ROYAL AUSTRALIAN AIR FORCE BASE DARWIN, Australia -- An element of the Bats currently participating in Southern Frontier 2003 will swap out with the Lancers Thursday.
Marine All-Weather Fighter Attack Squadron 242 will return to Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni, Japan, as Marine Fighter Attack Squadron 212 prepares to take over the second phase of the three-month training exercise.
The VMFA(AW)-242 Bats, home based in MCAS Miramar, Calif., have been deployed to MCAS Iwakuni since Sept. 2002 as part of the Unit Deployment Program - a training evolution that normally lasts six months. Although the unit was extended in the Western Pacific because of the war in Iraq, Capt. Gregory A. McGuire, VMFA(AW)-242 flight officer, said his squadron has taken full advantage of the rare training opportunities the Australian ranges have to offer.
"This deployment has been a very effective, all-around training tool for the squadron," he added. "Our air crew was able to drop precision-guided munitions on tactical targets - something we haven't been able to do since we left Miramar."
With more than 351 hours flown during 218 sorties, Staff Sgt. Reynaldo M. Esplana, VMFA(AW)-242 administrative chief, said the F/A-18D Hornet squadron has done an excellent job completing its mission mishap free.
"We will return to Iwakuni better prepared and trained for combat," added McGuire.
Once on deck, the Lancers will be supported by more than 200 Marines from Marine Aircraft Group 12, Marine Wing Support Squadron 171, Marine Aviation Logistics Squadron 12 and various other supporting units.
The F/A-18C squadron will conduct air-to-ground core competency training by utilizing the Delamere Range Facility in Australia?s Northern Territory to employ ordnance such as nonexplosive practice and high explosive bombs, laser-guided munitions, forward-fired rockets, 20 mm ammunitions and conduct close-air support, air interdiction, strikes and night operations.
"We are really excited to start flying down here," said Capt. Zach McCarley, VMFA-212 embarkation officer. "Between the great working areas and the unbelievable weather, Australia is a perfect location for this training."
The Lancers will remain here until mid-August when they will return to MCAS Iwakuni and be replaced by Marine All-Weather Fighter Attack Squadron 224.