Stories

Marines with Marine Aircraft Group 11 spent the last month working from the Air Combat Element Compound at the Combat Center’s Camp Wilson to provide support for multiple air wings units undergoing Integrated Training Exercise 3-13. Since their arrival at the Combat Center in early May, MAG-11 has provided support for Marine Heavy Helicopter Squadron 462, Marine Light Attack Helicopter Squadron 369 and Marine Fighter Attack Squadron 314. The exercise provided a vigorous training opportunity and updated approach to aviation ITX training. - Marines with Marine Aircraft Group 11 spent the last month working from the Air Combat Element Compound at the Combat Center’s Camp Wilson to provide support for multiple air wings units undergoing Integrated Training Exercise 3-13. Since their arrival at the Combat Center in early May, MAG-11 has provided support for Marine Heavy Helicopter Squadron 462, Marine Light Attack Helicopter Squadron 369 and Marine Fighter Attack Squadron 314. The exercise provided a vigorous training opportunity and updated approach to aviation ITX training.

VMA-211 “Wake Island Avengers” Change of Command - VMA-211 “Wake Island Avengers” Change of Command

The plaque of the 2013 Military Fatherhood Award was given to Chief Petty Officer Patrick Mondragon, right, the 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing religious ministries’ senior enlisted leader and a San Jose, Calif., native, at a ceremony aboard Marine Corps Air Station Miramar, Calif., July 13. This award recognizes fathers who go above and beyond for their children. - The plaque of the 2013 Military Fatherhood Award was given to Chief Petty Officer Patrick Mondragon, right, the 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing religious ministries’ senior enlisted leader and a San Jose, Calif., native, at a ceremony aboard Marine Corps Air Station Miramar, Calif., July 13. This award recognizes fathers who go above and beyond for their children.

The bachelor enlisted quarters’ laundry facility makes use of solar panels to heat water aboard Marine Corps Air Station Miramar, Calif., June 7. This project is considered one of the most successful individual building projects for energy conservation on the station and serves as a model for other conservation projects. - The bachelor enlisted quarters’ laundry facility makes use of solar panels to heat water aboard Marine Corps Air Station Miramar, Calif., June 7. This project is considered one of the most successful individual building projects for energy conservation on the station and serves as a model for other conservation projects.

A child wears a cranial during Junior Jarhead Day hosted by Marine Aircraft Group 16 aboard Marine Corps Air Station Miramar, Calif., June 8. Crew chiefs took the children into an MV-22B Osprey and taught them about their job with the power of imagination. - A child wears a cranial during Junior Jarhead Day hosted by Marine Aircraft Group 16 aboard Marine Corps Air Station Miramar, Calif., June 8. Crew chiefs took the children into an MV-22B Osprey and taught them about their job with the power of imagination.

Sgt. Efrain Melecio, an aviation logistics information management support specialist with Marine Aviation Logistics Squadron 11 and Chicago native, takes a study break aboard Marine Corps Air Station Miramar, Calif., May 21. Melecio has been attending college courses throughout his six years in the Marine Corps and will be starting at the University of Arizona in the fall to pursue a commission as a second lieutenant. - Sgt. Efrain Melecio, an aviation logistics information management support specialist with Marine Aviation Logistics Squadron 11 and Chicago native, takes a study break aboard Marine Corps Air Station Miramar, Calif., May 21. Melecio has been attending college courses throughout his six years in the Marine Corps and will be starting at the University of Arizona in the fall to pursue a commission as a second lieutenant.

Copter 2 of San Diego Fire-Rescue Department’s Air Operations Division dumps a load of water during in-service fire training at Lake Hodges in Escondido, Calif. May 30. Engine 62 of the Miramar Fire Department was one of three engines battling the simulated wildland fire from the left flank, alongside two other engines working on the right flank. - Copter 2 of San Diego Fire-Rescue Department’s Air Operations Division dumps a load of water during in-service fire training at Lake Hodges in Escondido, Calif. May 30. Engine 62 of the Miramar Fire Department was one of three engines battling the simulated wildland fire from the left flank, alongside two other engines working on the right flank.

Jamie Weathers, center, a music teacher with Saint Francis of Assisi Catholic School, Ariz., and a Marshall, Okla., native, stands with Jeanie Spies, the Flying Leatherneck Historical Foundation committee chairman, and Sasha Lightfoot, last year’s Irene Ferguson Marine Wife Recognition Award recipient, after receiving her award at the 8th Annual Flying Leatherneck Historical Foundation Black Tie Gala at the Westgate Hotel, San Diego, June 1. Weathers is this year’s recipient of the award in recognition of her exceptional support of the military and her community. - Jamie Weathers, center, a music teacher with Saint Francis of Assisi Catholic School, Ariz., and a Marshall, Okla., native, stands with Jeanie Spies, the Flying Leatherneck Historical Foundation committee chairman, and Sasha Lightfoot, last year’s Irene Ferguson Marine Wife Recognition Award recipient, after receiving her award at the 8th Annual Flying Leatherneck Historical Foundation Black Tie Gala at the Westgate Hotel, San Diego, June 1. Weathers is this year’s recipient of the award in recognition of her exceptional support of the military and her community.

Rosie Herrera, left, and Precious, right, her 9-year-old daughter, can't stop smiling during a homecoming ceremony aboard Marine Corps Air Station Camp Pendleton, Calif., May 13. Rosie's husband's deployment with Marine Medium Helicopter Squadron 364 "Purple Foxes", 15th Marine Expeditionary Unit, represented the last deployment of Marine Corps CH-46 Sea Knight helicopters. - Rosie Herrera, left, and Precious, right, her 9-year-old daughter, can't stop smiling during a homecoming ceremony aboard Marine Corps Air Station Camp Pendleton, Calif., May 13. Rosie's husband's deployment with Marine Medium Helicopter Squadron 364 "Purple Foxes", 15th Marine Expeditionary Unit, represented the last deployment of Marine Corps CH-46 Sea Knight helicopters.

Maj. Gen. Gregg Sturdevant, 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing assistant wing commander, speaks to his co-pilot during his final flight with 3rd MAW above Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton, Calif., May 14. During his career, Sturdevant flew both the CH-46E and the MV-22B Osprey, in combat environments. - Maj. Gen. Gregg Sturdevant, 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing assistant wing commander, speaks to his co-pilot during his final flight with 3rd MAW above Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton, Calif., May 14. During his career, Sturdevant flew both the CH-46E and the MV-22B Osprey, in combat environments.