Aviation ‘pit stop’ keeps operations running in al Anbar Province

MUDAYSIS, Iraq – The Marines of Marine Wing Support Squadron 374 recently trekked across the desert to the abandoned remains of an Iraqi air base here to set up an aviation ‘pit stop.’

Called forward arming and refueling points, the pit stop provides Marine aviators a means of supporting missions in remote areas of al Anbar Province.

In a little more than two days, the Marines built a base camp, established air traffic communications and refurbished landing strips to create a fully-functioning refueling point.





MUDAYSIS, Iraq – Heavy equipment operators with Marine Wing Support Squadron 374 clear a berm that was obstructing a taxiway here. The 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing (Forward) support squadron refurbished the runway and taxiways at the former Iraqi air base in order to establish a forward arming and refueling point. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. George J. Papastrat) (Released)





MUDAYSIS, Iraq -- Sgt. Elmer Sims, an air traffic control navigational aids technician with Marine Air Control Squadron 1, runs function tests on navigational equipment here Sept. 15. Sims worked with Marine Wing Support Squadron 374 to set up operations at the refueling point. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. George J. Papastrat) (Released)




MUDAYSIS, Iraq – A CH-46E Sea Knight lands here to refuel during a reconnaissance mission in the area Sept. 12. Marine Wing Support Squadron 374 turned an abandoned Iraqi air base into a forward arming and refueling point in just more than two days. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. George J. Papastrat) (Released)





MUDAYSIS, Iraq -- Three CH-46E Sea Knights land here Sept. 12 to refuel during a reconnaissance mission in the area Sept. 12. Marine Wing Support Squadron 374 turned an abandoned Iraqi air base into a forward arming and refueling point in just more than two days. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. George J. Papastrat) (Released)





MUDAYSIS, Iraq – Sgt. Kolton Hayden with 3rd Reconnaissance Battalion provides security for a CH-46E Sea Knight here Sept. 12. Marine Wing Support Squadron 374 built an arming and refueling point at the former Iraqi air base. The three Sea Knights were the first aircraft to refuel at the site. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. George J. Papastrat) (Released)