MARINE UNIT HEADED TO EDWARDS; HELICOPTER TEAM WILL RELOCATE FROM EL TORO BASE.Byline: Jim Skeen Daily News Staff Writer Bad news for El Toro's Marine Corps base means good news for the Antelope Valley This article is about the Los Angeles County region. For the census-designated place in Wyoming, see Antelope Valley-Crestview, Wyoming. The Antelope Valley . A Marine Corps helicopter unit will be transferred to Edwards Air Force Base Edwards Air Force Base, U.S. military installation, 301,000 acres (121,805 hectares), S Calif., NE of Lancaster; est. 1933. It is one of the largest air force bases in the United States and has the world's longest runway. in 1999, bringing 110 active duty and 60 reserve personnel, and a second squadron might also be coming too, officials said Wednesday. HMH HMH Marine heavy helicopter squadron (US DoD) HMH Harford Memorial Hospital (Havre De Grace, MD, USA) 769 (Helicopter Marine Heavy Lift) of the Marine Air Group 46 from the Marine Corps Air Station, El Toro El To·ro An unincorporated community of southern California southeast of Santa Ana. Founded in the 1890s, it is mainly residential. Population: 62,685. , will be transferred to Edwards by April because El Toro is closing in mid-1999. The Marine Corps also is considering sending a second squadron, the 764th, a medium heavy lift helicopter unit, to Edwards as well. That unit has 12 helicopters, 120 to 150 active duty personnel and 50 reservists. ``That's an ongoing issue,'' said Marine Corps spokeswoman 2nd Lt. Adrienne Dewey. ``They are still making a determination.'' The Marines' arrival will assist Edwards supporters in their efforts to keep personnel and jobs at the base - and to attract new ones - as the Pentagon appears headed for another round of military base closures, officials said. ``The operative word today is joint service. What you have now is a base with the Air Force and the Marine Corps and, oh by the way, NASA NASA: see National Aeronautics and Space Administration. NASA in full National Aeronautics and Space Administration Independent U.S. ,'' said Phil Brady, an aerospace consultant for the city of Lancaster The City of Lancaster (2002 population: 133,914) is a local government district with city status in Lancashire, England. Its main town is Lancaster, from which it obtained its city status. Other towns in the district include Morecambe, Heysham, Slyne, and Carnforth. and a former Edwards official. El Toro was targeted in 1995 base closure recommendations, the last round of closures that started in 1988, actions that California officials say have cost the state 186,000 jobs. State and local officials believe another closure round will start after next month's congressional elections. ``This is a case of California keeping what it already has,'' Brady said. The 769 squadron flies 10 Sikorsky CH-53E Super Stallion The Sikorsky CH-53E Super Stallion (Sikorsky S-80E), is the largest and heaviest helicopter in the United States military. Sailors commonly refer to the Super Stallion as the "Hurricane Maker" because of the downward thrust the helicopter generates. helicopters, which can lift personnel and heavy equipment, including artillery. The Marine Corps uses the helicopter for amphibious assault Noun 1. amphibious assault - an amphibious operation attacking a land base that is carried out by troops that are landed by naval ships amphibious operation - a military operation by both land and sea forces , equipment transport and disabled aircraft recovery missions. Edwards will use an existing hangar to help house the unit. The base will also have to construct four modular buildings west of the Test Pilot School to house administrative function. The unit will be the first full-time Marine Corps presence in Kern County since the service operated an air base at what is now the Mojave Airport from 1942 to 1959. Edwards previously hosted an Army helicopter test unit from 1961 to 1996. That unit relocated to Alabama, taking 78 military and civilian positions with it. CAPTION(S): Photo PHOTO (Color) A Marine Corps helicopter unit will relocate to Edwards Air Force Base in 1999, bringing 110 active duty and 60 reserve personnel. |
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