3rd Marine Aircraft Wing

Marine pilots with Marine Fighter Attack Squadron [VMFA(AW)] 225, Marine Aircraft Group (MAG) 11, 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing, prepare to depart Marine Corps Air Station Miramar, Calif., Sept. 13. VMFA-225 is supporting a Unit Deployment Program to the Asia-Pacific region. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Jacob Pruitt)

Gen. Robert B. Neller, commandant of the Marine Corps, speaks to Marines with 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing during a town hall meeting at Marine Corps Air Station Miramar, San Diego, Calif., on Sept. 12. Neller spoke with the Marines about individualism and how it relates to the overall 3rd MAW mission. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Joshua S. McAlpine)

Brig. Gen. Michael Borgschulte, the 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing Assistant Wing Commander, visits with Marines from around Marine Aircraft Group 13 during Exercise Northern Lightning at Volk Field Counterland Training Center, Camp Douglas, Wis. Aug. 16. Exercise Northern Lightning 2018 allows the Air Force, Marine Corps and Navy to strengthen interoperability between services and gives the different branches a greater understanding of aviation capabilities within a joint fighting force. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Sgt. David Bickel)

MARINE CORPS AIR STATION MIRAMAR, Calif. – Sgt. Maj. John Paul Doring, left, sergeant major of Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron (VMM) 362, Marine Aircraft Group 16, 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing, salutes Lt. Col. Mathew T. McSorley, commanding officer of VMM-362, before assuming the duties and responsibilities as VMM-362’s sergeant major during the activation ceremony at Marine Corps Air Station Miramar, Calif., Aug. 17. Previously, Marine Heavy Helicopter Squadron (HMH) 362 operated as a CH-53D Sea Stallion unit from April 30, 1952 to Nov. 30, 2012. The unit is reactivating as a VMM-362 where it will employ the MV-22B Osprey. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Juan Anaya)

Marines with Marine Fighter Attack Squadron (VMFA) 122 prepare an F-35 Lightning II for takeoff during Exercise Northern Lightning at Volk Field Counterland Training Center, Camp Douglas, Wis. Aug. 14. Exercise Northern Lightning 2018 allows the Air Force, Marine Corps and Navy to strengthen interoperability between services and gives the different branches a greater understanding of aviation capabilities within a joint fighting force. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Sgt. David Bickel)

U.S. Marines with Marine Heavy Helicopter Squadron (HMH) 465, Marine Aircraft Group 16, 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing, participated in coordinating the drop point for Marines with the Amphibious Raids Branch, Expeditionary Operations Training Group (EOTG), I Marine Expeditionary Force, at Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton, Calif., Aug. 10. HMH-465 conducts training with EOTG to assist infantry Marines performing fast-rope training from a helicopter. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Ariana Acosta)

Marines with Marine Attack Squadron (VMA) 311 perform post-flight maintenance checks on AV-8B Harrier IIs during Exercise Northern Lightning at Volk Field Counterland Training Center, Camp Douglas, Wis., Aug. 13. Exercise Northern Lightning 2018 allows the Air Force, Marine Corps and Navy to strengthen interoperability between services and gives the different branches a greater understanding of aviation capabilities within a joint fighting force. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Sgt. David Bickel)

U.S. Marine ordnance technicians work with U.S. Air force ammo technicians to build bombs and assemble munitions prior to the execution of joint exercise Northern Lightning 2018 at Volk Field Counter Land Training Center, Camp Douglas, Wis., Aug. 9. Northern Lightning allows the Air Force, Marine Corps and Navy to strengthen interoperability between services and gives the branches a greater understanding of aviation capabilities within a joint fighting force. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Sgt. David Bickel)

Marines with Marine Wing Support Squadron (MWSS) 373 conduct forward arming and refueling operations with an AV-8B Harrier with Marine Attack Squadron (VMA) 214, Marine Aircraft Group (MAG) 13, 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing, during Exercise Summer Fury 2018 at Camp Pendleton, Calif., Aug. 1. Summer Fury is designed to increase the functionality and effectiveness of 3rd MAW while also enhancing Marine Air-Ground Task Force and naval integration with participating I Marine Expeditionary Force and naval units. (U.S. Marine photograph by Cpl. Jacob Pruitt)

