A Marine from Marine
Attack Squadron 223 will receive the General Holland M. Smith Award
for Operational Competence at a Navy League award ceremony
today, October 9.
Maj. Thomas Gore, a pilot with the squadron, will receive the
award for extraordinary effectiveness in achieving and maintaining
the highest state of combat readiness throughout 2002 while serving
as training officer, director of safety and standardization, and
weapons and tactics instructor.
"It's definitely an honor; it's an honor for the entire
squadron," Gore said. "All the officers worked extremely hard, and
nothing could be made possible without the diligent work from the
maintenance shops."
Gore exceeded all goals
for readiness, combat efficiency, tactical proficiency, and
technical skills despite being tasked in a demanding training
schedule.
"The work tempo went up here due to pilots leaving for boat
detachments, new duty stations, and to the fleet assistance
program," he said. "With all these pilots gone during the summer,
we didn't have enough instructors who were needed, and made things
even busier for us."
Against a backdrop of thinning material and personnel, Gore was
still able to prepare pilots for all advanced qualifications with
the AV-8B Harrier II and provide support to sister squadrons and
allied units as well, according to Lt. Col. Todd Schlund, executive
officer of VMA-223.
Gore's versatility was demonstrated repeatedly as commanders
continually place him where they need his expertise. He was
continuously on the cutting edge of weapons technology and
development, and quickly became the 'go-to' Marine for new ideas
and futuristic thinking.
He enhanced offensive air support doctrine and execution through
innovative approaches to night systems, close air support, joint,
and combined operations while maintaining unwavering combat
training standards for the Bulldog Marines, Schlund also
mentioned.
The squadron accumulated more than 3,200 hours of mishap-free
flying and was named the Marine Corps Aviation Association's Marine
Attack Squadron of the Year and also the recipient of the 2nd
Marine Aircraft Wing Ground Safety Award for 2002.
"This award was achieved by a greater contribution than just one
person," he added. "This is something that is on behalf of the
whole squadron. One Marine can't be his own squadron; it is my
heartfelt belief that an award like this is actually a
representation of the cumulative work achieved by the entire
squadron. Without our maintenance department's superb work, the
professional dedication of our S-shops, and the willingness of the
other attack pilots in this squadron to train hard. This award
could have gone to another equally deserving officer from a
different squadron, but it was the combined work of everyone else
in VMA-223 that has allowed me to accept this award." [ANN Thanks
Cpl. Nathaniel C. LeBlanc, MCAS Cherry Point]