MARINE CORPS BASE HAWAII, KANEOHE BAY, Hawaii -- A squadron comprised mainly of Marine reservists flew out to Hawaii to support the Hawaii Combined Arms Exercise in early February, assisting 3rd Marine Regiment with close air support while accomplishing its two-week annual training evolution.
Marine Fighter Attack Squadron 134, out of Marine Corps Air Station Miramar, Calif., supported the HCAX with six F/A-18C Hornets by dropping live missiles and bombs at the Pohakuloa Training Area on the Big Island of Hawaii.
"This year our annual two-week training period happened to coincide with the HCAX, so we could conduct our own training while assisting the regiment with their training at the same time," said Maj. Mark Duffer, VMFA-134 safety officer. "We always enjoy coming to Hawaii to train. It's a good morale booster for the troops and good payback for all the hard work they do."
Staff Sgt. Jerry Esqueda, air frames supervisor for VMFA-134, is a banker and mortgage broker in his civilian life, but when it's time to train, he's all Marine.
"It's really neat seeing the way the unit comes together to accomplish the mission when you know the diverse jobs they all hold in the civilian world," said Esqueda. "Some are students, some may fly professionally for large corporations like FedEx, but when it's time to put on the uniform, the mission is all that is on our minds. It is really rewarding to see the dedication they all put into being Marines."
"We came here in two formations of three F-18s, one formation following a KC-10, and one formation following a KC-135," explained Duffer. "When we return, we will be flying in one large formation following the KC-10.
"It's really awesome to see the aerial formations and refueling operations from the sky as we travel. It is a series of precision movements that is very impressive."
The squadron conducts its two weeks of training, which could take place anywhere, every year. The training usually involves either air-to-ground or air-to-air operations.
"That's the great thing about the Hornet," said Duffer. "It is a dual-function aircraft, the 'F/A' in the title meaning that the aircraft is both a fighter and attack aircraft."
With the ability to mobilize in less than 24 hours, VMFA-134 is ready for any operation that may come its way.
"The Marines performed exceptionally well," said Duffer. "We accomplished all of the tasks in our training syllabus, and we want to thank the base and MAG-24 for their support."