Marine Heavy Helicopter Squadron 462

U.S. Marine Sergeant Francisco Parra, a crew master with Marine Aerial Refueler Transport Squadron (VMGR) 352, Marine Aircraft Group (MAG) 11, helps direct multiple F/A-18C Hornets as they move into position during a MAG-11 training exercise that included more than 30 aircraft over San Diego, Calif., Feb. 1. MAG-11 conducted this training to exercise their real-world capabilities. Exercises such as this provide realistic, relevant training necessary for 3rd MAW to “Fix, Fly, and Fight” as the Marine Corps’ largest aircraft wing and ensures the unit remains combat-ready, inter-operable, deployable on short notice, and lethal when called into action. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Joshua McAlpine)

More than 30 F/A-18 Hornets with Marine Aircraft Group (MAG) 11, demonstrate the power and might of Marine Corps aviation as they prepare to take off during a MAG-11 training exercise at Marine Corps Air Station Miramar, Calif., Feb. 1. MAG-11 conducted this training to exercise their real-world capabilities. Exercises such as this provide realistic, relevant training necessary for 3rd MAW to “Fix, Fly, and Fight” as the Marine Corps’ largest aircraft wing and ensures the unit remains combat-ready, inter-operable, deployable on short notice, and lethal when called into action. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Julian K. Elliott-Drouin)

Four F/A-18 Hornets with Marine Fighter Attack Squadron (VMFA) 314, Marine Aircraft Group (MAG) 11, stage during a MAG-11 training exercise that included more than 30 aircraft at Marine Corps Air Station Miramar, Calif., Feb. 1. MAG-11 conducted this training to exercise its real-world capabilities. Exercises such as this provide realistic, relevant training necessary for 3rd MAW to “Fix, Fly, and Fight” as the Marine Corps’ largest aircraft wing and ensures the unit remains combat-ready, inter-operable, deployable on short notice, and lethal when called into action. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Mark A. Lowe II)

An F/A-18C Hornet with Marine Fighter Attack Squadron (VMFA) 323, Marine Aircraft Group (MAG) 11, taxis in preparation for a massive launch, that included more than 30 aircraft, during the MAG-11 training exercise at Marine Corps Air Station Miramar, Calif., Feb. 1. MAG-11 conducted this training to exercise their real-world capabilities. Exercises such as this provide realistic, relevant training necessary for 3rd MAW to “Fix, Fly, and Fight” as the Marine Corps’ largest aircraft wing and ensures the unit remains combat-ready, inter-operable, deployable on short notice, and lethal when called into action. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Julian K. Elliott-Drouin)

Two F-35B Lightning II with Marine Fighter Attack Squadron 211 taxi to the runway during the Marine Division Tactics Course at Marine Corps Air Station Miramar, Calif., June 16. This course gives pilots air-to-air combat experience and the tools to train Marines in their squadrons on the latest tactics. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Sgt. Kimberlyn Adams/Released)

VMFA-211 F35B

Sharpshooters have a blast on 'live-fire day'

VMM-163 performs heavy lifting with CLB-11

Three F-35B Lightning II Joint Strike Fighters with Marine Fighter Attack Squadron 121, 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing, fly in formation during fixed-wing aerial refueling training over eastern California, Aug. 27. VMFA-121 is the first F-35B squadron in the Marine Corps.

A power line mechanic with Marine Fighter Attack Squadron 232 preforms a maintenance check on an F/A-18C Hornet on the flight line aboard Mountain Home Air Force Base, Idaho, July 26. Power line mechanics and other maintainers make sure every F/A-18C Hornet is ready and safe for flight.

Lance Cpl. Cory Helton, top, a power lines mechanic with Marine Fighter Attack Squadron 232 and Whitley County, Ky., native, grapples with another Marine during the Kings and Queens of the Ring event at the first Marine Aircraft Group 11 field meet aboard Marine Corps Air Station Miramar, Calif., Aug. 22. Marines throughout MAG-11 competed in different events to win the MAG-11 trophy for their squadron.

Three F-35B Lightning II Joint Strike Fighters with Marine Fighter Attack Squadron 121, 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing, fly in formation during fixed-wing aerial refueling training over eastern California, Aug. 27. VMFA-121 is the first F-35B squadron in the Marine Corps. (Photo by Lance Cpl. Michael Thorn)

Sgt. Ryan Shouse, a maintenance control non-commissioned officer with Marine Fighter Attack Squadron 232 and a Scottsburg, Ind., native, watches as F/A-18C Hornets launch from the flight line aboard Mountain Home Air Force Base, Idaho, July 24. Marines with maintenance control ensure all maintenance is completed and there are no issues with the aircraft.