Stories

Cpl. Gary Kremer, a crew chief with Marine Medium Helicopter Squadron 166, Marine Aircraft Group 11 (Reinforced), 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing, prepares to jump from an airplane, 15,000 feet above sea level while pursuing his hobby of skydiving, Jan. 5, 2009 above Lake Elsinore. The Boca Raton Fla. native spends his weekends jumping from high altitudes and has accumulated more than 200 jumps since he began his hobby 4 years ago. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Christopher O'Quin) (Released) - Cpl. Gary Kremer, a crew chief with Marine Medium Helicopter Squadron 166, Marine Aircraft Group 11 (Reinforced), 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing, prepares to jump from an airplane, 15,000 feet above sea level while pursuing his hobby of skydiving, Jan. 5, 2009 above Lake Elsinore. The Boca Raton Fla. native spends his weekends jumping from high altitudes and has accumulated more than 200 jumps since he began his hobby 4 years ago. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Christopher O'Quin) (Released)

‘Sea Elk’ cheats death, one jump at a time

Spending time above the clouds can be a common thing for a crew chief. For Cpl. Gary Kremer with Marine Medium Helicopter Squadron 166, the “Sea Elk,” Marine Aircraft Group 11 (Reinforced), 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing, spending time above the clouds is part of his life after his work ends. When he’s not riding in a CH-46 above the clouds, Kremer

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Sgt. Corey R. Wunerlich, the airframe maintainance noncommissioned officer-in-charge with Marine Heavy Helicopter Squadron 465, was recently named the 33rd Color Sergeant of the Marince Corps in recognition for hes outstanding leadership and dedication to the Corps. - Sgt. Corey R. Wunerlich, the airframe maintainance noncommissioned officer-in-charge with Marine Heavy Helicopter Squadron 465, was recently named the 33rd Color Sergeant of the Marince Corps in recognition for hes outstanding leadership and dedication to the Corps.

33rd Color Seargent chosen from HMH-465

Marines have always been known for upholding the highest standards. When a Marine’s dedication sets him apart from his peers, he is often recognized for going above and beyond. Sgt. Corey R. Wunderlich, the airframe maintenance noncommissioned officer-in-charge for Marine Heavy Helicopter Squadron 465, is one such Marine. He recently was

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Marines with 3rd Assault Amphibious Battalion, 1st Marine Division, drive their amphibious assault vehicles away from a resupply point where they picked up equipment dropped off by CH-53E's during Exercise Steel Knight, Dec. 9. - Marines with 3rd Assault Amphibious Battalion, 1st Marine Division, drive their amphibious assault vehicles away from a resupply point where they picked up equipment dropped off by CH-53E's during Exercise Steel Knight, Dec. 9.

Steel Knight: Taking 3rd MAW back to basics

Combined arms – a method of combat that seeks to integrate the different aspects of a military to compliment the strengths of each facet to support their operations. The Marine Corps’ ability to use its air and ground assets together is what makes it one of the world’s premier fighting forces. With the heightened operational tempo of the Global War

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MASS-3’s DASC connects air, ground at Steel Knight

The air and ground assets honing their combined arms skills during Exercise Steel Knight were like spokes of a wheel revolving around the Direct Air Support Center manned by Leathernecks from Marine Air Support Squadron 3. During the two-week exercise at Marine Corps Air Ground Combat Center Twentynine Palms, Calif., the Marines of MASS-3

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A three barreled M197 20- mm Gatling gun rests in front of a AH-1Z "Viper", the latest gunship to join the Marine Corps. The new Cobra can hold more than 700 rounds and fire them at a rate of approximately 730 per minute. The new Cobra can also carry twice the number of Hellfire missiles compared to the AH-1W ?Super Cobra.? (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Christopher O'Quin) (Released) - A three barreled M197 20- mm Gatling gun rests in front of a AH-1Z "Viper", the latest gunship to join the Marine Corps. The new Cobra can hold more than 700 rounds and fire them at a rate of approximately 730 per minute. The new Cobra can also carry twice the number of Hellfire missiles compared to the AH-1W ?Super Cobra.? (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Christopher O'Quin) (Released)

Corps’ Cobra receives new fangs

In 1968, enemies of U.S. forces in Vietnam discovered a new and deadly reason to fear close-air support from the AH-1G “HueyCobra.” Present enemies will have a new reason to fear the latest generation of Cobra, the AH-1Z “Viper.” For almost a decade, Marine aviation has been developing a re-invention of the Corps’ signature gunship, bringing

