Stories

Lt. Gen. John A. Toolan, commanding general of I Marine Expeditionary Force, thanks Marines and spouses of Marine Wing Support Squadron 373 for their participation in the Veterans Village of San Diego Stand Down during a luncheon held in their honor aboard Marine Corps Air Station Miramar, Calif. Aug 12. The VVSD Stand Down spreads awareness about local homeless veterans and these Marine volunteers were pivotal in making the event a success. - Lt. Gen. John A. Toolan, commanding general of I Marine Expeditionary Force, thanks Marines and spouses of Marine Wing Support Squadron 373 for their participation in the Veterans Village of San Diego Stand Down during a luncheon held in their honor aboard Marine Corps Air Station Miramar, Calif. Aug 12. The VVSD Stand Down spreads awareness about local homeless veterans and these Marine volunteers were pivotal in making the event a success.

Sgt. Nicholas Lang, the reviewing officer for the ceremony and an intelligence analyst with the 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing, speaks to Marines, sailors and guests during an evening colors ceremony aboard Marine Corps Air Station Miramar, Calif., Aug. 6. During the ceremony Lang highlighted some of the services the San Diego Regional Chamber of Commerce has provided to the military. - Sgt. Nicholas Lang, the reviewing officer for the ceremony and an intelligence analyst with the 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing, speaks to Marines, sailors and guests during an evening colors ceremony aboard Marine Corps Air Station Miramar, Calif., Aug. 6. During the ceremony Lang highlighted some of the services the San Diego Regional Chamber of Commerce has provided to the military.

An F/A-18C Hornet with Marine Fighter Attack Squadron 232 flies over Boise, Idaho, July 26. Pilots conducted a large force exercise with six aircraft from the squadron striking simulated enemy targets on the ground. - An F/A-18C Hornet with Marine Fighter Attack Squadron 232 flies over Boise, Idaho, July 26. Pilots conducted a large force exercise with six aircraft from the squadron striking simulated enemy targets on the ground.

Poolees from Recruiting Substation Boise, Idaho, yell a common Marine Corps battle cry, "oorah," during a visit to Marine Fighter Attack Squadron 232 aboard Mountain Home Air Force Base, Idaho, July 29. Poolees asked the Marines what they should expect during and after recruit training. - Poolees from Recruiting Substation Boise, Idaho, yell a common Marine Corps battle cry, "oorah," during a visit to Marine Fighter Attack Squadron 232 aboard Mountain Home Air Force Base, Idaho, July 29. Poolees asked the Marines what they should expect during and after recruit training.

A CH-53E Super Stallion refuels for the trip back to Marine Corps Air Station Miramar, Calif., at Imperial County Airport in El Centro, Calif., July 17.During refueling Staff Sgt. Franklin Williams, an aviation ordnance technician with Marine Heavy Helicopter Squadron 465 "Warhorses" and a San Diego native, kept watch from outside the aircraft to ensure those who were not qualified to touch the aircraft maintained a safe distance, much like he would when he earns his aerial observer's wings. - A CH-53E Super Stallion refuels for the trip back to Marine Corps Air Station Miramar, Calif., at Imperial County Airport in El Centro, Calif., July 17.During refueling Staff Sgt. Franklin Williams, an aviation ordnance technician with Marine Heavy Helicopter Squadron 465 "Warhorses" and a San Diego native, kept watch from outside the aircraft to ensure those who were not qualified to touch the aircraft maintained a safe distance, much like he would when he earns his aerial observer's wings.

Children and parents listen to a story during story time at the library aboard Marine Corps Air Station Miramar, Calif., July 17. Parents bring their children to the library for the summer reading program to foster a love of books and reading. - Children and parents listen to a story during story time at the library aboard Marine Corps Air Station Miramar, Calif., July 17. Parents bring their children to the library for the summer reading program to foster a love of books and reading.

Lt. Col. Samuel Smith, the commanding officer of Marine Attack Squadron 513, right, and Maj. Andrew Diviney, the executive officer of VMA-513, left, salute the Marines of the squadron during VMA-513's Deactivation Ceremony at the squadron hanger aboard Marine Corps Air Station Yuma, Ariz., July 12. This marks an end to VMA-513's 69 years of faithful service to the nation. - Lt. Col. Samuel Smith, the commanding officer of Marine Attack Squadron 513, right, and Maj. Andrew Diviney, the executive officer of VMA-513, left, salute the Marines of the squadron during VMA-513's Deactivation Ceremony at the squadron hanger aboard Marine Corps Air Station Yuma, Ariz., July 12. This marks an end to VMA-513's 69 years of faithful service to the nation.

Maj. Gen. Steven W. Busby, 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing commanding general, gives parting remarks about Sgt. Major Anthony A. Spadaro, the off-going 3rd MAW sergeant major, during the sergeant major’s relief ceremony aboard Marine Corps Air Station Miramar, Calif. July 12. Busby expressed his dismay for losing Spadaro, a trusted advisor and friend, as his right-hand-man. - Maj. Gen. Steven W. Busby, 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing commanding general, gives parting remarks about Sgt. Major Anthony A. Spadaro, the off-going 3rd MAW sergeant major, during the sergeant major’s relief ceremony aboard Marine Corps Air Station Miramar, Calif. July 12. Busby expressed his dismay for losing Spadaro, a trusted advisor and friend, as his right-hand-man.

Sgt. Michael Burgess, left, noncommissioned officer-in-charge of fire control at Marine Light Attack Helicopter Training Squadron 303 and a Ramona, Calif. native, poses with his Marines aboard Marine Corps Air Station Camp Pendleton, Calif., July 15. Burgess is highlighted as part of the committed and engaged leadership campaign acknowledging his leadership of these seven award-winning Marines. - Sgt. Michael Burgess, left, noncommissioned officer-in-charge of fire control at Marine Light Attack Helicopter Training Squadron 303 and a Ramona, Calif. native, poses with his Marines aboard Marine Corps Air Station Camp Pendleton, Calif., July 15. Burgess is highlighted as part of the committed and engaged leadership campaign acknowledging his leadership of these seven award-winning Marines.

Matt Foster, commander, Veterans of Foreign Wars post1513, speaks with a Marine at one of the tents set up during the VFW sponsored BBQ aboard Marine Corps Air Station Miramar, Calif., June 27. The VFW came out to show their appreciation for today's service members by giving them a free meal of steaks, beans and potato salad. - Matt Foster, commander, Veterans of Foreign Wars post1513, speaks with a Marine at one of the tents set up during the VFW sponsored BBQ aboard Marine Corps Air Station Miramar, Calif., June 27. The VFW came out to show their appreciation for today's service members by giving them a free meal of steaks, beans and potato salad.