MARINE CORPS AIR STATION CHERRY POINT, N.C. - Aircraft and Marines from among three squadrons here left within the past three weeks to participate in a semi-annual Marine aviation training exercise at Marine Corps Air Station Yuma, Ariz.

The units participating in Exercise Desert Talon are Marine Wing Support Squadron 274, Marine Tactical Electronic Warfare Squadron 2 and Marine Aviation Logistics Squadron 14.

Chief Warrant Officer Scott Newell, the adjutant with MWSS-274, said this is the first time that all of the "Iron Men" have been deployed since Operation Desert Storm. Newell said Desert Talon provides MWSS-274 Marines experience in desert conditions similar to those they will face during an upcoming squadron-wide deployment to Iraq, set to take place sometime in 2006.

While In Iraq, MWSS-274 will provide air base security, maintain airfields, assist in aircraft recovery, set up forward arming and refueling points, maintain communication equipment and run convoys for units throughout the 2nd Marine Aircraft Wing.

Newell said the squadron has already spent seven months getting ready for the deployment.

Capt. Roderick Capili, the logistics officer with VMAQ-2, said that in addition to preparing for deployment, the Jesters are using the training exercise to ensure that the squadron keeps its training flight hours up to date.

The wave of VMAQ-2 Marines that recently left for Desert Talon joined a group of about 40 Jesters who were already there, said Capili.