Stories

U.S. Marine Corps F-35B Lightning II aircraft with Marine Fighter Attack Squadron (VMFA) 122, Marine Aircraft Group 13, 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing, takeoff during suppression of enemy air defense training in support of Exercise Steel Knight 23.2 at Marine Corps Air Station Yuma, Arizona, Dec. 6, 2023. SEAD training increases the ability of fifth-generation fighter pilots to enter the fight first, strike targets deep within an enemy air defense system, and enable follow on strikes by supporting weapons platforms. Steel Knight 23.2 is a three-phase exercise designed to train I Marine Expeditionary Force in the planning, deployment and command and control of a joint force against a peer or near-peer adversary combat force and enhance existing live-fire and maneuver capabilities of the Marine Air-Ground Task Force. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Elizabeth Gallagher) - U.S. Marine Corps F-35B Lightning II aircraft with Marine Fighter Attack Squadron (VMFA) 122, Marine Aircraft Group 13, 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing, takeoff during suppression of enemy air defense training in support of Exercise Steel Knight 23.2 at Marine Corps Air Station Yuma, Arizona, Dec. 6, 2023. SEAD training increases the ability of fifth-generation fighter pilots to enter the fight first, strike targets deep within an enemy air defense system, and enable follow on strikes by supporting weapons platforms. Steel Knight 23.2 is a three-phase exercise designed to train I Marine Expeditionary Force in the planning, deployment and command and control of a joint force against a peer or near-peer adversary combat force and enhance existing live-fire and maneuver capabilities of the Marine Air-Ground Task Force. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Elizabeth Gallagher)

U.S. Marine Corps Sgt. Rachel Myers, a crew chief with Marine Heavy Helicopter Squadron (HMH) 361, Marine Aircraft Group 16, 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing, performs preflight checks in a CH-53E Super Stallion at Marine Corps Air Station, California, Dec. 13, 2023. As a crew chief, Myers communicates with pilots about in-flight instructions, alerts to any obstacles not visible from the pilot's point of view and works within the maintenance department where they inspect, service, maintain, and repair helicopters. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Samantha Devine) - U.S. Marine Corps Sgt. Rachel Myers, a crew chief with Marine Heavy Helicopter Squadron (HMH) 361, Marine Aircraft Group 16, 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing, performs preflight checks in a CH-53E Super Stallion at Marine Corps Air Station, California, Dec. 13, 2023. As a crew chief, Myers communicates with pilots about in-flight instructions, alerts to any obstacles not visible from the pilot's point of view and works within the maintenance department where they inspect, service, maintain, and repair helicopters. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Samantha Devine)

U.S. Marine Corps Sgt. Samantha Delgado, a network administrator with Marine Wing Communications Squadron (MWCS) 38, Marine Air Control Group 38, 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing, poses for a photo in front of the Independence-class littoral combat ship USS Savannah (LCS 28) at Naval Base San Diego, California, Dec. 6, 2023. Delgado supports Steel Knight 23.2 by building a network that sends traffic and data through a variety of systems, such as the AN/TPS-80 Ground/Air Task Oriented Radar. Steel Knight 23.2 is a three-phase exercise designed to train I MEF in the planning, deployment and command and control of a joint force against a peer or near-peer maneuver capabilities of the Marine Air-Ground Task Force. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Sgt. Sean Potter) - U.S. Marine Corps Sgt. Samantha Delgado, a network administrator with Marine Wing Communications Squadron (MWCS) 38, Marine Air Control Group 38, 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing, poses for a photo in front of the Independence-class littoral combat ship USS Savannah (LCS 28) at Naval Base San Diego, California, Dec. 6, 2023. Delgado supports Steel Knight 23.2 by building a network that sends traffic and data through a variety of systems, such as the AN/TPS-80 Ground/Air Task Oriented Radar. Steel Knight 23.2 is a three-phase exercise designed to train I MEF in the planning, deployment and command and control of a joint force against a peer or near-peer maneuver capabilities of the Marine Air-Ground Task Force. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Sgt. Sean Potter)

