MARINE CORPS AIR STATION IWAKUNI, Japan -- The Blacksheep of Marine Attack Squadron 214 arrived at Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni July 11 for a six-month tour under the Unit Deployment Program.
The unit, from MCAS Yuma, Ariz., has six AV-8B Harrier aircraft and approximately 100 personnel.
"While we are here it is the intent of VMA-214 Detachment B to fully support the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit as its fixed wing aviation combat firepower," said Capt. Jay Schnelle, VMA-214 operations officer. "Specific mission from that will be offensive air support, emergency defense of the amphibious task force, close air support and helicopter escort."
While in Iwakuni the pilots of 214 plan on flying a variety of missions to sharpen their skills and capabilities.
"While in Iwakuni we will be working with Marine Aircraft Group 12 to continue to develop our pilots in all skills, focusing on offensive air support and night systems," Schnelle said. "In addition we get to work with tenant units and conduct joint operations with the Air Force F-15s and F-16s that are permanently stationed in this part of the world."
Since the Blacksheep were last in Iwakuni during July of 2000, they have been training in Yuma.
Although the squadron has been to Iwakuni before, many of the Marines who make up the Blacksheep are new to deployments. Approximately 60 percent of officers and enlisted are on their first deployment, and most are optimistic of their new surroundings.
"Being away from family is always hard, but it's not very often that you can go around and see the world," said Cpl. Steve McNamee, VMA-214 flight equipment technician. "That's one of the reasons a lot of Marines joined."
World War II historical sites such as Hiroshima and Iwo Jima, are on the top of many Marines' sight-seeing lists, McNamee added.
And even though Japan offers plenty
of sights and sounds for the Blacksheep to see, it also offers many new challenges for training.
"The weather here is something that we definitely don't experience in Yuma," Schnelle said. "That will be the big difference."
Although the pilots will be flying and training in a different environment, the enlisted Marines have a change in the way they work and train while away from home.
"Getting out and doing your job on the tip of the spear," said McNamee, "makes you feel that your job counts."
No matter what the circumstances, the squadron will be ready to perform their mission while deployed here.
"The primary function of the squadron will be to support the 31st MEU," Schnelle reiterated. "We are focused on the job at hand, which is flying and maintaining jets and making sure we are providing the best product at the end of the day."