26 September 2005

Dear Moonlighter Families,

We’ve done it! Our last section of helicopters landed back at Al Asad, Iraq at approximately 0300 in the morning on the 26th of September. The squadron has had a remarkable tour over here flying 3,883 hours while moving 14,918 passengers and 261,792 lbs of cargo in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom 04-06. This amazing performance was made possible by the hard work and dedication of each and every one of your Marines. I could not be more proud of the squadron!

This week we are busy packing up, cleaning up, finishing up the paperwork, and getting ready for the long journey back to you. All of the Marines are getting a little down time this week to allow the events of the last seven months to sink in. We will also be participating in “Warrior Transition Training” in order to prepare for our reunions with our families. The key to a successful reunion is to take things slowly and to keep expectations low. Remember that we have several resources available to you and your Marine if you find that you are having difficulties adjusting to each other again. Among these are the base Chaplains, Family Service Centers, MCCS One Source, and the PWST Officer.

Congratulations to the following Moonlighters on their promotions this Month.

GySgt Chad W. Wiebe
SSgt Brittania L. Kreig
Sgt Donald G. Hicks Jr.
Cpl Nicholas C. Bredehoft


Happy October Birthday to the following Moonlighters.

Cpl Jared A. Bolin
LCpl Cindy D. Castaneda
LtCol David H. Cleary
Cpl Chad A. Coursey
LCpl Brent M. Cross
Sgt Jessica D. Demumbrum
LCpl Dagoberto Espinoza
LCpl Carlos A. Garcia
LCpl Joshua J. Garcia
MGySgt Francisco V. Hammons
Sgt Donald G. Hicks Jr.
LtCol Brian T. Josten
Sgt Owen C. Lane
Cpl David C. Lopez
Capt John A. McGurty Jr., USNR
Cpl Ivan Palacios
GySgt Joseph A. Plaza
LCpl Joshua P. Pritchett
Cpl Jauntianne S. Saleigh
Cpl Michael S. Segovia
LCpl Nicholas I. Sinclair
Cpl Victor G. Sirias
Sgt Jose J. Urquizo
LCpl Eduardo Valenzuela
LCpl Martin T. Vargas
LCpl Raul E. Vasquez
Cpl John W. Wright


Thank you for all the patience, strength, and support you have given to your deployed Marine. See you soon.

God Bless and Semper Fidelis,



LtCol Jacques Naviaux II,
Commanding Officer
HMM-764
Al Asad Air Base, Iraq