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OIF Marines return to Beaufort

20 Aug 2004 | Cpl. Micah Snead Marine Corps Air Station Beaufort

More than 100 Air Station Marines returned here Wednesday after a six-month deployment to Iraq.

The Marines from Marine Air Control Squadron 2 Detachment “A” and Marine Wing Support Squadron 273 provided the first of several homecomings scheduled over the next few months as Fightertown Marines return from security and stabilization operations in Iraq.

“We’re just happy to have our hero back,” said Shelia Arnett, mother of two and wife of Master Sgt. Brian Arnett, MACS-2 detachment staff noncommssioned officer-in-charge.

The detachment of Marines from MACS-2 deployed to Iraq in March to augment forces from I Marine Expeditionary Force.

The Marines of MWSS-273 who arrived are the advance party of the squadron, which is scheduled to return to the Air Station in September.

MACS-2 Marines deploy to forward areas and set up approach radars for aircraft. Since the beginning of Operation Iraqi Freedom in 2003, Marines from MACS-2 have deployed to Kuwait and Iraq.

The Sweathogs deployed to Iraq in February to join Marine Wing Support Group 37 in support of the 3rd Marine Aircraft Wings operations.

Marines from ’273 spent time at several different locations in Iraq, inlcuding Forward Operating Base Kalsu, Camp Al Asad and other more secluded sites in Iraq.

The squadron provides support for forward operating air bases and all wing operations.

“We’re glad to be home and we’ll be looking forward to seeing our fellow Marines return in a few weeks,” said Cpl. Detrick Judkins, combat engineer, MWSS-273.