MWHS-3 Leaders

Lieutenant Colonel Shane F. Kraft

Commanding Officer, Marine Wing Headquarters Squadron 3

Second Lieutenant Kraft was commissioned in 2006 after graduating from the United States Naval Academy. Upon completion of The Basic School in 2007, he reported to Marine Aviation Training Support Group 21 located in Pensacola Florida to begin Naval Flight Training. In 2009, he reported to the Fleet Replacement Squadron, Marine Medium Helicopter

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Sergeant Major Nathan D. Aja

Sergeant Major, Marine Fighter Attack Squadron 225

Sergeant Major Nathan D. Aja enlisted in the Marine Corps in January 2003 from Marine Corps Recruit Depot San Diego, CA. After recruit training, Private First Class Aja attended the School of Infantry at Camp Pendleton and received the Military Occupational Specialty of 0311, Infantry Rifleman.

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11
Mar
2026

First on the Scene: Marines Rescue Family of Four from Vehicle Rollover

U.S. Marines and Sailors are awarded with Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medals and Letters of Appreciation at Camp Schwab, Okinawa, Japan, Oct. 11, 2024. The Marines and Sailors were awarded for their heroic actions in providing aid to a Japanese local after a vehicle accident in Okinawa, Japan. The Marines are with 4th Marine Regiment, 3d Marine Division. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Michael Taggart)

Staff Sgt. Gabriel Tavarez, 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing

Two Marines, Cpl. Malakai Obed and Cpl. Caden Perez with Marine Light Attack Helicopter Squadron (HMLA) 169, Marine Aircraft Group 39, 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing, were traveling toward the main gate of Camp Pendleton on Vandergrift Rd. when they witnessed a serious vehicle crash unfold in front of them...

2
Mar
2026

Steel Wings, Enduring Leadership: 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing Change of Command

, 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing

“Today is not about a commander, it’s certainly not about me... it's about honoring a legacy of the most powerful Marine Aircraft Wing on the planet, and the Marines and Sailors that carry that legacy forward everyday” said Maj. Gen. James B. Wellons during his last remarks as the Commanding General of 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing.

23
Jan
2026

Stand and Deliver: Chaplain Cash’s Reminder of Core Values Inspires 3rd MAW Marines

U.S. Navy Rear Adm. Carey Cash, U.S. Navy Deputy Chief of Chaplains and Chaplain of the U.S. Marine Corps, addresses Marines with Marine Aviation Logistics Squadron 11, Marine Aircraft Group 11, 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing at Marine Corps Air Station Miramar, California, Jan. 7, 2026. The purpose of Cash’s visit was to engage with Marines and Sailors from across Miramar to speak about the role of spiritual fitness in enhancing overall wellness and mission readiness. This focus on spiritual strength is a key component of military life, as it equips service members with the resilience and core values necessary to navigate the unique challenges of their profession. (U.S. Marine Corps Photo by Cpl. Renee Gray)

Cpl. Renee Gray, 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing

In a force defined by readiness, discipline and endurance, Rear Adm. Carey H. Cash, the 21st Chaplain of the Marine Corps, speaks from rugged experience. From serving as a beacon of faith in Iraq early in his career, to now reinforcing spiritual foundation to Marines of 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing and reminding our chaplains to “stand and deliver.”

15
Dec
2025

Steel Knight 25: Stingers Deliver JAGM Precision Strikes

A U. S. Marine Corps AH-1Z Viper helicopter assigned to Marine Light Attack Helicopter Squadron (HMLA) 267, Marine Aircraft Group 39, 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing, fires an AGM-179 Joint Air-to-Ground Missile during Exercise Steel Knight 25, over the Pacific Ocean, Dec.11, 2025.

1stLt Madison Walls, 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing

U.S. Marines with Marine Light Attack Helicopter Squadron (HMLA) 267, Marine Aircraft Group 39, 3rd

15
Dec
2025

Steel Knight 25: 3rd MAW Executes Distributed Aviation Operations at Scale

U.S. Marine Corps Lance Cpl. Kelby Dallas, an expeditionary fuels technician with Marine Wing Support Squadron 372, Marine Air Control Group 38, 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing, carries a fuel hose to an AH-1Z Viper assigned to Marine Light Attack Helicopter Squadron (HMLA) 267, Marine Aircraft Group-39, 3rd MAW, at a forward arming and refueling point during exercise Steel Knight 25 at a helicopter outlying landing field, Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton, California, Dec. 12, 2025. FARP operations support 3rd MAW distributed aviation operations by enabling rotary and tiltrotor aircraft to refuel in forward operating environments, such as the helicopter outlying field, extending operational reach and mission duration across the battlespace. Steel Knight is an annual exercise that strengthens the Navy-Marine Corps team's ability to respond forward, integrate across domains, and sustain Marine Air-Ground Task Force readiness.(U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Renee Gray)

1st Lt. Madison Walls, 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing

During Exercise Steel Knight 25, 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing executed Distributed Aviation Operations across the western United States, rehearsing how Marine aviation sustains combat power, maneuvers forces, and supports the Marine Air-Ground Task Force in a contested maritime environment, Dec. 1-13, 2025. To enable these operations, the wing employed a networked hub, spoke and node framework that allowed aviation units to operate from dispersed, expeditionary locations while remaining connected through resilient all-domain command and control. Steel Knight is an annual exercise that strengthens the Navy–Marine Corps team’s ability to respond forward, integrate across domains and sustain Marine Air-Ground Task Force readiness.

15
Dec
2025

Steel Knight 25: Raiders extend fifth-gen reach through ADGR

A U.S. Marine Corps F-35B Lightning II aircraft with Marine Fighter Attack Squadron (VMFA) 214, Marine Aircraft Group 13, 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing, receives fuel during an air-delivered ground refueling mission as part of exercise Steel Knight 25 at Southern California Logistics Airport, Victorville, California, Dec. 12, 2025. ADGR enables 3rd MAW to sustain distributed aviation operations by delivering fuel to forward locations without reliance on established infrastructure. Steel Knight is an annual exercise that strengthens the Navy-Marine Corps team's ability to respond forward, integrate across domains, and sustain Marine Air-Ground Task Force readiness. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Nikolas Mascroft)

Cpl. Nikolas Mascroft , 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing

Marines with Marine Aerial Refueler Transport Squadron (VMGR) 352, Marine Aircraft Group 11, 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing, conducted an air-delivered ground refueling as part of exercise Steel Knight 25 at Southern California Logistics Airport, Victorville, California, Dec. 12, 2025. Steel Knight is an annual exercise that strengthens the Navy-Marine Corps team's ability to respond forward, integrate across domains, and sustain Marine Air-Ground Task Force readiness.