News

Members from Marine helicopter squadron visits Robins, its eventual home

  • Published
  • By Amanda Creel
  • 78 ABW/PA
The sky above Robins took an unusual beating March 25 when a pair of rotary aircraft landed at the alert pad.

Two helicopters, an AH-1 Super Cobra and an UH-1N Huey, made the short spin to Robins to give members of the media a glimpse into the mission of the Marine Light Attack Helicopter Squadron-773.

The squadron, also known as the Red Dogs, is responsible for providing close air support and troop transport of Marine Corp Infantry.

The unit, which is presently stationed at Naval Air Station Atlanta under the command of the Marine Aircraft Group-42, is relocating to Robins at the beginning of 2010.

The move is being made in reaction to the Base Realignment and Closure list and the headquarters Marine Corp Aviation Plan. Not only will the squadron be moving to Robins, the MAG-42 will be decommissioning and the squadron will be realigned under Marine Aircraft Group- 49, which is based in Willow Grove, Penn.

The unit will move in three Hueys and six Super Cobras and add about 150 active-duty Marines and 300 traditional Marine reservists to the base population. It will fill three of the buildings presently occupied by the 19th Air Refueling Group, which is being inactivated by the BRAC decision. The squadron is also planning to break ground in May on a new hangar designed to help the helicopter unit fulfill their mission.

Marine Lt. Col. Paul Ozmer, executive officer for the HMLA- 773, said the unit was no stranger to Robins and had stopped at the base during training exercises and when traveling to other locations for deployment.

Members of the unit are looking forward to joining the Middle Georgia community and benefiting from the strong relationship between the base and the surrounding communities.

Some of the Marines said the unit might turn a few heads when the rotary aircraft first arrive because their flight patterns are different from other aircraft at Robins.

The Marines agreed members of the base and local communities would have to become accustomed to the noise created by the rotary aircraft, because it is much different than noise created by other aircraft.

"Its going to be a little bit louder for a little bit longer," said Marine Maj. Dave Bogle, a pilot with the unit.

Major Bogle said another difference is the altitude the aircrafts travel. He said helicopters fly significantly lower than many of the aircraft the Robins community are familiar seeing.

However, one of the Marines, who calls Middle Georgia home, said he expects the people of Middle Georgia to grow to take pleasure in the unit's presence and its rotary aircraft.

"I think they are going to absolutely love it," said Maj. Layne Smith, who grew up in Fort Valley.