Marine Ribbon Cutting Marks Historic Day on Luke

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman Andre Bowser
  • 944th Fighter Wing Public Affairs
LUKE AIR FORCE BASE, Ariz. --  A U.S. Marine Corps battalion for the first time in history has a home on Luke Air Force Base.

Separating them from their new home was a thin strand of red, tape-thin material.

That ribbon blocking the entrance to the new building was sheared Sept. 12 with bayonet-like knives by Marine Corps Capt. Nathan Bowlin, the commanding officer of the 6th Engineer Support Battalion Bulk Fuel Charlie Company, and Col. Jeffrey Weed, 56th Fighter Wing vice commander.

The battalion's First Sergeant Manuel Gonzales rallied his Marines outside of the building with the sound devil dogs have become distinct for loudly evoking: "Uuuuaaaggghhhh!

"This is the best Marine Corps facility I've seen in the state," Sergeant Gonzales said.

For Marine Corps and Air Force leaders on Luke, the day represented a historic move.

"This is significant for the fact that we are moving out of a smaller place in central Phoenix and moving into a comfortable and secure location on Luke Air Force Base," Captain Bowlin said.

Captain Bowlin said nearly 350 Marines, including active and reserve members, would call the new station home. A first in the state to his recollection. In 2011, he said U.S. Navy members would also find a home on the installation not far from the Marine facility on the northwest section of base.

Colonel Michael Popovich, 944th Fighter Wing commander, was on hand to support and applaud the joint force accomplishment.

"They're another member of team Luke now," Colonel Popovich said.

Colonel Popovich, Colonel Weed and Captain Bowlin stood before a large gathering of Marines, Airmen, family and friends, as honor guard members brought the colors out.

Salutes were at the ready, snapped in reverence, and once that honor was rendered the next step was welcoming the Marines into their new home.

Captain Bowlin held a large knife as Colonel Weed assisted by grasping the thin ribbon in an event that first started as the brain child of the former battalion commander. What started as a vision in 2005 of Marine Corps Capt. James Hedger had come to fruition in the form of the shiny new facility.

Colonel Weed said welcome to the new tenants on behalf of the entire Luke Air Force family.

"When we go to war, we don't go alone," he said, adding that while U.S. Marines and soldiers dominate on land, sailors control the sea, and Airmen rule the sky. "We go to war as Americans; we go to war together; and together, we're a formidable force to defend our proud nation."

The previous building, erected in 1942, was razed to become the home of the Marine battalion. In recent years, it had been used for medical supply storage, Colonel Weed said.

Captain Bowlin looked out at the many Marines gathered, advancing on their new home, and he issued a promise, "Marines, you're going to be extremely impressed."

The throng responded: "Uuuuaaaggghhhh!"

As Marines filed into the building, which has office space, an indoor garage and large gymnasium area used for taking muster, perhaps the first thing they noticed was the large globe, anchor and eagle in the center of the highly-polished deck.

The next thing: that new car smell, except in a building.