Stories

U.S. Marine Corps Capt. Tyler Chittick, front, a KC-130J Super Hercules pilot with Marine Aerial Refueler Transport Squadron (VMGR) 352, Marine Aircraft Group 11, 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing, presents the VMGR-352 flag to the honor graduate of Fox Company, Marine Combat Training, School of Infantry West, during a graduation ceremony after a Veteran's Day flag in San Diego, Nov. 7, 2024. The run, spearheaded by Capt. Tyler Chittick, began at MCAS Miramar and will end at the School of Infantry West, Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton totaling 55 miles of relay run and hike. Each year Chittick brings Marines together to complete a challenging physical activity in honor of fallen and disabled veterans including a fellow Marine who was injured by an improvised explosive device in Afghanistan in 2011. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Sgt. Luc Boatman) - U.S. Marine Corps Capt. Tyler Chittick, front, a KC-130J Super Hercules pilot with Marine Aerial Refueler Transport Squadron (VMGR) 352, Marine Aircraft Group 11, 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing, presents the VMGR-352 flag to the honor graduate of Fox Company, Marine Combat Training, School of Infantry West, during a graduation ceremony after a Veteran's Day flag in San Diego, Nov. 7, 2024. The run, spearheaded by Capt. Tyler Chittick, began at MCAS Miramar and will end at the School of Infantry West, Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton totaling 55 miles of relay run and hike. Each year Chittick brings Marines together to complete a challenging physical activity in honor of fallen and disabled veterans including a fellow Marine who was injured by an improvised explosive device in Afghanistan in 2011. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Sgt. Luc Boatman)

U.S. Marine Corps Sgt. Rolando Virrueta, a motor transport operator with Marine Wing Support Squadron (MWSS) 373, Marine Air Control Group 38, 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing, helps a student try on a flak and kevlar helmet during the annual Veterans Day program at Sunset Hills Elementary School, San Diego, California, Nov. 7, 2024. The event featured active-duty Marines who presented equipment and engaged with students and parents about their military service. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Sgt. Santicia Ambriez-Stippey) - U.S. Marine Corps Sgt. Rolando Virrueta, a motor transport operator with Marine Wing Support Squadron (MWSS) 373, Marine Air Control Group 38, 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing, helps a student try on a flak and kevlar helmet during the annual Veterans Day program at Sunset Hills Elementary School, San Diego, California, Nov. 7, 2024. The event featured active-duty Marines who presented equipment and engaged with students and parents about their military service. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Sgt. Santicia Ambriez-Stippey)

A U.S. Marine Corps KC-130J Super Hercules assigned to Marine Aerial Refueler Transport Squadron (VMGR) 352, Marine Aircraft Group 11, 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing prepares for takeoff at Guam International Airport, Sept. 7, 2024. VMGR-352 stopped in Guam while flying from Marine Corps Air Station Miramar, California to Camp Lemonnier, Djibouti, to deliver essential personnel, supplies and equipment to 3rd MAW squadrons deployed in support of Combined Joint Task Force-Horn Africa. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Sgt. Emeline Swyers) - A U.S. Marine Corps KC-130J Super Hercules assigned to Marine Aerial Refueler Transport Squadron (VMGR) 352, Marine Aircraft Group 11, 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing prepares for takeoff at Guam International Airport, Sept. 7, 2024. VMGR-352 stopped in Guam while flying from Marine Corps Air Station Miramar, California to Camp Lemonnier, Djibouti, to deliver essential personnel, supplies and equipment to 3rd MAW squadrons deployed in support of Combined Joint Task Force-Horn Africa. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Sgt. Emeline Swyers)

An F-35C Lightning II, attached to Marine Fighter Attack Squadron (VMFA) 314, prepares to launch from the flight deck of the Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN 72) - 241111-N-AB116-3622 U.S. CENTRAL COMMAND AREA OF RESPONSIBILITY (Nov. 11, 2024) An F-35C Lightning II, attached to Marine Fighter Attack Squadron (VMFA) 314, prepares to launch from the flight deck of the Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN 72). (This photo has been altered for security purposes by blurring out names on aircraft)

Secretary of the Navy Carlos Del Toro poses for a group photo with Marines after presenting them with challenge coins in recognition of their exemplary performance and outstanding contributions to their units at Marine Corps Air Station Miramar, California, Dec. 4, 2024. Secretary Del Toro toured the installation to engage with servicemembers and assess ongoing efforts to improve quality of life, operational readiness, and infrastructure at MCAS Miramar. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Sgt. Santicia Ambriez-Stippey) - Secretary of the Navy Carlos Del Toro poses for a group photo with Marines after presenting them with challenge coins in recognition of their exemplary performance and outstanding contributions to their units at Marine Corps Air Station Miramar, California, Dec. 4, 2024. Secretary Del Toro toured the installation to engage with servicemembers and assess ongoing efforts to improve quality of life, operational readiness, and infrastructure at MCAS Miramar. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Sgt. Santicia Ambriez-Stippey)

