3rd Marine Aircraft Wing

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)

Marines with Marine Heavy Helicopter Squadron (HMH) 462, Marine Aircraft Group 16, 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing and 1st Transport Support Battalion, Combat Logistics Regiment 1, 1st Marine Logistics Group conduct an external lift on Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton, Calif., May 15. HMH-462 conducted training that implemented cargo pick-up and drop off to enhance their 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)

Maj. Gen. Mark R. Wise, commanding general of 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing, visits Marines from Marine Light Attack Helicopter Squadron (HMLA) 267 during Integrated Training Exercise 2-18 at Marine Corps Air Ground Combat Center, Twentynine Palms, Calif., Feb. 2, 2018. ITX provides a realistic training environment for Marines. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Joshua S. McAlpine/Released)

Marine pilots, Capt. John T. Fischer and Capt. Daniel J. Houser, both with Marine Light Attack Helicopter Training Squadron (HMLAT) 303, Marine Aircraft Group (MAG) 39, prepare to embark on the final flight with the last 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing (MAW) AH-1W “Super Cobra” as it departs, Feb. 6, to Davis-Monthan Air Force Base’s Aerospace Maintenance and Regeneration Group (AMARG) in Arizona. The AH-1W Super Cobra has been transitioned to the AH-1Z Viper. (U.S. Marine Corps Photo by Pfc. Juan Anaya Jr./ Released)

Marine Heavy Helicopter Squadron (HMH) 462 maintainers observe a CH-53E Super Stallion taking off during flight operations at Nellis Air Force Base, Las Vegas, Nev., Feb. 27. The Nellis Air Force Base training detachment allows Marines with HMH-462 to work directly with other branches of service, simulating real-life integration in a forward deployed environment. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Sgt. David Bickel/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)

Marines with Marine Attack Squadron (VMA) 214 prepare several AV-8B Harriers for support missions during Exercise Winter Fury 2017 at Marine Corps Air Station Miramar, Calif., Nov. 28. The Exercise spans several locations including Marine Corps Air Ground Combat Center Twentynine Palms, Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton, Marine Corps Air Station Yuma, Ariz., and MCAS Miramar. (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)

The Deputy Commandant for Marine Corps Aviation, LtGen. Steven R. Rudder, visits with Marine Fighter Attack Training Squadron 101 on Marine Corps Air Station (MCAS) Miramar, San Diego, Calif., Oct. 18, 2017. LtGen. Rudder spoke with multiple squadrons on MCAS Miramar about mission readiness and encouraged discussion on projected changes in Marine Corps aviation. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Nadia J. Stark/Released)

Ground troops load a simulated casualty into a UH-1Y Huey with Marine Light Attack Helicopter Squadron (HMLA) 267 during a simulated tactical recovery of aircraft and personnel (TRAP) mission at Marine Corps Air Station Camp Pendleton, Calif., Oct. 11. TRAP missions allow pilots and crew chiefs to directly integrate with ground troops, simulating potential scenarios that could take place when forward deployed. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Sgt. David Bickel/Released)

The Deputy Commandant for Marine Corps Aviation, LtGen. Steven R. Rudder, speaks to pilots from Marine Fighter Attack Training Squadron 101 on Marine Corps Air Station (MCAS) Miramar, San Diego, Calif., Oct. 18, 2017. LtGen. Rudder spoke with multiple squadrons on MCAS Miramar about mission readiness and encouraged discussion on projected changes in Marine Corps aviation. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Nadia J. Stark/Released)