Stories

A UH-1Y Huey fires bright red "tracer" rounds from the GAU-19/A electronically-driven gatling gun, "minigun," at Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton, Calif., Oct. 23. Marine Light Attack Helicopter Squadron 267 demonstrated this technique during the squadron's Family Day, which also featured a casualty evacuation and precision flying with another Huey and two AH-1W Cobras. - A UH-1Y Huey fires bright red "tracer" rounds from the GAU-19/A electronically-driven gatling gun, "minigun," at Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton, Calif., Oct. 23. Marine Light Attack Helicopter Squadron 267 demonstrated this technique during the squadron's Family Day, which also featured a casualty evacuation and precision flying with another Huey and two AH-1W Cobras.

U.K. Army and Afghan elders wait to board a Royal Air Force CH-47 Chinook, 1317 Flight Squadron, Joint Aviation Group, 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing (Forward), after a shura in Nad ‘Ali here Oct. 25. The Royal Air Force EH101 Merlins from 1419 Flight Squadron, JAG, 3rd MAW (Fwd), transported the elders and military leaders to the shura at Nad ‘Ali for International Security Assistance Force officials to gain a better understanding of what the local population needs. Approximately 150 to 200 locals were in attendance. - U.K. Army and Afghan elders wait to board a Royal Air Force CH-47 Chinook, 1317 Flight Squadron, Joint Aviation Group, 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing (Forward), after a shura in Nad ‘Ali here Oct. 25. The Royal Air Force EH101 Merlins from 1419 Flight Squadron, JAG, 3rd MAW (Fwd), transported the elders and military leaders to the shura at Nad ‘Ali for International Security Assistance Force officials to gain a better understanding of what the local population needs. Approximately 150 to 200 locals were in attendance.

Cpl. Kevin Reuter, a plane captain with Marine Fighter Attack Squadron 232, 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing (Forward), performs a visual check around an F/A-18C Hornet before the engines are started here Oct. 13. The squadron has been deployed since May and is preparing to head home to Marine Corps Air Station Miramar, Calif. The squadron pilots flew more than 4,090 combat flight hours, with more than 1,190 sorties and performed more than 140 weapon employment strikes. - Cpl. Kevin Reuter, a plane captain with Marine Fighter Attack Squadron 232, 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing (Forward), performs a visual check around an F/A-18C Hornet before the engines are started here Oct. 13. The squadron has been deployed since May and is preparing to head home to Marine Corps Air Station Miramar, Calif. The squadron pilots flew more than 4,090 combat flight hours, with more than 1,190 sorties and performed more than 140 weapon employment strikes.

A CH-53D Sea Stallion with Marine Heavy Helicopter Squadron 362, 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing (Forward), flies en route to pick up Afghan National Army and coalition forces after Operation Stargey Oct. 17. The mission was to stop insurgents from illegally taxing merchants on their way to bazaars in the area of Jahazi, between Now Zad and Musa Quelah. HMH-362 used their helicopters to insert ANA and coalition forces, which allows for surprise, flexibility and a multi-prong approach to the operation. - A CH-53D Sea Stallion with Marine Heavy Helicopter Squadron 362, 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing (Forward), flies en route to pick up Afghan National Army and coalition forces after Operation Stargey Oct. 17. The mission was to stop insurgents from illegally taxing merchants on their way to bazaars in the area of Jahazi, between Now Zad and Musa Quelah. HMH-362 used their helicopters to insert ANA and coalition forces, which allows for surprise, flexibility and a multi-prong approach to the operation.

Staff Sgt. Steven Engs, the staff noncommissioned officer in charge of the powerline shop, and Sgt. Ryan Shouse, a powerline mechanic, both with Marine Fighter Attack Squadron 232, 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing (Forward), stand in front of a F/A-18C Hornet on the flight line here. Engs served as one of Shouse's drill instructors during recruit training in 2005. The Marines have worked together throughout Shouse's career and are currently serving with VMFA-232 in Afghanistan. - Staff Sgt. Steven Engs, the staff noncommissioned officer in charge of the powerline shop, and Sgt. Ryan Shouse, a powerline mechanic, both with Marine Fighter Attack Squadron 232, 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing (Forward), stand in front of a F/A-18C Hornet on the flight line here. Engs served as one of Shouse's drill instructors during recruit training in 2005. The Marines have worked together throughout Shouse's career and are currently serving with VMFA-232 in Afghanistan.

