Bulk refueling specialists with Marine Wing Support Squadron 373 prepare to refuel an F-35B Lightning II from Marine Fighter Attack Squadron 121 at Red Beach aboard Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton, Calif., Dec. 10, 2015. Various squadrons within 3rd MAW performed more than 70 sorties ranging from external lifts, convoy escorts and casualty evacuation missions with rotary aircraft and fire support missions with the F-35B Lightning II Joint Strike Fighter to providing refueling points for air and ground assets. - Bulk refueling specialists with Marine Wing Support Squadron 373 prepare to refuel an F-35B Lightning II from Marine Fighter Attack Squadron 121 at Red Beach aboard Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton, Calif., Dec. 10, 2015. Various squadrons within 3rd MAW performed more than 70 sorties ranging from external lifts, convoy escorts and casualty evacuation missions with rotary aircraft and fire support missions with the F-35B Lightning II Joint Strike Fighter to providing refueling points for air and ground assets.

An F-35B Lightning II with Marine Fighter Attack Squadron (VMFA) 121 takes off from Red Beach on Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton, Calif., Dec. 10. This is the first time that the F-35 conducted close air support missions in support of exercise Steel Knight. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Sgt. Brian Marion/Released) - An F-35B Lightning II with Marine Fighter Attack Squadron (VMFA) 121 takes off from Red Beach on Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton, Calif., Dec. 10. This is the first time that the F-35 conducted close air support missions in support of exercise Steel Knight. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Sgt. Brian Marion/Released)

Incoming Marine Fighter Attack Squadron 121 commanding officer, Lt. Col. James Bardo, recieves the squadron colors from outgoing commanding officer, Lt. Col. Steve Gillette, during the squadron's change of command ceremony aboard Marine Corps Air Station Yuma, Arizona, Friday, Aug. 14, 2015. The passing of the colors is the ceremony's most solemn moment, signifying the physical transfer of command from one Marine to the other. - Incoming Marine Fighter Attack Squadron 121 commanding officer, Lt. Col. James Bardo, recieves the squadron colors from outgoing commanding officer, Lt. Col. Steve Gillette, during the squadron's change of command ceremony aboard Marine Corps Air Station Yuma, Arizona, Friday, Aug. 14, 2015. The passing of the colors is the ceremony's most solemn moment, signifying the physical transfer of command from one Marine to the other.

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)

An F-35B Lightning II, with Marine Fighter Attack Squadron (VMFA) 121 “Green Knights,” refuels on the flight line aboard Marine Corps Air Station Yuma, Arizona, Aug. 18. The Lightning II is scheduled to show off its capabilities during demonstrations at the 2014 Miramar Air Show, Oct. 3-5. - An F-35B Lightning II, with Marine Fighter Attack Squadron (VMFA) 121 “Green Knights,” refuels on the flight line aboard Marine Corps Air Station Yuma, Arizona, Aug. 18. The Lightning II is scheduled to show off its capabilities during demonstrations at the 2014 Miramar Air Show, Oct. 3-5.

Three F-35B Lightning II Joint Strike Fighters with Marine Fighter Attack Squadron 121, 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing, and two AV-8B Harriers with Marine Attack Squadron 211, 3rd MAW, fly in a “V” formation during fixed-wing aerial refueling training over eastern California, Aug. 27. The F-35B joint strike fighters practiced refueling with Marine Aerial Refueler Transport Squadron 352. (Photo by Lance Cpl. Michael Thorn) - Three F-35B Lightning II Joint Strike Fighters with Marine Fighter Attack Squadron 121, 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing, and two AV-8B Harriers with Marine Attack Squadron 211, 3rd MAW, fly in a “V” formation during fixed-wing aerial refueling training over eastern California, Aug. 27. The F-35B joint strike fighters practiced refueling with Marine Aerial Refueler Transport Squadron 352. (Photo by Lance Cpl. Michael Thorn)

Sgt. Maj. Anthony A. Spadaro, sergeant major of 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing, hands out Corps Values cards at the Sergeants Major Symposium aboard Marine Corps Air Station Miramar, Calif., Jan. 17. The two-day symposium gathered senior enlisted leaders of the air wing to share ideas and improve leadership skills, as part of the Committed and Engaged Leadership Campaign. - Sgt. Maj. Anthony A. Spadaro, sergeant major of 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing, hands out Corps Values cards at the Sergeants Major Symposium aboard Marine Corps Air Station Miramar, Calif., Jan. 17. The two-day symposium gathered senior enlisted leaders of the air wing to share ideas and improve leadership skills, as part of the Committed and Engaged Leadership Campaign.