U.S. Marines with the 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing All Type Model Series Armament Team unload ordnance from a CH-53E Super Stallion helicopter at a forward arming and refueling point in support of Exercise Steel Knight 23.2 at Inyokern Airfield, California, Dec. 2, 2023. ATAT is comprised of aviation ordnance Marines qualified to load and arm every type model series platform in the 3rd MAW fleet. Steel Knight 23.2 is a three-phase exercise designed to train I Marine Expeditionary Force in the planning, deployment and command and control of a joint force against a peer or near-peer adversary combat force and enhance existing live-fire and maneuver capabilities of the Marine Air-Ground Task Force. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Jennifer Sanchez) - U.S. Marines with the 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing All Type Model Series Armament Team unload ordnance from a CH-53E Super Stallion helicopter at a forward arming and refueling point in support of Exercise Steel Knight 23.2 at Inyokern Airfield, California, Dec. 2, 2023. ATAT is comprised of aviation ordnance Marines qualified to load and arm every type model series platform in the 3rd MAW fleet. Steel Knight 23.2 is a three-phase exercise designed to train I Marine Expeditionary Force in the planning, deployment and command and control of a joint force against a peer or near-peer adversary combat force and enhance existing live-fire and maneuver capabilities of the Marine Air-Ground Task Force. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Jennifer Sanchez)

U.S. Marines with 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing and I Marine Expeditionary Force, U.S. Space Force Guardians with Space Systems Command, and Mobile User Objective System Program Office personnel attend a MUOS presentation at Marine Corps Air Station Miramar, California, Nov. 16, 2023. Members of Space Systems Command and the MUOS Program Office engaged with 3rd MAW and I Marine Expeditionary Force Marines to understand end-user considerations and see MUOS used at the tactical level. MUOS elevates Marine Corps warfighting capabilities by enhancing long-range, rapid communication and expanding the operational reach of the U.S. Armed Forces. (U.S. Marine Corps Photo by Cpl. Daniel Childs) - U.S. Marines with 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing and I Marine Expeditionary Force, U.S. Space Force Guardians with Space Systems Command, and Mobile User Objective System Program Office personnel attend a MUOS presentation at Marine Corps Air Station Miramar, California, Nov. 16, 2023. Members of Space Systems Command and the MUOS Program Office engaged with 3rd MAW and I Marine Expeditionary Force Marines to understand end-user considerations and see MUOS used at the tactical level. MUOS elevates Marine Corps warfighting capabilities by enhancing long-range, rapid communication and expanding the operational reach of the U.S. Armed Forces. (U.S. Marine Corps Photo by Cpl. Daniel Childs)

A U.S. Marine Corps AH-1Z Viper with Marine Light Attack Helicopter Squadron (HMLA) 169, Marine Aircraft Group 36, conducts flight operations during Shinka 23 over Combined Arms Training Center (CATC), Camp Fuji, Japan, June 13, 2023. 1st Marine Aircraft Wing is supporting 3rd Marine Division’s execution of Shinka 23 by providing combat assault transport and aerial escort, aerial delivery operations, and simulated close air support. Shinka 23 is a company-level force-on-force exercise, split into two week-long realistic training scenarios. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Emily Weiss) - A U.S. Marine Corps AH-1Z Viper with Marine Light Attack Helicopter Squadron (HMLA) 169, Marine Aircraft Group 36, conducts flight operations during Shinka 23 over Combined Arms Training Center (CATC), Camp Fuji, Japan, June 13, 2023. 1st Marine Aircraft Wing is supporting 3rd Marine Division’s execution of Shinka 23 by providing combat assault transport and aerial escort, aerial delivery operations, and simulated close air support. Shinka 23 is a company-level force-on-force exercise, split into two week-long realistic training scenarios. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Emily Weiss)

