MARINE CORPS AIR STATION IWAKUNI, Japan -- Marine Attack Squadron 542 of Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point, N.C., arrived here July 7 as part of the Unit Deployment Program.
The Unit Deployment Program is a program set up by the commandant of the Marine Corps and is aimed toward deploying units to the Western Pacific for periods of approximately six months.
While here, VMA-542 will be supporting Marine Aircraft Group 12 and the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit, and participating in various training exercises.
“Our mission is whatever the MAG-12 commanding officer and 31st MEU commander wants and to deploy the Harrier,” said Capt. Brian Stevens, Harrier pilot with VMA-542.
“So, our mission can be anything from air-support to airground missions and anything in between.”
By participating in the unit deployment program and deploying to different locations, VMA-542 will learn to tackle several new challenges of working from a deployed location.
“Supplies are a little harder to get out here, it’s a little bit more humid than it is back home and it rains a little bit more, but as far as the way we work, its pretty much the same,” said Lance Cpl. Travis Wolfgram, powerline mechanic with VMA-542. “No matter what, we get our job done.”
Supplies aren’t the only thing slowing them down. The maintenance crew has to adjust to working in a new climate, and pilots have to get used to flying in unfamiliar air spaces and communicating with different air traffic controllers than they’re used to. Everyone’s part is critical in achieving mission accomplishment.
“I feel that all of our jobs are important. Without one shop in this command, those aircraft would not be able to fly, so my job is just as important as the tool room issuing out tools,” said Cpl. Wesley Peck, Harrier avionics technician with VMA-542.
VMA-542 operates with the AV-8B Harrier II Plus, a multimission, short-takeoff vertical landing tactical strike aircraft.
“The Harrier is unique from other aircraft in the inventory. It’s the only jet aircraft that can take off vertically,” said Stevens. “We have over seven different types of landings we can do and five different types of takeoffs, so we can work in austere conditions. We don’t necessarily have to have a runway for it. We can find a patch of ground, and the Harrier is completely operational from that patch of ground.”
Because of the AV-8B Harrier II Plus’ advanced capabilities, it offers flexibility that is unmatched by any other fixedwing aircraft.
“The Harrier is very good at air-to-surface,” said Stevens. “There’s probably nobody in the Marine Corps who can do it better. We’re very good at airto- surface and getting close-air support for forward-deployed troops. We take pride in being good at that and being able to get bombs on target on time.”
Stevens said that by being here they’re able to work out all the kinks before they transition to the 31st MEU and actually begin operating off ship, and VMA-542 is also looking forward to exploring the local area and seeing what Iwakuni has to offer to service members.
“It’s a great opportunity to experience Japanese culture, which is totally different from North Carolina obviously, and it’s a great opportunity for the unit to build cohesion working in a deployed environment and with the challenges and obstacles that come with moving to different locations,” said Stevens.
“So overall, the unit should be a lot more effective in its mission by the end of this deployment.” “542 takes pride in that we’re good at what we do, so this just allows us as a unit to get even better,” said Stevens.