Stories

U.S. Marines assigned to Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron (VMM) 163 return to Marine Corps Air Station Miramar, Calif., after their deployment with the 11th Marine Expeditionary Unit Thursday, May 12, 2017. The 11th MEU embarked mid-October 2016 aboard the Makin Island Amphibious Ready Group, trained alongside armed forces from foreign nations, and supported operations throughout the Western Pacific, Middle East and Horn of Africa. - U.S. Marines assigned to Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron (VMM) 163 return to Marine Corps Air Station Miramar, Calif., after their deployment with the 11th Marine Expeditionary Unit Thursday, May 12, 2017. The 11th MEU embarked mid-October 2016 aboard the Makin Island Amphibious Ready Group, trained alongside armed forces from foreign nations, and supported operations throughout the Western Pacific, Middle East and Horn of Africa.

Marines with Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron 163 perform pre-flight checks on MV-22B Ospreys prior to a large-scale training flight aboard Marine Corps Air Station Miramar, California, April 10. This training operation marks the last time the commanding officer of VMM-163 will participate in a squadron-sized event before relinquishing command. - Marines with Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron 163 perform pre-flight checks on MV-22B Ospreys prior to a large-scale training flight aboard Marine Corps Air Station Miramar, California, April 10. This training operation marks the last time the commanding officer of VMM-163 will participate in a squadron-sized event before relinquishing command.

An MV-22B Osprey with Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron 163 flies back to Marine Corps Air Station Miramar, Calif., Oct. 24. Crew chiefs direct other aircraft using hand and arm signals in case of emergency. - An MV-22B Osprey with Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron 163 flies back to Marine Corps Air Station Miramar, Calif., Oct. 24. Crew chiefs direct other aircraft using hand and arm signals in case of emergency.

Staff Sgt. Jacob Merrell, a crew chief with Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron 363, 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing, and a Sisters, Ore., native, shoots an M240D machine gun during a tail gun shoot exercise over a range training complex aboard Marine Corps Air station Yuma, Ariz., Oct. 31. Pilots communicate with crew chiefs through an inner communication system, so they know the location of the targets. - Staff Sgt. Jacob Merrell, a crew chief with Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron 363, 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing, and a Sisters, Ore., native, shoots an M240D machine gun during a tail gun shoot exercise over a range training complex aboard Marine Corps Air station Yuma, Ariz., Oct. 31. Pilots communicate with crew chiefs through an inner communication system, so they know the location of the targets.