News

Marine squadron continues preparation for Robins transfer

  • Published
  • By Wayne Crenshaw
  • 78 ABW/PA
Robins got a small taste last week of how life is going to be a little different around here starting next summer.

Marines from Light Attack Helicopter Squadron-773 flew an AH-1 Super Cobra here Dec. 11 to test out landing areas on the flightline. It was part of the preparations for the unit's expected transfer here in June.

The unit, also known as the Red Dogs, is currently based at Naval Air Station Atlanta, which is closing under the Base Realignment and Closing Commission.

The pilots, Lt. Col. Steve Godinho and Lt. Col. Joe Crane, said they had been in discussions with Airfield Operations about proposed changes in the operations manual and they wanted to test out those changes. Godinho said, for example, that they wanted to be able to land on Taxiway E near their new hangar and in the grass rather than using the runway every time. They tried out those landing areas and others before stopping for refueling.

Their new building in the 116th Air Control Wing area is on schedule for completion and the unit is expected to make the move starting in June.

"We are excited," Godinho said. "We are coming from a much smaller base so we think the facilities here are going to be fantastic. We are really excited to come down here and join the Robins community."