Capt. Jared Dalton (left), Bravo detachment Commander of Marine Wing Communication Squadron (MWCS) 38, Marine Air Control Group (MTACS) 38, 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing (MAW) give a tour of the operating area for Summer Fury 2018, to Maj. Gen. Kevin M. Iiams, the Commanding General of 3rd MAW at Marine Corps Air Station Miramar, Calif., July 24. Summer Fury is designed to increase the functionality and effectiveness of 3rd MAW, while also enhancing Marine-Air Ground Task Force and naval integration with participating I Marine Expeditionary Force and naval units. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Ariana Acosta/Released)

Marines with Marine Wing Support Squadron (MWSS) 373 and Marine Fighter Attack Squadron (VMFA) 323, Marine Aircraft Group (MAG) 11, 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing, refuel an F/A-18C at a forward arming and refueling point in support of Exercise Summer Fury 18, on San Clemente Island, Calif., July 23. Summer Fury is designed to increase the functionality and effectiveness of 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing while also enhancing Marine Air-Ground Task Force and naval integration with participating I Marine Expeditionary Force and naval units. (U.S. Marine photograph by Cpl. Joshua S. McAlpine/Released)

MCAS MIRAMAR -- Sgt. Chris Anchondo, a non-destructive inspector with Marine Heavy Helicopter Squadron (HMH) 466, Marine Aircraft Group 16, 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing, performs maintenance on the sleeve and spindle assembly of a CH-53E Super Stallion at Marine Corps Air Station Miramar, Calif., July 12. HMH-466 was commissioned in November of 1984 and has since been improving its capabilities as an assault support squadron. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Juan Anaya/ Released)

Maj. Gen. Mark R. Wise, outgoing commanding general of 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing, and Maj. Gen. Kevin M. Iiams, incoming commanding general, render honors to the national ensign during the pass-in-review at the change of command ceremony on Marine Corps Air Station Miramar, Calif., July 13. Wise, who took command of 3rd MAW July 22, 2016, trained, equipped and deployed Marines with four Marine Expeditionary Units and with Special Purpose Marine Air-Ground Task Force-Crisis Response-Central Command. 3rd MAW also continued its modernization with the standup of the first three operational F-35 Lightning II squadrons and the final transition from the AH-1W Super Cobra and UH-1N Huey to the AH-1Z Viper and UH-1Y Venom. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Joshua S. McAlpine/Released)

Maj. Gen. Mark R. Wise, the commanding general for 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing, is sprayed with water to celebrate his return from his final flight in an F/A-18C Hornet at Marine Corps Air Station Miramar, San Diego, Calif., July 02. Maj. Gen. Wise flew for the last time as the commanding general of 3rd MAW. (U.S. Marine Corps Photo by Cpl. Joshua S. McAlpine/Released)

Sgt. Maj. Ronald Green, left, the sergeant major of the Marine Corps, greets Marines with Marine Aerial Refueler Transport Squadron (VMGR) 352, 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing, prior to the squadron providing air-delivered ground refuel services to fixed wing aircraft at Naval Air Facility El Centro, Calif., June 9. VMGR-352 is conducting their deployment training at various bases in Southern California and at Kirtland Air Force Base in Albuquerque, N.M., to give Marines real-time preparation for potential missions their squadron might perform in a forward-deployed scenario. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Sgt. David Bickel/Released)

A Marine with Marine Aerial Refueler Transport Squadron (VMGR) 352, 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing, ensures the fuel hose is connected prior to providing air-delivered ground refuel services to fixed wing aircraft at Naval Air Facility El Centro, Calif., June 9. VMGR-352 is conducting their deployment for training at various bases in Southern California and at Kirtland Air Force Base in Albuquerque, N.M., to give Marines real-time preparation for potential missions their squadron might perform in a forward-deployed scenario. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Sgt. David Bickel/Released)

A F/A-18D Hornet with Marine Fighter Attack Squadron 225, Marine Aircraft Group 11, 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing, flies in a formation as the sun sets along the Pacific Coast in Southern California, May 24. Marine Aircraft Group 11 commissioned August 1941 in Quantico, Va as the Marine Corps’ first aircraft group. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Clare J. McIntire/Released)

Aircraft with Marine Aircraft Group 11, 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing, fly in a formation as the sun sets along the Pacific Coast in Southern California, May 24. Marine Aircraft Group 11 commissioned August 1941 in Quantico, Va as the Marine Corps’ first aircraft group. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Clare J. McIntire/Released)

