Stories

Cpl. Estanislao Alvarez, a UH-1Y Huey crew chief with Marine Light Attack Helicopter Squadron 369, 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing (Forward), checks his gun before responding to a call for help from a small Danish ground unit July 25. Alvarez was wounded about two months ago conducting an emergency resupply mission for special operations Marines. Alvarez was offered a chance to leave Afghanistan after he was wounded, but refused. Instead, he chose to remain with his unit and fellow Marines for the duration of HMLA-369's deployment. - Cpl. Estanislao Alvarez, a UH-1Y Huey crew chief with Marine Light Attack Helicopter Squadron 369, 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing (Forward), checks his gun before responding to a call for help from a small Danish ground unit July 25. Alvarez was wounded about two months ago conducting an emergency resupply mission for special operations Marines. Alvarez was offered a chance to leave Afghanistan after he was wounded, but refused. Instead, he chose to remain with his unit and fellow Marines for the duration of HMLA-369's deployment.

An MV-22 Osprey with Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron 261, 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing (Forward), here, lifts off from the flightline. The Osprey continues to prove a valuable asset for "shrinking the battle space" in 3rd MAW (FWD)'s operations area, flying faster and farther than any assault support aircraft in the region. - An MV-22 Osprey with Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron 261, 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing (Forward), here, lifts off from the flightline. The Osprey continues to prove a valuable asset for "shrinking the battle space" in 3rd MAW (FWD)'s operations area, flying faster and farther than any assault support aircraft in the region.

Lance Cpl. Victor Powell, a Ft. Lauderdale, Fla. native serving as a heavy equipment mechanic with Marine Wing Support Squadron 274, watches as Lance Cpl. Jason Savankinus lifts a cement barrier from Camp Leatherneck's old VIP landing pad. Savankinus, a Cape Coral, Fla. native serving as a heavy equipment operator with MWSS-274, relied on Powell as a ground guide while moving and loading the barriers. - Lance Cpl. Victor Powell, a Ft. Lauderdale, Fla. native serving as a heavy equipment mechanic with Marine Wing Support Squadron 274, watches as Lance Cpl. Jason Savankinus lifts a cement barrier from Camp Leatherneck's old VIP landing pad. Savankinus, a Cape Coral, Fla. native serving as a heavy equipment operator with MWSS-274, relied on Powell as a ground guide while moving and loading the barriers.

Marines from Marine Wing Support Squadron 274 work together to unload and spread 1,500 90-pound bags of concrete mix. The Marines were completely caked in concrete powder by the end of the day. The Marines are using the conrete to stablizine the soile before reconstructing the expeditionary airfield used as a refueling point at Camp Dwyer. - Marines from Marine Wing Support Squadron 274 work together to unload and spread 1,500 90-pound bags of concrete mix. The Marines were completely caked in concrete powder by the end of the day. The Marines are using the conrete to stablizine the soile before reconstructing the expeditionary airfield used as a refueling point at Camp Dwyer.

Lance Cpl. Jarred Campbell, a machine gunner with the 7th Engineer Support Battalion, fires the MK-19 automatic grenade launcher, April 2. This was the Colfax, Wash., native's first time firing the MK-19. - Lance Cpl. Jarred Campbell, a machine gunner with the 7th Engineer Support Battalion, fires the MK-19 automatic grenade launcher, April 2. This was the Colfax, Wash., native's first time firing the MK-19.

Brig. Gen. Andrew W. O'Donnell Jr., the 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing (Forward) commanding general, speaks to Marines from the 3rd MAW (Fwd) and Marine Aircraft Group 40 during a transfer of authority ceremony here, April 4. O'Donnell assumed command of the air combat element from Col. Kevin S. Vest, MAG-40's commanding officer. - Brig. Gen. Andrew W. O'Donnell Jr., the 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing (Forward) commanding general, speaks to Marines from the 3rd MAW (Fwd) and Marine Aircraft Group 40 during a transfer of authority ceremony here, April 4. O'Donnell assumed command of the air combat element from Col. Kevin S. Vest, MAG-40's commanding officer.

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. - 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.