Stories

Cpl. Tyrone Little stirs pasta in a field expedient kitchen at Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point, N.C., Jan. 20, 2016. Food service specialists with Marine Wing Support Squadron 274 compete for the Maj. Gen. William Pendleton Thompson Hill Food Service Award. In a field-like environment, the Marines set up a field expedient kitchen and cooked various entrées in hopes of winning the title of Best Field Mess Award. The Marines were inspected on sanitation, preparation and meal production. Little is a food service specialist with MWSS-274. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Unique Roberts/ Released) - Cpl. Tyrone Little stirs pasta in a field expedient kitchen at Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point, N.C., Jan. 20, 2016. Food service specialists with Marine Wing Support Squadron 274 compete for the Maj. Gen. William Pendleton Thompson Hill Food Service Award. In a field-like environment, the Marines set up a field expedient kitchen and cooked various entrées in hopes of winning the title of Best Field Mess Award. The Marines were inspected on sanitation, preparation and meal production. Little is a food service specialist with MWSS-274. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Unique Roberts/ Released)

Lance Cpl. Joshua B. Gilmore sets his azimuth to the next point during a land navigation course at Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point, N.C., Jan. 13, 2016. During the 19-point course, 20 Marines with Marine Wing Support Squadron 274’s Engineer Company, Heavy Equipment Platoon headed to the field to re-experience the basic land navigation process. The course was a refresher for most of the Marines, who have not used land navigation since Marine Combat Training. Gilmore is an engineer equipment operator with MWSS-274. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Pfc. Nicholas P. Baird/Released) - Lance Cpl. Joshua B. Gilmore sets his azimuth to the next point during a land navigation course at Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point, N.C., Jan. 13, 2016. During the 19-point course, 20 Marines with Marine Wing Support Squadron 274’s Engineer Company, Heavy Equipment Platoon headed to the field to re-experience the basic land navigation process. The course was a refresher for most of the Marines, who have not used land navigation since Marine Combat Training. Gilmore is an engineer equipment operator with MWSS-274. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Pfc. Nicholas P. Baird/Released)

Sergeant Maj. James D. Vealey is congratulated by fellow Marines after being awarded the Meritorious Service Medal for outstanding meritorious service while serving as Sergeant Major of Combat Logistics Battalion 3, Combat Logistics Regiment 3, 3rd Marine Logistics Group, III Marine Expeditionary Force from May 2013 – July 2015 during a ceremony at Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point, Jan 8. Vealey is the sergeant major of Marine Wing Headquarters Squadron 2. (U.S. Marine Corps Photo by Sgt. Grace L. Waladkewics/Released) - Sergeant Maj. James D. Vealey is congratulated by fellow Marines after being awarded the Meritorious Service Medal for outstanding meritorious service while serving as Sergeant Major of Combat Logistics Battalion 3, Combat Logistics Regiment 3, 3rd Marine Logistics Group, III Marine Expeditionary Force from May 2013 – July 2015 during a ceremony at Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point, Jan 8. Vealey is the sergeant major of Marine Wing Headquarters Squadron 2. (U.S. Marine Corps Photo by Sgt. Grace L. Waladkewics/Released)

Col. Eric E. Austin congratulates Marine Aviation Logistics Squadron 14 Marines for reaching the Deputy Commandant of Aviation's goal of 155 available Harrier engines at Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point, N.C., Dec. 18, 2015. That number was determined by considering the number of Harriers still in the fleet along with the number of spares that are required around the world to keep the Harrier community in the air. Austin is the commanding officer for Marine Aircraft Group 14. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Jason Jimenez/Released) - Col. Eric E. Austin congratulates Marine Aviation Logistics Squadron 14 Marines for reaching the Deputy Commandant of Aviation's goal of 155 available Harrier engines at Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point, N.C., Dec. 18, 2015. That number was determined by considering the number of Harriers still in the fleet along with the number of spares that are required around the world to keep the Harrier community in the air. Austin is the commanding officer for Marine Aircraft Group 14. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Jason Jimenez/Released)

Scarlett M. looks at a rubber duck during the 7th annual Winter Wonderland at Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point, N.C., Dec. 11, 2015. More than 700 Marines, Sailors and family members participate in the event. Winter Wonderland was hosted by Marine Aircraft Group 14 to foster camaraderie and increase esprit de corps within MAG-14 subordinate commands. - Scarlett M. looks at a rubber duck during the 7th annual Winter Wonderland at Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point, N.C., Dec. 11, 2015. More than 700 Marines, Sailors and family members participate in the event. Winter Wonderland was hosted by Marine Aircraft Group 14 to foster camaraderie and increase esprit de corps within MAG-14 subordinate commands.

