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Taking care of the homefront MWSS-273 rear det keeps busy while the squadron is away

12 Dec 2008 | Lance Cpl. Elyssa Quesada Marine Corps Air Station Beaufort

Although the majority of Marines with Marine Wing Support Squadron 273 are currently forward deployed to Al Asad, Iraq, the Marines that make up the rear detachment continue to support Fightertown and keep the squadron ticking.
With a limited amount of Marines, the squadron is still fully functional. Not only do they keep the squadron going, but they also provide Marines to Station Fuels, the Provost Marshals Office and temporary assigned duty around the Air Station.
“The command left Sept. 26, just over two months ago,” said Capt. David Forbell, the remain behind element officer-in-charge of MWSS-273. “The Marines are tracking and doing their jobs.”
The remain behind element is composed of more than 180 Marines divided in to two companies.
“It starts with the NCOs,” said Master Sgt. Joseph Carter, the remain behind element staff noncommissioned officer-in-charge. “They are basically the cornerstone, the support from the rear.”
“I think they are a great crew, for the amount of Marines we have,” Forbell said. “Our big mission now, is to support the Air Station. We focus on being professional military education complete, standard annual training and Marine Corps Martial Arts Program training.”
Marine Wing Support Squadron 273 continues to provide Fightertown with tactical vehicles and engineer support for projects such as the construction of Tun Tavern for the Marine Corps Ball.
“The shop is fully functional with the amount of Marines we have,” said Sgt. Rusty Trahan, a combat engineer with MWSS-273. “But we try to stay within our numbers and finish any job that comes up.”
One project heavy equipment operators with MWSS-273 completed this week, was filling in ditches throughout various endurance courses aboard Marine Corps Recruit Depot Parris Island.
Although the Marines are working with two machines as a shift through the week, they finished the largest course, Event 4, in one day. The holes and ditches were filled-in in order for the recruits to continue training during the crucible.
“The Marines are doing an outstanding job, I’m really proud of them,” Forbell said. “I didn’t know what to expect from the remain behind element, but at the small unit level, it’s the corporals and sergeants that are getting things done and make the squadron look good.”