Marines with 1st Transport Support Battalion, Combat Logistics Regiment 1, 1st Marine Logistics Group, conduct an air delivery operation with Marine Heavy Helicopter Squadron (HMH) 462, Marine Aircraft Group 16, 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing, at Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton, Calif., May 15. HMH-462 conducted training implementing cargo pick-up and drop off to enhance the units’ skills and proficiency with cargo movement and operations. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Clare J. McIntire/Released)

Staff Sgt. Wilton Garcia, right, and Sgt. Seth Garcia, left, crew chiefs with Marine Light Attack Helicopter Squadron (HMLA) 267, Marine Aircraft Group 39, 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing, detach a firefighting bucket from a UH-1Y Venom during the Corey Iverson Wildland Firefighting Exercise at Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton, Calif., May 3. The exercise is an annual training event designed to increase emergency preparedness and cohesion between civilian and military firefighting agencies during California’s wildfire season. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Clare J. McIntire/Released)

Cpl. Kyle Barger, an MV-22 Osprey crew chief with Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron (VMM) 161, Marine Aircraft Group 16, 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing, detangles the firefighting bucket attachment cord during the 2018 Wild Land Firefighting Exercise (WLFFEX) at Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton, Calif., May 3. The WLFFEX is an annual training event designed to increase emergency preparedness and military firefighting agencies during California’s wildfire season. (U.S. Marine Corps Photo by Lance Cpl. Nadia J. Stark/Released)

An AH-1Z Viper and a UH-1Y Venom with Marine Light Attack Helicopter Squadron (HMLA) 469, Marine Aircraft Group 39, 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing, practice landing and taking off during forward arming and refueling point operations at Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton, Calif., April 26. Marine Wing Support Squadron (MWSS) 372, MAG-39, 3rd MAW and HMLA-469 conducted a day and night FARP for training in aerial operations support. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Clare J. McIntire/Released)

An AH-1Z Viper with Marine Light Attack Helicopter Squadron (HMLA) 469, Marine Aircraft Group 39, 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing, lands during forward arming and refueling point operations at Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton, Calif., April 26. Marine Wing Support Squadron (MWSS) 372, MAG-39, 3rd MAW and HMLA-469 conducted a day and night FARP for training in aerial operations support. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Clare J. McIntire/Released)

Col. Matthew Mowery, right, the commanding officer of Marine Aircraft Group 39, and Lt. Col. Eric Strong, a government flight representative with Defense Contract Management Agency, pose in front of a UH-1Y Venom at Marine Corps Air Station Camp Pendleton, Calif., April 25. Over a span of 10 years, Bell delivered 160 Venoms across the Marine Corps. Marine Light Attack Helicopter Squadron 469 received their first Venom on Jan. 16, 2007. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Clare J. McIntire/Released)

Marines with Marine Aerial Refueler Transport Squadron (VMGR) 352, Marine Aircraft Group 11, 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing, stand in color guard formation during the VMGR-352 75th anniversary at Marine Corps Air Station Miramar, Calif., March 30. The squadron held a battle color ceremony, which consisted of a reading of the unit’s citations and awards, a color guard, a performance by the 3rd MAW band and a ceremonial formation flight. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Nadia J. Stark/Released)

Cpl. James Eckardt, a crew master for Marine Aerial Refueler Transport Squadron (VMGR) 352, Marine Aircraft Group 11, 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing, observes a KC-130J Super Hercules ceremonial formation flight for the VMGR-352 75th anniversary at Marine Corps Air Station Miramar, Calif., March 30. The squadron held a battle color ceremony, which consisted of a reading of the unit’s citations and awards, a color guard, a performance by the 3rd MAW band and a ceremonial formation flight. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Clare J. McIntire/released)

Sgt. Luis Rodriguez, a test cell operator with Marine Aviation Logistics Squadron (MALS) 39 monitors a Shaft Engine Test Instrumentation (SETI) at Marine Corps Air Station Camp Pendleton, Calif., March 20. MALS-39 tested their ability to support the flight line in a simulated chemical, biological, radiological and nuclear event. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Nadia J. Stark/Released)

President of the United States, Donald J. Trump, speaks at Marine Corps Air Station Miramar, Calif., March 13, 2018. President Trump visited MCAS Miramar during part of a larger trip to California to speak with service members and their families. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Sgt. Tia Dufour/Released)

