Free Republic

“Out of an abundance of caution, the Marine Corps took the prudent action not to fly our KC-130T aircraft in the wake of the mishap on July 10 until further notice,” ... The crash remains under investigation. The Federal Aviation Administration reported it lost contact with the plane when it was flying at an estimated altitude of 20,000 feet. Andy Jones, a witness to the crash, described the moments before the plane struck the ground. “At first it looked like an acrobatic plane, like a stunt plane, blowing the smoke out the back,” Jones said. “Then all of a sudden...

Reserve Marines receive Combat Aircrew InsigniaSubmitted by: 3d Marine Aircraft WingStory Identification Number: 20044284057Story by Sgt. Rob Henderson AL ASAD, Iraq(March 31, 2004) -- Seven Reserve Marines of Marine Aerial Refueler Transport Squadron 234, headquartered in Fort Worth, Texas, received their Combat Aircrew Insignia at a squadron formation here, March 31. Many of the awardees, enlisted crewmen on Marine KC-130s, flew in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom last year, and are proving their mettle once again this year. "For a KC-130 crewmember, the Combat Aircrew Insignia is hard to come by," said Lt. Col. Clarke D. Clodfelder, officer-in-charge, VMGR-234,...