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Retired U.S. Marine Corps Maj. Richard Cropley celebrates his 99th birthday with Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron (VMM) 164, Marine Aircraft Group 39, 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing, at Marine Corps Air Station Camp Pendleton, Calif., May 31, 2019. Cropley served his country for more than 20 years as a fighter/bomber pilot during World War II and flew multiple combat missions over the Pacific. Cropley’s birthday wish was to spend time with his Marine Corps aviation family and to see an MV-22B Osprey up close.

Retired U.S. Marine Corps Maj. Richard Cropley celebrates his 99th birthday with Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron (VMM) 164, Marine Aircraft Group 39, 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing, at Marine Corps Air Station Camp Pendleton, Calif., May 31, 2019. Cropley served his country for more than 20 years as a fighter/bomber pilot during World War II and flew multiple combat missions over the Pacific. Cropley’s birthday wish was to spend time with his Marine Corps aviation family and to see an MV-22B Osprey up close.

Photo by Sgt. Charles Plouffe

Retired U.S. Marine Corps Maj. Richard Cropley celebrates his 99th birthday with Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron (VMM) 164, Marine Aircraft Group 39, 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing, at Marine Corps Air Station Camp Pendleton, Calif., May 31, 2019. Cropley served his country for more than 20 years as a fighter/bomber pilot during World War II and flew multiple combat missions over the Pacific. Cropley’s birthday wish was to spend time with his Marine Corps aviation family and to see an MV-22B Osprey up close.

Retired U.S. Marine Corps Maj. Richard Cropley celebrates his 99th birthday with Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron (VMM) 164, Marine Aircraft Group 39, 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing, at Marine Corps Air Station Camp Pendleton, Calif., May 31, 2019. Cropley served his country for more than 20 years as a fighter/bomber pilot during World War II and flew multiple combat missions over the Pacific. Cropley’s birthday wish was to spend time with his Marine Corps aviation family and to see an MV-22B Osprey up close.

Photo by Sgt. Charles Plouffe

Retired U.S. Marine Corps Maj. Richard Cropley celebrates his 99th birthday with Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron (VMM) 164, Marine Aircraft Group 39, 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing, at Marine Corps Air Station Camp Pendleton, Calif., May 31, 2019. Cropley served his country for more than 20 years as a fighter/bomber pilot during World War II and flew multiple combat missions over the Pacific. Cropley’s birthday wish was to spend time with his Marine Corps aviation family and to see an MV-22B Osprey up close.

Retired U.S. Marine Corps Maj. Richard Cropley celebrates his 99th birthday with Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron (VMM) 164, Marine Aircraft Group 39, 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing, at Marine Corps Air Station Camp Pendleton, Calif., May 31, 2019. Cropley served his country for more than 20 years as a fighter/bomber pilot during World War II and flew multiple combat missions over the Pacific. Cropley’s birthday wish was to spend time with his Marine Corps aviation family and to see an MV-22B Osprey up close.

Photo by Sgt. Charles Plouffe

Retired U.S. Marine Corps Maj. Richard Cropley celebrates his 99th birthday with Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron (VMM) 164, Marine Aircraft Group 39, 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing, at Marine Corps Air Station Camp Pendleton, Calif., May 31, 2019. Cropley served his country for more than 20 years as a fighter/bomber pilot during World War II and flew multiple combat missions over the Pacific. Cropley’s birthday wish was to spend time with his Marine Corps aviation family and to see an MV-22B Osprey up close.

Retired U.S. Marine Corps Maj. Richard Cropley celebrates his 99th birthday with Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron (VMM) 164, Marine Aircraft Group 39, 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing, at Marine Corps Air Station Camp Pendleton, Calif., May 31, 2019. Cropley served his country for more than 20 years as a fighter/bomber pilot during World War II and flew multiple combat missions over the Pacific. Cropley’s birthday wish was to spend time with his Marine Corps aviation family and to see an MV-22B Osprey up close.

