Stories

A spouse of a Marine with Marine Aircraft Group 29 low crawls for the Marine Corps combat fitness test during “Marine for a Day,” an event hosted at Marine Corps Air Station New River, N.C., Sept. 23, 2016. The purpose of the event was to give spouses a better perspective of the mental and physical demands their Marines go through on a day-to-day basis in order to maintain their personal readiness. The event included hands-on practice at the Indoor Simulated Marksmanship Trainer, a tour of the various aircraft aboard the air station, Marine Corps Martial Arts Program familiarization, a combat fitness test and more. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Mackenzie Gibson/Released) - A spouse of a Marine with Marine Aircraft Group 29 low crawls for the Marine Corps combat fitness test during “Marine for a Day,” an event hosted at Marine Corps Air Station New River, N.C., Sept. 23, 2016. The purpose of the event was to give spouses a better perspective of the mental and physical demands their Marines go through on a day-to-day basis in order to maintain their personal readiness. The event included hands-on practice at the Indoor Simulated Marksmanship Trainer, a tour of the various aircraft aboard the air station, Marine Corps Martial Arts Program familiarization, a combat fitness test and more. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Mackenzie Gibson/Released)

A terrain map legend is displayed during a field exercise aboard Marine Corps Outlying Field Camp Davis, N.C., Sept. 22, 2016. Support squadrons across the Marine Corps conduct these exercises to remain ready for any challenge they may face in forward deployed environments. This exercise featured training that included auxiliary airfield construction, ground security and airfield damage repair. The squadron's capabilities contribute to 2nd Marine Aircraft Wing's role in the Marine Air Ground Task Force's mission accomplishment. The Marines participating in the exercise are assigned to Marine Wing Support Squadron 274, Marine Aircraft Group 29, 2nd MAW. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Sgt. N.W. Huertas/Released) - A terrain map legend is displayed during a field exercise aboard Marine Corps Outlying Field Camp Davis, N.C., Sept. 22, 2016. Support squadrons across the Marine Corps conduct these exercises to remain ready for any challenge they may face in forward deployed environments. This exercise featured training that included auxiliary airfield construction, ground security and airfield damage repair. The squadron's capabilities contribute to 2nd Marine Aircraft Wing's role in the Marine Air Ground Task Force's mission accomplishment. The Marines participating in the exercise are assigned to Marine Wing Support Squadron 274, Marine Aircraft Group 29, 2nd MAW. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Sgt. N.W. Huertas/Released)

Lt. Cmdr. Paul Greer stacks bags of donated rice to be given to people in need during the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s annual Feds Feed Families food drive at Religious Community Services in New Bern, N.C., Sept. 7, 2016. Launched in 2009 as part of President Barack Obama’s United We Serve campaign, the nationwide drive has collected over 52 million pounds of nonperishable food items for people struggling to put food on their table. MCAS Cherry Point personnel were responsible for donating 26,805 pounds of nonperishable food items. Greer is the chaplain for Marine Aircraft Control Group 28, 2nd Marine Aircraft Wing. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Jason Jimenez/Released) - Lt. Cmdr. Paul Greer stacks bags of donated rice to be given to people in need during the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s annual Feds Feed Families food drive at Religious Community Services in New Bern, N.C., Sept. 7, 2016. Launched in 2009 as part of President Barack Obama’s United We Serve campaign, the nationwide drive has collected over 52 million pounds of nonperishable food items for people struggling to put food on their table. MCAS Cherry Point personnel were responsible for donating 26,805 pounds of nonperishable food items. Greer is the chaplain for Marine Aircraft Control Group 28, 2nd Marine Aircraft Wing. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Jason Jimenez/Released)

Staff Sgt Craig W. Harriman, left, speaks to Cpl. Andrea N. Villacis about her career progression aboard Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point, N.C., Sept. 12, 2016. Harriman was awarded Career Planner of the Year for fiscal year 2016 and has been recently selected to instruct at the Basic Career Planners Course at Marine Corps Recruit Depot, San Diego, Calif. He attributes his success to the leadership and mentoring he received during his years in the Corps. Harriman is the staff noncommissioned officer in charge of career planners assigned to Marine Air Control Group 28, 2nd Marine Aircraft Wing. Villacis is an administrative clerk with the unit. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Sgt. N.W. Huertas/ Released) - Staff Sgt Craig W. Harriman, left, speaks to Cpl. Andrea N. Villacis about her career progression aboard Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point, N.C., Sept. 12, 2016. Harriman was awarded Career Planner of the Year for fiscal year 2016 and has been recently selected to instruct at the Basic Career Planners Course at Marine Corps Recruit Depot, San Diego, Calif. He attributes his success to the leadership and mentoring he received during his years in the Corps. Harriman is the staff noncommissioned officer in charge of career planners assigned to Marine Air Control Group 28, 2nd Marine Aircraft Wing. Villacis is an administrative clerk with the unit. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Sgt. N.W. Huertas/ Released)

Cpl. Jared Hall delivers a speech during a reception at the New Bern Country Club in New Bern, N.C., Sept. 8. The Hall family received the Military Family of the Quarter Award during the reception. The family received awards, gifts, gift certificates and publicity from the Havelock Military Affairs Committee and the New Bern Military Alliance Committee in appreciation for their service. Hall is an aviation communications technician with Marine Air Support Squadron 1. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Mackenzie Gibson/Released) - Cpl. Jared Hall delivers a speech during a reception at the New Bern Country Club in New Bern, N.C., Sept. 8. The Hall family received the Military Family of the Quarter Award during the reception. The family received awards, gifts, gift certificates and publicity from the Havelock Military Affairs Committee and the New Bern Military Alliance Committee in appreciation for their service. Hall is an aviation communications technician with Marine Air Support Squadron 1. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Mackenzie Gibson/Released)

