MARINE CORPS AIR STATION IWAKUNI, Japan -- Several Station units recently travelled to Okinawa, Japan, to sharpen their air combat skills and maintain mission readiness.
Marine Fighter Attack Squadron 212 and several Marines from Marine Fighter Attack Squadron 122 and Marine Fighter Attack Squadron 242 picked up shop Dec. 1-20 and deployed to Kadena Air Base.
While on the installation the pilots took advantage of their new surroundings and the availability of Air Force pilots with different aircraft.
"Deployments really enhance our training," said Lt. Col. James Bishop, VMFA-212 commanding officer. "We do as much as we can in Iwakuni, but when we go other places it presents unique challenges that we enjoy."
The pilots tested their skills as they flew their F/A-18 Hornets high above the clouds to duke it out with Air Force F-15 pilots in simulated dogfights.
"Fighting against different pilots in planes that have different capabilities is always a great learning experience," said Capt. Jon-Paul Archer, VMFA-212 pilot and scheduling officer.
Another focus of the deployment was to certify Capt. Scott Dornish, VMFA-212 pilot, as an Air Combat Training Instructor. To qualify as an ACTI, pilots must complete 12 to 14 practice flights along with written and oral exams.
As a final prequisite, pilots prepare and give the brief and debrief of their last three test flights.
The course is designed to give pilots the experience they'll need when training other pilots in the art of combat, according to Dornish.
"ACTI is one of the toughest qualifications to get as a Hornet pilot," said Dornish. "It's been a big confidence builder, and what I've learned will enable me to train new pilots that come to our squadron."
Being in this part of Japan gave the squadrons the opportunity to utilize local bombing ranges as they executed missions with live ordnance, noted Archer.
"This is my first time loading live ordnance," said Lance Cpl. Kenneth Jacob, VMFA-212 ordnance technician. "It's been a good learning experience due to the great instructors and team leaders we had."
Experiencing new environments along with the joint training is an irreplaceable benefit to all participants to enhance mission readiness, according to Maj. Gen. John Goodman, 1st Marine Aircraft Wing commanding general.
"Going to new areas and bases is critical, this allows Marines to work on new air fields and go after targets they haven't seen before," said Goodman.
Despite the deployment's seriousness, VMFA-212 enjoyed the time it spent training while on Okinawa, said Bishop. "The targets were great, the bogies were plentiful, and that's good training."