2003 eventful year for nation, Miramar

[thedrifter]

2003 eventful year for nation, Miramar
Submitted by: MCAS Miramar
Story Identification Number: 20031230183810
Story by MIRAMAR CPAO



MARINE CORPS AIR STATION MIRAMAR, Calif. -- From Operations Enduring and Iraqi Freedom, the deployments, critical missions and war effort sacrifices to Operation Enduring Families, memorials, community relations, firestorms and Sodexo, 2003 was certainly a significant year for MCAS Miramar, San Diego and the entire nation.

Along with the rest of I Marine Expeditionary Force, Miramar's Marines and family members played a pivotal role and were greatly affected by the ongoing war against terror. More than 25,000 Marines and Sailors from Miramar and Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton deployed to the Middle East in support of OEF and OIF, according to the 2004 Miramar Shareholders Report. In 2003 alone, the Air Station deployed close to three-quarters of its nearly 10,000 active duty personnel. At the 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing Aerial Point of Embark, Miramar Marines maintained 24-hour operations to ensure the monumental task of deploying 7,000 Marines from I MEF's air combat element was completed efficiently and safely. The Air Station also served as the Integrated Continental United States Medical Operation Point for West Coast servicemembers from all branches of service injured during OIF. American operations and raids seemed to come to a climax Dec. 13 when U.S. forces captured Saddam Hussein alive near his hometown of Tikrit.

After returning to Miramar June 5 along with Marine Wing Headquarters Squadron 3, Maj. Gen. James F. Amos, commanding general, 3rd MAW, summed up the Marines' accomplishments - "We flew more than 10,000 sorties and dropped more than 6.5 million pounds of ordnance. In the 28.5 days of missions we destroyed eight Iraqi divisions, two of which were the elite Republican Guard."

While deployed Marines performed and completed their missions abroad, service and family members remaining played a crucial part as well. Despite reduced staff in all departments and sections, Miramar Marines were up to the challenge, performing their increased, high-intensity duties with extraordinary skill throughout the deployment.

Commands on the home front worked tirelessly to continue to improve quality of life, ensure a safe working and living environment aboard the Air Station, take care of families and bolster an already strong relationship with the San Diego community. The family-led focus helped ensure that all OIF homecomings were joyous ones for family members and returning Marines.

In the last year, Miramar has opened a new, state-of-art fitness facility, significantly upgraded the Exchange and flight line food courts, bringing KFC, Quizno's, Taco Bell Express and other quality eateries aboard the Air Station and awarded a contract to upgrade the enlisted clubs.

To support the families of deployed servicemembers, Maj. Gen. Jon A. Gallinetti, commander, MCABWA, and commanding general, Miramar, launched Operation Enduring Families, under which family support activities were augmented. A Crisis Family Assistance Center was opened and donations for deployed troops were collected as part of the "Patriot Program."

The Miramar Youth Activities Program became the first officially accredited program of its kind Marine Corps-wide.

Miramar hosted several special events including a Super Bowl pre-game show, attended by more than 1,000 and aired on FOX Super Bowl Sunday and many celebrity "greet the troops" events that brought television, movie and sports stars here.

The January 2003 issue of the Marine Corps Times recognized Miramar as the top base for singles and recreation. Local community relations remained strong as the Air Station opened its gates for events such as the MCAS Miramar Air show, Open Cockpit Days at the Flying Leatherneck Museum, twice-monthly tours, Educators
Workshops and youth events. Participation in Community Leaders Forums, attendance at city council meetings, dozens of color guards at local events, and volunteerism are only a few of the ways Miramar Marines have remained active and valuable members of the community.

Further fostering our part in surrounding communities, the Miramar Fire Department responded to more than 190 emergencies outside the gates of the Air Station as part of a mutual-aid agreement with San Diego County law enforcement and fire departments.

When the 2003 Wildfires burned up much of San Diego County, approximately 200 emergency personnel worked to contain and control the fire. Members of the Miramar Fire Department, Aircraft Rescue and Fire Fighting/Recovery Marines and Military Police helped save structures and aircraft from the blaze that scorched more than 19,000 acres of station property and more than 200,000 acres of land in and around the San Diego area.

More evidence of Miramar's success at home came in the form of various awards given for safety excellence. Awards included the Secretary of the Navy Achievement in Safety Ashore and the Department of the Navy Safety Excellence Award. The focus on safety was not confined to the workplace. Miramar participated in the federal "Click-it or Ticket" program once again and the Provost Marshal's Office supported several programs including drug awareness reduction education and gang recognition classes.

For Miramar and the nation, 2003 saw sacrifice, destruction and loss, but also victory, success and most of all patriotism.

"Napoleon once said that 'troops will fight long and hard for a little piece of colored ribbon,' but I think Napoleon only had it half right," said Lt. Gen. James Conway, commanding general, I MEF, when I MEF was awarded the Presidential Unit Citation Nov. 20 for their work in Iraq. "Marines fight for other reasons. They fight for each other, they fight because they are American patriots and they fight because they believe in what they are fighting for. But I will tell you that when they finish fighting they find it appropriate that, that bright piece of ribbon makes its way to their chests."



Fifteen pairs of boots, M16A2 service rifles, and helmets were displayed in remembrance of the 15 fallen Marines of the 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing. Photo by: Cpl. Jeff Zaccaro


Sempers,

Roger