Stories

MASA 24: VMGR-352 conducts transportation flight operations - U.S. Marines Corps Sgt. Caleb Shockey, a fixed-wing aircraft crew chief with Marine Aerial Refueler Transport (VMGR) 352, Marine Aircraft Group 11, 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing, loads ground support equipment onto a KC-130J Super Hercules for a transportation flight during Marine Aviation Support Activity 24 at Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni, Japan, June 9, 2024. VMGR-352 transported fixed-wing ordnance, including bombs and missiles, and ground support equipment, from Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni to Clark Air Base, Philippines, in support of the MASA 24 littoral live fire exercise; the ordnance and equipment was received, ground transported, and guarded by Philippine and U.S. Marines. MASA is an annual Philippine and U.S. Marine Corps exercise focused on mutual defense, strengthening relationships, and rehearsing emerging aviation concepts. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Jennifer Sanchez)

U.S. Marine Loadmaster shapes aviation operations in the Philippines: Sgt. Caleb Shockey

From the sunny streets of Chino Hills, California, to operating as a KC-130J Super Hercules loadmaster with Marine Aerial Refueler Transport (VMGR) 352, Marine Aircraft Group 11, 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing, Sgt. Caleb Shockey embarked on his journey in the U.S. Marine Corps after enlisting through Recruiting Station Azusa. Shockey left Chino Hills for Marine Corps Recruit Depot San Diego in February 2020 and has upheld the whole Marine concept since.

Read More

MASA 24: MWSS-371 and Philippine airfield operators conduct FARP operations at Laoag International Airport - U.S. Marines with Marine Wing Support Squadron (MWSS) 371, Marine Air Control Group 38, 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing, and Philippine Sailors refuel a KC-130J Super Hercules with Marine Aerial Refueler Transport (VMGR) 352, Marine Aircraft Group 11, 3rd MAW, during forward arming and refueling point operations at Laoag International Airport, Laoag, Philippines, June 15, 2024. The FARP supported aircraft with Marine Aerial Refueler Transport (VMGR) 352, Marine Aircraft Group 11, 3rd MAW, and 1st Special Operations Squadron during Marine Aviation Support Activity 24. MASA is an annual Philippine-U.S. military exercise focused on mutual defense, strengthening relationships, and rehearsing emerging aviation concepts. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Nikolas Mascroft)

U.S.-Philippine bilateral airfield operations: MWSS-371 conducts FARP operations with Philippine Sailors at Laoag

U.S. Marines with Marine Wing Support Squadron 371, strengthened ties with their Philippine counterparts by conducting bilateral forward arming and refueling point operations during Marine Aviation Support Activity 24, at Laoag, Philippines, June 3 – June 21, 2024.

Read More

A U.S. Marine Corps F-35B Lightning II aircraft with Marine Fighter Attack Squadron (VMFA) 214, Marine Aircraft Group 13, 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing, receives fuel from a KC-30A Multi-Role Tanker Transport aircraft with No. 33 Squadron, Royal Australian Air Force, over the Pacific Ocean, while flying from Camp Blaz, Guam, to RAAF Base Tindal, Australia, May 19, 2024. VMFA-214 deployed more than 200 Marines and eight F-35B Lightning II aircraft from Marine Corps Air Station Yuma, Arizona, to RAAF Base Tindal, Australia, to conduct bilateral training with the RAAF No. 3 Squadron and No. 75 Squadron. As part of I Marine Expeditionary Force, 3rd MAW persistently trains in the Indo-Pacific, maintaining a forward presence and enduring commitment to our allies and partners in the region. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Nicholas Johnson) - A U.S. Marine Corps F-35B Lightning II aircraft with Marine Fighter Attack Squadron (VMFA) 214, Marine Aircraft Group 13, 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing, receives fuel from a KC-30A Multi-Role Tanker Transport aircraft with No. 33 Squadron, Royal Australian Air Force, over the Pacific Ocean, while flying from Camp Blaz, Guam, to RAAF Base Tindal, Australia, May 19, 2024. VMFA-214 deployed more than 200 Marines and eight F-35B Lightning II aircraft from Marine Corps Air Station Yuma, Arizona, to RAAF Base Tindal, Australia, to conduct bilateral training with RAAF No. 3 Squadron and No. 75 Squadron. As part of I Marine Expeditionary Force, 3rd MAW persistently trains in the Indo-Pacific, maintaining a forward presence and enduring commitment to our allies and partners in the region. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Nicholas Johnson)

U.S.- Australian Interoperability Across the Pacific: RAAF Tanker Refuels USMC F-35B for Transpacific Flight

PACIFIC OCEAN-- As a testament to the ironclad alliance and ever-increasing interoperability between the U.S. and Australia, a Royal Australian Air Force KC-30A Multi-Role Tanker with RAAF No. 33 Squadron, traveled from RAAF Amberley, Australia to Camp Blaz, Guam, to provide aerial refueling to two U.S. Marine Corps F-35B Lightning II aircraft assigned to Marine Fighter Attack Squadron 214, Marine Aircraft Group 13, 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing, for a transpacific flight, May 19, 2024.

