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11.WatchingUSAProjectStrengthAugust2009.pptWATCHING THE USA PROJECT ITS STRENGTH
MISSION TO IWAKUNI
In August 2009, the U.S. Marine Corps flew me to Japan to accompany Marine Attack Squadron (VMA) 211 on its homeward flight to Yuma Marine Corps Air Station via Wake Island and Hawaii.
VMA-211’S MISSION AND AIRCRAFT
VMA-211 flies Harrier attack jets, which can fly like regular jets and also hover in place above ground. Its primary mission is close air support – providing additional firepower for Marine ground troops.
THE WAKE ISLAND AVENGERS
VMA-211 traces its lineage to Marine Fighting Squadron (VMF) 211, which was stationed on Wake Island, an American island base 2,000 miles west of Hawaii, which the Japanese attacked on December 8, 1941. Though badly outnumbered, VMF-211 shot down several Japanese aircraft, sank an enemy destroyer and submarine, and damaged several more ships.
THE WAKE ISLAND AVENGERS
To honor VMF-211’s stand on Wake Island, December 8-23, 1941, the commanding officer’s Harrier in VMA-211 bears the name of Captain Henry T. Elrod, who shot down two Japanese bombers, sank the enemy destroyed Kisaragi, and died fighting Japanese landing troops. He received a posthumous Medal of Honor.
A NIGHT FLIGHT TO WAKE ISLAND
(Lower left) VMA-211’s pilots test their engines the day before takeoff. (Upper right) Part of the ground echelon settles into a C-130 transport plane for the seven-hour flight from Iwakuni to Wake Island. (Lower right) One Marine sleeps on some cargo. Pray there is no turbulence.
SAFE LANDING AT WAKE ISLAND
SHOWING YOUNG MARINES AROUND A WORLD WAR II BATTLEFIELD
(Lower left) A Japanese pillbox built by captive American labor. (Upper right) Inspecting an underground bomb shelter near the airfield. (Lower right) A Marine poses by a boulder carved by one of ninety-nine American POWs later executed by the Japanese.
AT THE MARINE CORPS MONUMENT ON WAKE
PREPARING TO LEAVE WAKE ISLAND
(Below) I show my Temple colors outside the Wake Island airport terminal. (Upper right) Lieutenant Colonel V. F. Cryer, VMA-211’s C.O., confers with his executive officer. (Lower right) Some of VMA-211’s Harriers ready for takeoff.
TAKEOFF FROM WAKE ISLAND
I left Wake Island seated in the cockpit of a U.S. Air Force KC-10 extender, one of two that came along to refuel the Harrier jets on both legs of our flight.
REFUELING OVER THE CENTRAL PACIFIC
Seated in the refueling cockpit of the KC-10, I watched Harrier jets close to within fifty feet of my face going 350 miles per hour to top off their fuel tanks.
