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<a href="http://www.mca-marines.org/gazette">www.mca-marines.org/gazette</a> 21 M a r i n e C o r p s G a z e t t e • M a y 2 0 0 9 dition, MND-N and Special Opera- tions Task Force-North (SOTF-N) aviation units utilized these RRPs, increasing their time on station and response times to ground forces. While supporting OpDAN II in the Ninewah Province, MNF-W estab- lished an expeditionary air facility at Sahl Sinjar Airfield that supported R/W, tiltrotor, and F/W aircraft, in- cluding Marine F/A–18C and KC–130J operations. With its rapid refueling capabilities, Sahl Sinjar was also utilized by MND-N and SOTF- N aircraft to increase their time on station capabilities. The air facility was later certified by U.S. Air Force personnel for C–17 landings and de- partures to support current MNF-W operations as well as future MNC-I and MND-N operations. When MND-B requested addi- tional TacAir support for the defense of Baghdad against indirect fire and im- provised rocket and mortar attacks, MNF-W provided R/W assets consist- ing of mixed AH–1W Cobra and UH–1N Huey sections from Al Taqad- dum Air Base. When additional TacAir sorties and capabilities were re- quested from MNC-I to support MND-B, MNF-W provided F/W TacAir support, consisting of F/A– 18s and AV–8Bs. During OIF 08, I MEF(Fwd) provided historic aviation support to MNC-I by primarily utilizing F/W TacAir consisting of F/A–18 Hornets and AV–8B Harriers. In addition, R/W TacAir, AC2, and aviation ground support was provided to the JFC. Although a perception exists throughout the joint community that Marine air only supports Marine ground units, nothing could be fur- ther from the truth as seen during these operations. As a professional institution the Marine Corps needs to do a better job of marketing our capabilities to our joint brethren so they can become aware that Marine air does contribute to the overall joint ef- fort. JOIN MCA AND GET MEMBER VALUE PRICING AT THE MARINE SHOP AND AT MCA’S ONLINE STORE! <a href="http://www.mca-marines.org/join.asp">www.mca-marines.org/join.asp • 866-622-1</a>775 49GG The MARINE Shop • 300 Potomac Ave • P.O. Box 1775 • Quantico, VA 22134 • 888-237-7683 <a href="http://www.marineshop.net">www.marineshop.net</a> If Professionalism is Your Objective, Your Line of Departure Begins at Our Front Hatch! Featuring: • e Highest Quality Marine Uniforms & Accessories • e Widest Selection of Professional Reading for Marines • Marine Gear, Apparel and Specialty Gifts • Professional Services Marines Need, Including Expert Tailoring, Medal Mounting, Sword Refurbishment, and Business Card Design • e Highest Quality Customer Service from Our Expert Staff Professionalism LD LD Harriers supplemented the F/A–18 missions until October 2008. (Photo by Wesley J. Deaver.)
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