MARINE CORPS AIR STATION MIRAMAR, Calif. -- Ten years ago one Marine aircraft group here deployed nearly 1,000 Marines to fight a battle in the desert.

For the first time since Operation Desert Shield that same group has now deployed even more Marines to the Persian Gulf and the Orient.

In the first week of March, Marine Aircraft Group 11 has three of its squadrons scattered to the winds supporting Joint Task Force Southwestern Asia, Operation Southern Watch and a Western Pacific deployment.  Almost 1,000 Marines with nearly 40 aircraft are deployed.

According to Lt. Col. David R. Leppelmeier, MAG-11 assistant operations officer, the biggest challenge was the logistics of getting everything prepared for the mass deployment.

"VMFA-323 had to completely move out of their hangar because it was being renovated and move to the USS Constellation," he said.  "Logistically that's a big thing."

Death Rattler Marines had five semi-tractor trailers filled with equipment, which had to be transferred to the aircraft carrier.  To prepare for their deployment to the Arabian Gulf, VMFA-323 Marines had to overcome three rigorous work-up exercises -- two on the carrier and one at Naval Air Station Fallon, Nev.  They also completed a Marine Corps Combat Readiness Evaluation -- where the pilots flew 70 sorties in all different mission areas like air-to-air and air-to-ground combat. Leppelmeier also said that squadron Marines had four separate aircraft-carrier qualifications so the pilots would be prepared for what lay ahead.

One of the largest obstacles the Group faced involved the Marines of Marine Air Logistics Squadron 11. A detachment of Devil Fish Marines was sent with each Hornet squadron that deployed.

"The most amazing thing was the sacrifice other squadrons in MAG-11 made to ensure MALS-11 had all the parts they needed for this deployment," he said.  "All of the Hornets had to be prepared to last for six months straight."

Marine All-Weather Fighter Attack Squadron 242 Marines also deployed the first week of March to participate in a WestPac.  Bats Marines took their F/A-18D Night Attack Hornets to the Orient after completing their own MCCRE, as well as become Forward Air Controller Airborne qualified.  The squadron's pilots only had 10 days to become air-refuel qualified.

The main body of Marines traveled by an L-1011 aircraft, while the rest of the squadron used a C-5 and two KC-130s to get to their destination. Leppelmeier said the Marines will support the Korean Operations Plan, and that during their six-month deployment they will also visit Guam and the Philippines. 

The final deploying MAG-11 squadron was Marine All-Weather Fighter Attack Squadron 225.  These Marines also deployed to Southwest Asia to support Operation Southern Watch.  After participating in several preparation exercises, Viking Marines traveled to Hurlburt Field, Fla., for Joint Combat Search and Rescue training.  Another obstacle they had to face was getting their 18 pilots tanker qualified.

To transport all of their equipment, Viking Marines loaded two C-17s, two C-5s and two KC-130s for the deployment.  They also had to transport all the MALS-11 support vans.

However, these were not the only challenges faced by group Marines. They also had to ensure that their general Marine Corps Battle Skills Training was up to date before leaving.

"There are things we tend to forget about," said Leppelmeier.  "We forget about all the time and preparation for family readiness, medical readiness, rifle, pistol and NBC training.  There was also area-of-operations briefs that had to be completed before leaving."

On the heels of the 10th anniversary of participating in Desert Storm, MAG-11 Marines have proven once again that they have what it takes to rapidly deploy to every climb and place in defense of our nation.