Seven years ago today the United States of America fell under attack by terrorists. It is our duty as Americans to never forget the innocent people who lost their lives that day. I ask you today to remember the 2751 people who lost their lives and the thousands of American service men and women that have lost their lives to this day in the war on terror.
Our Marines and sailors are working 24 hours a day, 7 days a week flying and fixing aircraft to complete our missions. Typically most Marines are putting in 14 hour days on a 120 degree flight line. For those that fly in the aircraft, like myself, temperatures typically reach well over 140 degrees. The temp combined with the dust storms, can make our days a survival experience!
Our missions include carrying troops, cargo, ammunition, mail, medical patients and detainees throughout Iraq. Our Marines see places like Fallujah, Balad, Hadditha Dam, the Syrian border and Baghdad everyday. Most missions are done at night to stay out of the enemy’s weapon parameters and for cooler temps (100 degrees). The majority of our tasking takes 6-8 hours of flying.
We chose to do this job out of a sense of duty. To serve a higher purpose greater than ourselves. We serve to protect this country, to protect the people in it, to protect our way of life, to protect our friends…to protect our families.
We do so, willingly.
I appreciate you thanking us but know that every Marine in HMH-363 looks at the situation from another perspective. Let me explain…prior to our deployment Marines were anxious to deploy, now that we’re here, they want to stay to complete the mission assigned and some are asking if they can go to Afghanistan as a bonus!! It is not about medals, awards or pay, it is something that comes from inside Marines to accomplish the mission. We view it as a choice;
Fight a determined enemy in his back yard or fight him in yours. We chose HIS back yard!
Semper Fidelis.
-Jeff
Our Marines and sailors are working 24 hours a day, 7 days a week flying and fixing aircraft to complete our missions. Typically most Marines are putting in 14 hour days on a 120 degree flight line. For those that fly in the aircraft, like myself, temperatures typically reach well over 140 degrees. The temp combined with the dust storms, can make our days a survival experience!
Our missions include carrying troops, cargo, ammunition, mail, medical patients and detainees throughout Iraq. Our Marines see places like Fallujah, Balad, Hadditha Dam, the Syrian border and Baghdad everyday. Most missions are done at night to stay out of the enemy’s weapon parameters and for cooler temps (100 degrees). The majority of our tasking takes 6-8 hours of flying.
We chose to do this job out of a sense of duty. To serve a higher purpose greater than ourselves. We serve to protect this country, to protect the people in it, to protect our way of life, to protect our friends…to protect our families.
We do so, willingly.
I appreciate you thanking us but know that every Marine in HMH-363 looks at the situation from another perspective. Let me explain…prior to our deployment Marines were anxious to deploy, now that we’re here, they want to stay to complete the mission assigned and some are asking if they can go to Afghanistan as a bonus!! It is not about medals, awards or pay, it is something that comes from inside Marines to accomplish the mission. We view it as a choice;
Fight a determined enemy in his back yard or fight him in yours. We chose HIS back yard!
Semper Fidelis.
-Jeff
