Light
Attack
Brought to you by our
Loyal Sponsors:
American Taxpayers!
Our worthy
sister squadrons:
 
A Very Busy Month, and Two Command Changes! In May, the Nightmares competed in the Marine Aircraft Group Thirteen Bombing Derby, with Nightmare pilots "Critter" and "Vino" taking first and second place in the competition. The eight pilots representing the Nightmares were "Waldo," "Vino," "Critter," "Torch," "Screech," "Chunks," "Steroid," and "Cow." At the end of the competition, the famous "Wake Island Avengers" earned the honor of treating the Tomcats, Blacksheep, and Nightmares to refreshments at the subsequent party in the Sonoran Pueblo Club. The month was mostly dedicated to 'night systems' block training and Nightmare pilots returned to their legacy of flying by night and sleeping by day. Pursuant to the Harrier Community's master plan for long-term combat readiness and support to Fleet Marine Forces worldwide, the Nightmares began accepting the newest variants of the AV-8B Harrier. The first was transferred to the Nightmares from the VMA-311 Tomcats, who live in the hangar next-door. The Nightmares have authored a plan to achieve core competency with the new sensor six months prior to its next scheduled deployment, allowing for subsequent graduate-level advanced training tailored to the mission of the Marine Expeditionary Force. In the last week of May, the Cow and thirty-three of his Marines spent a week on the parade field, drilling with their weapons in advance of the 1 June MAG-13 Change of Command. Four of MAG-13's squadrons and their commanders similarly paraded before the 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing's Commanding General, as "Snake" transferred the reins of power to "Ragu." (Please be reminded that flight call-signs are always used in place of real names.) The subsequent joint Snake-Ragu party was held at the "Snake Ranch" and it was as wonderful as every party that Snake and Peggy host. We will miss them. Finally, the Nightmares threw their first "Hail and Farewell" party under Cow's command. It was held at "Screech's Hacienda" and it was a blast, despite the difficulty of saying goodbye to "Waldo," "Rabbit," "Heed," and "Cherry." Screech's maintenance Department scored high marks in the Pre-AME inspection and the squadron exceeded both operational and maintenance goals for the month. The Cow directed that the squadron's Marines receive a three-day weekend over Mother's Day to reward them (and their wives) for superior performance. It was with great pleasure that the Cow welcomed "Santa" as the new CO of Marine Attack Squadron 214, the "Blacksheep." "Santa" and Cow have been cross-country partners since they were Captains and it will be great working and flying with him as a fellow commander. 
|