20,000 Hours
Marine Aviation Safety was scored at Marine Corps Air Station when a Marine Aircraft Group 32 surpassed 20,000 hrs of accident-free flying.
The safety mark, over four years in the making, was chalked up by Marine Fighter Attack Squadron 251 (VMFA-251) which flies the F-4 "Phantoms".
According to Captain C.A. Brumbaugh, safety officer for VMFA-251, who confirmed the record with Major L.A. Whiple, F-4 and RF-4 Safety officer, Naval Safety Norfolk, Va.,VMFA,251 is the only Marine Phantom Squadron with more accident free hours.
The present record came at mid-morning last Monday when Colonel R.J. Schriver, commanding officer of MAG-32 and Captain F. W. Space, radar intercept officer, flew the 20,000 hours during local radar training.
In a formal observance of the feat, a squadron formation in front of the 251 hangar was formed, with a cake cutting ceremony, and an address from Colonel Schriver. Afterward, models of the F-4 were presented to the Colonel, Captain Space, and the youngest Marine of the squadron.
