Stories

An F-35B Lightning II with Marine Fighter Attack Squadron 121, based out of Marine Corps Air Station Yuma, Ariz., performs a vertical landing as part of required flying field carrier landing practices (FCLP) at the station’s auxiliary landing field, Monday, April 27, 2015. The landing field simulates the flight deck of an aircraft carrier to prepare pilots for landing and taking off at sea. (Official Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Travis Gershaneck/Released) - An F-35B Lightning II with Marine Fighter Attack Squadron 121, based out of Marine Corps Air Station Yuma, Ariz., performs a vertical landing as part of required flying field carrier landing practices (FCLP) at the station’s auxiliary landing field, Monday, April 27, 2015. The landing field simulates the flight deck of an aircraft carrier to prepare pilots for landing and taking off at sea. (Official Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Travis Gershaneck/Released)

The Patriots Jet Team flies in a formation during the 2012 Marine Corps Air Station Miramar Air Show, Oct. 14. The Patriots feature former Blue Angel, Thunderbird and Snowbird pilots. (Photo by Sgt. Sarah Fiocco) - The Patriots Jet Team flies in a formation during the 2012 Marine Corps Air Station Miramar Air Show, Oct. 14. The Patriots feature former Blue Angel, Thunderbird and Snowbird pilots. (Photo by Sgt. Sarah Fiocco)

Sgt. Brianna Conte, a landing support team leader with Combat Logistics Battalion 5 and Lafayette, Calif., native, directs her team after executing an external cargo hookup with a hovering Kaman K1200, 'K-MAX,' unmanned helicopter in Helmand province, Afghanistan, May 22. The CLB-5 Marines made history with Marine Unmanned Aerial Vehicle Squadron 2 by performing the world's first unmanned 'hot hookups' and assisting in the delivery of nearly 6,000 pounds of gear on the first day of trials. - Sgt. Brianna Conte, a landing support team leader with Combat Logistics Battalion 5 and Lafayette, Calif., native, directs her team after executing an external cargo hookup with a hovering Kaman K1200, 'K-MAX,' unmanned helicopter in Helmand province, Afghanistan, May 22. The CLB-5 Marines made history with Marine Unmanned Aerial Vehicle Squadron 2 by performing the world's first unmanned 'hot hookups' and assisting in the delivery of nearly 6,000 pounds of gear on the first day of trials.

Staff Sgt. Michael Allen, a crew chief with Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron 365, watches the propellers turn on an MV-22B Osprey to ensure the aircraft is ready for takeoff aboard Camp Bastion, Afghanistan, May 14. Two Ospreys from the squadron transported Marines from 1st Reconnaissance Battalion as they conducted counternarcotics operations along with Afghan National Security Forces in northern Nimroz province. - Staff Sgt. Michael Allen, a crew chief with Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron 365, watches the propellers turn on an MV-22B Osprey to ensure the aircraft is ready for takeoff aboard Camp Bastion, Afghanistan, May 14. Two Ospreys from the squadron transported Marines from 1st Reconnaissance Battalion as they conducted counternarcotics operations along with Afghan National Security Forces in northern Nimroz province.

Cpl. Kevin Reuter, a plane captain with Marine Fighter Attack Squadron 232, 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing (Forward), performs a visual check around an F/A-18C Hornet before the engines are started here Oct. 13. The squadron has been deployed since May and is preparing to head home to Marine Corps Air Station Miramar, Calif. The squadron pilots flew more than 4,090 combat flight hours, with more than 1,190 sorties and performed more than 140 weapon employment strikes. - Cpl. Kevin Reuter, a plane captain with Marine Fighter Attack Squadron 232, 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing (Forward), performs a visual check around an F/A-18C Hornet before the engines are started here Oct. 13. The squadron has been deployed since May and is preparing to head home to Marine Corps Air Station Miramar, Calif. The squadron pilots flew more than 4,090 combat flight hours, with more than 1,190 sorties and performed more than 140 weapon employment strikes.