Stories

Marines with Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron (VMM) 161 head to Creech Air Force Base, Nev., to conduct a deployment for training (DFT) exercise, Dec. 1. The squadron is scheduled to complete several missions during this exercise, which include long range raids, aerial refueling, and tactical recovery of aircraft and personnel in preparation for their deployment with the 15th Marine Expeditionary Unit next year. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Kimberlyn Adams/Released) - Marines with Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron (VMM) 161 head to Creech Air Force Base, Nev., to conduct a deployment for training (DFT) exercise, Dec. 1. The squadron is scheduled to complete several missions during this exercise, which include long range raids, aerial refueling, and tactical recovery of aircraft and personnel in preparation for their deployment with the 15th Marine Expeditionary Unit next year. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Kimberlyn Adams/Released)

Marines with Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron (VMM) 161 “Greyhawks,” fly over Los Angeles, May 19. Lt. Col. Andreas Lavato, commanding officer of VMM-161, conducted his last flight with the squadron prior to his change of command May 26. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Sgt. Lillian Stephens/Released) - Marines with Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron (VMM) 161 “Greyhawks,” fly over Los Angeles, May 19. Lt. Col. Andreas Lavato, commanding officer of VMM-161, conducted his last flight with the squadron prior to his change of command May 26. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Sgt. Lillian Stephens/Released)

An MV-22B Osprey with Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron (VMM) 161 “Greyhawks,” flies after a troop-movement flight with Combat Logistics Battalion 15 over Southern California, Aug. 20. The squadron supported the logistics unit’s movement from Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton, Calif., to the airport for a mountain training exercise. The flight doubled as a familiarization flight for both units who are slated to work together during their upcoming deployment with the 15th Marine Expeditionary Unit. - An MV-22B Osprey with Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron (VMM) 161 “Greyhawks,” flies after a troop-movement flight with Combat Logistics Battalion 15 over Southern California, Aug. 20. The squadron supported the logistics unit’s movement from Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton, Calif., to the airport for a mountain training exercise. The flight doubled as a familiarization flight for both units who are slated to work together during their upcoming deployment with the 15th Marine Expeditionary Unit.

Gunnery Sgt. Marion Phelps, quality assurance chief and crew chief with Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron (VMM) 161 “Greyhawks”, watches as aircraft participating in field carrier landing practices land aboard the USS Essex, May 15. The Greyhawks provided two MV-22B Ospreys for the training. With help from an Osprey from Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron 165, they were able to keep their qualifications current while helping the Essex’s crew earn new qualifications. - Gunnery Sgt. Marion Phelps, quality assurance chief and crew chief with Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron (VMM) 161 “Greyhawks”, watches as aircraft participating in field carrier landing practices land aboard the USS Essex, May 15. The Greyhawks provided two MV-22B Ospreys for the training. With help from an Osprey from Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron 165, they were able to keep their qualifications current while helping the Essex’s crew earn new qualifications.

A pilot with Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron 161 aims to connect to a KC-130J Super Hercules to receive fuel in flight aboard Marine Corps Air Station Miramar, Calif., Oct. 24. The pilots used this training to remain qualified in aerial refueling. - A pilot with Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron 161 aims to connect to a KC-130J Super Hercules to receive fuel in flight aboard Marine Corps Air Station Miramar, Calif., Oct. 24. The pilots used this training to remain qualified in aerial refueling.

MARINE CORPS BASE CAMP PENDLETON, Calif. -- An MV-22B Osprey with Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron 161 "GreyHawks" waits to lift off as members from multiple uniits board the aircraft to conduct fast roping excercises aboard Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton Calif., Oct 1. The units practice with the Osprey due to the differences in the rotor wash compared to other rotary aircraft. - MARINE CORPS BASE CAMP PENDLETON, Calif. -- An MV-22B Osprey with Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron 161 "GreyHawks" waits to lift off as members from multiple uniits board the aircraft to conduct fast roping excercises aboard Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton Calif., Oct 1. The units practice with the Osprey due to the differences in the rotor wash compared to other rotary aircraft.

Cpl. Benjamin Hockett, a crew chief with Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron 161 and a Lander, Wyo., native, displays his stitches at San Diego Naval Medical Center, Calif., Sept. 11. Hockett was shot by a 7.62mm round during a deployment to Afghanistan and now has a ten inch rod in his arm. - Cpl. Benjamin Hockett, a crew chief with Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron 161 and a Lander, Wyo., native, displays his stitches at San Diego Naval Medical Center, Calif., Sept. 11. Hockett was shot by a 7.62mm round during a deployment to Afghanistan and now has a ten inch rod in his arm.