'Iron Horse' returns to old stomping ground

[thedrifter]

'Iron Horse' returns to old stomping ground
Submitted by: MCAS New River
Story Identification Number: 2004324105425
Story by Sgt. Christine C. Odom



MARINE CORPS AIR STATION NEW RIVER, N.C.(March 11, 2004) -- Many spectators gathered in amazement around Aiken Senior High School?s baseball field in South Carolina to watch a crew from Marine Heavy Helicopter Squadron-461 land a CH-53E Super Stallion helicopter on the field March 11.

The helicopter display was only a small portion of HMH-461?s visit. The squadron?s executive officer, Maj. Robert D. Pridgen, attended Aiken?s Naval Junior Reserve Officers Training Corps? pass-in-review ceremony, which consisted of a uniform inspection, platoon drill competition, presentation of Colors, awards and pass-in-review.

Pridgen, a lieutenant colonel select, along with Navy Cmdr. Gary Edwards, commanding officer of Naval Security Group, Fort Gordon, Ga., were the inspecting officers for the uniform inspection. Veterans from the Marine Corps League were judges for the drill competition.

?Every other year, the cadets are inspected in their Service Dress Blue uniform if they?re an E-7 or above, and Winter Blue uniform if E-6 or below,? said Coast Guard Lt. Cmdr. Dennis Turner, NJROTC instructor from Aiken.

Uniforms inspected model Navy service attire. Approximately 98 cadets participated in the inspection, and about a dozen of them were recognized for their overall exemplary appearance during the inspection. In addition, Pridgen, a native of Aiken, also presented the cadets with an ?Iron Horse? coin.

According to Turner, the NJROTC program began at the school in 1969 and is usually comprised of retired Navy, Coast Guard and Marine Corps officers who provide instruction for cadets.

?The biggest thing the program does for kids is it exposes them to a military life or regiment, which gives them an early opportunity to learn leadership and how to become a good citizen,? said Pridgen who, back in his heyday, was also an NJROTC cadet at Aiken High.

Like the military, the program teaches cadets about accountability, paying attention to detail and discipline, added Turner. There is a miniature basic training camp cadets may also attend to improve their leadership skills and expand their knowledge beyond civilian society.

After the ceremony concluded, the cadets were given the opportunity to take a guided tour of the Super Stallion with the rest of the ?Iron Horse? crew, 1st Lt. Thomas N. Trimble, adjutant and unit information officer from Baltimore; Gunnery Sgt. Beau Berg, flightline from McHerny, Ill.; and Staff Sgt. Judson C. Newman, maintenance control from Marquette, Mich.

?It?s not everyday you get to show off your aircraft to the kids,? added Trimble.

This was the first time the crew attended an NJROTC event, and they said it was a great opportunity to represent the squadron and the Marine Corps.

?It gave me a chance to get back to the school and show some of the kids that you don?t have to stay local; there is more out there,? concluded Pridgen.



Lt. Cmdr. Dennis Turner (left), Naval Junior Reserve Officer Training Corps instructor, and Maj. Robert D. Pridgen, Marine Heavy Helicopter Squadron-461 executive officer, inspect cadets in their Service Dress Blue and Winter Blue uniforms March 11. Photo by: Sgt. Christine C. Odom

http://www.usmc.mil/marinelink/mcn20...A?opendocument


Ellie