Read More

A Marine signals a pilot - U.S. Marine Corps Cpl. Jack Gregory, collateral duty inspector assigned to the Marine Fighter Attack Squadron 311 (VMFA), Marine Corps Air Station Miramar, California, signals to a pilot at Tyndall Air Force Base, Florida, May 16, 2024. Marines and aircraft from VMFA-311 traveled to Tyndall to participate in Checkered Flag 24-2, a large-force aerial exercise designed to integrate 4th and 5th-generation airframes to enhance mobility, deployment and employment capabilities of aviators and maintainers. The 24-2 iteration of the exercise was held May 9-22. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Zachary Nordheim)

VMFA-311 demonstrates joint operations in CKF 24-2

In an era of Great Power Competition, the ability to conduct low-intensity operations without compromising high-intensity readiness remains vital. Tyndall continues to generate this readiness and capabilities internally and alongside joint and coalition forces through the use of Checkered Flag, one of the Department of Defense’s largest air-to-air exercises. U.S. Marines from Marine Fighter Attack Squadron (VMFA) 311, Marine Aircraft Group 11, 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing, an F-35C Lightning II squadron based at Marine Corps Air Station Miramar, California, had the opportunity to train and focus on a variety of skills demanded for wartime operational mission readiness and the deliverance of decisive combat airpower with rapid response.

Read More

U.S. Marines give insight to DACOWITS - U.S. Marine Corps Lance Cpl. Jennae Kahler, an F-35B Lightning II aircraft electrical systems technician with Marine Fighter Attack Squadron (VMFA) 311, Marine Aircraft Group 11, 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing, discusses the role women play in the Marine Corps during a luncheon with representatives from the Defense Advisory Committee on Women in the Services on MCAS Miramar, California, April 22, 2024. The purpose of the luncheon was to conduct research on behalf of Lloyd J. Austin III, the Secretary of Defense, in an informal setting. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Pfc. Seferino Gamez)

MCAS Miramar and 3rd MAW Marines support research on women in the armed forces

U.S. Marines with Marine Corps Air Station Miramar and the 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing hosted the Defense Advisory Committee on Women in the Services from April 22-23, 2024, to support research on service member experiences, attitudes, and recommendations related to personnel policies in the Marine Corps.DACOWITS is a Department of Defense Federal

Read More

U.S. Marine Corps Cpl. Celia G. Flomo, a supply clerk with Marine Aircraft Group 39, 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing, is pinned to the rank of corporal by Cpl. Axiel Camacho (middle), a supply management specialist, and Lance Cpl. Tyriq R. McKinney, an inventory management specialist, both with MAG-39, at Marine Corps Air Station Camp Pendleton, California, March 25, 2024. Flomo was meritoriously promoted to the rank of corporal for demonstrating exceptional leadership, knowledge, and physical fitness, and standing out amongst her peers while taking on the responsibilities and duties of a higher grade. (Courtesy photo) - U.S. Marine Corps Cpl. Celia G. Flomo, a supply clerk with Marine Aircraft Group 39, 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing, is pinned to the rank of corporal by Cpl. Axiel Camacho (middle), a supply management specialist, and Lance Cpl. Tyriq R. McKinney, an inventory management specialist, both with MAG-39, at Marine Corps Air Station Camp Pendleton, California, March 25, 2024. Flomo was meritoriously promoted to the rank of corporal for demonstrating exceptional leadership, knowledge, and physical fitness, and standing out amongst her peers while taking on the responsibilities and duties of a higher grade. (Courtesy photo)

MERITORIOUSLY PROMOTED TWICE: MAG-39'S CPL FLOMO

MARINE CORPS AIR STATION CAMP PENDLETON, Calif.-- U.S. Marine Corps Cpl. Celia G. Flomo, a supply clerk with Marine Aircraft Group 39, 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing, attended basic training in 2022 and has served in the Marine Corps for just 18 months. On March 25, 2024, Flomo was meritoriously promoted to the rank of corporal, her second meritorious

Read More

A U.S. Marine with Marine Fighter Attack Squadron (VMFA) 211 accelerates an F-35B Lightning II on the flight deck of HMS Queen Elizabeth in the Mediterranean Sea on November 24th, 2021 - A U.S. Marine with Marine Fighter Attack Squadron (VMFA) 211 accelerates an F-35B Lightning II on the flight deck of HMS Queen Elizabeth in the Mediterranean Sea on November 24th, 2021. VMFA-211 aircraft landed at Naval Station Rota as the first stop on their redeployment to Marine Corps Air Station Yuma, AZ. The success of this deployment demonstrates that the United States and the United Kingdom are united in our efforts to ensure security and freedom of the seas, that our maritime power projection capabilities are interoperable, complementary, and global.