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Lance Cpl. James Jackson, an ordnance technician with VMFA-314performs routine pre-flight checks on ordnance loaded onto an F/A 18D "Hornet" Dec. 16 during Desert Talon. (United States Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Ryan Rholes) (Released) - Lance Cpl. James Jackson, an ordnance technician with VMFA-314performs routine pre-flight checks on ordnance loaded onto an F/A 18D "Hornet" Dec. 16 during Desert Talon. (United States Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Ryan Rholes) (Released)

‘Black Knights’ ordnance Marines bring fire to fight

When Marines on the ground request close air support to help defeat the enemy, they depend on the ordnance dropped by their brothers in the air. Ensuring the ordnance works as it’s designed requires the attention of skilled Marines – Leathernecks like the ordnance Marines with Marine Fighter Attack Squadron 314, who recently traveled with their

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Capt. Dustin Blecha flies over Haditha, Iraq, in a UH-1N Huey during a mission in October. The Norwich alumnus received his commission in the Marine Corps May 10, 2003 and is currently serving on his second deployment in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom. (Photo courtesy of Capt. Dustin Blecha.) - Capt. Dustin Blecha flies over Haditha, Iraq, in a UH-1N Huey during a mission in October. The Norwich alumnus received his commission in the Marine Corps May 10, 2003 and is currently serving on his second deployment in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom. (Photo courtesy of Capt. Dustin Blecha.)

Norwich alumnus takes to Iraq skies during second combat deployment

When another student mentioned ammunition and weapons in Dustin Blecha’s senior year at Bear Creek High School in Lakewood, Colo., Blecha overturned a desk, took cover behind it and pretended to be leading troops on a battlefield.Teenage Blecha’s passion for all things military suggested that his future included a uniform and a stint in basic

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The Haditha Hospital sees about 600 patients a day. Army medical officers and their Navy and Air Force counterparts are working to develop a partnership between the hospital and the 345th Combat Support Hospital at Al Asad Air Base to help the Iraqi medical facility improve its overall quality and availability of care. - The Haditha Hospital sees about 600 patients a day. Army medical officers and their Navy and Air Force counterparts are working to develop a partnership between the hospital and the 345th Combat Support Hospital at Al Asad Air Base to help the Iraqi medical facility improve its overall quality and availability of care.

U.S. military begins partnership with Haditha Hospital

U.S. military medical personnel from the 345th Combat Support Hospital aboard Al Asad Air Base have taken the first steps toward establishing a partnership with the Iraqi hospital here.Army personnel from the 345th along with service members from the Navy and Marine Corps headed to Haditha Hospital Oct. 30 to participate in the first key leadership

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The Haditha Hospital sees about 600 patients a day. Army medical officers and their Navy and Air Force counterparts are working to develop a partnership between the hospital and the 345th Combat Support Hospital at Al Asad Air Base to help the Iraqi medical facility improve its overall quality and availability of care. - The Haditha Hospital sees about 600 patients a day. Army medical officers and their Navy and Air Force counterparts are working to develop a partnership between the hospital and the 345th Combat Support Hospital at Al Asad Air Base to help the Iraqi medical facility improve its overall quality and availability of care.

U.S. military begins partnership with Haditha Hospital

U.S. military medical personnel from the 345th Combat Support Hospital aboard Al Asad Air Base have taken the first steps toward establishing a partnership with the Iraqi hospital here.Army personnel from the 345th along with service members from the Navy and Marine Corps headed to Haditha Hospital Oct. 30 to participate in the first key leadership

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Mortarmen with Fox Co., 2nd Battalion, 25th Marine Regiment dig a fighting hole after arriving at Shadow Range for five days of training that began Oct. 20. The training ended with a live-fire exercise that tested their decision-making skills and ability to work as a unit. “The exercise went very well and I’m glad to serve with these Marines,” said Staff Sgt. Mark Pagan, a platoon commander with the unit. - Mortarmen with Fox Co., 2nd Battalion, 25th Marine Regiment dig a fighting hole after arriving at Shadow Range for five days of training that began Oct. 20. The training ended with a live-fire exercise that tested their decision-making skills and ability to work as a unit. “The exercise went very well and I’m glad to serve with these Marines,” said Staff Sgt. Mark Pagan, a platoon commander with the unit.

New York’s 2/25 attacks Shadow Range

Activated reserve Marines from the Garden City, New York-based Fox Co., 2nd Battalion, 25th Marine Regiment, 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing (Forward) tackled the challenges of a combined-arms training here Oct. 20 – 25.The Marines were the first to train at the recently completed training facility known as Shadow Range.As the role of Marines deployed to

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