MARINE CORPS AIR STATION IWAKUNI, Japan -- A visiting U.S. Navy C-2 Greyhound squadron left the station March 21 after supporting Exercise Foal Eagle 2009.
Fleet Logistics Support Squadron 30, Detachment Four (VRC-30, Det 4)is based out of North Island Naval Air Station in San Diego, Calif. and is currently attached to the USS John C. Stennis Carrier Strike Group during its six-month deployment to the Western Pacific region.
The detachment’s two C-2 Greyhound cargo aircraft are responsible for delivering high priority cargo, mail and personnel to and from the USS Stennis while the carrier strike group is deployed.
The VRC-30, Det 4 Greyhounds launched with the USS Stennis in January 2009. So far, the Greyhound squadron has set up several forward logistic sites across the Western Pacific region with its latest here at Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni.
The squadron arrived here March 11 as the carrier group began engaging in Exercise Foal Eagle 2009. Foal Eagle is a multifaceted joint and combined exercise conducted annually between U.S. and Republic of Korea forces.
“From March 11 to March 21, the squadron moved over 100 passengers, 20,000 pounds of cargo and 5,000 pounds of mail to the USS John C. Stennis,” said Lt. Evan D. Reese, VRC-30, Det 4 C-2 Greyhound pilot and administration officer. “That’s a lot of cargo to move in just 10 days.”
Greyhounds can deliver up to 10,000 pounds of cargo, passengers or both to support carrier strike group operations and have a range of 1,300 nautical miles.
They support all the vessels in a carrier strike group as well as the aircraft aboard the main carrier.
“We can deliver a wide range of spare parts and equipment needed to keep the vessels and aircraft of a carrier group combat ready,” said Reese. “This can be anything from an electrical cord to an F-18 jet engine.”
After transporting several tons of maintenance supplies, mail and personnel from Iwakuni to the USS Stennis and vice versa, VRC-30, Det 4’s mission ended here March 21 as the USS Stennis wrapped up operations in support of Exercise Foal Eagle 2009.
“The Marines were very helpful while we were set up in Iwakuni,” said Lt. Benjamin P. Malay, VRC-30, Det 4 C-2 Greyhound pilot and operations officer. “They were incredible hosts and showed outstanding customer service. Whenever we needed something, Marines delivered it to us, no questions asked.”
The two C-2 Greyhounds, and 45 accompanying air crew and maintenance personnel are now afloat with the USS Stennis as the carrier strike group moves to its next area of operation.