Marines assigned to Marine Tactical Air Command Squadron 28 disassemble and reassemble an M-16 service rifle during their second annual Warrior Day at Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point, N.C., Sept. 1, 2016. More than 50 Marines participated in MTACS-28's warrior day which included six different stations that incorporated ground fighting matches, an M-16 service rifle disassembly and reassembly, kayaking, radio set-up, repelling, and a 50-yard Humvee pull. Marines worked hand-in-hand to complete events as a team while sharing diverse leadership styles, years of experience and espirit de Corps. MTACS-28 is part of Marine Air Control Group 28, 2nd Marine Aircraft Wing. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Jason Jimenez/Released) - Marines assigned to Marine Tactical Air Command Squadron 28 disassemble and reassemble an M-16 service rifle during their second annual Warrior Day at Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point, N.C., Sept. 1, 2016. More than 50 Marines participated in MTACS-28's warrior day which included six different stations that incorporated ground fighting matches, an M-16 service rifle disassembly and reassembly, kayaking, radio set-up, repelling, and a 50-yard Humvee pull. Marines worked hand-in-hand to complete events as a team while sharing diverse leadership styles, years of experience and espirit de Corps. MTACS-28 is part of Marine Air Control Group 28, 2nd Marine Aircraft Wing. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Jason Jimenez/Released)

Two EA-6B Prowlers fly closely behind a KC-130J Super Hercules during an aerial refueling mission over the Atlantic Ocean Sept. 7, 2016. The mission of Marine Aerial Refueler Transport Squadron 252 is to support the Marine Air Ground Task Force commander by providing air-to-air refueling, assault support, and offensive air support, day or night under all weather conditions during expeditionary, joint, or combined operations. VMGR-252 conducted aerial refuels for AV-8B Prowlers, EA-6B Harriers, and F-35B Lightnings off the coast of North Carolina to provide routine training for both the pilots and crew members. (U.S. Marine Corps Photo by Lance Cpl. Mackenzie Gibson/Released) - Two EA-6B Prowlers fly closely behind a KC-130J Super Hercules during an aerial refueling mission over the Atlantic Ocean Sept. 7, 2016. The mission of Marine Aerial Refueler Transport Squadron 252 is to support the Marine Air Ground Task Force commander by providing air-to-air refueling, assault support, and offensive air support, day or night under all weather conditions during expeditionary, joint, or combined operations. VMGR-252 conducted aerial refuels for AV-8B Prowlers, EA-6B Harriers, and F-35B Lightnings off the coast of North Carolina to provide routine training for both the pilots and crew members. (U.S. Marine Corps Photo by Lance Cpl. Mackenzie Gibson/Released)

Sgt. Austin Cardwell walks out of a tent in front of a Tactical Elevated Antenna Mast System during a field exercise conducted by Alpha Company, Marine Wing Communications Squadron 28, aboard Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point, N.C., Aug. 23, 2016. The two-week exercise occurs annually to satisfy training and readiness requirements and serve as an opportunity for Marines to reaffirm previously learned skillsets. Cardwell is a cyber-network operator with MWCS-28. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Jason Jimenez/Released) - Sgt. Austin Cardwell walks out of a tent in front of a Tactical Elevated Antenna Mast System during a field exercise conducted by Alpha Company, Marine Wing Communications Squadron 28, aboard Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point, N.C., Aug. 23, 2016. The two-week exercise occurs annually to satisfy training and readiness requirements and serve as an opportunity for Marines to reaffirm previously learned skillsets. Cardwell is a cyber-network operator with MWCS-28. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Jason Jimenez/Released)

Headquarters and Headquarters Squadron’s leadership critique culinary products during the H&HS Chef of the Quarter Competition aboard Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point, N.C., Aug. 18, 2016. The quarterly competition tests food service specialists on the taste of their food, plate display, table appearance and culinary knowledge based on the anniversary theme they were given. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Jason Jimenez/Released) - Headquarters and Headquarters Squadron’s leadership critique culinary products during the H&HS Chef of the Quarter Competition aboard Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point, N.C., Aug. 18, 2016. The quarterly competition tests food service specialists on the taste of their food, plate display, table appearance and culinary knowledge based on the anniversary theme they were given. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Jason Jimenez/Released)

Lance Cpl. Evian T. Jackson Participates in a pull-up event during the 75th anniversary field meet competition at Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point, N.C., Aug. 12, 2016. Headquarters and Headquarters Squadron, Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point, and Marine Wing Headquarters Squadron 2, 2nd Marine Aircraft Wing, Marines of all ranks and ages came together to compete in numerous events testing their strength, teamwork and unit spirit. Some of the events the competitors participated in include: an all ranks relay, rifle relay race, unit soccer, a 7-ton pull and more. Jackson is an administrative specialist with H&HS. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. N.W. Huertas/Released) - Lance Cpl. Evian T. Jackson Participates in a pull-up event during the 75th anniversary field meet competition at Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point, N.C., Aug. 12, 2016. Headquarters and Headquarters Squadron, Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point, and Marine Wing Headquarters Squadron 2, 2nd Marine Aircraft Wing, Marines of all ranks and ages came together to compete in numerous events testing their strength, teamwork and unit spirit. Some of the events the competitors participated in include: an all ranks relay, rifle relay race, unit soccer, a 7-ton pull and more. Jackson is an administrative specialist with H&HS. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. N.W. Huertas/Released)