Stories

Two Mi-17 "Hips" with the Afghan National Air Forces lead an Mk9(A) "Lynx" with the United Kingdom's Lynx Detachment of 659 Squadron, Army Air Corps, during a joint mission to deliver election materials and personnel from Lashkar Gah to Musa Quelah here Sept. 14. Two Lynx helicopters provided overwatch support to three Hips during the mission, which signifies a step forward for ANAF pilots and their capabilities. The joint mission was successfully completed in a matter of hours with no communication issues even with a language barrier. - Two Mi-17 "Hips" with the Afghan National Air Forces lead an Mk9(A) "Lynx" with the United Kingdom's Lynx Detachment of 659 Squadron, Army Air Corps, during a joint mission to deliver election materials and personnel from Lashkar Gah to Musa Quelah here Sept. 14. Two Lynx helicopters provided overwatch support to three Hips during the mission, which signifies a step forward for ANAF pilots and their capabilities. The joint mission was successfully completed in a matter of hours with no communication issues even with a language barrier.

The Union Flag of the United Kingdom waves in the Afghanistan breeze between the Afghanistan and United States flags June 1 after 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing (Forward) raised it in a morning colors ceremony to signify the British Joint Aviation Group's union with 3rd MAW (FWD). This realignment is in preparation for the restructuring of the I Marine Expeditionary Force (Forward) as it becomes Regional Command (Southwest) taking charge of all forces in the Helmand and Nimruz provinces. The US and UK have been operating together in the area for years, but this marks an important milestone as the aviation forces find ways to synergize their capabilities to better support the ISAF mission in Southern Afghanistan. - The Union Flag of the United Kingdom waves in the Afghanistan breeze between the Afghanistan and United States flags June 1 after 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing (Forward) raised it in a morning colors ceremony to signify the British Joint Aviation Group's union with 3rd MAW (FWD). This realignment is in preparation for the restructuring of the I Marine Expeditionary Force (Forward) as it becomes Regional Command (Southwest) taking charge of all forces in the Helmand and Nimruz provinces. The US and UK have been operating together in the area for years, but this marks an important milestone as the aviation forces find ways to synergize their capabilities to better support the ISAF mission in Southern Afghanistan.

Lance Cpl. Mathew Humbert, with Marine Wing Support Squadron 274, flashes a quick peace sign while searching a gravel truck here June 17. Humbert helped search more than 100 trucks throughout the day. - Lance Cpl. Mathew Humbert, with Marine Wing Support Squadron 274, flashes a quick peace sign while searching a gravel truck here June 17. Humbert helped search more than 100 trucks throughout the day.

Marines with Marine Air Control Group 38, 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing, I Marine Expeditionary Force, stand in formation during the MACG-38's Battle Colors Rededication Ceremony here Sept. 1. - Marines with Marine Air Control Group 38, 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing, I Marine Expeditionary Force, stand in formation during the MACG-38's Battle Colors Rededication Ceremony here Sept. 1.

Pfc. Gregory M. Tessmer, a bulk fuel specialist with Marine Wing Support Squadron 373, feeds a hose to Lance Cpl. Travis Potter and Lance Cpl. Michael Magaris, also bulk fuel specialists with MWSS-373, to add fuel to a 600-gallon reserve tank Aug. 25. The tanks are used to supply fuel to aircraft and ground vehicles. - Pfc. Gregory M. Tessmer, a bulk fuel specialist with Marine Wing Support Squadron 373, feeds a hose to Lance Cpl. Travis Potter and Lance Cpl. Michael Magaris, also bulk fuel specialists with MWSS-373, to add fuel to a 600-gallon reserve tank Aug. 25. The tanks are used to supply fuel to aircraft and ground vehicles.

Sgts. Cory Neal and Vincent Laughlin, step brothers from Bronx, N.Y., are deployed to Camp Leatherneck, Afghanistan together. Neal is serving with 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing (Forward)'s Personal Security Detachment and Laughlin is working for the 1st Marine Expeditionary Force's camp commandant. Laughlin is serving on his fourth deployment and Neal is on his second. - Sgts. Cory Neal and Vincent Laughlin, step brothers from Bronx, N.Y., are deployed to Camp Leatherneck, Afghanistan together. Neal is serving with 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing (Forward)'s Personal Security Detachment and Laughlin is working for the 1st Marine Expeditionary Force's camp commandant. Laughlin is serving on his fourth deployment and Neal is on his second.

Staff Sgt. Robert Leatherman, the current operations chief for 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing (Forward), ensures tent poles are connected properly during a temporary site construction project here Aug. 21. Marines from 3rd MAW (Fwd) and Marine Wing Support Squadron 274 completed construction of the site in about a day. The site will serve as a workspace for a detachment of Marines from Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron 266 (Reinforced), 26th Marine Expeditionary Unit, as they prepare to take over humanitarian relief efforts in Pakistan. - Staff Sgt. Robert Leatherman, the current operations chief for 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing (Forward), ensures tent poles are connected properly during a temporary site construction project here Aug. 21. Marines from 3rd MAW (Fwd) and Marine Wing Support Squadron 274 completed construction of the site in about a day. The site will serve as a workspace for a detachment of Marines from Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron 266 (Reinforced), 26th Marine Expeditionary Unit, as they prepare to take over humanitarian relief efforts in Pakistan.

Marines from Marine Heavy Helicopter Squadron 361, 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing (Forward) and Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron 266 (Reinforced), 26th Marine Expeditionary Unit, work together to push a CH-53E Super Stallion off an Air Force C-17 Globemaster III cargo plane Aug. 22. HMH-361 will share a workspace with VMM-266 (Rein) during the squadron's build up of four Super Stallions. 3rd MAW (Fwd) is simultaneously supporting combat operations and aiding the 26th MEU in their preparation for humanitarian relief efforts in Pakistan. - Marines from Marine Heavy Helicopter Squadron 361, 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing (Forward) and Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron 266 (Reinforced), 26th Marine Expeditionary Unit, work together to push a CH-53E Super Stallion off an Air Force C-17 Globemaster III cargo plane Aug. 22. HMH-361 will share a workspace with VMM-266 (Rein) during the squadron's build up of four Super Stallions. 3rd MAW (Fwd) is simultaneously supporting combat operations and aiding the 26th MEU in their preparation for humanitarian relief efforts in Pakistan.