"Wild Goose" Marines recon New York City for Fleet Week

[thedrifter]

"Wild Goose" Marines recon New York City for Fleet Week
Submitted by: New York City Public Affairs
Story Identification Number: 2004430122821
Story by Maj. David C. Andersen



NEW YORK(April 30, 2004) -- In preparation for Fleet Week 2004 in New York City, Marines from helicopter squadron HMM-774 "Wild Goose" from Norfolk, Va., made a trip to the Big Apple Thursday to complete a detailed landing zone reconnaissance flight.

"It is a one of a kind experience," said Maj. Drew "Ike" Ryan, Operations Officer, MAG-42, Detachment B. "To fly over the greatest city in the world is unbelievable and knowing that you are protecting their freedoms elsewhere in the world because of events that happened right here makes it even more moving."

The squadron is planning five helicopter-raid demonstrations as a part of Fleet Week 2004. Four of the five boroughs of New York City will see two CH-46 Marine "helos" drop from the sky and have Marines pour into a city park as a narrator describes the action to the crowd.

"We are looking forward to Fleet Week. The Marines are excited about showing New Yorkers what the Corps is all about," said Ryan.

Ryan, from Centereach, N.Y. on Long Island and whose father was a New York City Policeman with the 111th Precinct in Queens, has supported Fleet Week in the past and is excited about the upcoming opportunity.

A visit to the NYPD's Aviation Unit's airfield and headquarters yesterday to coordinate upcoming air traffic proved to be a reunion. NYPD pilots that Ryan worked with last year immediately remembered him as the two organizations often work together.

The plan for Fleet Week 2004 is coming together fast. Units from 10th Marine Regiment in Camp Lejeune, N.C. and 4th ANGLICO Company, Marine Forces Reserve, West Palm Beach, Fla., will also be supporting and are currently preparing for the week long deployment aboard the USS Iwo Jima from May 26th to June 2nd.



An HHM-774 "Wild Goose" helo lifts off from Wall Street landing in New York City with the Brooklyn and Manhattan Bridges in the background. Photo by: Maj. David C. Andersen

http://www.usmc.mil/marinelink/mcn20...0?opendocument


Ellie