Stories

A Marine with Company B, Marine Wing Communications Squadron 28 stands guard during a communications field exercise at Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point, N.C., March 3, 2016. MWCS-28 incorporates numerous systems ranging from single-channel radios to systems with an emphasis on interoperability and beyond line-of-sight communications for a broad spectrum of information services. During the exercise, Bravo Company provided their own Tactical Air Operations Center, Tactical Air Command Center and simulated unmanned aerial vehicle squadron requests, giving the Marines a broader understanding on what roles requesting agencies play during operations within a communications squadron. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Pfc. Nicholas P. Baird/Released) - A Marine with Company B, Marine Wing Communications Squadron 28 stands guard during a communications field exercise at Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point, N.C., March 3, 2016. MWCS-28 incorporates numerous systems ranging from single-channel radios to systems with an emphasis on interoperability and beyond line-of-sight communications for a broad spectrum of information services. During the exercise, Bravo Company provided their own Tactical Air Operations Center, Tactical Air Command Center and simulated unmanned aerial vehicle squadron requests, giving the Marines a broader understanding on what roles requesting agencies play during operations within a communications squadron. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Pfc. Nicholas P. Baird/Released)

Four EA-6B Prowlers belonging to each Prowler squadron aboard Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point conducted a "Final Four" division flight aboard the air station March 1, 2016. The "Final Four" flight is the last time the Prowler squadrons will be flying together before the official retirement of Marine Tactical Electronic Warfare Training Squadron 1 at the end of Fiscal Year 16 and the eventual transition to "MAGTF EW". MAGTF EW is a more distributed strategy where every platform contributes to the EW mission, enabling relevant tactical information to move throughout the electromagnetic spectrum and across the battlefield faster than ever before. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Mackenzie Gibson/Released) - Four EA-6B Prowlers belonging to each Prowler squadron aboard Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point conducted a "Final Four" division flight aboard the air station March 1, 2016. The "Final Four" flight is the last time the Prowler squadrons will be flying together before the official retirement of Marine Tactical Electronic Warfare Training Squadron 1 at the end of Fiscal Year 16 and the eventual transition to "MAGTF EW". MAGTF EW is a more distributed strategy where every platform contributes to the EW mission, enabling relevant tactical information to move throughout the electromagnetic spectrum and across the battlefield faster than ever before. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Mackenzie Gibson/Released)

Marines and Sailors with Marine Transport Squadron 1 (VMR-1) swim towards an HH-46E Sea Knight helicopter (Pedro), also with VMR-1, during water survival training aboard Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point. VMR-1 provides search and rescue support to MCAS Cherry Point based aircraft as well as short and medium range rapid response transport of key personnel and critical logistics. (U.S. Marine Corps official photo by Lance Cpl Steve Acuff/Released) - Marines and Sailors with Marine Transport Squadron 1 (VMR-1) swim towards an HH-46E Sea Knight helicopter (Pedro), also with VMR-1, during water survival training aboard Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point. VMR-1 provides search and rescue support to MCAS Cherry Point based aircraft as well as short and medium range rapid response transport of key personnel and critical logistics. (U.S. Marine Corps official photo by Lance Cpl Steve Acuff/Released)

Lance Cpl. Kevin S. Millican stands security during casualty evacuation drills at Fort Stewart, S.C., Feb. 25, 2016. During the exercise, Marines trained in events such as casualty evacuation, assault support missions and aerial refueling, proving the Marine Air-Ground Task Force is a highly effective combat force. Millican is a rifleman with 3rd Battalion, 6th Marine Regiment. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Pfc. Nicholas P. Baird/Released) - Lance Cpl. Kevin S. Millican stands security during casualty evacuation drills at Fort Stewart, S.C., Feb. 25, 2016. During the exercise, Marines trained in events such as casualty evacuation, assault support missions and aerial refueling, proving the Marine Air-Ground Task Force is a highly effective combat force. Millican is a rifleman with 3rd Battalion, 6th Marine Regiment. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Pfc. Nicholas P. Baird/Released)

Pictured here with Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point’s commanding officer Col. Chris Pappas III and Sgt. Maj. Benjamin Pangborn are volunteers with the Navy Marine Corps Relief Society were recognized for their volunteer service during the Navy-Marine Corps Relief Society and Cherry Point Volunteer Awards and Recognition Ceremony at MCAS Cherry Point, N.C., Feb. 22, 2016. The ceremony was held to honor the volunteers for their dedicated service and the countless hours they have contributed to the progression of Marines and Sailors with Cherry Point and the 2nd Marine Aircraft Wing. Last year, the organization was able to provide assistance to over 1,100 service members. The NMCRS provides financial, educational and other need-based assistance to service members needing assistance. Pappas is the Commanding officer and Pangborn is the sergeant major, both of MCAS Cherry Point. - Pictured here with Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point’s commanding officer Col. Chris Pappas III and Sgt. Maj. Benjamin Pangborn are volunteers with the Navy Marine Corps Relief Society were recognized for their volunteer service during the Navy-Marine Corps Relief Society and Cherry Point Volunteer Awards and Recognition Ceremony at MCAS Cherry Point, N.C., Feb. 22, 2016. The ceremony was held to honor the volunteers for their dedicated service and the countless hours they have contributed to the progression of Marines and Sailors with Cherry Point and the 2nd Marine Aircraft Wing. Last year, the organization was able to provide assistance to over 1,100 service members. The NMCRS provides financial, educational and other need-based assistance to service members needing assistance. Pappas is the Commanding officer and Pangborn is the sergeant major, both of MCAS Cherry Point.

