The Moonlighters of Marine All-Weather Fighter Attack Squadron 332, like other fighter-attack squadrons flying today, are serving more of a reconnaissance role in Iraq.

In combat, intelligence and other forms of gathering information can give a unit the edge needed to win battles. With the increased dependence on surveillance, the Marines of the communication and navigation shop who maintain those systems become an integral part of the fight.

"We maintain the surveillance systems, communications, navigation and radar systems onboard the aircraft," said Staff Sgt. Richard Medina, the communication and navigation section staff noncommissioned officer-in-charge for VMFA(AW)-332 and Washington D.C., native.

"Our surveillance systems provide Marines on the ground a view from the sky," said Lance Cpl. Tim Mcelrath, a communication and navigation technician and San Diego native. "It gives them a distinct advantage on the battlefield over their opponent."

Along with the surveillance equipment, a major mission of the communications and navigations shop is the maintenance of the communications equipment. Without the equipment that allows their pilots to communicate with each other and forward air controllers on the ground, they would not be as precise when targeting the enemy.

"An aircraft doesn't fly if it's communications gear is malfunctioning," Medina said. "That is the most important piece of equipment in the aircraft."

After settling into the operational tempo of a combat environment, the Moonlighters communications and navigations Marines are learning how vital they are to the mission.

"We can't send aircraft into combat that aren't fully capable to accomplish the mission," McElrath said.

The Marines have already faced many challenges in the few weeks they have been aboard Al Asad, but none greater than the adjustment and realization of transitioning to a combat environment.

"Our biggest obstacle is getting in the mindset that we're here," Medina said. "But now all of our Marines are getting in the swing of things. They have been performing great under the circumstances and ready to continue the mission through the beginning of next year."

The transition for the communication and navigation Marines, along with the rest of the Moonlighters was made easier by the many exercises the squadron participated in before deploying.

"Because of our exercises, like Desert Talon, we were able to get a taste of the operational tempo we would experience here," Medina said. "We have been able to adjust to the high paced tempo much faster and easier due to our training."

Between troubleshooting during launches and working on fragile gear that makes the Moonlighters reconnaissance mission work, the communication and navigation Marines are constantly repairing and maintaining the radar and weapon systems.

They are eager to do their part in supporting the forward deployed II Marine Expeditionary Force in its quest to forge a brighter future for the people of Iraq.

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