 234, Marine Aircraft Group 41, 4th Marine Aircraft Wing is preparing to join the aviation combat element of Special-Purpose Marine Air-Ground Task Force Central Command operating in the Middle East.
The six-month long deployment will place VMGR-234 in the vital role of providing aerial missions and theater security for the entire area of operations.
"The whole package is called assault support," said Maj. Anthony Frank, a KC-130 pilot. "We'll be doing day and night aerial refueling, logistical support, and aerial deliveries."
Unlike operations in the past, the squadron's deployment is part of a request for forces specifically for the Special-Purpose MAGTF, which reflects a shift in Marine Corps doctrine to have more strategically placed Marines available to respond to threats.
"This is more of a focused effort" said Frank. "The Special-Purpose MAGTF's are throughout the world now."
The Special-Purpose MAGTF was originally designed to enable the Marine Corps to quickly respond to any crisis including humanitarian assistance and disaster relief. With the development of a SPMAGTF in the Central Command area of operations, the Marines have a wide range of possibilities for missions and deployment locations.
"We're ready for anything," said Sgt. Anthony Patrick Kennedy, KC-130 crewmaster and Irving, Texas native. "It's been busy around here the last couple months with everyone preparing for the deployment."
This will be Kennedy's first deployment as a Reserve Marine and he has spent the majority of his career training for missions just like this.
"Crewmasters handle the entire cargo area, loading and unloading cargo and passengers, aerial deliveries, personnel drops such as paratroopers, heavy equipment deliveries, Container Delivery System drops, aerial refueling spotters, and threat reaction spotting," said Kennedy. "Pretty much anything in the back of the aircraft that needs to get handled, we handle it."
Kennedy was recently accepted into the engineering program at the University of Texas at Arlington and is studying chemical engineering.
"We're scheduled to be back in time for me to pick up where I left off and not have to re-apply to the engineering school," he said.
This is a common theme with Reserve Marines who have full-time jobs outside of the Marine Corps or are students using their GI-Bill benefits. About half of the detachment headed overseas is reserve and have jobs or schools they will return to.
"We recognize there are challenges with the reserve and it's a big commitment," said Capt. Jonathan Elliot, KC-130 pilot and operations officer for the deployment. "The pre-deployment training is the same for all Marines, and we're fully confident in everyone's ability to do their job."
VMGR-234 has a long history of providing support across the world and according to Frank, VMGR-234 generally deploys about every six months, so they are accustomed to the operation tempo this deployment brings.
"The [deployments] footprint is a little larger – almost twice the size of previous deployments and it's the first time we've brought three planes," said Frank.
Through the hallways of the administrative offices and on the flightline with mechanics working on aircraft, it appears business as usual for the ‘Rangers' of VMGR-234 who are no strangers to deployment and seem well equipped for the upcoming mission.
"The squadron's leadership, MAG 41's leadership, and the 4th MAW's leadership have enabled us to be successful on this deployment," said Frank. "Everyone is prepared to go out the door and provide the very best the squadron has to offer while we're deployed."
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