Marines with 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing adjust the fit of M50 Joint Service General Purpose Masks during the reconnaissance, surveillance and decontamination course at Marine Corps Air Station Miramar, Calif., March 25. The course is designed to train unit personnel in the procedures and equipment used in accomplishing RS&D operations in a chemical, biological, radiological or nuclear environment. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Clare J. McIntire/Released)

Sgt. Adam Collins, a CH-53E crew chief with Marine Heavy Helicopter Squadron (HMH) 465, scans the area below between jumps during flight and parachute operations with 1st Marine Reconnaissance Battalion at Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton, Calif., Feb. 6. During parachute and flight operations, the ground combat element and the air combat element work together to ensure safety and mission accomplishment during training. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Sgt. David Bickel/Released)

Maintainers with Marine Heavy Helicopter Squadron (HMH) 361 conduct a pre-flight check of a CH-53E Super Stallion at Marine Corps Air Station Miramar, Calif., Jan. 8. HMH-361 successfully launched eight CH-53Es for a single flight as a display of appreciation for the hard work of the squadron’s maintainers. Four aircraft returned to HMH-361, and the other four aircraft attached to Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron (VMM) 166 for an upcoming deployment with the 13th Marine Expeditionary Unit. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Servando Morales/Released)

Marine Corps Landing Zone Eagle, Calif. – Marines with 2nd Battalion, 5th Marine Regiment (2/5), 1st Marine Division, exit an MV-22B Osprey with Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron (VMM) 364 as part of a training mission in support of Exercise Winter Fury 18 at Marine Corps Air-Ground Combat Center Twentynine Palms, Calif., Dec. 7. The squadron’s mission was to transport Marines with 2/5 to Landing Zone Eagle in order to train for a combat scenario. The exercise spans several locations: Marine Corps Air-Ground Combat Center Twentynine Palms, Calif., Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton, Calif., and MCAS Miramar. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Nadia J. Stark/Released)

Sgt. Maj. James Porterfield, sergeant major of 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing, speaks at the Wreaths Across America event at Miramar National Cemetery, San Diego, Dec. 16. Wreaths Across America is a national organization whose mission is to remember those who have served in the military, and honor their service and sacrifice. Each December, volunteers assist in laying wreaths upon the gravesites at national cemeteries across all 50 states. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Sgt. Kimberlyn Adams/Released)

A UH-1Y Venom from Marine Light Attack Helicopter Squadron (HMLA) 267 picks up a load of water from Lake O'Neil at Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton, Calif., Dec. 8. 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing is coordinating with the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (CAL FIRE) to support fire fighting efforts against the Lilac Fire in northern San Diego County. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Sarah Ralph/Released)

Civilian Aircraft Omega Tanker C-707 conducts an aerial refueling flight off the coast of San Diego, Calif., Dec. 6, 2017. Omega Aerial Refueling Services provided air-to-air refueling to multiple units in a joint effort to improve air refueling readiness in support of Winter Fury 18.

Marine Corps Air Station Miramar, Calif. – Sgt. Nicholas Day, a crewmaster with Marine Aerial Refueler Transport Squadron (VMGR) 352 performs pre-flight maintenance in preparation to support missions for Exercise Winter Fury 18 at Marine Corps Air Station Miramar, Calif., Dec. 5. The exercise spans several locations: Marine Corps Air-Ground Combat Center Twentynine Palms, Calif., Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton, Calif., MCAS Miramar and MCAS Yuma, Ariz. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Nadia J. Stark/Released)

CHOCOLATE MOUNTAIN AERIAL GUNNERY RANGE, Calif. - A CH-53E Super Stallion with Marine Heavy Helicopter Squadron (HMH) 361 flies with a High Mobility Artillery Rocket System (HIMARS) training load attached over Landing Zone Bull, Calif., Dec. 6. Marines with HMH-361 and Combat Logistics Battalion 13, conducted a dual sling helicopter support team exercise in support of Marine Aircraft Group 16. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Daniel Auvert)

Lance Cpl. David Gaytan, an aircraft ordinance technician with Marine Attack Squadron (VMA) 214, checks an AV-8B Harrier before the removal of ordnance during Exercise Winter Fury 18 at Marine Corp Air Station Miramar, Calif., Nov. 29. Marines prepared several Harriers to support Winter Fury 18, which spans several locations including Marine Corps Air Ground Combat Center Twentynine Palms, Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton, MCAS Miramar and MCAS Yuma, Ariz. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Nadia J. Stark/Released)