MARINE CORPS AIR STATION MIRAMAR, Calif. -- MARINE CORPS AIR STATION MIRAMAR, Calif. (Feb. 1, 2007) – After serving as a mortorman, rifle platoon sergeant, instructor at the Staff Non-commissioned Officer Academy, company gunnery sergeant, Force Service Support Group first sergeant, sergeant major at a field medical battalion command and a helicopter squadron, one may ask, what else is left to achieve?
For Sgt. Maj. Rick D. Cunningham, sergeant major of Marine Medium Helicopter Squadron-163 (Reinforced), 13th Marine Expeditionary Unit, it was to earn his aircrew wings. And on Nov. 1 that’s exactly what he did after flying more than 97 hours on the CH-46E Aerial Observer Program syllabus.
“He jumped in with both feet and tore the syllabus up,” said Lt. Col. Brent “Quato” Willson, commanding officer, HMM-163 (REIN), 13th MEU. “Of all the new aerial observers that started he’s the first one to get aircrew wings.”
Willson emphasized how impressed he is with this feat because of the regular duties that come with being a sergeant major. Cunningham takes care of orders and billeting, among other tasks, for his Marines and Sailors and still makes time to complete the rigors of training.
But Willson knew if he could get Cunningham out on the flightline the sergeant major would better lead the squadron. Willson said there are intangible benefits when young Marines see the squadron sergeant major lugging the toolbox, getting aircraft ready with pre-flight inspections, staying late doing post-flight inspections.
“He has made [the Marines] pay attention and step their game up,” said Willson. “Not only do we have an aircrew man and a sergeant major who understands the core mission of a ‘Phrog’ squadron, but now we have somebody out there setting the example during the core mission and he’s done that superbly.”
But what really makes such a senior Marine really want to start flying? Cunningham recalls his days in Iraq and running into a fellow sergeant major:
“He stopped by our command post in Al Asad and he came walking up, was in cammies and he had his combat aircrew wings on,” explained Cunningham. “And I said if he can make the time to do it, so can I.”
Although it was a challenge for Cunningham to maintain his current duties and complete the Sea Knight aerial observer flight syllabus, he stated that with a bit of forward thinking, it can be accomplished.
For more information about HMM-163 (REIN) and the warriors of the 13th Marine Expeditionary Unit, visit the unit’s Web site at www.usmc.mil/13th MEU.
MARINE CORPS BASE CAMP PENDLETON, Calif. (Feb. 1, 2007)– Sergeant Maj. Rick D. Cunningham, sergeant major for Marine Medium Helicopter Squadron-163 (Reinforced) and New Richmond, WI native, flies his final flight, Jan. 30, before earning his CH-46E Sea Knight Air Crew wings, Feb. 1. Cunningham flew more than 97 flight hours to earn his wings. (Photo by Staff Sgt. Matthew O. Holly/13th MEU)