Stories

A UH-1Y Venom prepares to taxi into position after conducting night-time cold weather operations aboard Fort Drum, N.Y., March 17, 2017. Marines assigned to Marine Light Attack Helicopter Squadron 269, Marine Aircraft Group 29, 2nd Marine Aircraft Wing, conducted close air support at night with live ordnance to simulate real world operations in a forward position. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Mackenzie Gibson/Released) - A UH-1Y Venom prepares to taxi into position after conducting night-time cold weather operations aboard Fort Drum, N.Y., March 17, 2017. Marines assigned to Marine Light Attack Helicopter Squadron 269, Marine Aircraft Group 29, 2nd Marine Aircraft Wing, conducted close air support at night with live ordnance to simulate real world operations in a forward position. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Mackenzie Gibson/Released)

A group of UH-1Y Venoms and AH-1W Super Cobras land to conduct cold weather operations aboard Fort Drum, N.Y., March 8, 2017. The training, which began March 8, involves Marines with Marine Light Attack Helicopter Squadron 269, Marine Aircraft Group 29, 2nd Marine Aircraft Wing, along with other various units across the Department of Defense. The lessons learned from this training will serve as guidance that can be applied to operations all around the world, and make HMLA-269 a more valuable asset to the Air Combat Element of the Marine Corps. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Mackenzie Gibson/Released) - A group of UH-1Y Venoms and AH-1W Super Cobras land to conduct cold weather operations aboard Fort Drum, N.Y., March 8, 2017. The training, which began March 8, involves Marines with Marine Light Attack Helicopter Squadron 269, Marine Aircraft Group 29, 2nd Marine Aircraft Wing, along with other various units across the Department of Defense. The lessons learned from this training will serve as guidance that can be applied to operations all around the world, and make HMLA-269 a more valuable asset to the Air Combat Element of the Marine Corps. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Mackenzie Gibson/Released)

A UH-1Y Venom and an AH-1W Super Cobra shoot 2.75 inch rockets through the night sky and meet their targets during close air support training operations at a range near Fort Drum, N.Y., March 16, 2017. Marines assigned to 1st Air Naval Gunfire Liaison Company, I Marine Expeditionary Force Headquarters Group, I Marine Expeditionary Force, worked in conjunction with Marines assigned to Marine Light Attack Helicopter Squadron 269, Marine Aircraft Group 29, 2nd Marine Aircraft Wing, to complete their objectives. The training was conducted with live ordnance to simulate real world operations in a forward position. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Mackenzie Gibson/Released) - A UH-1Y Venom and an AH-1W Super Cobra shoot 2.75 inch rockets through the night sky and meet their targets during close air support training operations at a range near Fort Drum, N.Y., March 16, 2017. Marines assigned to 1st Air Naval Gunfire Liaison Company, I Marine Expeditionary Force Headquarters Group, I Marine Expeditionary Force, worked in conjunction with Marines assigned to Marine Light Attack Helicopter Squadron 269, Marine Aircraft Group 29, 2nd Marine Aircraft Wing, to complete their objectives. The training was conducted with live ordnance to simulate real world operations in a forward position. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Mackenzie Gibson/Released)

Cpl. Cade Mierstice stands among aircraft on a flight line during cold weather training aboard Ft. Drum, N.Y., Mar. 11, 2017. After being an avid competitor in wrestling, he chose to join the Marine Corps because he did not want to settle for anything short of the finest. “We’re the best,” said Mierstice. “It’s just how we are. I was a state championship wrestler before I got in, and I always wanted to be the best at everything I did.” Mierstice is an aviation ordnance technician with Marine Light Attack Helicopter Squadron 269. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Mackenzie Gibson/Released) - Cpl. Cade Mierstice stands among aircraft on a flight line during cold weather training aboard Ft. Drum, N.Y., Mar. 11, 2017. After being an avid competitor in wrestling, he chose to join the Marine Corps because he did not want to settle for anything short of the finest. “We’re the best,” said Mierstice. “It’s just how we are. I was a state championship wrestler before I got in, and I always wanted to be the best at everything I did.” Mierstice is an aviation ordnance technician with Marine Light Attack Helicopter Squadron 269. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Mackenzie Gibson/Released)

MARINE CORPS AIR STATION CHERRY POINT, N.C.— A CH-53E Super Stallion prepares to land on a Forward Arming and Refueling Point during Marine Wing Support Squadron 274’s field exercise aboard Marine Corps Outlying Field Atlantic, N.C., March 10, 2017. The Super Stallion transported fuel to MWSS-274’s FARP to practice replenishing their fuel supply. Marines from MWSS-274, Marine Aircraft Group 29, 2nd Marine Aircraft Wing, established an air facility aboard Marine Corps Auxiliary Landing Field Bogue capable of providing all airfield and air base support functions to MAG-29 squadrons, including a FARP at Atlantic. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Jason Jimenez/ Released) - MARINE CORPS AIR STATION CHERRY POINT, N.C.— A CH-53E Super Stallion prepares to land on a Forward Arming and Refueling Point during Marine Wing Support Squadron 274’s field exercise aboard Marine Corps Outlying Field Atlantic, N.C., March 10, 2017. The Super Stallion transported fuel to MWSS-274’s FARP to practice replenishing their fuel supply. Marines from MWSS-274, Marine Aircraft Group 29, 2nd Marine Aircraft Wing, established an air facility aboard Marine Corps Auxiliary Landing Field Bogue capable of providing all airfield and air base support functions to MAG-29 squadrons, including a FARP at Atlantic. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Jason Jimenez/ Released)

