VR-62 'Nomads' Visit Iwo Jima

ATSUGI, Japan (NNS) -- The island of Iwo To (Iwo Jima) is on many Sailors' list of places to visit if they ever get close enough. For a crew from Fleet Logistics Support Squadron 62 (VR-62) that opportunity finally came June 21 during their detachment to Atsugi, Japan.

The 'Nomads' were tasked with delivering cargo to a Navy unit operating on the island and picking it up a few days later.

"On June 21, we visited the famous battle ground where so many Soldiers, Sailors and Marines made the ultimate sacrifice," said Senior Chief Naval Aircrewman (Mechanical) Mike Wendelin, one of the loadmasters on the trip. "The trip came and went fast, but it will always be in our memories. We were called to move 25 Sailors and 15,000 pounds of cargo. It was three-hours from NAF Atsugi via C-130. One of the striking things was how small Iwo To is - mostly a flat island, but with Mt Suribachi on the end."

While only a few hours south of Atsugi, Iwo To is half a world away from the Nomads' home base. They left NAS Jacksonville, Fla., for NAS Whidbey Island, Wash., June 17. The next day they flew Whidbey to Elmendorf AFB, Alaska.

"The 4.5 hour leg to Alaska was the 'easy day.' Day three was a killer 11 hour and 50 minute flight to NAF Atsugi, Japan," said Wendelin. "To pass the time on the long trip, Cmdr. Brad Carr, one of the pilots, worked on his guitar skills while taking a break from flying. All's well that starts well. After three days or travel, the Nomads were on the ground in Atsugi, ready to start moving high-priority cargo for U.S. Pacific Command."

After picking up a group of Seabees, the Nomads sent back to Iwo To to pick up the stuff they left there the week before.

The mission commander Lt. Timothy Berryhill is a former Marine and wanted to take a closer look. The Nomads were able to arrange their schedule to spend more time on the ground at Iwo. Berryhill even arranged transportation to the top of Mount Suribachi.

"Having the opportunity to go to Iwo Jima is the chance of a lifetime experience. I am very humbled and honored to be able to see such a historic site," said Berryhill.

The Nomads were moving 16,200 pounds of cargo and 11 passengers back to NAF Atsugi. So they had a plan to load the aircraft first and then visit the mountain. Afterward, they would return, load the passengers and return to Atsugi.

"Naval Aircrewman (Mechanical) 3rd Class Jacobson figured out the puzzle of a balanced load, and we were ready," said Wendelin. "Getting things in the right order is a lot of what a loadmaster does. We sent the loading team back to put the pallets in the right order to balance the aircraft for flight.

"We got the aircraft loaded and everything was falling into place so we got in the van to go up the hill. As we started the short trip to the top, I felt a lump in my throat imagining what it must have been like to be here for the big battle. Marines and Sailors fighting for every blood soak inch of this small island.

"We got to the top of Mount Suribachi, and it was a beautiful view. We could see down the coast. This was where it happened. So peaceful now. The battlefield is silent. So many ghosts there. We were silent too, as we took it all in. After taking some pictures, we headed to the beach to see what it looked like from that vantage point. The beach is so very long. Open fields of fire. Nowhere to hide, but very peaceful now. Soon it was time to go. Back to the aircraft. We got the passengers loaded and back to Atsugi. But I will never forget my visit to that place," Wendelin concluded. "I feel humbled by all those Marines and Sailors who fought here. We have the watch now. May they rest in peace."

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