Photo by Sgt. Charles Plouffe

Retired U.S. Marine Corps Maj. Richard Cropley celebrates his 99th birthday with Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron (VMM) 164, Marine Aircraft Group 39, 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing, at Marine Corps Air Station Camp Pendleton, Calif., May 31, 2019. Cropley served his country for more than 20 years as a fighter/bomber pilot during World War II and flew multiple combat missions over the Pacific. Cropley’s birthday wish was to spend time with his Marine Corps aviation family and to see an MV-22B Osprey up close.

Retired U.S. Marine Corps Maj. Richard Cropley celebrates his 99th birthday with Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron (VMM) 164, Marine Aircraft Group 39, 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing, at Marine Corps Air Station Camp Pendleton, Calif., May 31, 2019. Cropley served his country for more than 20 years as a fighter/bomber pilot during World War II and flew multiple combat missions over the Pacific. Cropley’s birthday wish was to spend time with his Marine Corps aviation family and to see an MV-22B Osprey up close.

Photo by Sgt. Charles Plouffe

Retired U.S. Marine Corps Maj. Richard Cropley celebrates his 99th birthday with Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron (VMM) 164, Marine Aircraft Group 39, 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing, at Marine Corps Air Station Camp Pendleton, Calif., May 31, 2019. Cropley served his country for more than 20 years as a fighter/bomber pilot during World War II and flew multiple combat missions over the Pacific. Cropley’s birthday wish was to spend time with his Marine Corps aviation family and to see an MV-22B Osprey up close.

Retired U.S. Marine Corps Maj. Richard Cropley celebrates his 99th birthday with Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron (VMM) 164, Marine Aircraft Group 39, 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing, at Marine Corps Air Station Camp Pendleton, Calif., May 31, 2019. Cropley served his country for more than 20 years as a fighter/bomber pilot during World War II and flew multiple combat missions over the Pacific. Cropley’s birthday wish was to spend time with his Marine Corps aviation family and to see an MV-22B Osprey up close.

Photo by Sgt. Charles Plouffe

Retired U.S. Marine Corps Maj. Richard Cropley celebrates his 99th birthday with Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron (VMM) 164, Marine Aircraft Group 39, 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing, at Marine Corps Air Station Camp Pendleton, Calif., May 31, 2019. Cropley served his country for more than 20 years as a fighter/bomber pilot during World War II and flew multiple combat missions over the Pacific. Cropley’s birthday wish was to spend time with his Marine Corps aviation family and to see an MV-22B Osprey up close.

Retired U.S. Marine Corps Maj. Richard Cropley celebrates his 99th birthday with Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron (VMM) 164, Marine Aircraft Group 39, 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing, at Marine Corps Air Station Camp Pendleton, Calif., May 31, 2019. Cropley served his country for more than 20 years as a fighter/bomber pilot during World War II and flew multiple combat missions over the Pacific. Cropley’s birthday wish was to spend time with his Marine Corps aviation family and to see an MV-22B Osprey up close.

Photo by Cpl. Jacob Pruitt

A Marine with Marine Heavy Helicopter Squadron (HMH) 465 holds his son after returning from a six-month deployment to the Indo-Pacific region at Marine Corps Air Station Camp Pendleton, Calif., on May 17, 2019. HMH-465’s mission was to strengthen international relations, modernize U.S. alliances and protect joint security in the Indo-Pacific region. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Jaime Reyes)

A Marine with Marine Heavy Helicopter Squadron (HMH) 465 holds his son after returning from a six-month deployment to the Indo-Pacific region at Marine Corps Air Station Camp Pendleton, Calif., on May 17, 2019. HMH-465’s mission was to strengthen international relations, modernize U.S. alliances and protect joint security in the Indo-Pacific region. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Jaime Reyes)

Photo by Lance Cpl. Jaime Reyes

A Marine with Marine Heavy Helicopter Squadron (HMH) 465 holds his sons returning from a six-month deployment to the Indo-Pacific Region at Marine Corps Air Station Camp Pendleton, Calif., on May 17, 2019. HMH-465’s mission was to strengthen international relations, modernize U.S. alliances and protect joint security in the Indo-Pacific region. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Jaime Reyes)

