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Marines Also Part of the USS New York Crew
By:WTKR-TV3, November 6, 2009

Look a little closer at the crew of the USS New York, and you’ll see not 
everyone is a sailor.

In fact, sprinkled among the Navy’s blue fatigues are some green ones: 
those are the marines.

Marines from Special Purpose Marine Air Ground Task Force 26, or 
MAG-TAF 26, are also part of the USS New York crew.

This type of partnership between the Navy and the Marine Corp has been in 
existence for more than 200 years.

“Each one independently can do something, but together we can do so 
much more,” said Coronal Mark Desens.

The brand new USS New York features a bigger flight deck and well deck 
where marines can house, hold, and hanger [sic] their equipment like 
tankers and helos.

For many of these marines, it’s their first time being stationed on board 
a ship co-existing with their military brethren. They tell us, so far, so good.

“I think we’ve melded pretty well so far,” said Corporal Elias Norton.Captain 
Michael Lorino added, “I always look forward to working on ships. I think it’s 
a good way to round out experience serving the country.”

NewsChannel 3 was up close and personal as the Little Creek based LCAC 
unit helped the marines transfer themselves and their gear from the 
beaches of Camp Lejune out to the ship in the Atlantic.

“We’re all very proud to be on this ship. To go home and be a part of 
commissioning process, I think everyone is pretty excited,” said Lance 
Corporal Stephen Churchill.

Excited to show the people of New York how marines and sailors can come 
together, a sense of teamwork that everyone on board this ship says they 
will never forget.

Corporal Norton added, “it’s going to be something to mention to my kids 
and grandkids one day, they’ll be like wow were you really there? And I’ll 
say yeah, I was actually there.”

Wednesday, March 31, 2010

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