Unit Will Remain On Cadre Status
"Like the Greek gods of
Homer, they (Marine Fighter Attack Squadron 134) have earned the
right to sleep the sleep of heroes, and even in their sacred
slumber will remain ever vigilant to return to the call to arms,"
said Brig. Gen. Mark Bircher, the commanding general of 4th Marine
Aircraft Wing, during the squadron's cadre August 11 ceremony on
the flight line at MCAS Miramar.
Bircher opened the ceremony by complimenting the squadron, which
belongs to Marine Aircraft Group 46, 4th Marine Aircraft Wing, on
their legendary availability, commitment and work effort. It was
this commitment that resulted in the squadron going to cadre status
vice decommission.
"The Marines and sailors poured their hearts into this
squadron," Bircher said. "That is the main reason they will be on
cadre status, instead of being decommissioned."
Cadre status means the Department of the Navy can reactivate the
squadron -- which most recently flew F/A-18
Hornets -- without an act of Congress if they are needed
again.
"I'm really sad to see them (VMFA-134) go, but I want to tell
everyone that we're (4th MAW) still a force in readiness and have
our battle glasses on," Bircher said.
Retired Maj. James Dinsmore, a General Motors TBM-3E Avenger
pilot with the squadron from 1944-1946, was the guest of honor at
the ceremony. Several other previous VMFA-134 commanding officers
attended, showing their commitment to the unit in which more than
5,000 Marines have served.
"This ceremony marks the end of a long and proud history of
service to the Marine Corps and our country," said Col. Harry
Constant, the current commanding officer of VMFA-134. "Many of our
former squadron members have traveled great distances to be here.
We honor your legacy and years of dedicated service."
The squadron has served in many capacities in its 52 years of
service, and most recently acted as a pivotal asset in the Mojave
Viper Training Exercise.
"Had it not been for the commitment of the members of the
squadron and the support of higher headquarters, they (VMFA-134)
might not have been able to drop hundreds of thousands of pounds of
ordnance or contributed to the training of more than 25,000 Marines
before they left for combat duty," Constant explained.
VMFA-134 will move the majority of their active duty Marines to
other Hornet squadrons. Others have recieved orders to drill
instructor or recruiting duty, according to Constant.
Reservists will continue to take positions in other reserve
squadrons or serve on recruiting duty.
Four of the squadron's aircraft were transferred to Navy fleet
squadrons in California and Virginia. Three were transferred to
Marine Fighter Attack Training Squadron 101, here, two were
transferred to Marine Fighter Attack Squadron 323 at MCAS Miramar,
and the last Hornet was transferred to a Navy aggressor
squadron.
Sgt. Michael Hakes, a reserve airframe mechanic who joined the
squadron in 2001, said the ceremony brought a lot of emotion out of
past and present members of the squadron.
"It's sad to see the squadron go, but this is the time to
celebrate its proud history. The Marines here had a lot of good
times and the memories will last forever," said Hakes.
(Aero-News salutes Cpl. Martin R. Harris And Lance Cpl.
Freddie Coleman, MCAS Miramar. Ceremony photo by Lance Cpl. Freddie
Coleman.)