Stories

Senior leaders cut a ceremonial ribbon during a ribbon cutting ceremony at Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point, N.C., June 24, 2016. Marine Air Support Squadron 1 received a new, state-of-the-art facility to support several of its units, including the communications, electronics, headquarters and service, and air support company, as well as the unit’s supply section. The complex, which represents a new era of technology for the squadron and the Marine Corps, supports better quality training operations using a new battle lab capable of recreating realistic training missions with outside entities or other communications assets. MASS-1 is an aviation command and control unit responsible for the planning, receiving, coordination and processing of requests for direct or close air support. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. N.W. Huertas/Released) - Senior leaders cut a ceremonial ribbon during a ribbon cutting ceremony at Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point, N.C., June 24, 2016. Marine Air Support Squadron 1 received a new, state-of-the-art facility to support several of its units, including the communications, electronics, headquarters and service, and air support company, as well as the unit’s supply section. The complex, which represents a new era of technology for the squadron and the Marine Corps, supports better quality training operations using a new battle lab capable of recreating realistic training missions with outside entities or other communications assets. MASS-1 is an aviation command and control unit responsible for the planning, receiving, coordination and processing of requests for direct or close air support. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. N.W. Huertas/Released)

Curtis Hartley, left, works with a Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point Public Works Department employee to replace a window during Protégé Day at MCAS Cherry Point, N.C., June 22, 2016. Protégé Day has been an annual event since it began in 2013. The purpose of Protégé Day is to give individuals with disabilities the opportunity to match up with professionals in their desired career fields for a day, in order to gain a better understanding of civilian jobs available aboard the air station. Hartley is a resident of the Carteret County Vocational Rehabilitation Center. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Mackenzie Gibson/Released) - Curtis Hartley, left, works with a Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point Public Works Department employee to replace a window during Protégé Day at MCAS Cherry Point, N.C., June 22, 2016. Protégé Day has been an annual event since it began in 2013. The purpose of Protégé Day is to give individuals with disabilities the opportunity to match up with professionals in their desired career fields for a day, in order to gain a better understanding of civilian jobs available aboard the air station. Hartley is a resident of the Carteret County Vocational Rehabilitation Center. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Mackenzie Gibson/Released)

Lieutenant Colonel David B. Moore, (right), the commanding officer of Marine Light Attack Helicopter Squadron 467, and Sgt. Maj. John M. Kennedy, the squadron sergeant major, shake hands for the last time serving as the unit's leaders during the deactivation ceremony of HMLA-467 at Marine Corps Air Station New River, N.C., June 16, 2016. The squadron served in numerous theaters to include supporting unit deployment programs in Japan, attaching to Marine Expeditionary Units, and providing security to ground troops during Operation Enduring Freedom in Afghanistan. - Lieutenant Colonel David B. Moore, (right), the commanding officer of Marine Light Attack Helicopter Squadron 467, and Sgt. Maj. John M. Kennedy, the squadron sergeant major, shake hands for the last time serving as the unit's leaders during the deactivation ceremony of HMLA-467 at Marine Corps Air Station New River, N.C., June 16, 2016. The squadron served in numerous theaters to include supporting unit deployment programs in Japan, attaching to Marine Expeditionary Units, and providing security to ground troops during Operation Enduring Freedom in Afghanistan.

Marines with Marine Attack Training Squadron 203 conduct maintenance inside an AV-8B Harrier at Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point, N.C., June 8, 2016. During the past three years, VMAT-203 has trained more than 130 AV-8B pilots and 2,000 AV-8B maintenance personnel. Within that time period, the squadron has flown over 12,000 flight hours, participated in four deployments for instructor and student training and received the Commandant's Aviation Efficiency Award. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. N.W. Huertas/ Released) - Marines with Marine Attack Training Squadron 203 conduct maintenance inside an AV-8B Harrier at Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point, N.C., June 8, 2016. During the past three years, VMAT-203 has trained more than 130 AV-8B pilots and 2,000 AV-8B maintenance personnel. Within that time period, the squadron has flown over 12,000 flight hours, participated in four deployments for instructor and student training and received the Commandant's Aviation Efficiency Award. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. N.W. Huertas/ Released)

Lt. Cmdr. Paul Greer, left, and Lt. Cmdr. Brian L. Jacobson have each recieved the Military Chaplains Association Distinguished Service Award while serving as chaplains at 2nd Marine Aircraft Wing. Greer was recognized for the 2016 Award while Jacobson was the 2015 recipient. The award recognizes one representative from each branch of service for their performance and dedication to the troops while serving as a chaplain. (U.S. Marine Corps photo illustration by Lance Cpl. Mackenzie Gibson/Released) - Lt. Cmdr. Paul Greer, left, and Lt. Cmdr. Brian L. Jacobson have each recieved the Military Chaplains Association Distinguished Service Award while serving as chaplains at 2nd Marine Aircraft Wing. Greer was recognized for the 2016 Award while Jacobson was the 2015 recipient. The award recognizes one representative from each branch of service for their performance and dedication to the troops while serving as a chaplain. (U.S. Marine Corps photo illustration by Lance Cpl. Mackenzie Gibson/Released)

