Marine Fighter Attack Squadron 122, also known as the Werewolves, set-off for the Western Pa­cific Jan. 10.

The aircraft will sup­port 6 multinational ex­ercises, which will not only increase the readi­ness of the Squadron but safequard international goodwill and ensure we can work with our allies effectively.

“These types of deploy­ments offer a plethora of training and experience for all Marines through­out the squadron,” said Capt. Albert Garcia, the squadron’s assistant op­erations officer. “We get to work alongside many of our allies in a short time period, which al­lows everyone to become more familiar with how everyone conducts op­erations.”

“We have one mission, to support all friendly aer­ial elements and ground forces,” said Sergeant Maj. James Hagle, the squadron sergeant major. “The interaction is help­ful to get different people, different cultures and aircraft, which do things in different ways to learn and work together toward a common goal or to beat a common enemy.”

The squadron’s main­tainers enable the F/A-18 Hornets to provide close air support and provide intelligence, reconnais­sance and surveillance to friendly ground units.

“I am really interested to see how other services and countries perform,” said Lance Cpl. John Sloan, a VMFA-122 avia­tion ordnance technician. “I know that things are going to be different but I look forward to learning something new.”

The Marines will also get the opportunity to visit several different countries during the de­ployment. This is an op­portunity for Marines to experience other cul­tures and see sights oth­er Americans may never get to see.

“I am really excited to see new places and have new experiences to share when I come home,” Sloan said.