Thank you, Chap Grant, for today's message about the importance of "family".
Posted on 12/15/2002 5:20:38 AM PST by 68-69TonkinGulfYachtClub
Thank you, Chap Grant, for today's message about the importance of "family".
Wishing all our Jewish troops, veterans, families, allies and friends a peacefuful and prosperous week.
"Through God we shall do valiantly: for He it is that shall tread down our enemies."
Psalms 60:12
Fourth Force Reconnaissance Company Marines free-fall from an altitude of 10,000 feet above the skies of Schofield Barracks on the island of Oahu in Hawaii. The company tries to perform this type of insert operation at least one time a month to keep its skills sharp. Photo by: Sgt. Jason Elson
4th Force Recon paints Schofield skies
Story by Sgt. Alexis R. Mulero
SCHOFIELD BARRACKS, ISLAND OF OAHU, Hawaii(Nov. 27, 2002) -- SCHOFIELD BARRACKS - Nine Marines from 4th Force Reconnaissance Co., aboard MCB Hawaii, Kaneohe Bay, strapped on their chutes and color coated the Hawaiian skies while accomplishing airborne operations at Drop Zone Lightning aboard Schofield Barracks, Nov. 27.
Parachuting is just one of the myriad of ways these information-gathering warriors insert for recon operations.
"Jumps are one of the missions we're required to perform, and anytime we can get training like this will always improve the company's readiness," said Gunnery Sgt. Gerald Rohn, operations chief, 4th Force Recon.
During the evolution, the Marines accomplished three jumps to fine-tune this necessary skill.
The first and last jump practiced was a low-level static line at 1,500 ft. above ground level, which offers them several options while inserting into an operation.
"This type of jump will possibly bring an aircraft below enemy radar; it keeps stick integrity, and provides a long-range, low-level insert capability without actually landing an aircraft on the ground," said Rohn, who also serves as a jumpmaster.
The second jump was the breathtaking free-fall jump in which the Marines soared at an altitude of 10,000 ft. above ground level.
"The fretful will give you a long-range and high-altitude to insert recon teams above surface to air threat," said Rohn.
All in all, this parachuting operation will polish these Marines' already sharp inserting skills.
"We're always on a stepping stone building for any possible contingencies," explained Rohn. "We have to be ready at anytime, and this is another tool in our toolbox."
Good Sunday morning, BIS.
Thanks, ms feather. Always a nice thing for the troops to see.
Lance Cpl. Daniel T. Yorba (center), a Juneau, Alaska, native, pictured with his combat flying crew Cpl. Eric R. Ricard (left), a White Lake, Mich., native, and Cpl. Chris L. Rounsaville, a Petal, Miss., native, in front of "Smilin Through II", a CH-46 Sea Knight helicopter with Marine Medium Helicopter Squadron 263, 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit (Special Operations Capable). The name and artwork for the helicopter was inspired by Yorba's grandfather Bernardo, a World War II B-17 pilot. Photo by: Sgt. Zachary A. Bathon
Former Army Air-Corps 2nd Lt. Bernardo Yorba (front row, left) is pictured with his combat flying crew from the original "Smiling Through", a B-17 Bomber he flew with 534th squadron, 381st Bomb Group, during World War II. Photo by: Courtesy Photo
Former Army Air-Corps 2nd Lt. Bernardo Yorba, Lance Cpl. Daniel T. Yorba's grandfather, pilots a B-17 Bomber during World War II. Photo by: Courtesy Photo
The artwork on "Smilin Through II", a CH-46 Sea Knight helicopter, which was inspired by the nose art from Lance Cpl. Daniel T. Yorba's grandfather's B-17 Bomber. Photo by: Sgt. Zachary A. Bathon
U.S. CENTRAL COMMAND AREA OF RESPONSIBILITY(December 13, 2002) -- Since the beginning of aviation, art has always played a major role in identifying different aircrafts. Whether it was a painting on the nose of an airplane that reminded the crew of their mothers or girlfriends back home, or a paint scheme that made the entire plane resemble a certain animal, art has always been used to give a certain airplane its own identity. For one lance corporal with Marine Medium Helicopter Squadron 263, 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit (Special Operations Capable), the artwork on the side of his CH-46 Sea Knight helicopter is a tribute to the man who has been the greatest influence in his life - his grandfather.
But there is more to the story. The painting on the side of Lance Cpl. Daniel T. Yorba's helicopter was designed to resemble the artwork on the B-17 Bomber his grandfather, Former Army Air-Corps 2nd Lt. Bernardo Yorba, flew during World War II.
"I never actually got to see a picture of his artwork, but I designed mine from what he told me about his," said Yorba, a CH-46 crew chief. "What he had was a girl sitting on a (.50 caliber machine gun), so that is what I made, and added some more things that were important to me."
The design, a huge star that features a girl sitting atop a firing .50 cal adorned by the American and Prisoner of War flags with "Smiling Through" across the top was the result of a year and half of planning.
"I wanted to wait until I finally got my own aircraft," said the Juneau, Alaska native. "Once I finally got my name printed on the side of one of our airplanes, I put my artwork on it."
"The name of my airplane is 'Smiling Through', the same name as my grandfather's," said Yorba. "He named his plane that because he said when you are going through the worst of it, you have to keep a positive mental attitude.
He was always positive, even after spending time as a P.O.W."
Yorba said his grandfather was shot down while flying a combat mission over Germany in October 1943.
Bernardo Yorba was not assigned to the group mission that day, but went up as a spare to cover any aborts. Unfortunately, another B-17, "Our Mom" aborted that day due to engine problems, and his grandfather's crew took over their spot. They were to be the only plane shot down that day.
"Even after that, he could still never swear about the Nazis," said Yorba. "That was the kind of man he was, and I have tried to model myself after him."
"He used to tell me stories about flying and that's when I decided to become a crew chief," he said. "I know he was in the Army Air-Corps, but I didn't think the Army would offer me what I wanted, so I joined the Marine Corps."
After going through a long period of schooling, Yorba ended up with HMM-263 just before the unit started the Predeployment Training Program with the 24th MEU (SOC).
Currently, Yorba and "Smiling Through" are in support of Operation Enduring Freedom aboard the USS Nassau (LHA-4). He said his favorite thing from the deployment so far, was extracting some members of the MEU's Reconnaissance and Surveillance Platoon from a mountaintop at sunset during the MEU's recent exercise in Djibouti, Africa.
"I had a lot of fun in Kosovo too, said Yorba. "Giving candy to the children was a blast."
With those memories to look back on and the chance to make a lot more in the future, Yorba said his grandfather would be happy with him.
"Sometimes when I'm flying and really enjoying the view and the experience of flying, I think about my grandfather doing the same thing when he was flying," said Yorba. "I think if he were here right now he would definitely be proud of me."
Good Sunday to you, blackie, the happy bumper.
GOOD EVENING EVERYONE! I hope all are having a restful Sunday.
Howdy service men and women past and present, and allies. Thank You for serving our country. It's because of your being there to protect our freedoms that we're able to celebrate the various religious holidays that abound in America, along with everything else. We're all deeply in your debt.
Thank you, Chaplain and Cote, for the Sunday Chapel each week. It makes the Canteen that much more a Home Away From Home for our troops.
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