Marines with the 2nd Marine Aircraft Wing perform a pass-in-review for new commanding general, Brig. Gen. Matthew G. Glavy during the 2nd MAW change of command ceremony at Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point, N.C., June 9, 2016. Maj. Gen. Gary L. Thomas relinquished his post as the 2nd MAW commanding general to Glavy during the ceremony. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. N. W. Huertas/Released) - Marines with the 2nd Marine Aircraft Wing perform a pass-in-review for new commanding general, Brig. Gen. Matthew G. Glavy during the 2nd MAW change of command ceremony at Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point, N.C., June 9, 2016. Maj. Gen. Gary L. Thomas relinquished his post as the 2nd MAW commanding general to Glavy during the ceremony. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. N. W. Huertas/Released)

Col. Chris C. Pappas III addresses a crowd during a Voluntary Protection Program Gold status achievement ceremony at Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point, N.C., May 27, 2016. Six departments were among the first to achieve Gold status within MCAS Cherry Point VPP. Gold status is achieved when all safety protocols implemented by the VPP are completed and maintained. Some of those requirements involve monthly supervisor inspections, achieving 90-percent medical surveillance or higher, completing VPP passports and completing Occupational Safety and Health Administration training. Pappas is the air station commanding officer. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. N.W. Huertas/ Released) - Col. Chris C. Pappas III addresses a crowd during a Voluntary Protection Program Gold status achievement ceremony at Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point, N.C., May 27, 2016. Six departments were among the first to achieve Gold status within MCAS Cherry Point VPP. Gold status is achieved when all safety protocols implemented by the VPP are completed and maintained. Some of those requirements involve monthly supervisor inspections, achieving 90-percent medical surveillance or higher, completing VPP passports and completing Occupational Safety and Health Administration training. Pappas is the air station commanding officer. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. N.W. Huertas/ Released)

Col. Chris Pappas III, left, shakes hands with Sen. Thom Tillis at the mess hall during a visit at Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point, N.C., June 1, 2016. Tillis visited the air station to address the needs and priorities of the base, and assess the Marine Corps’ presence in North Carolina. Tillis also toured Fleet Readiness Center East. Pappas is the commanding officer of MCAS Cherry Point, and Tillis is a North Carolina senator. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Mackenzie Gibson/Released) - Col. Chris Pappas III, left, shakes hands with Sen. Thom Tillis at the mess hall during a visit at Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point, N.C., June 1, 2016. Tillis visited the air station to address the needs and priorities of the base, and assess the Marine Corps’ presence in North Carolina. Tillis also toured Fleet Readiness Center East. Pappas is the commanding officer of MCAS Cherry Point, and Tillis is a North Carolina senator. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Mackenzie Gibson/Released)

Lt. Gen. John M. Davis, right, Deputy Commandant for Aviation, joins senior leaders across the aviation community on stage during a winging ceremony at New Bern, N.C., May 19, 2016. Naval aviators received the prestigious honor of receiving an iconic emblem, depicting the culmination of years of training, perseverance and sacrifice. Pilots and crewmen receive wings once they complete their respective training requirements and are then designated to join the fleet as an operational Marine Corps asset. The winging ceremony took place during the 45th Annual Marine Corps Aviation Association Symposium and Marine Corps Aviation Summit. ( U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. N.W. Huertas/ Released) - Lt. Gen. John M. Davis, right, Deputy Commandant for Aviation, joins senior leaders across the aviation community on stage during a winging ceremony at New Bern, N.C., May 19, 2016. Naval aviators received the prestigious honor of receiving an iconic emblem, depicting the culmination of years of training, perseverance and sacrifice. Pilots and crewmen receive wings once they complete their respective training requirements and are then designated to join the fleet as an operational Marine Corps asset. The winging ceremony took place during the 45th Annual Marine Corps Aviation Association Symposium and Marine Corps Aviation Summit. ( U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. N.W. Huertas/ Released)

Cpl. Brian J. Koons plays a tuba during the Salute to the Troops event in Garner, N.C., May 22, 2016. Comprised of more than 40 Marines, the 2nd MAW band strives to share the Marine Corps’ traditions, values and esprit de corps with the local community. The band also supports local military units and squadrons by performing for change of command ceremonies, retirements, and other military events. Koons is a Tuba player with the 2nd MAW Band. - Cpl. Brian J. Koons plays a tuba during the Salute to the Troops event in Garner, N.C., May 22, 2016. Comprised of more than 40 Marines, the 2nd MAW band strives to share the Marine Corps’ traditions, values and esprit de corps with the local community. The band also supports local military units and squadrons by performing for change of command ceremonies, retirements, and other military events. Koons is a Tuba player with the 2nd MAW Band.