Fillmore resident and 2007 Fillmore High School graduate, United States Marine Corps (USMC) Lance Corporal (L/CPL) Andrew Lochelt, 19 years old, has arrived in Okinawa, Japan at Camp Foster. Camp Foster will be his new duty station for next couple of years. L/CPL Andrew Lochelt grew up in Fillmore and attended San Cayetano and Sespe Elementary Schools, Fillmore Middle School, Fillmore High School (FHS) and Ventura College prior to entering the USMC in July 2008 for a four-year tour of duty.

L/CPL Andrew Lochelt was very active within the Fillmore Community while growing up; he played Fillmore “T” Ball, Fillmore Little League Baseball, Raiders' Youth Football and was on the Fillmore Swim Team. He also played the trumpet for the Fillmore Middle School and Fillmore High School Band. His skill with the trumpet earned him the honor to play the “Star Spangled Banner” at the FHS Assemblies. L/CPL Andrew Lochelt was also enjoys playing the piano (piano teacher Cindy Everson) and the guitar (guitar teacher Pat Gallagher). He was active in his church, Faith Community Church and the Church Youth Group during his years at FHS and attended Hume Lake Camp.

L/CPL Andrew Lochelt's parents are Stephen and Sally Lochelt of Fillmore. Other family members are sister(s) Sarah Lochelt, 21 years, a recent graduate of Azusa Pacific University, Brandi Borja, 33 years, of Oxnard, nephew Alec Borja, 11 years, of Fillmore and niece Shaydi Borja, 8 years of Bakersfield. His maternal grandparents are Bob and Carol Taber of Santa Maria. His paternal grandparents are Georgia Lochelt of Fillmore and the late Jack Lochelt. L/Cpl Andrew Lochelt has a girlfriend back home in Fillmore, Noemi Bernal.

L/Cpl Andrew Lochelt comes from a long tradition of military service; Maternal grandfather Bob Taber served in the United States Army and Paternal grandfather Jack Lochelt in the United States Navy during WWII. Uncles John Kennedy, United States Air Force, Wayne Sheffield, United States Army and David Lochelt, United States Army served during the Vietnam War. Cousin, United States Army Sergeant Tim Sheffield is currently serving back in the United States after a deployment in Iraq.

The island of Okinawa has been a favorite training area for the Marine Corps since post-war units were based here more than 40 years ago. Today, the Marine Corps has eight different facilities on Okinawa to call home: Camps Gonsalves, Schwab, Hansen, Courtney, Lester, Foster, Kinser, and Marine Corps Air Station, Futenma. Beside a significant Marine Corps presence there, Okinawa is also home to a number of major Navy, Army and Air Force units and facilities. Okinawa is 67 miles long and 2-14 miles wide.

L/CPL Andrew Lochelt is assigned to Marine Wing Support Squadron 172 (MWSS-172) located at Camp Foster where he is a Heavy Equipment Engineer (MOS 1341). Engineer equipment mechanics perform preventive maintenance and make repairs to diesel engines and gasoline and diesel driven construction equipment such as tractors, power shovels, road machinery, air compressors, concrete mixers and other engine driven or towed construction equipment. L/CPL Andrew Lochelt has been awarded the National Defense Medal as well as the Global War on Terrorism Medal .

MWSS-172 has a key role in the mission of Marine Wing Support Group 17. MWSS-172 is chartered to provide Aviation Ground Support to 1st Marine Aircraft Wing (1st MAW). MWSS-172’s core function is to preserve the Expeditionary nature and abilities of their sister Squadrons. MWSS-172 has the unique ability to create capability where none existed before, to preserve combat power when organization endurance is called for, and to enhance the abilities of adjacent units in any clime and place. The mission of the Marine Wing Support Group 17 (MWSG-17) is to provide all essential aviation ground support requirements and limited combat service support to designated fixed-wing and rotary wing components of the 1st Marine Aircraft Wing Aviation Combat Element, and all supporting or attached elements of the Marine Air Control Group. As a Heavy Equipment Engineer, L/CPL Andrew Lochelt most assuredly is an important member of the United States Marine Corps mission to support the security of the citizens of the United States!

All of us back here at home wish L/Cpl Andrew Lochelt safe travel and a successful career. We want to thank L/CPL Andrew Lochelt for his service and for the sacrifices both he and his family have made and will make in the future to keep our Country safe. The next time you are around the area of 515 Sespe Avenue please take note of his Military Banner, think of him and his family and say a “thank you” for his service. USMC Lance Corporal Andrew Lochelt is truly an American Hero!