A Marine with Marine Heavy Helicopter Squadron (HMH) 465 holds his sons returning from a six-month deployment to the Indo-Pacific Region at Marine Corps Air Station Camp Pendleton, Calif., on May 17, 2019. HMH-465’s mission was to strengthen international relations, modernize U.S. alliances and protect joint security in the Indo-Pacific region. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Jaime Reyes)

Photo by Lance Cpl. Jaime Reyes

Family members of Marines with Marine Heavy Helicopter Squadron (HMH) 465 patiently await their loved ones return following a six-month deployment to the Indo-Pacific region at Marine Corps Air Station Camp Pendleton, Calif., May 17, 2019. HMH-465’s mission was to strengthen international relations, modernize U.S. alliances and protect joint security in the Indo-Pacific region. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Jaime Reyes)

Family members of Marines with Marine Heavy Helicopter Squadron (HMH) 465 patiently await their loved ones return following a six-month deployment to the Indo-Pacific region at Marine Corps Air Station Camp Pendleton, Calif., May 17, 2019. HMH-465’s mission was to strengthen international relations, modernize U.S. alliances and protect joint security in the Indo-Pacific region. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Jaime Reyes)

Photo by Lance Cpl. Jaime Reyes

U.S. Navy Lt. Robert D. Field, a flight doctor with Marine Heavy Helicopter Squadron (HMH) 465, poses for a photo with his wife following a six-month deployment to the Indo-Pacific region at Marine Corps Air Station Camp Pendleton, Calif., on May 17, 2019. HMH-465’s mission was to strengthen international relations, modernize U.S. alliances and protect joint security in the Indo-Pacific region. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Jaime Reyes)

U.S. Navy Lt. Robert D. Field, a flight doctor with Marine Heavy Helicopter Squadron (HMH) 465, poses for a photo with his wife following a six-month deployment to the Indo-Pacific region at Marine Corps Air Station Camp Pendleton, Calif., on May 17, 2019. HMH-465’s mission was to strengthen international relations, modernize U.S. alliances and protect joint security in the Indo-Pacific region. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Jaime Reyes)

Photo by Lance Cpl. Jaime Reyes

A Marine with Marine Heavy Helicopter Squadron (HMH) 465 embraces his significant other after returning from a six-month deployment to the Indo-Pacific region at Marine Corps Air Station Camp Pendleton, Calif., May 17, 2019. HMH-465’s mission was to strengthen international relations, modernize U.S. alliances and protect joint security in the Indo-Pacific region. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Jaime Reyes)

A Marine with Marine Heavy Helicopter Squadron (HMH) 465 embraces his significant other after returning from a six-month deployment to the Indo-Pacific region at Marine Corps Air Station Camp Pendleton, Calif., May 17, 2019. HMH-465’s mission was to strengthen international relations, modernize U.S. alliances and protect joint security in the Indo-Pacific region. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Jaime Reyes)

Photo by Lance Cpl. Jaime Reyes

U.S. Marine Corps Sgt. Jared T. Perez, a helicopter mechanic with Marine Light Attack Helicopter Squadron (HMLA) 369, walks the U.S. flag off the flight line during a relief and appointment ceremony for Marine Light Attack Helicopter Squadron (HMLA) 369 on Marine Corps Air Station Camp Pendleton, Calif., May 10, 2019. The ceremony formally recognized Sgt. Maj. Michael R. Buckles for his honorable service and dedication to the Corps and welcomed Sgt. Maj. Carey R. Wells as HMLA-369’s new sergeant major. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Levi J. Guerra)

U.S. Marine Corps Sgt. Jared T. Perez, a helicopter mechanic with Marine Light Attack Helicopter Squadron (HMLA) 369, walks the U.S. flag off the flight line during a relief and appointment ceremony for Marine Light Attack Helicopter Squadron (HMLA) 369 on Marine Corps Air Station Camp Pendleton, Calif., May 10, 2019. The ceremony formally recognized Sgt. Maj. Michael R. Buckles for his honorable service and dedication to the Corps and welcomed Sgt. Maj. Carey R. Wells as HMLA-369’s new sergeant major. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Levi J. Guerra)

