Strike Eagle aircrew train with Cherry Point Marines

  • Published
  • By Staff Sgt. Heather Stanton
  • 4th Fighter Wing Public Affairs
SEYMOUR JOHNSON AIR FORCE BASE, N.C. --  Sixteen Marines trained alongside F-15E Strike Eagle aircrew Aug. 3-6 to see how aircraft work in relation to them.

The Marines, from 2d Low Altitude Air Defense, Alpha Battery, 1st Platoon, Naval Air Station Cherry Point, N.C., work primarily with the Stinger weapon system.

"The Stinger is a shoulder-fired missile aimed at enemy aircraft," said Marine 2nd Lt. Stephen Hand, platoon commander. When downrange, these Marines go out and determine whether the aircraft flying over is friend or foe. If it is an enemy aircraft, they shoot it down using the Stinger.

To do this, they set up firing positions around the Seymour airfield and attempted to target the fighter aircraft.

According to Lieutenant Hand, though the Marines train to attack enemy aircraft, it is not currently a threat. Their primary mission for the war overseas is convoy and air base security; therefore, they also trained for those events while here.

During convoy security training, the Marines trained with F-15E Strike Eagle aircrew for convoy escort, and combat search and rescue missions.

"In Seymour's attempt to prepare for our AEF (Air and Space Expeditionary Force) rotation, we trained our aircrew for tasks that will happen downrange," said Maj. Phillip Walker, 4th Operations Support Squadron.

For this, the Marines executed convoy routes around the base and communicated with pilots in order to gain support for simulated attacks.

"The use of the Marines enabled aircrew to see how U.S. military convoys maneuver when traveling, reacting to IEDs (improvised explosive devices) or hostile fire," Major Walker said. "The ability for the aircrew to see the military vehicles and Marines maneuvering tactically during this exercise will provide a valuable baseline for future 4th Fighter Wing deployments."

During their stay here, the Marines set up camp in a field next to the flightline and ate Meals-Ready-to-Eat rather than stay at the Southern Pines Inn and eat in the dining facility.

"It's not what we do," Lieutenant Hand said. "We thought it was nice we had a Port-O-John to use, we don't always get those."

Major Walker was honored to have the Marines train here, even for a short time.

"No matter what the temperature, humidity (level) or number of bug bites they had, the Marines had smiles when they arrived and smiles when they left," he said. "They are great Americans and it was an honor to have them here participating in the joint exercise."