CAMP BASTION, Afghanistan – U.S. Marine Staff Sgt. Matthew Robinson was one of two Marines recognized by Air Commodore Ken McCann, the U.K. air component commander, for their contributions to joint U.S. – U.K. operations at the Air Traffic Control tower here Oct. 5. During the past six months, Robinson and Staff Sgt. Timothy Pinney worked side-by-side with the 903rd Expeditionary Air Wing, the U.K. unit in charge of all ATC operations, to create a safer, more efficient airspace for coalition aviators. - CAMP BASTION, Afghanistan – U.S. Marine Staff Sgt. Matthew Robinson was one of two Marines recognized by Air Commodore Ken McCann, the U.K. air component commander, for their contributions to joint U.S. – U.K. operations at the Air Traffic Control tower here Oct. 5. During the past six months, Robinson and Staff Sgt. Timothy Pinney worked side-by-side with the 903rd Expeditionary Air Wing, the U.K. unit in charge of all ATC operations, to create a safer, more efficient airspace for coalition aviators.

A U.K. Mk4 Sea King with the Royal Navy prepares to land here during a joint operation with a U.S. UH-1Y Huey and a U.S. AH-1W Cobra from Marine Light Attack Helicopter Squadron 369 Sept. 29. The aircraft serve together under 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing (Forward) in support of International Security Assistance and coalition forces. - A U.K. Mk4 Sea King with the Royal Navy prepares to land here during a joint operation with a U.S. UH-1Y Huey and a U.S. AH-1W Cobra from Marine Light Attack Helicopter Squadron 369 Sept. 29. The aircraft serve together under 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing (Forward) in support of International Security Assistance and coalition forces.

(Left to right) Lance Cpls. Nathanael Shoemate and Quinn Schweher, and Cpl. Matthew Worrell, Marines with Marine Unmanned Aerial Vehicle Squadron 1, Marine Air Control Group 38, 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing (Forward), prepare an unmanned aerial vehicle for launch Sept. 22. The Marines prepare the UAV and ensure its successful launch for each flight. At least one of six UAVs is airborne throughout the day. - (Left to right) Lance Cpls. Nathanael Shoemate and Quinn Schweher, and Cpl. Matthew Worrell, Marines with Marine Unmanned Aerial Vehicle Squadron 1, Marine Air Control Group 38, 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing (Forward), prepare an unmanned aerial vehicle for launch Sept. 22. The Marines prepare the UAV and ensure its successful launch for each flight. At least one of six UAVs is airborne throughout the day.

Sgt. Bart C. Davis, a crew chief with Marine Light Attack Helicopter Squadron 369, the “Gunfighters”, 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing (Forward), gives a final check after U.K. Maj. Terry Middlemas, liaison officer with the Irish Army, boarded the aircraft. Middlemas was taken aboard to rendezvous with coalition forces who were collecting census data from the local population during Operation Oasis Sept. 27. - Sgt. Bart C. Davis, a crew chief with Marine Light Attack Helicopter Squadron 369, the “Gunfighters”, 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing (Forward), gives a final check after U.K. Maj. Terry Middlemas, liaison officer with the Irish Army, boarded the aircraft. Middlemas was taken aboard to rendezvous with coalition forces who were collecting census data from the local population during Operation Oasis Sept. 27.

A U.S. Air Force C-17 “Globemaster III” takes off from a recently completed runway here Sept. 23. This is the first C-17 to land at FOB Dwyer. The completed runway provides a new asset to the Marines of 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing (Forward) and coalition forces operating from the FOB by moving three times the amount of cargo and troops into the area. - A U.S. Air Force C-17 “Globemaster III” takes off from a recently completed runway here Sept. 23. This is the first C-17 to land at FOB Dwyer. The completed runway provides a new asset to the Marines of 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing (Forward) and coalition forces operating from the FOB by moving three times the amount of cargo and troops into the area.