Photo by Lance Cpl. Levi Guerra

U.S. Marine Corps Sgt. Maj. Michael R. Buckles salutes Lt. Col. Jeffrey Robb, commanding officer, Marine Light Attack Helicopter Squadron (HMLA) 369, during a relief and appointment ceremony for HMLA-369 on Marine Corps Air Station Camp Pendleton, Calif., May 10, 2019. The ceremony formally recognized Buckles for his honorable service and dedication to the Corps and welcomed Sgt. Maj. Carey R. Wells as HMLA-369’s new sergeant major. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Levi J. Guerra)

U.S. Marine Corps Sgt. Maj. Michael R. Buckles salutes Lt. Col. Jeffrey Robb, commanding officer, Marine Light Attack Helicopter Squadron (HMLA) 369, during a relief and appointment ceremony for HMLA-369 on Marine Corps Air Station Camp Pendleton, Calif., May 10, 2019. The ceremony formally recognized Buckles for his honorable service and dedication to the Corps and welcomed Sgt. Maj. Carey R. Wells as HMLA-369’s new sergeant major. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Levi J. Guerra)

Photo by Lance Cpl. Levi Guerra

U.S. Marine Corp Lt. Col. Jeffrey Robb, commanding officer, Marine Light Attack Helicopter Squadron (HMLA) 369, awards Sgt. Maj. Michael R. Buckles the Meritorious Service Medal during a relief and appointment ceremony for HMLA-369 on Marine Corps Air Station Camp Pendleton, Calif., May 10, 2019. The ceremony formally recognized Buckles for his honorable service and dedication to the Corps and welcomed Sgt. Maj. Carey R. Wells as HMLA-369’s new sergeant major. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Levi J. Guerra)

U.S. Marine Corp Lt. Col. Jeffrey Robb, commanding officer, Marine Light Attack Helicopter Squadron (HMLA) 369, awards Sgt. Maj. Michael R. Buckles the Meritorious Service Medal during a relief and appointment ceremony for HMLA-369 on Marine Corps Air Station Camp Pendleton, Calif., May 10, 2019. The ceremony formally recognized Buckles for his honorable service and dedication to the Corps and welcomed Sgt. Maj. Carey R. Wells as HMLA-369’s new sergeant major. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Levi J. Guerra)

Photo by Lance Cpl. Levi Guerra

U.S. Marine Corps Staff Sgt. John F. Geary, an enlisted conductor with 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing (MAW) Band, conducts the 3rd MAW Band during a relief and appointment ceremony for Marine Light Attack Helicopter Squadron (HMLA) 369 on Marine Corps Air Station Camp Pendleton, Calif., May 10, 2019. The ceremony formally recognized Sgt. Maj. Michael R. Buckles for his honorable service and dedication to the Corps and welcomed Sgt. Maj. Carey R. Wells as HMLA-369’s new sergeant major. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Levi J. Guerra)

U.S. Marine Corps Staff Sgt. John F. Geary, an enlisted conductor with 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing (MAW) Band, conducts the 3rd MAW Band during a relief and appointment ceremony for Marine Light Attack Helicopter Squadron (HMLA) 369 on Marine Corps Air Station Camp Pendleton, Calif., May 10, 2019. The ceremony formally recognized Sgt. Maj. Michael R. Buckles for his honorable service and dedication to the Corps and welcomed Sgt. Maj. Carey R. Wells as HMLA-369’s new sergeant major. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Levi J. Guerra)

Photo by Lance Cpl. Levi Guerra

U.S. Marines with Marine Light Attack Helicopter Squadron (HMLA) 369, Marine Aircraft Group 39, 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing, stand in formation during a relief and appointment ceremony on Marine Corps Air Station Camp Pendleton, Calif., May 10, 2019. The ceremony formally recognized Sgt. Maj. Michael R. Buckles for his honorable service and dedication to the Corps and welcomed Sgt. Maj. Carey R. Wells as HMLA-369’s new sergeant major. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Levi J. Guerra)

