Thank You, Camp Pendelton Marines

Thank you to the Marines for Aviation Support!

May 18, 2023: SCBS Member Scott Gibson had the honor to represent the California Chapter of the Wild Sheep Foundation (CAWSF) and the Society for the Conservation of Bighorn Sheep (SCBS) in a presentation of appreciation to the “Marine Light Attack Helicopter Training Squadron 303” (HMLAT-303) at Camp Pendleton, CA. Also present were representatives from Backcountry Hunters and Anglers (CA BHA), the California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) and California State Parks (ABDSP). Helicopter crews from HMLAT-303, led by Major “Congo” Zimmer, have provided helicopter lift support to deliver water to the Desert Bighorn Sheep guzzlers at Anza-Borrego Desert State Park, the Sheephole Mountains and in the Bullion Mountains @ the 29-Palms Marine Corps Air Ground Combat Center (MCAGCC). These Marines also flew replacement  tanks, tools, and supplies for a guzzler tank replacement project @ Pinyon Wash in Anza-Borrego Desert State Park. SCBS’s relationship with the military goes back many decades, we have worked with the Army, Navy and Marines to install a number of bighorn sheep water developments on military lands throughout California’s desert. Ongoing support from the military is critical to the continued management of desert bighorn sheep in California. Thank you to the membership of SCBS and the Board of Directors for contributing to make this recognition possible.