Our Squadron is for all Marines who are or were part of Marine Air Command and Control. The name honors a small team of Marines who created an all weather bombing system in 1949 at Point Magu, California that evolved to become the Air Support Radar Team (ASRT). The equipment was sent to the Korean War as part of the 1st MAW, 1st MTACS. The radio call sign was Devastate Charlie. We are part of the Marine Corps Aviation Association. Click on the MCAA logo below for more information or to join. If you want to post stories or photos send them to craighullinger@gmail.com Semper Fi

Wednesday, December 26, 2012

G/ATOR at Modern Day Marine


G/ATOR at Modern Day Marine - Quantico VA

From our Devastate Charlie Facebook page

http://www.facebook.com/devastatecharlie


"AN/TPS-80 G/ATOR mobile radar system. It’s actually the result of fusing 2 programs: the Multi-Role Radar System (MRRS), and Ground Weapons Locator Radar (GWLR) requirements. When G/ATOR Increment IV becomes operational, it will replace and consolidate numerous legacy radars, including the AN/TPS-63 air surveillance, AN/MPQ-62 force control, AN/TPS-73 air traffic control, AN/UPS-3 air defense, and AN/TPQ-36/37 artillery tracking & locating radar systems:"

Click to Read More






Saturday, November 17, 2012

Ho Chi Minh Trail Today

Some great photos of the Ho Chi Minh Trail today. I am sure that a lot of the vehicles were hit by bombs guided by MASS-3 from our five ASRT sites in I Corps, South Vietnam.












Click below for many more images.






Sunday, November 11, 2012

Happy Birthday, Marines



CMC
A MESSAGE FROM THE COMMANDANT OF THE MARINE CORPS

     As we pause to celebrate the 237th birthday of our Corps, we reflect on the rich legacy of service handed down to us, we recommit ourselves to the tasks at hand, and we look forward toward a bright future in service to our country.
     
Marines exist to fight and win our Nation's battles. We are most proud of our well earned reputation for answering the clarion call first. This was never more evident than at the epic battle of Guadalcanal 70 years ago. Picked to lead the first allied counter-offensive ofthe Pacific war because they were the "most ready," Marines landed on 7 August 1942 in the Solomon Islands. They persevered through months of unremitting deprivation and bitter combat. By the time the veterans of the Blue Diamond, the Cactus Air Force, our legendary Marine Raiders, and initial elements of the Follow-Me Division gathered together to raise a canteen and toast the birthday of their beloved Corps some three months later, the battle was no longer an Issue. The situation was well in hand ... victory was assured.

We carry that same legacy of resolute commitment and valor today. Over the past year, Marines have stood firm in the toughest of circumstances and on numerous occasions. We've taken the fight to the enemy in Helmand and to the Hom of Africa. 

We've manned the ramparts of beleaguered embassies in the Middle East and North Africa, fought alongside our allies throughout the world, while behind the scenes, afloat and ashore, other Marines did the painstaking hard work required to maintain our high levels of readiness and efficiency.

As we look toward the future, we know that our sentimental place in the hearts of our fellow Americans and critical role in the defense of our way of life are assured. America has always wanted a Marine Corps .. .it's always been that way. Now, more than ever, America needs its Marines as we confront a dangerous and unpredictable world. Faced with difficult days ahead, we will continue to draw strength from our rich heritage and the shared values of the Marines to our left and to our right. We know who we are ... we know what we stand for. As ever we will strive to be found worthy of the legendary trust of our fellow Americans.

I salute the enduring faithfulness of those who have gone before, of those who wear our cloth today, and of the families who stand so resolutely at our sides. 

Happy Birthday, Marines!

Semper Fidelis,
General James Amos
James F. Amos
General, U.S. Marine Corps

Saturday, November 3, 2012

RealClearHistory.com


Part of my Marine Vietnam Blog got picked up by Real Clear History.com on Tuesday October 30, 2012. I have no idea how the found it but it was nice that my story was chosen. My 15 minutes of fame.



Thursday, August 16, 2012

Space A to Europe ?


