Photo Information

Marines with 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing (Forward) wait in combat gear to file off a military transport aircraft to begin their one-year deployment aboard Camp Leatherneck, Helmand province, Islamic Republic of Afghanistan in support of Operation Enduring Freedom. A transfer of authority is scheduled for April.

Photo by Cpl. Ryan Rholes

3rd MAW Arrives at Camp Leatherneck

31 Mar 2010 | Cpl. Ryan Rholes 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing

Some of the final groups of Marines from 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing (Forward) landed aboard Camp Leatherneck's flight line in the cool morning hours March 27 to begin their one-year deployment in support of Operation Enduring Freedom.

After a few days of air travel intermittently broken up by short layovers, the 3rd MAW (Fwd.) Marines hit the ground ready to run.

"I'm just ready to get settled and start working," said Lance Cpl. Patrick Fussell, a combat videographer with MWHS-3 (Fwd.) "The MAG-40 Marines have done a lot since getting here and I want to keep it going after they leave."

Camp Leatherneck has expanded rapidly in recent months to accommodate a large increase in numbers prompted by President Obama pledging 30,000 additional troops to help support OEF.

The 3rd MAW will serve as the aviation combat element of the I Marine Expeditionary Force and will relieve Marine Aircraft Group 40 in a transfer of authority in April.