Marine Corps Base Hawaii

MCB HAWAII, KANEOHE BAY, Hawaii -- The Hells Angels of Marine Fighter Attack Squadron 321 left Hawaii July 13 after completing two weeks of intense training in support of the Rim of the Pacific Exercise on and around Oahu, and the Hawaii Combined Arms Exercise on the Big Island..The squadron deployed 106 Marines and one Sailor from its home field at Andrews Air Force Base, Md., and was completely self-supported throughout the training evolution.Seven FA-18A "Hornet" aircraft were the tools of destruction for the squadron, and according to Lt. Col. Robert Ballard, VMFA-321 commanding officer, MCB Hawaii provided excellent training opportunities for the squadron."This deployment was very beneficial to the pilots and crews because it gave everyone a chance to operate in a forward-deployed environment, with very different weather conditions, high altitudes, and with live ordnance," Ballard explained. "We had a lot going on, and everyone really had to put their game face on."Part of what made the training unique for the squadron was that it was the first HCAX and RIMPAC evolutions the Hells Angels had been part of. Targets on the ground were in close proximity to Marines and Sailors, and the pilots had the opportunity to work with 3rd Marine Regiment air liaison officers and forward air controllers for the first time.The training tested the logistical abilities of the squadron too. "We put in a lot of hours making sure all of the aircraft were operational," said Cpl. Stylianos Kutob, an operations clerk. "We self-deployed, and our supply chain from the rear was far, but when there were problems with any of the aircraft, we were able to get right on it."This exercise was the first time many of the Marines had worked with the Navy in a forward-deployed environment."The Navy logistical support here was great," said Sgt. Herbert Shannon, a VMFA-321 embarkation specialist. "When we deploy, we're always learning something new, and this time we learned that the Navy here is very supportive."Shannon, a reserve Marine from Largo, Md., finished his annual training requirement with this deployment, and also qualified as a tan belt in the Marine Corps Martial Arts Program. More than 60 percent of the Marines who made the trip to Hawaii completed their annual training, and were able to experience an authentic Hawaiian luau along the way."Everyone got a lot out of this deployment," said Ballard. "It also proved that we can take the entire squadron, pack it up, send it a very long distance, put a lot of ordnance on target, and redeploy back to our base."