MARINE CORPS AIR STATION BEAUFORT, S.C. --
Marines with
Marine Fighter Attack Squadron 115 and Marine All-Weather Fighter Attack Squadron
533 returned to Marine Corps Air Station Beaufort from Weapons and Tactics
Instructor course Oct. 27.
The WTI course
is held twice a year aboard Marine Corps Air Station Yuma, Ariz. and gives
combat familiarity and proficiency to pilots, weapon system officers, combat arms
and combat service support personnel.
“The purpose of
the Weapons and Tactics Instructor course is to ensure we execute air combat
safely and accurately,” said Maj. Paul Pfeifer, the executive officer of
VMFA-115.
The VMFA-115 “Silver
Eagles” and the VMFA(AW)-533 “Hawks” deployed 10 F/A-18 Hornets and 125
maintenance Marines per squadron to ensure the aircraft were ready to fly every
day.
“For our
Marines, it’s a chance to go out to the field and practice using the equipment
we use when deployed,” said Capt. Nathaniel Griggs, a pilot with Marine
Aviation Training Systems Site. “Everyone will get an ample opportunity to
build proficiency.”
The course was
seven weeks long, with about three weeks of live-fire training focusing on integrating
aviation and a mobile ground force. Pilots trained extensively in advanced tactical
aviation.
“The main focus
of the course is to train weapons and tactics instructors,” said Pfeifer. “Our
pilots train alongside the ground units to simulate a deployed environment.”
In order to
train fixed wing and rotary wing pilots to be instructors, they spend time with
classroom instruction as well as flight hours. The ground combat and combat
service support troops provide the familiarity of a deployed environment, but
also use the opportunity for realistic training.
“WTI is a great
course that allows Marine pilots to hone their combat skills with the ground
element and emphasize Marine Corps tactics,” said Staff Sgt. Brandon Ireton,
administration staff non-commissioned officer for VMFA(AW)-533.
In addition to
the proficiency and tactics training, participating in WTI will help the
Marines work together more efficiently which is essential to mission
accomplishment.
“Many of our
maintenance support Marines have never deployed,” said Ireton. “Now they have
the chance to get out in the field and work with each other just like they
would on deployment.”
The whole
Marine Air Ground Task Force is involved in the final exercise. Teamwork is
especially important in this stage to ensure every element gets the support
they need.
“Working on
such a large exercise really gives you a perspective on how the Marine Corps
operates in the field,” said Lance Cpl. Mathew Whittemore, an electrical
technician with VMFA(AW)-533. “Sometimes it is hard to see the big picture
without getting out there and experiencing it.”
Maintainers and
pilots worked together to complete the training and get the job done. Once back
at the air station, the squadrons will take those lessons learned and implement
them in their training syllabus to prepare for upcoming deployments.
“Marines are
very proficient here, but training together in the field helps build that
camaraderie,” said Griggs.