Marine Major Innovates, Develops Mission-Critical F-35B Course

“Paddles, contact! You’re well left of course.” On March 13, 2003, a flight of three AV-8B Harriers launched from the amphibious assault ship USS Bataan (LHD 5) on a night combat sortie. Sometime after launch, the Operation Southern Watch mission was scrubbed due to a sandstorm that swept across Kuwait and over the Northern Arabian Gulf headed

Read More

Five battlefield crosses are displayed in honor of five Marines of Marine Heavy Helicopter Squadron (HMH) 361, Marine Aircraft Group 16, 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing, during a memorial ceremony at Marine Corps Air Station Miramar, California, Feb. 16, 2024. More than 550 Marines, family and friends gathered to pay tribute to the five Marines who lost their lives as the result of a CH-53E mishap on Feb. 6, 2024, in Pine Valley, California. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Staff Sgt. Antonio De La Fuente) - Five battlefield crosses are displayed in honor of five Marines of Marine Heavy Helicopter Squadron (HMH) 361, Marine Aircraft Group 16, 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing, during a memorial ceremony at Marine Corps Air Station Miramar, California, Feb. 16, 2024. More than 550 Marines, family and friends gathered to pay tribute to the five Marines who lost their lives as the result of a CH-53E mishap on Feb. 6, 2024, in Pine Valley, California. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Staff Sgt. Antonio De La Fuente)

Memorial Honors Fallen Marines of HMH-361

MARINE CORPS AIR STATION MIRAMAR, Calif. – Five Marines of Marine Heavy Helicopter Squadron (HMH) 361, Marine Aircraft Group 16, 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing, were honored during a memorial ceremony on the afternoon of Feb. 16, 2024.

Read More

U.S. Marine Corps Cpl. Johnson Truong, an air support operations operator with Marine Air Support Squadron 3, Marine Air Control Group 38, 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing, coordinates fire missions from the Multifunction Air Operations Center in support of Exercise Steel Knight 23.2 at Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton, California, Dec. 6, 2023. The MAOC provides expeditionary aviation command and control and air surveillance to the Marine Air-Ground Task Force. Steel Knight 23.2 is a three-phase exercise designed to train I Marine Expeditionary Force in the planning, deployment and command and control of a joint force against a peer or near-peer adversary combat force and enhance existing live-fire and maneuver capabilities of the MAGTF. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Daniel Childs) - U.S. Marine Corps Cpl. Johnson Truong, an air support operations operator with Marine Air Support Squadron 3, Marine Air Control Group 38, 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing, coordinates fire missions from the Multifunction Air Operations Center in support of Exercise Steel Knight 23.2 at Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton, California, Dec. 6, 2023. The MAOC provides expeditionary aviation command and control and air surveillance to the Marine Air-Ground Task Force. Steel Knight 23.2 is a three-phase exercise designed to train I Marine Expeditionary Force in the planning, deployment and command and control of a joint force against a peer or near-peer adversary combat force and enhance existing live-fire and maneuver capabilities of the MAGTF. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Daniel Childs)

First Generation Legacy: 3rd MAW Marine Forges His Own Path

U.S. Marine Corps Cpl. Johnson Truong is an air support operations operator with Marine Air Support Squadron (MASS) 3, Marine Air Control Group 38, 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing, and a Harrisburg, Pennsylvania native. It is fitting that Truong hails from a city with as much historical significance to the U.S. as Harrisburg. His family legacy was shaped by sacrifice and commitment to a stable life in the United States.

Read More

U.S. Marine Corps Lance Cpl. Rohman Papayev, a metal worker with Marine Wing Support Squadron (MWSS) 373, Marine Aircraft Group 38, 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing, cuts metal remains of the Bailey Bridge with an air carbon arc cutting system during a bridge demolition operation as part of phase I of Strategic Mobility Exercise (STRATMOBEX) II at San Clemente Island, California, Jan. 6, 2024. During phase I, MWSS-373 demolished a hazardous bridge that hindered range control’s ability to insert targets into the Shore Bombardment Area of San Clemente Island. Phase I set conditions for phases II and III of STRATMOBEX II, the construct of a shallow water crossing and follow on missions. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Jennifer Sanchez) - U.S. Marines with Marine Wing Support Squadron (MWSS) 373, Marine Air Control Group 38, 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing, detonate C4 to demolish the Bailey Bridge as part of phase I of Strategic Mobility Exercise (STRATMOBEX) II at San Clemente Island, California, Jan. 5, 2024. During phase I, MWSS-373 demolished a hazardous bridge that hindered range control’s ability to insert targets into the Shore Bombardment Area of San Clemente Island. Phase I set conditions for phases II and III of STRATMOBEX II, the construct of a shallow water crossing and follow on missions. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Jennifer Sanchez)

3rd MAW Marines demolish 85-foot bridge on San Clemente Island

U.S. Marine Corps Col. John Ripley is legendary in the Marine Corps for his heroism in blunting a North Vietnamese offensive by destroying the Dong Ha Bridge during the Vietnamese War. As a Captain, Ripley labored for three hours to transport and attach 500 pounds of explosives to the Dong Ha bridge while under constant enemy fire by 20,000 troops and 200 tanks of the North Vietnamese Army. His courageous actions and the resulting bridge destruction are recognized as a key factor in the defeat of the NVA during the Easter Offensive in 1972.

Read More