Stories

Marines with Marine Unmanned Aerial Vehicle Squadron (VMU) 1 and an Insitu maintenance instructor, launch an RQ-21A Blackjack Unmanned Aerial System during training aboard Cannon Air Defense Complex in Yuma, Ariz., Aug. 16. VMU-1 received their new Blackjack’s in June and conducted training to increase their proficiency with the new aircraft before they deploy with the 15th Marine Expeditionary Unit next year. The new aircraft is runway independent and leaves a significantly smaller footprint than their previous UAS. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Sgt. Brytani Wheeler) - Marines with Marine Unmanned Aerial Vehicle Squadron (VMU) 1 and an Insitu maintenance instructor, launch an RQ-21A Blackjack Unmanned Aerial System during training aboard Cannon Air Defense Complex in Yuma, Ariz., Aug. 16. VMU-1 received their new Blackjack’s in June and conducted training to increase their proficiency with the new aircraft before they deploy with the 15th Marine Expeditionary Unit next year. The new aircraft is runway independent and leaves a significantly smaller footprint than their previous UAS. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Sgt. Brytani Wheeler)

Marines with 3rd Battalion, 1st Marine Regiment board a CH-53E Super Stallion from Marine Heavy Helicopter Squadron (HMH) 462 during a training exercise aboard Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton, Calif., July 28. Marine Heavy Helicopter Squadron (HMH) 462 along with the Royal Canadian Air Force supported 3rd Battalion, 1st Marine Regiment during Rim of the Pacific (RIMPAC) 2016. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Harley Robinson/Released) - Marines with 3rd Battalion, 1st Marine Regiment board a CH-53E Super Stallion from Marine Heavy Helicopter Squadron (HMH) 462 during a training exercise aboard Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton, Calif., July 28. Marine Heavy Helicopter Squadron (HMH) 462 along with the Royal Canadian Air Force supported 3rd Battalion, 1st Marine Regiment during Rim of the Pacific (RIMPAC) 2016. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Harley Robinson/Released)

Pilots with Marine Fighter Attack Squadron (VMFA) 121 exit F-35B Lightning II’s after conducting training during exercise Red Flag 16-3 at Nellis Air Force Base, Nev., July 20. This is the first time that the fifth generation fighter has participated in the multiservice air-to-air combat training exercise. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Harley Robinson/Released) - Pilots with Marine Fighter Attack Squadron (VMFA) 121 exit F-35B Lightning II’s after conducting training during exercise Red Flag 16-3 at Nellis Air Force Base, Nev., July 20. This is the first time that the fifth generation fighter has participated in the multiservice air-to-air combat training exercise. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Harley Robinson/Released)

Former commanding generals of 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing joined Maj. Gen. Mark Wise, right, commanding general of 3rd MAW, during the pass in review portion of the change of command aboard Marine Corps Air Station Miramar, Calif., July 22. Maj. Gen. Michael Rocco relinquished command to Wise, who came from serving as deputy commander of U.S. Forces Japan. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Kimberlyn Adams/Released) - Former commanding generals of 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing joined Maj. Gen. Mark Wise, right, commanding general of 3rd MAW, during the pass in review portion of the change of command aboard Marine Corps Air Station Miramar, Calif., July 22. Maj. Gen. Michael Rocco relinquished command to Wise, who came from serving as deputy commander of U.S. Forces Japan. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Kimberlyn Adams/Released)

Family of service members with Marine Light Attack Helicopter Training Squadron (HMLAT) 303, 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing, receive the opportunity to see the cockpit of an AH-1Y Super Cobra during the family day aboard Marine Corps Air Station Camp Pendleton, Calif., July 16. The squadron held the event to show the service members’ family and friends what they do every day to maintain mission readiness. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Sgt. Lillian Stephens/Released) - Family of service members with Marine Light Attack Helicopter Training Squadron (HMLAT) 303, 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing, receive the opportunity to see the cockpit of an AH-1Y Super Cobra during the family day aboard Marine Corps Air Station Camp Pendleton, Calif., July 16. The squadron held the event to show the service members’ family and friends what they do every day to maintain mission readiness. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Sgt. Lillian Stephens/Released)

