MARINE CORPS AIR STATION MIRAMAR, Calif. -- In the Marine Corps tradition of training as you fight, Marine All Weather Fighter Attack Squadron 121, Marine Aircraft Group 11, 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing, ran a live ordnance training mission June 8.

The mission originated at Marine Corps Air Station Miramar with ordnance loading and continued on to Point Mugu for the deployment of the ordnance.

The mission was important because VMFA(AW)-121 is validating current Marine Corps and Navy doctrines.

“The mission was unique because three of the missiles we were using did not have warheads, they had transmitters in their place,” said Chief Warrant Officer 2 Kenneth L. Aikey, Ordinance Officer in Charge, VMFA(AW)-121, Marine Aircraft Group 11, 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing. “This is because of the development of new technologies the Marine Corps works to update their tactics and strategies in the employment of weapons.”

Ordnance is loaded daily at the Combat Aircraft Loading Area for safety purposes since this area is designated for any live ordnance training. However, live missiles are usually only loaded two to three times a year, but high explosive bombs are used by VMFA(AW)-121 at least once a week, usually two times a week.

F/A-18 Hornets can carry a wide assortment of air to air missiles and air to ground weapons. The most commonly used are global positioning system bombs (JDAM), laser guided bombs (GBU) and high explosive bombs.

“Missiles were loaded in the morning, the biggest were the AIM-7 sparrow, which weigh about 500 lbs. and the smallest being the AIM-9 sidewinder, which weigh about 200 lbs.,” said Aikey. “The missiles we loaded in the morning were the AIM-120 Amraam missiles, AIM-9 Sidewinder missiles, AIM-7 Sparrow missiles, Tactical Air Launched decoys (TALD), BQM-74 (drone targets launched from Point Mugu) and LUU-2 Para flares.”

The mission encompassed a lot of logistical support from Marine Aviation Logistics Squadron 11, ordnance and Pt. Mugu. The mission was planned by the squadron, the weapons were built up and delivered by MALS-11 and Pt. Mugu cleared the range space and provided the BQMs for the squadron to shoot.

The VMFA(AW)-121 main focus was loading and launching all eight aircraft at once.

The live ordnance mission was also good training for the Green Knight’s pilots and ordnance Marines. Usually only practice ordnance is loaded and used.

“I learned almost everything after I arrived at Miramar from my military occupational specialty school,” said Pfc. Brian J. Craddock, ordnance technician, VMFA(AW)-121. “Also, pilots like to blow things up, so when we do a good job for them they recognize that.”

“The difference between a 25 pound practice bomb and a 2,000 pound MK-84 unguided bomb, is huge,” said Aikey. “The weight difference is great and the aircraft will fly different and rise when it releases the bomb not to mention the impact and subsequent explosion is quite a bit more impressive.”

The live ordnance training allows Marines to know what to expect when they get into a combat situation. The aircrew will know what to expect so when the missile or bomb is deployed they are not surprised with the aircraft’s reaction, and can focus on destroying the target and flying the aircraft.

“Using live ordnance is important because it allows the Marines loading the weapons and using them to become more comfortable with loading and expending it,” said Aikey. “Combat is not the time for uncertainty of weapon employment.”

The “Green Knights” were picked to spearhead the mission because they had missiles on their Non Combat Expenditure Allowance they wanted to train with. Normally the higher headquarters would set up the missile shoot, but they were short handed due to deployments to Iraq.

VMFA(AW)-121 has an outstanding ordnance record. In the last nine months they have expended over 596 tons of ordnance, over 40,000 20mm rounds, six High Speed Anti Radiation Missiles, two AIM-9s, 2 AIM-120s and 1 AIM-7. Total of all ordnance drops is about one-third of the NCEA for the F/A-18 Hornets at MCAS Miramar.

The “Green Knights” have had an extensive recent deployment record. They have deployed to Australia and Singapore for Operation Southern Frontier and expended over 111 tons of ordnance in 30 days. A deployment to Thailand for Cobra Gold where they worked with the Thai Air Force developing forward air controller support and employing rockets and bombs that were called onto targets.

VMFA(AW)-121 is scheduled for a six-month tour to Iraq next year and live ordnance missions like these will help the ground and air crew prepare.

“This was a perfect opportunity for the new Marines that have joined the squadron to get trained for the upcoming deployment,” said Aikey. “The Marines showed great work and hustle, we were impressed by the new Marines ability to learn and willingness to do their job.”