MARINE CORPS AIR STATION MIRAMAR, Calif. -- It was a huge week for Marine Corps Air Station Miramar, with nearly 200 Marines returning from deployment in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom.

The Marines, who were from Marine Tactical Air Command Squadron 38, Marine Air Control Group 38, 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing, and Marine Aviation Logistic Squadrons 11 and 16, returned home after their six-month deployment.

“While MTACS-38 was deployed the Marines installed, operated, and maintained the commanding general’s forward command post,” explained Maj. Eric O’Harra, the executive officer for MTACS-38.

To boost troop morale, most of the squadron split into two, six-month deployments and used augmentation units from MCAS Yuma, added O’Harra.

MALS-11 and 16 provided logistical support to any aircraft the squadrons were tasked with while forward, explained Gunnery Sgt. Mike Pierce, operations chief, MALS-11, 3rd MAW.
Many things happen to families while a service member is deployed, for one Marine it was the birth of a new son.

“My son was born in March while I was deployed,” said Staff Sgt. David McKinley, maintenance chief with MTACS-38. “I am happy to come home and finally meet him.”

During the deployment, McKinley, along with other Miramar Marines, trained the Iraqi Army in  small arms weapons instruction.

“It was a great experience,” McKinley said.

McKinley was not the only Marine who was glad to return home to see his family.

Cpl. James Orezzoli, a tactical data systems repairman with MTACS-38, left for Iraq one week after his youngest son, Ayden, was born.

Orezzoli worked along with McKinley in training the Iraqi Army. It was educational not only for their Army, but a refresher in weapons training for the Marines as well.

“We had the opportunity to shoot the AK-47 and other foreign weapons as well as practice house-to-house war-fighting techniques,” said Orezzoli a Sidney Center, N.Y., native. “The deployment went as well as any deployment can go but it is great to be home and see my wife and three children.”