Riding a C-117 to Europe, we hope. We are at the Charleston Air Force Base trying for a Space A trip. We made it out to the plane yesterday before the mission was changed. Will try again tonight.

I wanted to go to Asia but my wife wanted Europe. We compromised and are going to Europe.




Friday, June 29, 2012

Ground Weapons Locating Radar (GWLR)


U.S. Marine Corps leaders are asking military radar systems designers at Northrop Grumman Corp. Electronic Systems sector in Linthicum Heights, Md., to take the next step in developing the Ground Weapons Locating Radar (GWLR) portion of the Ground/Air Task Oriented Radar (G/ATOR) deployable radar system.





Saturday, May 26, 2012

Marine Air Group Reunion

The Marine Air Groups of the United States Marine Corps will hold a reunion at Branson, Mo October 17-20, 2012.  


Contact 


Robert Miller <mbobsue13@aol.com


and 


"James M. Jordan" <james.m.jordan@hughes.net


if you would like to attend.


Semper Fi



Memorial Day




Remembering our Fallen Veterans


Semper Fi

Wednesday, May 23, 2012

Leatherneck and Gazette










The June editions of Marine Corps Gazette and Leatherneck are awaiting your critical scrutiny and enjoyment now. Read both magazines in their digitally augmented, Online editions Today!
Access could not be easier or more convenient. Use your member login at www.marinecorpsgazette.com to get current on the key issues that matter to Marines today and login to www.leatherneckmagazine.com to delve into the epic past and continuing saga of our Corps today.
Leatherneck continues to put the spotlight on Marines – In every clime and place in this June issue:
  • The magazine leads off with a look at effective Marine Corps transition programs that help Marines gain acceptance at competitive colleges and universities and finishes with a feature on "Jarhead Red" a surprisingly good red wine made by Marines for Marines and other discerning connoisseurs.
  • Marine Corps history takes center stage with an article examining the challenges of medical care at the Frozen Chosin during the Korean War, along with a look at what happened to the recon Marines inserted on Hill 488 (Howard's Hill) during Operation Kansas in the Chu Lai province of Vietnam in 1966 along with an account of revisiting the battlefield in 2011, forty-five years later.
  • Looking at Marines with stories,Leatherneck features a Marine staff sergeant selected to attend the French Foreign Legion's famed Jungle School in French Guiana and follows up with a fascinating piece about a World War-II Marine who fought the Japanese and the elements on New Britain, Peleliu and Okinawa, earning a coveted Bronze Star Medal for his brave service on Okinawa.
Marine Corps Gazette continues topical, professional discussions on a range of vital issues including effective use of manpower and the reserves, counterinsurgency and amphib ops, as well as training and leadership. Several of the commentary articles deal with must-read, controversial "hot button" issues which should spark heated, additional discussions in future editions. We hope you will weigh in with your views!
  • A trio of well-argued articles explores utilizing civilian skills sets of our talented Reserve members, looks at options for augmentation of regular infantry battalions by Reserve units and another advocates developing counterinsurgency experts through innovative instructional strategies and materials.
  • A provocative article on effective leadership rails against, all too common, blind dogmatism and promotes humility in leaders while a pair of articles takes diametrically opposite views on the subject of the usefulness of the Foreign Area Officers program. An article on officer PME looks at going beyond the published guidance and current requirements.
  • "Hot Button" issues include a piece arguing that the Corps has not gone far enough in creating an acceptable environment for openly gay Marines after the repeal of "Don't Ask-Don't Tell" and another article poses American cultural rationale to argue against incorporating women in Marine combat arms units.    
We encourage you to visit both magazines' dynamic web sites. Both present features of value and enjoyment to Marines of every era. Check out our complete archives to read every magazine edition ever published, follow the latest, breaking media stories about Marines on Corps Daily News, view video interviews with famous Marines, leaders and historians and weigh in with your opinion in the ongoing, and often spirited discussions at our blogs. Light off your foray by clicking the links: www.marinecorpsgazette.comand www.leatherneckmagazine.com
Regards and Semper Fidelis to all of our members from YOUR Professional Association,
Col Walt Ford, USMC (Ret)                                              
Marine Corps Association
Publisher & Editor, Leatherneck