Maj. Gen. Michael Rocco, commanding general of 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing, poses for a picture with his wife and daughter in front of an AH-1W Super Cobra after his last flight aboard Marine Corps Air Station Camp Pendleton, Calif., July 7, 2016. Rocco took command of 3rd MAW in June 2014 and is slated to relinquish command to Maj. Gen. Mark Wise on July 22, 2016. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Pfc. Jake McClung/Released) - Maj. Gen. Michael Rocco, commanding general of 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing, poses for a picture with his wife and daughter in front of an AH-1W Super Cobra after his last flight aboard Marine Corps Air Station Camp Pendleton, Calif., July 7, 2016. Rocco took command of 3rd MAW in June 2014 and is slated to relinquish command to Maj. Gen. Mark Wise on July 22, 2016. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Pfc. Jake McClung/Released)

Marines with 2nd Battalion, 5th Marine Regiment, Weapons Company, Scout Sniper Platoon, fast rope from an MV-22B Osprey with Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron 164 aboard Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton, Calif., June 30. The ability to fast rope enables Marines to insert into an area or structure without landing the aircraft, eliminating the need for a landing zone. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Sgt. Lillian Stephens/Released) - Marines with 2nd Battalion, 5th Marine Regiment, Weapons Company, Scout Sniper Platoon, fast rope from an MV-22B Osprey with Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron 164 aboard Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton, Calif., June 30. The ability to fast rope enables Marines to insert into an area or structure without landing the aircraft, eliminating the need for a landing zone. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Sgt. Lillian Stephens/Released)

An MV-22B Osprey with Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron (VMM) 165 takes off during section confined area landing training in Holtville, Calif., June 29. VMM-165 conducts the training to familiarize new crew chiefs and pilots with missions that they would fly during a deployment. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Pfc. Liah Kitchen/Released) - An MV-22B Osprey with Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron (VMM) 165 takes off during section confined area landing training in Holtville, Calif., June 29. VMM-165 conducts the training to familiarize new crew chiefs and pilots with missions that they would fly during a deployment. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Pfc. Liah Kitchen/Released)

Sgt. Maj. Allen Goodyear, sergeant major of Marine Fighter Attack Squadron (VMFA) 211, and Col. Marcus Annibale, commanding officer of Marine Aircraft Group (MAG) 13, salute the colors during a re-designation and change of command ceremony aboard Marine Corps Air Station Yuma, Ariz., June 30. During the ceremony, Marine Attack Squadron (VMA) 211 transitioned to VMFA-211 making it the first AV-8B Harrier squadron to become an F-35B Lightning II Joint Strike Fighter squadron. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Harley Robinson/Released.) - Sgt. Maj. Allen Goodyear, sergeant major of Marine Fighter Attack Squadron (VMFA) 211, and Col. Marcus Annibale, commanding officer of Marine Aircraft Group (MAG) 13, salute the colors during a re-designation and change of command ceremony aboard Marine Corps Air Station Yuma, Ariz., June 30. During the ceremony, Marine Attack Squadron (VMA) 211 transitioned to VMFA-211 making it the first AV-8B Harrier squadron to become an F-35B Lightning II Joint Strike Fighter squadron. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Harley Robinson/Released.)

Angel Smith hugs his grandmother, Minerva “Minnie” Ramsey, after being sworn in to the United States Marine Corps by his grandfather, Maj. James Ramsey, the aviation ordinance officer of Marine Aviation Logistics Squadron (MAG) 11, at Military Entrance Processing Station San Diego, June 14. Smith is following in his grandfather’s and uncles’ footsteps by becoming a Marine. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Harley Robinson/Released) - Angel Smith hugs his grandmother, Minerva “Minnie” Ramsey, after being sworn in to the United States Marine Corps by his grandfather, Maj. James Ramsey, the aviation ordinance officer of Marine Aviation Logistics Squadron (MAG) 11, at Military Entrance Processing Station San Diego, June 14. Smith is following in his grandfather’s and uncles’ footsteps by becoming a Marine. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Harley Robinson/Released)