Marines tow a UH-1Y Venom onto the flight line aboard Ft. Drum, N.Y., Mar. 9, 2017. Marines assigned to Marine Light Attack Helicopter Squadron 269, Marine Aircraft Group 29, 2nd Marine Aircraft Wing arrived at Ft. Drum Mar. 8, and will spend more than a week conducting aerial operations in the cold environment. The training will also offer the Marines a unique opportunity to come out of their comfort zone and build unit cohesion. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Mackenzie Gibson/Released) - Marines tow a UH-1Y Venom onto the flight line aboard Ft. Drum, N.Y., Mar. 9, 2017. Marines assigned to Marine Light Attack Helicopter Squadron 269, Marine Aircraft Group 29, 2nd Marine Aircraft Wing arrived at Ft. Drum Mar. 8, and will spend more than a week conducting aerial operations in the cold environment. The training will also offer the Marines a unique opportunity to come out of their comfort zone and build unit cohesion. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Mackenzie Gibson/Released)

Marines assigned to the 2nd Marine Aircraft Wing Band play “Anchors Aweigh” to former U.S. Navy service members before a parade in New Orleans, Feb. 26, 2017. The 2nd MAW Band attended the Mardi Gras celebrations where they provided music for the spectators during multiple parades. The parades allowed the band to be the face of the Marine Corps while interacting with observers. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Cody Lemons/Released) - Marines assigned to the 2nd Marine Aircraft Wing Band play “Anchors Aweigh” to former U.S. Navy service members before a parade in New Orleans, Feb. 26, 2017. The 2nd MAW Band attended the Mardi Gras celebrations where they provided music for the spectators during multiple parades. The parades allowed the band to be the face of the Marine Corps while interacting with observers. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Cody Lemons/Released)

U.S. Marine Corps Sgt. Nick Cooley, a powerline mechanic, inspects an EA-6B Prowler electronic warfare aircraft to make sure it is safe to fly at Bagram Air Field, Afghanistan, Feb. 8, 2011. Cooley is assigned to Marine Tactical Electronic Warfare Squadron (VMAQ) 3. (DoD photo by Senior Airman Sheila deVera, U.S. Air Force/Released) - U.S. Marine Corps Sgt. Nick Cooley, a powerline mechanic, inspects an EA-6B Prowler electronic warfare aircraft to make sure it is safe to fly at Bagram Air Field, Afghanistan, Feb. 8, 2011. Cooley is assigned to Marine Tactical Electronic Warfare Squadron (VMAQ) 3. (DoD photo by Senior Airman Sheila deVera, U.S. Air Force/Released)

U.S. Marine Corps AV-8B Harriers, from Marine Attack Squadron 231, Special Purpose Marine Air Ground Task Force-Crisis Response-Central Command, fly behind a U.S. Air Force KC-10 Extender from the 908th Expeditionary Air Refueling Squadron in support of a Combined Joint Task Force - Operation Inherent Resolve mission Feb. 10, 2017. The KC-10 provides aerial refueling capabilities for the CJTF as it supports the Iraqi Security Forces and the partnered forces in Syria as they work to liberate territory and people under the control of ISIS. VMA-231 is supporting Iraqi Security Forces and the partnered forces in Syria to degrade and defeat ISIS. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Matthew B. Fredericks) - U.S. Marine Corps AV-8B Harriers, from Marine Attack Squadron 231, Special Purpose Marine Air Ground Task Force-Crisis Response-Central Command, fly behind a U.S. Air Force KC-10 Extender from the 908th Expeditionary Air Refueling Squadron in support of a Combined Joint Task Force - Operation Inherent Resolve mission Feb. 10, 2017. The KC-10 provides aerial refueling capabilities for the CJTF as it supports the Iraqi Security Forces and the partnered forces in Syria as they work to liberate territory and people under the control of ISIS. VMA-231 is supporting Iraqi Security Forces and the partnered forces in Syria to degrade and defeat ISIS. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Matthew B. Fredericks)

1st Lt. Morgan White, right, instructs her Marines during a squadron-wide gear inspection aboard Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point, N.C., Feb. 6, 2017. White states that the training she has received in the Marine Corps helped develop her leadership and decision-making skills. “The Marine Corps teaches you to make hard decisions,” said White. “When life throws us questions that we don’t know the answer to, we’ve learned to quickly think on our feet.” White is the communications officer for Marine Wing Support Squadron 274, Marine Aircraft Group 14, 2nd Marine Aircraft Wing. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Mackenzie Gibson/Released) - 1st Lt. Morgan White, right, instructs her Marines during a squadron-wide gear inspection aboard Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point, N.C., Feb. 6, 2017. White states that the training she has received in the Marine Corps helped develop her leadership and decision-making skills. “The Marine Corps teaches you to make hard decisions,” said White. “When life throws us questions that we don’t know the answer to, we’ve learned to quickly think on our feet.” White is the communications officer for Marine Wing Support Squadron 274, Marine Aircraft Group 14, 2nd Marine Aircraft Wing. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Mackenzie Gibson/Released)