FORT WORTH, Texas -- Marines assigned to Dallas/Fort Worth-based Marine Fighter Attack Squadron-112, The Cowboys, deployed to the Western Pacific June 8 to support the Global War on Terrorism. They are the first Marine Reserve fighter squadron to be mobilized since World War II.
Approximately 200 active duty and reserve Marines from VMFA-112, Marine Aircraft Group-41, and Marine Aviation Logistics Squadron-41 left Naval Air Station-Joint Reserve Base Fort Worth for Kadena Air Force Base, Japan, on the two largest aircraft in the U.S. military, the C-17 Globemaster and the C-5 Galaxy cargo planes.
VMFA-112 has a compliment of 12 F/A-18A+ Hornets. The Hornet’s primary function is to intercept and destroy enemy aircraft under all-weather conditions and attack and destroy surface targets.
The aircraft have recently undergone significant changes in the radar, navigation, and night vision systems giving the distinction of A+, matching the aircraft’s capabilities with that of an active duty squadron.
The squadron gained the designation of a trusted agent in working directly with Naval Air Weapons Stations-China Lake while testing the new Air Intercept Missile-9X Sidewinder as well as the Joint Direct Attack Munition.
“Simply put, the squadron deployed in support of the Commander, U.S. Pacific Command to do what he wants us to do,” said VMFA-112 Executive Officer Lt. Col. Steve “Soms” Roepke. “To date, that consists of local area training to continue the U.S. presence in support of the Global War on Terrorism. The squadron will continue a training schedule and be prepared to execute any mission assigned should the situation arise.”
Getting the squadron’s 12 aircraft ready for the deployment was no easy task. Total man-hours for the month prior to the departure were 14,800. Approximately 5,000 of those man-hours were logged by the recently activated reserve Marines.
Deploying partner MALS-41 has distinguished itself as one of the premier intermediate maintenance facilities in the 4th Marine Air Wing. MALS-41 is a joint integrated maintenance department with both Navy and Marine Corps personnel. The MALS-41/AIMS Team in Fort Worth provides direct support for both local as well as geographically separated squadrons. Headquarters, MAG-41, has sent administrative personnel as well as a combat photographer to document the event.
“We brought a significant MALS-41 augment with us who will provide support to the squadron by aiding MALS-12 in Iwakuni, Japan,” said Roepke. “They will provide all of our intermediate level maintenance and supply support during the execution of the deployment. Their support is critical to the successful execution of our deployment.”
Roepke is just one of the several local Dallas/Fort Worth reserve Marines activated for the deployment. With nearly 15 years in active duty service, Roepke just recently joined the ranks of the Selected Marine Corps Reserve.
He is no stranger to deployments; in his active duty career he’s already seen one unit deployment to the Western Pacific, as well as three separate aircraft carrier deployments to the Mediterranean and participation in Operation Desert Shield/Desert Storm.
This is the first deployment for VMFA-112 since World War II. Known then as the Wolf Pack, the squadron participated in battles of the Pacific, all of which occurred in the vicinity of the current deployment.
“The Wolf Pack was responsible for the downing of 140 Japanese aircraft. It ranked third in the number of downed aircraft achieved. They were key to the victories attained in Guadalcanal, Iwo Jima and Okinawa,”said VMFA-112’s Commanding Officer Lt. Col. Bill “Rock” Collins. “We hope to visit all three locations during our deployment.”