U.S. Marine Corps Sgt. Shelby Petersen, a vocalist with Marine Corps Quantico Band, poses on a Boeing Vertol CH-46 Sea Knight at Marine Corps Air Facility Quantico, on MCBQ, Virginia, Dec. 3, 2024. Petersen, a Kalispell, Montana native, enlisted as an Aviation Ordnance Systems Technician in the year 2020, and submitted for a lateral move in 2023 to her current military occupational specialty. “If it’s a dream of yours, don’t give up on it,” Petersen said definitively. “No matter where you are in life, whatever opportunities you get or lack-thereof, it’s really important to take the time for the things that make you feel alive and make your soul feel whole.” (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Braydon Rogers) - U.S. Marine Corps Sgt. Shelby Petersen, a vocalist with Marine Corps Quantico Band, poses on a Boeing Vertol CH-46 Sea Knight at Marine Corps Air Facility Quantico, on MCBQ, Virginia, Dec. 3, 2024. Petersen, a Kalispell, Montana native, enlisted as an Aviation Ordnance Systems Technician in the year 2020, and submitted for a lateral move in 2023 to her current military occupational specialty. “If it’s a dream of yours, don’t give up on it,” Petersen said definitively. “No matter where you are in life, whatever opportunities you get or lack-thereof, it’s really important to take the time for the things that make you feel alive and make your soul feel whole.” (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Braydon Rogers)

U.S. Marine Corps F-35C Lightning II aircraft assigned to Marine Fighter Attack Squadron (VMFA) 314, Marine Aircraft Group 11, 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing, fly over Marine Corps Air Station Miramar, California, Dec. 14, 2024. - U.S. Marine Corps F-35C Lightning II aircraft assigned to Marine Fighter Attack Squadron (VMFA) 314, Marine Aircraft Group 11, 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing, fly over Marine Corps Air Station Miramar, California, Dec. 14, 2024. VMFA-314 completed a five-month deployment aboard the USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN-72), to the U.S. Fifth and Seventh Fleet areas of operation conducting combat and joint operations in support of U.S. Central Command objectives and enhancing interoperability with allied nations. VMFA-314’s deployment marked the first combat employment of the F-35C Lightning II, setting a new standard for future naval aviation operations. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Sgt. Daniel Childs)

U.S. Marine Corps Lt. Col. Jasmin Moghbeli, a New York native and NASA astronaut, grins after landing an AH-1Z Viper assigned to Marine Light Attack Helicopter Squadron (HMLA) 367, Marine Aircraft Group 39, 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing, at Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton, Dec. 12, 2024. - U.S. Marine Corps Lt. Col. Jasmin Moghbeli, a New York native and NASA astronaut, grins after landing an AH-1Z Viper assigned to Marine Light Attack Helicopter Squadron (HMLA) 367, Marine Aircraft Group 39, 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing, at Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton, Dec. 12, 2024. A former AH-1W Super Cobra pilot with HMLA-367 and Marine Corps test pilot, Moghbeli flew more than 150 combat missions before joining NASA’s Astronaut Corps. She commanded SpaceX Crew-7, spending 199 days in orbit and aboard the International Space Station contributing to experiments and technology demonstrations. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Samantha Devine)

U.S. Marine Corps Maj. Leah Deignan, left, an aviation maintenance officer with Aviation Logistics Division, Marine Wing Headquarters Squadron 3, 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing, and Maj. Connor Deignan, CH-53E Super Stallion helicopter pilot with Marine Heavy Helicopter Squadron (HMH) 361, Marine Aircraft Group 16, 3rd MAW, pose for a photo with their children after a ceremony promoting the two to the rank of major at Marine Corps Air Station Miramar, California, Jan. 6, 2025. - U.S. Marine Corps Maj. Leah Deignan, left, an aviation maintenance officer with Aviation Logistics Division, Marine Wing Headquarters Squadron 3, 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing, and Maj. Connor Deignan, CH-53E Super Stallion helicopter pilot with Marine Heavy Helicopter Squadron (HMH) 361, Marine Aircraft Group 16, 3rd MAW, pose for a photo with their children after a ceremony promoting the two to the rank of major at Marine Corps Air Station Miramar, California, Jan. 6, 2025. The Deignans are married to each other and celebrated their concurrent promotions alongside fellow Marines, family, and friends (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Jennifer Sanchez)

An AH-1Z Viper aircraft assigned to Marine Light Attack Helicopter Squadron 775 (HMLA-775) maneuvers while providing close-air support at the San Clemente Island Range Complex, March 8, 2023. - An AH-1Z Viper aircraft assigned to Marine Light Attack Helicopter Squadron 775 (HMLA-775) maneuvers while providing close-air support at the San Clemente Island Range Complex, March 8, 2023. HMLA-775 flew sorties from MCAS Camp Pendleton to the San Clemente Island Range Complex in support of the Marine Forces Reserve Tactical Air Control Party (TACP) exercise held from February 26 to March 11. The exercise implemented concepts of Force Design 2030, a call to modernize the Marine Corps’ warfighting doctrine, via expeditionary advanced based operations such as a limited-footprint forward arming and refueling point and hot ordnance loading evolutions to reduce downtime between sorties and build joint fires proficiency.