Marines

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VMFT-401 trains Beaufort Marines

Marines from Marine Fighter Training Squadron-401 recently returned from a 23-day training deployment in support of Marine Aircraft Group-31 at Marine Corps Air Station Beaufort, S.C., May 26. VMFT-401 is the only aggressor squadron in the Marine Corps. Its mission is to prepare pilots from other squadrons for combat by imitating the flying tactics

Summer weather warrants extra caution

Although the calendar marks this time of year as spring, it's considered summer in Yuma, which means that season's fun and dangers are just as present as the sun's heat. The biggest factor in increased danger is the rapid increase in heat in previous weeks, which draws more people to outdoor activities such as boating and camping. "Traffic is still

Station range wardens become conservation law enforcement officers

The station's two range wardens now wear new badges and carry a new title while they patrol the ranges surrounding Yuma. In a ceremony March 19, Col. James J. Cooney, station commanding officer, swore in Del Maslen and Michael Waliszewski as U.S. Marine Corps conservation law enforcement officers. The two men, both retired Marines, became station

Self Help Program cuts costs for station

As time goes by, improvements are needed aboard the air station to keep it running smoothly. But some of those improvements can be costly to the station or to the individual units here. The Self Help Program helps to cut some of those costs by allowing Marines to take on some of the projects themselves. "How it works is we provide all the materials

Bee swarms plague station

Marines may have noticed the pleasant smell of citrus blossoms as harvest season begins in the orchards around the station. Marines aren't the only ones to notice that smell. Millions of bees depend on those orchards to survive, and the orchards depend on the bees to pollinate the crop, but stray swarms of bees put Marines, their families and

Mass casualty drill prepares station for worst-case scenario

The station fulfilled another requirement Feb. 13 when it held its annual mass casualty drill. The drill is a requirement for the station to hold the annual air show, but it serves other purposes as well. "We also do it to test the emergency responders and the procedures we have," said Chief Warrant Officer-4 Roger Bond, coordinator and observer.

MCAS Yuma Marine awarded Bronze Star

A station Marine was awarded the Bronze Star Medal Feb. 12 for his professional performance while serving in Iraq recently. Staff Sgt. Michael A. Turner, Headquarters and Headquarters Squadron, was awarded the prestigious medal "for exceptional meritorious performance of duty during Operation Iraqi Freedom. His outstanding dedication to duty during

Battle Color Detachment readies to kick off new season

For the past two weeks, the station has been host to training not typically seen on any military post in the nation. The Battle Color Detachment, comprised of the Battle Color Guard, Drum and Bugle Corps and Silent Drill Platoon, has been conducting its annual three week preparation for an international performance schedule. "Every year we come to

Relief Society to Celebrate 100 Years of Service

Last year, a young Marine learned of a family member's death and didn't have money for a plane ticket home. A fellow Marine told him about a society that could help, and within two hours, the young man had a ticket. The next day he was home with his family. So when his truck broke down in Texas recently, and the towing bill back to Yuma would have

Head of station medical clinic retires

Friends and family members gathered Jan. 16 to celebrate the accomplishments and mark the end of the successful naval career of Lt. Cmdr. Jack A. Frost, officer-in-charge of the station branch medical clinic. After 27 years of invaluable service to the Navy and Marine Corps medical team, Frost retired with plans to serve his community. "He is

Marine Corps Air Station Yuma