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VMFA-134 takes last trip together

18 May 2007 | Lance Cpl. George J. Papastrat Marine Corps Air Station Miramar-EMS

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MARINE CORPS AIR STATION MIRAMAR, Calif. -- A station-based F/A-18 Hornet squadron flew from the air station Saturday to Marine Corps Base Hawaii for their final detachment prior to garnishing their squadron’s flag in August of this year.

Marine Fighter Attack Squadron 134, Marine Aircraft Group 46, 4th Marine Aircraft Wing, or the “Smokes,” concludes their 64-year legacy as a Marine squadron upon completion of this training, added Thompson. The squadron will remain in cadre status, which is a group of trained personnel able to assume control and train others, if they are needed in the next few years.

The Smokes deployed to train in close air support with the 3rd Marine Regiment, 3rd Marine Division.

“We will deploy for two weeks for the training missions,” said Sgt. Erin Thompson, the operations chief with the squadron.

As for the aircraft and personnel of the Smokes, they will be transferred to various squadrons depending on the needs of the Marine Corps.

VMFA-134 consists of active duty and reserve Marines and sailors; however, the majority of them are reserve, explained Thompson.

The Smokes, which originated in Santa Barbara, Calif., as a Marine bombing squadron, have served in almost every war and operation since their birth in May 1943.

Upon their return home, the squadron will begin preparing for its retirement ceremony and final decommission, scheduled to take place in August.

POLICY

The most important starting point for an EMS* is the development of an environmental policy. ISO14001 requires local governments to implement their own environmental policy. The environmental policy acts as a basis for the environmental management system.

PLANNING

ISO14001 requires that an environmental management system is planned properly. It requires the organization to consider the following carefully: Environmental Aspects; Legal and Other Aspects; Objectives and Targets; and an Environmental Management Program.

IMPLEMENTATION

The two requirements for implementation of an EMS is to define, document, and communicate roles, responsibilities and authorities, and to allocate the resources needed to implement and control the EMS.

CHECKING

The key requirement in this EMS step is to regularly monitor and measure key characteristics of activities and operations that could have a significant impact on the environment. Changes to EMS procedures may become necessary in order to deal with nonconformances with the EMS, with mitigating environmental impacts, or corrective and preventive action.

REVIEW

The management review process ensure that information is collected to enable management to carry out proper review. Top management review the need for changes to policy, objectives and targets, and ensure that a commitment to continual improvement is being demonstrated.

Marine Corps Air Station Miramar-EMS