U.S. Marine Corps Col. Jeremie N. Hester, left, commanding officer of Marine Aircraft Group 39, 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing; Sgt. Maj. Christopher Gasser, right, sergeant major of MAG-39; and Staff Sgt. Mariel A. Kurland, an aircraft ordnance technician with Marine Light Attack Helicopter Training Squadron (HMLAT) 303, MAG-39, take a group photo during a MAG-39 awards presentation at Marine Corps Air Station Camp Pendleton, California, Nov. 6, 2023. - U.S. Marine Corps Col. Jeremie N. Hester, left, commanding officer of Marine Aircraft Group 39, 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing; Sgt. Maj. Christopher Gasser, right, sergeant major of MAG-39; and Staff Sgt. Mariel A. Kurland, an aircraft ordnance technician with Marine Light Attack Helicopter Training Squadron (HMLAT) 303, MAG-39, take a group photo during a MAG-39 awards presentation at Marine Corps Air Station Camp Pendleton, California, Nov. 6, 2023. Kurland was awarded the Sgt. Maj. Valerie Camacho award which is presented to a Marine Corps staff noncommissioned officer who embodies the qualities of a great role model for junior Marines and officers. The award is named in honor of Sgt. Maj. Valerie Camacho, a former sergeant major of MCAS Camp Pendleton. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Jennifer Sanchez)

A U.S. Marine Corps UH-1Y Venom with Marine Light Helicopter Attack Training Squadron (HMLAT) 303, Marine Aircraft Group 39, 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing, takes off after inserting a ground control team at Anza-Borrego Desert State Park, California, Nov. 5, 2023 - A U.S. Marine Corps UH-1Y Venom with Marine Light Helicopter Attack Training Squadron (HMLAT) 303, Marine Aircraft Group 39, 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing, takes off after inserting a ground control team at Anza-Borrego Desert State Park, California, Nov. 5, 2023. HMLAT-303 supported state, federal, and private agencies utilizing long-line external lift capabilities of the UH-1Y to replace water guzzlers throughout the park. Guzzlers are self-filling, constructed watering facilities that collect, store, and make water available for wildlife. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Chief Warrant Officer 2 Trent Randolph)

Retired U.S. Marine Corps and Army veteran Maj. Billy Hall gazes upon the California coastline during an honor flight in a UH-1Y Venom with Marine Light Attack Helicopter Squadron (HMLA) 267, Marine Aircraft Group 39, 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing, California, Nov. 11, 2023. Hall celebrated the 82nd anniversary of his Marine Corps Recruit Training graduation by flying with the Marines of HMLA-267. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Sgt. Sean Potter) - Retired U.S. Marine Corps and Army veteran Maj. Billy Hall gazes upon the California coastline during an honor flight in a UH-1Y Venom with Marine Light Attack Helicopter Squadron (HMLA) 267, Marine Aircraft Group 39, 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing, California, Nov. 11, 2023. Hall celebrated the 82nd anniversary of his Marine Corps Recruit Training graduation by flying with the Marines of HMLA-267. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Sgt. Sean Potter)

When Hays isn’t testing, inspecting, and maintaining assemblies for the F-18, he’s sharing his surf passion with children with developmental disabilities. The Murrells Inlet, South Carolina native spent 70 hours the last two summers volunteering for the Surfing Madonna Special Needs Surf Camp. - “As a kid, surfing taught me respect for the ocean and respect for everybody in general. I’m drawn to service, and I’m motivated by the happiness the kids express.” U.S. Marine Corps Cpl. Skylar Hays, an avionics technician with Marine Aviation Logistics Squadron 11, Marine Aircraft Group 11, 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing, prepares a testing program during an in-process inspection, on Marine Corps Air Station Miramar, California, Oct. 5, 2023. When Hays isn’t testing, inspecting, and maintaining assemblies for the F-18, he’s sharing his surf passion with children with developmental disabilities. The Murrells Inlet, South Carolina native spent 70 hours the last two summers volunteering for the Surfing Madonna Special Needs Surf Camp. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Daniel Childs)