Two Marine Attack Squadron 311 AV-8B Harriers start up at night and prepare to take off from the flight deck of the USS Peleliu April 19, 2010, during the squadron’s final predeployment exercise off the coast of California. Six AV-8B Harriers and approximately 80 squadron Marines left Yuma April 15 to participate in their third and final predeployment training evolution. The exercise, which began April 16 and is scheduled to end April 27, included the entire 15th Marine Expeditionary Unit. The squadron is slated to deploy to the Pacific and Indian Oceans with the 15th MEU in May. The main body of the squadron deployed to Japan aboard the USS Essex with the 31st MEU in January. The last time the squadron deployed with the 15th MEU was in 2008.

Photo by Cpl. Austin Hazard

Yuma's VMA-311 completes shipboard predeployment training

6 May 2010 | Cpl. Austin Hazard Marine Corps Air Station Yuma

MARINE CORPS AIR STATION YUMA, Ariz. -- Marine Attack Squadron 311 returned to Yuma April 27, 2010, after spending nearly two weeks off the coast of southern California, completing its final training before its upcoming deployment.

Six AV-8B Harriers and approximately 80 squadron Marines participated in the 15th Marine Expeditionary Unit’s certification exercise, which determines whether or not the MEU is capable of fulfilling its mission during deployment.

The 15th MEU is slated to leave in mid-May on a deployment, during which it could fight pirates in the Pacific and Indian Oceans or provide humanitarian aid other nations.

“CertEx is the culmination of three separate work-up periods for the 15th MEU,” said Lt. Col. Robert Fails, squadron detachment officer in charge and pilot. “Its purpose is to evaluate the integration of all units embarked with the MEU, not just VMA-311.”

“The point of CertEx for us is demonstrating that we, as a Harrier squadron, can be ready to do anything at any time,” said Gunnery Sgt. Mike Madden, squadron detachment staff noncommissioned officer in charge. “As aircraft maintainers, we’re basically doing the same thing we do every day back in Yuma, but we’re also supporting the MEU.”

From April 16-27, the squadron worked from the USS Peleliu, which hosted hundreds of MEU, infantry and helicopter squadron Marines.

The exercise focused on drills and mission-types that the Marines and sailors might experience during an actual deployment.

With the entire MEU involved in the scenarios, the squadron was able to work alongside infantry, helicopter and landing craft units.

“Due to the nature of the exercise, it can be a little confusing,” said Madden. “We’re not supposed to know what missions are coming up ahead of time. We have to react faster, and everything has to be in a constant state of readiness. The first two work-ups were to get us ready and integrated with the Navy here. This one is the test.”

Squadron pilots supported long-range helicopter raids and performed long-range surveillance and reconnaissance missions throughout CertEx.

The squadron also practiced shipboard landings and takeoffs and air-to-air refueling to stay proficient.

“I think everybody on this ship is ready and willing to do the real thing,” said Madden. “We’re ready to go to the big show.”