U.S. Marines with Marine Light Attack Helicopter Squadron (HMLA) 369, Marine Aircraft Group 39, 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing, stand in formation during a relief and appointment ceremony on Marine Corps Air Station Camp Pendleton, Calif., May 10, 2019. The ceremony formally recognized Sgt. Maj. Michael R. Buckles for his honorable service and dedication to the Corps and welcomed Sgt. Maj. Carey R. Wells as HMLA-369’s new sergeant major. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Levi J. Guerra)

Photo by Lance Cpl. Levi Guerra

U.S. Marine Corps Lt. Col. Jeffrey Robb, commanding officer, Marine Light Attack Helicopter Squadron (HMLA) 369, congratulates Sgt. Maj. Carey R. Wells, oncoming sergeant major of HMLA-369, during a relief and appointment ceremony for HMLA-369 on Marine Corps Air Station Camp Pendleton, Calif., May 10, 2019. The ceremony formally recognized Sgt. Maj. Michael R. Buckles for his honorable service and dedication to the Corps and welcomed Wells as HMLA-369’s new sergeant major. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Levi J. Guerra)

U.S. Marine Corps Lt. Col. Jeffrey Robb, commanding officer, Marine Light Attack Helicopter Squadron (HMLA) 369, congratulates Sgt. Maj. Carey R. Wells, oncoming sergeant major of HMLA-369, during a relief and appointment ceremony for HMLA-369 on Marine Corps Air Station Camp Pendleton, Calif., May 10, 2019. The ceremony formally recognized Sgt. Maj. Michael R. Buckles for his honorable service and dedication to the Corps and welcomed Wells as HMLA-369’s new sergeant major. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Levi J. Guerra)

Photo by Lance Cpl. Levi Guerra

Prior sergeants major of Marine Light Attack Helicopter Squadron (HMLA) 369 stand with U.S. Marine Corps Sgt. Maj. Carey R. Wells, new sergeant major of HMLA-369, during the pass in review of a relief and appointment ceremony for HMLA-369 on Marine Corps Air Station Camp Pendleton, Calif., May 10, 2019. The ceremony formally recognized Sgt. Maj. Michael R. Buckles for his honorable service and dedication to the Corps and welcomed Wells as HMLA-369’s new sergeant major. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Levi J. Guerra)

Prior sergeants major of Marine Light Attack Helicopter Squadron (HMLA) 369 stand with U.S. Marine Corps Sgt. Maj. Carey R. Wells, new sergeant major of HMLA-369, during the pass in review of a relief and appointment ceremony for HMLA-369 on Marine Corps Air Station Camp Pendleton, Calif., May 10, 2019. The ceremony formally recognized Sgt. Maj. Michael R. Buckles for his honorable service and dedication to the Corps and welcomed Wells as HMLA-369’s new sergeant major. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Levi J. Guerra)

Photo by Lance Cpl. Levi Guerra

U.S. Marine Capt. Matthew Migliori, an aircraft maintenance officer with Marine Aviation Logistics Squadron (MALS) 39, Marine Aircraft Group (MAG) 39, 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing, was awarded the Charles J. "Chuck" Nechvatal Aviation Ground Maintenance Officer of the Year Award in a ceremony held at Marine Corps Air Station Camp Pendleton, California, April 29. Migliori and his Marines ensured that over 130 AH-1Z Vipers, UH-1Y Venoms and MV-22B Ospreys from seven squadrons were ready to fly and fight when called upon to do so.

U.S. Marine Capt. Matthew Migliori, an aircraft maintenance officer with Marine Aviation Logistics Squadron (MALS) 39, Marine Aircraft Group (MAG) 39, 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing, was awarded the Charles J. "Chuck" Nechvatal Aviation Ground Maintenance Officer of the Year Award in a ceremony held at Marine Corps Air Station Camp Pendleton, California, April 29. Migliori and his Marines ensured that over 130 AH-1Z Vipers, UH-1Y Venoms and MV-22B Ospreys from seven squadrons were ready to fly and fight when called upon to do so.

Photo by Cpl. Jacob Pruitt