MARINE CORPS AIR STATION IWAKUNI, Japan -- Marine All-Weather Fighter Attack Squadron 224, also known as the Fighting Bengals, departed Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni, Japan, Feb. 15, 2016.
The squadron’s home station is MCAS Beaufort, S.C. VMFA(AW)-224 arrived in Iwakuni Oct. 7, 2015, as part of the Unit Deployment Program and consists of approximately 180 Marines and 10 F/A-18D Hornet aircraft.
The UDP allows units to conduct training that would not be possible at their home bases. VMFA(AW)-224 is participating in Exercise Island Warrior at Kaneohe Bay, Hawaii, before returning home.
“Island Warrior focuses on close air support and forward air control,” said Maj. Dustin Cook, pilot and director of safety and standardization with VMFA(AW)-224.
The Fighting Bengals participated in a series of exercises like Island Warrior to develop greater operational readiness by honing their tactics, techniques and procedures.
Cook said each exercise allows the squadron to focus on different skillsets. For example, the Chitose Aviation Training Relocation exercise allowed them to work on air-to-air abilities as well as one versus one, two versus two and beyond visual range training.
“We went to Guam and completed a lot of qualifications for our pilots,” said Lance Cpl. Garrett Tallent, aviation ordnance technician with VMFA(AW)-224. “We also went to Chitose and Korea. The exercises provide good on the job experience by allowing us to load different types of ordnance.”
Tallent said the main goal of these exercise is to raise the overall readiness level of the squadron, produce and sustain qualifications for the pilots and to get the pilots what they need to properly operate the aircraft. He also enjoyed adapting to a new environment and had great experiences on and off base.
“I enjoyed my time in Iwakuni, it was awesome being able to go out in town and experience the new culture,” said Tallent.