WEST FIELD, Tinian -- Marines with Marine Wing Support Squadron 171 prepared for training at West Field here May 13-18 during Exercise Geiger Fury 2012.
The squadron, part of Marine Aircraft Group 12, 1st Marine Aircraft Wing, III Marine Expeditionary Force, is participating in Geiger Fury to increase operational readiness and improve core expeditionary combat capabilities.
Geiger Fury 2012 will also see a total of 36 F/A-18 Hornets from MAG-12, 1st MAW, III MEF, conduct air-to-air and air-to-ground training at the Mariana Islands Range Complex and Andersen Air Force Base, Guam. MWSS-171 arrived to Tinian first to set the conditions for extended aviation training operations within MIRC airspace.
West Field provided a unique training venue for MWSS-171, simulating operations in a deployed, expeditionary environment. Preparations included surveying the land around West Field, emplacing arresting gear, and establishing a forward arming and refueling point for use during Geiger Fury.
After expeditionary airfield system technicians with MWSS-171 surveyed the land around West Field, they set to work installing M-31 arresting gear, a critical system used to rapidly decelerate aircraft as they land. Arresting gear is commonly used on aircraft carriers in addition to expeditionary and emergency use.
“In order for us to be able to land jets at this airfield, we must have the arresting gear in place properly in case of emergencies,” said Lance Cpl. Devin J. Ward, an expeditionary (airfield systems) technician with the squadron. “It is as simple as no arresting gear, no jets. We have to be able to ensure the jets can land safely under any circumstance.”
Harsh terrain added to the challenges Marines faced preparing for the arrival of the F/A-18s. The arresting gear had to be installed into the coral on Tinian, a previously unaccomplished feat. Installing arresting gear on coral is drastically different from doing so in other terrain, requiring the technicians to do some discovery learning.
“The coral install was a first for this military occupational specialty,” said Gunnery Sgt. Christopher Mendoza, the quality assurance chief for MWSS-171. “What we accomplished here is going to update manuals, training and everything to do with installation of arresting gear in a coral environment.”
While the expeditionary airfield technicians were hard at work, bulk-fuel specialists with the squadron established a FARP and began receiving fuel. Since West Field has no bulk fuel storage capacity, Marines installed high-volume fuel bladders and distribution systems vital to the exercise.
“Without this fuel setup, we cannot operate any of our own components, let alone the jets coming in,” said Sgt. Jonathan R. Cadenas, a bulk-fuel specialist with the squadron. “There would be no fuel for the planes, vehicles, generators or any other systems during Geiger Fury.”
Due to all of the squadron’s hard work, the stage is set for operations during Geiger Fury to ramp up as jets will soon land at Tinian. The Marines’ efforts made a positive impression on Lt. Col. Thomas E. Frederick, executive officer for MAG-12.
“I’ve been flying for more than 20 years, but I always enjoy getting to work with the Marines,” said Frederick. “It was a great experience to know what these Marines go through to keep our pilots and aircraft safe, and I feel Geiger Fury will be a success because of their actions.”