Stories

A CH-53D Sea Stallion from Marine Heavy Helicopter Squadron 362, 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing (Forward), waits for its crew to arrive for a routine mission on which the aircraft will reach its 10,000th flight hour. This aircraft has been in service since March 31, 1971. It has been on multiple deployments to include tours in Iraq, Afghanistan and aboard the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit. - A CH-53D Sea Stallion from Marine Heavy Helicopter Squadron 362, 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing (Forward), waits for its crew to arrive for a routine mission on which the aircraft will reach its 10,000th flight hour. This aircraft has been in service since March 31, 1971. It has been on multiple deployments to include tours in Iraq, Afghanistan and aboard the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit.

CH-53D reaches 10,000 flight hours

In 1966, the CH-53D Sea Stallion began its service in the Marine Corps. Today, the Sea Stallion is still operating in deployed environments and serving the Corps with its heavy lift capabilities.On March 31, 1971, Sea Stallion with aircraft tail number BUNO 157748, now known as aircraft 51 entered the Marine Corps with Marine Heavy Helicopter

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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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Cpl. Lisa M. Bodenburg, a UH-1N crew chief with Marine Light Attack Helicopter Squadron 367, 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing (Forward) prepares herself before taking off on an aerial reconnaissance mission Aug. 28. (U.S. Marine Corps Photo / Released) - Cpl. Lisa M. Bodenburg, a UH-1N crew chief with Marine Light Attack Helicopter Squadron 367, 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing (Forward) prepares herself before taking off on an aerial reconnaissance mission Aug. 28. (U.S. Marine Corps Photo / Released)

Buffalo native serves as Huey crew chief in Iraq

One Buffalo native may be the only female crew chief with the Marine Light Attack Helicopter Squadron 367 here, but that’s not why she stands out among her peers.With a commitment to excellence and a strong sense of duty, Cpl. Lisa M. Bodenburg, a UH-1N Huey crew chief, has continually distinguished herself in her two years in the Marine

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Cpl. John Turpin, combat engineer with Marine Wing Support Squadron 172, Marine Wing Support Group 37, 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing (Forward) checks the alignment of the jurors’ box Sept. 9. Turpin led a group of engineers in the courtroom project, which included designing the jurors’ box, witness stands and a judge’s bench. - Cpl. John Turpin, combat engineer with Marine Wing Support Squadron 172, Marine Wing Support Group 37, 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing (Forward) checks the alignment of the jurors’ box Sept. 9. Turpin led a group of engineers in the courtroom project, which included designing the jurors’ box, witness stands and a judge’s bench.

Marine corporal leads construction of new courtroom

Combat engineer Cpl. John Turpin opened the double doors and took a few familiar steps into the vacant courtroom. Playfully, he said “all rise.”He moved through the room and looked over the jurors’ box and witness stand, making a few last minute checks. Satisfied, he stood and admired his team’s handiwork. The legal assistance staff asked Turpin’s

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Cpl. Christopher Loftin, an armorer with Marine Wing Support Squadron 172, follows the manual of an M-249 squad automatic weapon while conducting an inspection in Iraq. Marines use the weapon as a portable automatic machine gun while on patrols and convoys. (U.S. Marine Corps Photo / Released) - Cpl. Christopher Loftin, an armorer with Marine Wing Support Squadron 172, follows the manual of an M-249 squad automatic weapon while conducting an inspection in Iraq. Marines use the weapon as a portable automatic machine gun while on patrols and convoys. (U.S. Marine Corps Photo / Released)

MWSS-172 armorer keeps mission rolling

AL ASAD, Iraq – Tucked away in a corner of the Marine Wing Support Squadron 172 armory, Cpl. Christopher Loftin peered intently at the springs and pins of a trigger mechanism in an M-2 .50 caliber machine gun.A bead of sweat ran down the Valley Mills, Texas-native’s forehead as me made subtle tweaks and nudges to the weapon – ensuring it would fire

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Lance Cpl. Joshua Holsinger, a heavy equipment mechanic with Marine Wing Support Squadron 374, maintains a bulldozer Aug. 18. One mechanic accompanies the heavy equipment operators when the 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing (Forward) squadron goes out on construction missions. (U.S. Marine Corps Photo / Released)::r::::n:: - Lance Cpl. Joshua Holsinger, a heavy equipment mechanic with Marine Wing Support Squadron 374, maintains a bulldozer Aug. 18. One mechanic accompanies the heavy equipment operators when the 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing (Forward) squadron goes out on construction missions. (U.S. Marine Corps Photo / Released)::r::::n::

“Rhinos” use heavy equipment for bridge construction

Heavy equipment operators and mechanics from Marine Wing Support Squadron 374, Marine Wing Support Group 37, 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing (Forward), assisted in assembling a Mabey-Johnson float bridge over the Euphrates River here Aug. 14 - 22.The Marines brought their bulldozers and graters to assist Naval Mobile Construction Battalion 3, known as

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Convoy commander Sgt. Carlos Canez, a motor transport operator with Marine Wing Support Squadron 172, communicates with the vehicles in his convoy July 23 in al-Jazirah desert, Iraq. The 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing (Forward) support squadron brought home equipment from repair and replenishment point San Francisco. Canez is a Yuma, Ariz., native and currently on his third deployment to Iraq. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Sgt. George J. Papastrat) (Released) - Convoy commander Sgt. Carlos Canez, a motor transport operator with Marine Wing Support Squadron 172, communicates with the vehicles in his convoy July 23 in al-Jazirah desert, Iraq. The 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing (Forward) support squadron brought home equipment from repair and replenishment point San Francisco. Canez is a Yuma, Ariz., native and currently on his third deployment to Iraq. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Sgt. George J. Papastrat) (Released)

Yuma, Ariz., native takes charge as convoy commander

A Yuma, Ariz., native led a five-day convoy of more than 50 vehicles and 100 Marines from the gates of Al Asad Air Base across the sands of al-Jazirah desert in Iraq to dismantle an expedient repair and replenishment point.Sgt. Carlos Canez, a motor transport operator with Marine Wing Support Squadron 172, 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing (Forward), took

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