Following Skip's lead, I thought I'd send a "catching up" email. Things here at MACS-4 (Squadron of the Year) are keeping me busy.
After returning from our 6 months at OEF (Operation Enduring Freedom) we hit the deck running. I have one of my RADARs (the PAR) at Cobra Gold in Thailand, and the other (the ASR) at Kadena Air Force Base. My Marines are working 24/7 and are BEAT. Heck, I'm beat and I'm not allowed to touch tools and stuff anymore (LOL) (that's what happens when they make you a MSgt).
Our busy schedule here has no relief in sight. We will most likely be going back to OEF for another rotation. Without giving out secret info, I can tell ya'll this; the Marine ATC is supporting "above and beyond" because our sister services do not seem to be able to match what we do. The Air Force really likes having Marines doing their ATC. Who wouldn't! We are the best at everything we do! I just hope someone takes notice of how hard my Marines are working, supporting ATC commitments with NO REST.
My normal job is being a Maintance Chief, but do to the lack of a Controller MSgt type being here(7291), I have to be the NCOIC as well. I know that may not read well, because as Marines we always look forward to leadership positions. But I am doing both jobs, with multiple deployments going on between our OEF commitment, and trying to convince my family that spending every Christmas (and other holidays) in Okinawa without me is fun is taxing my creative abilities (if you know what I mean)! So it keeps me busier than I would like. Oh well, that's just me whining. But you know the old saying, "A Marine ain't happy unless he's bitching".
I noticed an email from one of our MATCA members with a link to Uranium sickness and our troops in Afghanistan. I think we (my detachment) should all be a little worried about that as well. The base we were/are at is a former Soviet Union base that had a little "Nuke Spill" a couple of years ago. I tell my wife that I may "glow in the dark" in a few years, but heck, one less night light to buy!
Marlene, your stories about "life on the farm" remind me of the show GREEN ACRES. Do you have to climb up a telephone pole to send your emails? (LOL)
I've noticed some email traffic about MATCA membership, specifically, who is and is not eligibalile. Seems there are some MACS type controllers who are asking. Here are my thoughts on that subject, for what it's worth. We (ATC) are now part of the MACS (Marine Air Control Squadron), vise being the MATCS (Marine Air Traffic Control Squadron) that we use to be. The push is to integrate all the MOS fields (MACS and MATCS) into one big happy (group hug) family. Interchangeable Techs and Operators, dogs and cats living together, total GREEN. That will happen, and when it does we will have to think about our membership requirements. Soon our ATC specific requirements will spill over to Marines who are TAOC (Tactical Air Operations Center), which is what the MACS is all about. So if we exclude them NOW, they may become eligible by default in the very near future. So I think (with the radiation rattling in my brain) that we welcome them aboard now. Like it or not, they will be apart of us and why not start the "indoc" of the GREEN side to our MATCA "BLUE" side now. Maybe we can help the integration of the two sides and fight for ATC values by doing so. Just a thought.
I could go on and on tonight, cause I'm in the mood to talk. But my mind is on other things at this moment. So let me get these last few things off my mind.
First off, the support ya'll gave my detachment during Christmas at OEF was GREAT!!!! I took all the stuff ya'll sent and wrapped them in Christmas paper. Then we handed them out on Christmas to the Marines. It was a SMILE bringer to every one of my Marines. Thank You :)
MATCA WEB PAGE: I will update our web page as soon as I get a couple of days off. I will be deploying again for a long time, so if there is anyone of you that has some "Web Master" skills, and willing to help me out, please let me know.
Last but not least: You guys, the retired/former Marines, are the light. We, the active duty Marines, follow your example... try to live up to your accomplishments.... and pray that we will always be able to look you in the eye and say "Mission Accomplished... Flight Check Good!"