Sgt. Shawn H. Rose accepts a certificate of appreciation from George S. Liner to honor Rose for becoming the New Bern Military Alliance and Chamber of Commerce Service Person of the Quarter, Dec. 10, 2015, at the New Bern Country Club in New Bern, N.C. Rose arrived at the air station in June and was promptly assigned as the unit’s Single Marine Program representative, which has given him several opportunities to contribute to the community. Rose is an aircraft electrical systems technician with Marine Attack Squadron 542, and Liner is a Craven County Commissioner. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Pfc. Nicholas P. Baird/Released) - Sgt. Shawn H. Rose accepts a certificate of appreciation from George S. Liner to honor Rose for becoming the New Bern Military Alliance and Chamber of Commerce Service Person of the Quarter, Dec. 10, 2015, at the New Bern Country Club in New Bern, N.C. Rose arrived at the air station in June and was promptly assigned as the unit’s Single Marine Program representative, which has given him several opportunities to contribute to the community. Rose is an aircraft electrical systems technician with Marine Attack Squadron 542, and Liner is a Craven County Commissioner. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Pfc. Nicholas P. Baird/Released)

Lance Cpl. Quentin J. Stallings, left, and Lance Cpl. Kyle H. Clemens, right, configure the settings on a water pump and filter at Marine Corps Auxiliary Landing Field Bogue, N.C., Dec. 9, 2015. Marines with Marine Wing Support Squadron 271’s Engineer Company participated in a cantonment and capabilities field exercise to practice and improve their knowledge of their jobs while in a deployed environment. The weeklong exercise featured events such as airfield damage repair, water purification, medium and heavy lifting missions, with the construction of an expedient road for a vertical take-off and landing aircraft pad. Stallings and Clemens are both water support technicians with MWSS-271. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Pfc. Nicholas P. Baird/Released) - Lance Cpl. Quentin J. Stallings, left, and Lance Cpl. Kyle H. Clemens, right, configure the settings on a water pump and filter at Marine Corps Auxiliary Landing Field Bogue, N.C., Dec. 9, 2015. Marines with Marine Wing Support Squadron 271’s Engineer Company participated in a cantonment and capabilities field exercise to practice and improve their knowledge of their jobs while in a deployed environment. The weeklong exercise featured events such as airfield damage repair, water purification, medium and heavy lifting missions, with the construction of an expedient road for a vertical take-off and landing aircraft pad. Stallings and Clemens are both water support technicians with MWSS-271. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Pfc. Nicholas P. Baird/Released)

Lance Cpl. Jesus Gallaga ties a tree to a vehicle during the 10th annual trees for troops event at Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point, N.C., Dec. 8, 2015. More than 400 free trees were distributed to service members and their families as a symbol of brotherhood and appreciation from the community during the holiday season. Gallaga is a bulk fuel specialist with Marine Wing Support Squadron 274. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. N.W. Huertas/Released) - Lance Cpl. Jesus Gallaga ties a tree to a vehicle during the 10th annual trees for troops event at Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point, N.C., Dec. 8, 2015. More than 400 free trees were distributed to service members and their families as a symbol of brotherhood and appreciation from the community during the holiday season. Gallaga is a bulk fuel specialist with Marine Wing Support Squadron 274. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. N.W. Huertas/Released)

Jocelyn Jakubowski kicks off the 16th annual Christmas tree lighting at Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point, N.C., Dec. 4, 2015. The event featured holiday music, refreshments, door prizes, visits from Santa and the lighting of a Christmas tree. The purpose of the event was to kick off the holiday season, and support the military families at MCAS Cherry Point. Jakubowski is the director of Marine Corps Family Team Building at the air station. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Pfc. Nicholas P. Baird/ Released) - Jocelyn Jakubowski kicks off the 16th annual Christmas tree lighting at Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point, N.C., Dec. 4, 2015. The event featured holiday music, refreshments, door prizes, visits from Santa and the lighting of a Christmas tree. The purpose of the event was to kick off the holiday season, and support the military families at MCAS Cherry Point. Jakubowski is the director of Marine Corps Family Team Building at the air station. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Pfc. Nicholas P. Baird/ Released)

The 2nd Marine Aircraft Wing Commanding General, Maj. Gen. Gary L. Thomas carries his partner during a combat fitness test at Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point, N.C., Dec. 4, 2015. The CFT is an annual requirement for all Marines to assess their physical capacity in a broad spectrum of combat-related tasks. 2nd MAW Marines maintain their combat readiness year-round in order to provide continuous support to the Marine Air-Ground Task Force. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. N.W. Huertas/Released) - The 2nd Marine Aircraft Wing Commanding General, Maj. Gen. Gary L. Thomas carries his partner during a combat fitness test at Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point, N.C., Dec. 4, 2015. The CFT is an annual requirement for all Marines to assess their physical capacity in a broad spectrum of combat-related tasks. 2nd MAW Marines maintain their combat readiness year-round in order to provide continuous support to the Marine Air-Ground Task Force. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. N.W. Huertas/Released)