Lance Cpl. Nikolas Raven tests simulated biohazards during a mock training drill at Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point, N.C., Feb. 19, 2016. Marines with with Marine Wing Headquarters Squadron 2, Marine Aircraft Group 14 and Marine Aircraft Group 28 took part in a three-day long training exercise where Marines honed their skills with their equipment and knowledge of protocol. Marines conducted live radiological training at Marine Corps Outlying Field Atlantic as part of additional training to prepare them for any potential situation that may arise in the future and concluded the exercice with a debrief at MCAS Cherry Point. Raven is a chemical, biological, radiological nuclear defense specialist with MWHS-2. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. N.W. Huertas/Released) - Lance Cpl. Nikolas Raven tests simulated biohazards during a mock training drill at Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point, N.C., Feb. 19, 2016. Marines with with Marine Wing Headquarters Squadron 2, Marine Aircraft Group 14 and Marine Aircraft Group 28 took part in a three-day long training exercise where Marines honed their skills with their equipment and knowledge of protocol. Marines conducted live radiological training at Marine Corps Outlying Field Atlantic as part of additional training to prepare them for any potential situation that may arise in the future and concluded the exercice with a debrief at MCAS Cherry Point. Raven is a chemical, biological, radiological nuclear defense specialist with MWHS-2. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. N.W. Huertas/Released)

1st Lt. David Cox congratulates a graduate at the conclusion of Squadron Intelligence Training and Certification Course at Mid Atlantic Electronic Warfare Range, N.C., Feb. 12, 2016. To date, the course has certified more than 300 Marines enabling them to better integrate into the Marine Air-Ground Task Force. Cox is the officer in charge of the SITCC. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Jason Jimenez/Released) - 1st Lt. David Cox congratulates a graduate at the conclusion of Squadron Intelligence Training and Certification Course at Mid Atlantic Electronic Warfare Range, N.C., Feb. 12, 2016. To date, the course has certified more than 300 Marines enabling them to better integrate into the Marine Air-Ground Task Force. Cox is the officer in charge of the SITCC. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Jason Jimenez/Released)

Marines with Marine Air Support Squadron 1 participate in Direct Air Support Center and Tactical Air Command Center Drill 3-16 at Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point, N.C., Feb. 16, 2016. During the drill, Marines assessed and shaped MASS-1’s new Battle Lab application as continuity of operations for the Wing Operations Center. The Battle Lab is capable of providing a dedicated, continuous training system for MASS-1 and Marine Air Command Group 28 that will enable integration between fellow Marine Air Command and Control System agencies. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Pfc. Nicholas P. Baird/Released) - Marines with Marine Air Support Squadron 1 participate in Direct Air Support Center and Tactical Air Command Center Drill 3-16 at Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point, N.C., Feb. 16, 2016. During the drill, Marines assessed and shaped MASS-1’s new Battle Lab application as continuity of operations for the Wing Operations Center. The Battle Lab is capable of providing a dedicated, continuous training system for MASS-1 and Marine Air Command Group 28 that will enable integration between fellow Marine Air Command and Control System agencies. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Pfc. Nicholas P. Baird/Released)

Staff Sgt. Jeremiah Gaulitz operates the controls during aerial refueling mission over the Atlantic Ocean Feb. 11, 2016. Marine Aerial Refueler Transport Squadron 252 conducted aerial refuels off the North Carolina coast to provide routine training for both pilots and crew members. Aerial refueling enables aircraft with short ranges of flight to significantly extend their operational reach. This capability enables missions to be executed more efficiently, which gives the pilots the ability to provide quicker and more extensive support to the Marines on the ground. Guilitz is a crew master with the squadron. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. N.W. Huertas/Released) - Staff Sgt. Jeremiah Gaulitz operates the controls during aerial refueling mission over the Atlantic Ocean Feb. 11, 2016. Marine Aerial Refueler Transport Squadron 252 conducted aerial refuels off the North Carolina coast to provide routine training for both pilots and crew members. Aerial refueling enables aircraft with short ranges of flight to significantly extend their operational reach. This capability enables missions to be executed more efficiently, which gives the pilots the ability to provide quicker and more extensive support to the Marines on the ground. Guilitz is a crew master with the squadron. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. N.W. Huertas/Released)