Col John Keenan, USMC (Ret)Marine Corps AssociationEditor, Marine Corps Gazette



Thursday, May 17, 2012

'kamikaze' drone


Marine Corps pursues 'kamikaze' drone



NORFOLK, Va. (MarineCorpsTimes.com) - The Marine Corps is taking steps to procure its first "kamikaze" drone in an effort to provide small units the ability to quickly strike soft targets such as IED emplacement teams.

The Switchblade, produced by California-based AeroVironment, can be guided into a target and explode on impact, almost like a hand grenade, said company spokesman Steven Gitlin.



Saturday, May 5, 2012

Vietnam - The End of the War




A book written by George J. Veith's "Black April" is summarized in the Wall Street Journal. Some quotes below:

"the root cause of South Vietnam's defeat was the slashing of assistance by the U.S. Congress in 1974, when military aid was nearly halved. As the North Vietnamese onslaught began in March 1975, South Vietnam's shortages of aircraft fuel and spare parts prevented the military from flying troops in to fortify a vulnerable 900-mile western flank." 
 
"More than 100,000 South Vietnamese who had sided with the United States perished in the final battles, were executed immediately thereafter or died from maltreatment in massive "re-education" camps. Half a million more South Vietnamese died while attempting to flee communist oppression by boat."

_____________________________________



It is hard for a Vietnam Vet to not feel contempt for Congress when after supporting Vietnam, Cambodia, and Laos for many years, they pulled the plug, condemning millions to die.

My Thoughts on the War on the blog below:



Sunday, April 29, 2012

MACS 2

MARINE CORPS AIR STATION CHERRY POINT, N.C. - Checking wires and screens, Cpl. Mark C. Gonzales, a data network specialist with Marine Air Control Squadron 2, has anything but a boring job. With each new call that comes in comes a new challenge, a new solution and a new learning experience.

Gonzales explained that the best and worst part of his job comes in one simple package called troubleshooting.

Click to Read more:
 

http://www.dvidshub.net/news/87485/fly-cpl-mark-c-gonzales#.T538ArPWbi4#ixzz1tUJMykNN



Thursday, April 12, 2012

Unstaffed Naval Boats

NEW ORLEANS — Technology that sent unmanned aircraft over Iraq and Afghanistan soon could be steering unstaffed naval boats for such dangerous tasks as minesweeping, submarine detection, intelligence gathering and approaching hostile vessels.

Defense contractor Textron Inc. demonstrated what it calls its Common Unmanned Surface Vessel technology Thursday at its Textron Marine & Land Systems shipyard in New Orleans.




Wednesday, April 4, 2012

Harvest Hawk Gives Marines Peace of Mind


Marine Corps News|
by Cpl. Isaac Lamberth

KANDAHAR AIRFIELD, Afghanistan — A modified KC-130J flies over Afghanistan ready to unleash a tremendous amount of firepower for the Marines it supports.

Equipped to fire Hellfire and Griffin missiles, the aircraft known as the Harvest Hawk, provides close-air-support (CAS) for Marines conducting ground operations.



Thursday, March 8, 2012

Saturday, February 18, 2012


A Marine’s Journal – 1st Lt. David Morgenstern

Courtesy Photo
1st Lt. David Morgenstern, fourth in line, and fellow Marines are welcomed to the international airport in Bangor, Maine, in March 2011, following a deployment to Afghanistan. Morgenstern, an air support control officer with Marine Air Support Squadron 3, deployed out of Camp Pendleton, Calif., is deployed again to Afghanistan in support of NATO International Security Assistance Force operations.




Sunday, February 12, 2012

MajGen Beydler's Spice Message



Unit Address & Phone

1st Marine Aircraft Wing
Marine Forces Pacific
Unit 37101
FPO AP 96603-7101
Commercial: 011-81-611-745-3781
DSN:             315-645-3781