Stories

Participants wait in line as they prepare to taste chili from Nana’s Famous Chili booth during the 34th annual Havelock Chili Festival hosted by the Havelock Chamber of Commerce at the Walter B. Jones Park in Havelock, N.C., Oct. 16, 2015. Along with the assistance of Marine volunteers and other volunteers, the chamber raises funds for local charities and sees who has the best chili and Buffalo wings. The winner goes on to compete in the International World Chili Championship. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Jason Jimenez/Released) - Participants wait in line as they prepare to taste chili from Nana’s Famous Chili booth during the 34th annual Havelock Chili Festival hosted by the Havelock Chamber of Commerce at the Walter B. Jones Park in Havelock, N.C., Oct. 16, 2015. Along with the assistance of Marine volunteers and other volunteers, the chamber raises funds for local charities and sees who has the best chili and Buffalo wings. The winner goes on to compete in the International World Chili Championship. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Jason Jimenez/Released)

Marines receive their designated routes during an Incidental Humvee Licensing Course at Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point, N.C., Oct. 15, 2015. Marine Wing Support Squadron 274 Marines underwent an extensive course that covered basic operational skills, vehicle capabilities, emergency procedures and first echelon mechanics. The Humvee has many versatile roles throughout the Marine Corps. Taking licensing courses to qualify Marines of different occupational fields helps expand their skill sets while allowing their unit to be more self-sufficient. - Marines receive their designated routes during an Incidental Humvee Licensing Course at Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point, N.C., Oct. 15, 2015. Marine Wing Support Squadron 274 Marines underwent an extensive course that covered basic operational skills, vehicle capabilities, emergency procedures and first echelon mechanics. The Humvee has many versatile roles throughout the Marine Corps. Taking licensing courses to qualify Marines of different occupational fields helps expand their skill sets while allowing their unit to be more self-sufficient.(U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. N.W. Huertas/ Released)

Battling the heat from the flames, Aircraft Rescue and Firefighting Marines extinguish some of their first fuel fires at Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point, N.C., Oct. 16, 2015. The training exercise taught the new Marines to battle the heat and keep pushing until they annihilate the flames, as well as get used to the environment of a real fire. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Pfc. Nicholas P. Baird/ Released) - Battling the heat from the flames, Aircraft Rescue and Firefighting Marines extinguish some of their first fuel fires at Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point, N.C., Oct. 16, 2015. The training exercise taught the new Marines to battle the heat and keep pushing until they annihilate the flames, as well as get used to the environment of a real fire. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Pfc. Nicholas P. Baird/ Released)

2nd Marine Aircraft Wing Marines initiate and assist with flight requests during Wing Exercise 15 at Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point, North Carolina, Oct.13, 2015. Performing defensive and offensive measures to counter both traditional and irregular threats based on today’s real world adversaries, the Marines and Sailors learned to work together to accomplish various missions by conducting Tactical Air Command Center operations during Wing Exercise 15, at Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point, North Carolina, Oct. 13-16. - 2nd Marine Aircraft Wing Marines initiate and assist with flight requests during Wing Exercise 15 at Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point, North Carolina, Oct.13, 2015. Performing defensive and offensive measures to counter both traditional and irregular threats based on today’s real world adversaries, the Marines and Sailors learned to work together to accomplish various missions by conducting Tactical Air Command Center operations during Wing Exercise 15, at Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point, North Carolina, Oct. 13-16.

Vanessa Arreola lifts up Staff Sgt. Jessica Coit during the second annual Jayne and John Wayne Day hosted by Marine Aviation Logistics Squadron 14 at Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point, N.C., Oct. 9, 2015. Family members toured their service member’s workspaces, participate in a portion of the Marines’ Combat Fitness Test and turned a few wrenches all to build relationships with the command, meet other families and build camaraderie with the unit. MALS-14 provides aviation logistics support, guidance, and direction to Marine Aircraft Group 14 squadrons including maintenance for aircraft and aeronautical components. Arreola is a spouse of Capt. Agustin Arreola, the MALS-14 operations officer. Coit is the substance abuse control officer with the squadron. - Vanessa Arreola lifts up Staff Sgt. Jessica Coit during the second annual Jayne and John Wayne Day hosted by Marine Aviation Logistics Squadron 14 at Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point, N.C., Oct. 9, 2015. Family members toured their service member’s workspaces, participate in a portion of the Marines’ Combat Fitness Test and turned a few wrenches all to build relationships with the command, meet other families and build camaraderie with the unit. MALS-14 provides aviation logistics support, guidance, and direction to Marine Aircraft Group 14 squadrons including maintenance for aircraft and aeronautical components. Arreola is a spouse of Capt. Agustin Arreola, the MALS-14 operations officer. Coit is the substance abuse control officer with the squadron.

Service members and their guests roam the shoreline during the Military Fun Day at Cape Lookout Island, N.C., Oct. 9, 2015. The Carteret Military Affairs Committee hosted more than 80 service members and their guests during their visit to the Waterfowl Museum and Cape Lookout as a day of appreciation for service members and the dedication they uphold to their duties. - Service members and their guests roam the shoreline during the Military Fun Day at Cape Lookout Island, N.C., Oct. 9, 2015. The Carteret Military Affairs Committee hosted more than 80 service members and their guests during their visit to the Waterfowl Museum and Cape Lookout as a day of appreciation for service members and the dedication they uphold to their duties.

Lance Cpl. Larry Moore presents the food he prepared to the judges of the Chef of the Year Competition at Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point, N.C., Oct. 8, 2015. Four Marines competed for the Chef of the Year title after completing the Chef of the Quarter Competition throughout this past year. The competition put the young chefs out of their comfort zones and pushed them to their limits. Moore is a food service specialist with Headquarters and Headquarters Squadron. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Pfc. Nicholas P. Baird/ Released) - Lance Cpl. Larry Moore presents the food he prepared to the judges of the Chef of the Year Competition at Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point, N.C., Oct. 8, 2015. Four Marines competed for the Chef of the Year title after completing the Chef of the Quarter Competition throughout this past year. The competition put the young chefs out of their comfort zones and pushed them to their limits. Moore is a food service specialist with Headquarters and Headquarters Squadron. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Pfc. Nicholas P. Baird/ Released)

Marines check out the engine of the Black’s Tire and Services race car during the Fall Chicken Picking at Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point, North Carolina, Oct. 7, 2015. The event was held to enhance relationships between the New Bern community and the service members at the air station. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Pfc. Nicholas P. Baird/ Released) - Marines check out the engine of the Black’s Tire and Services race car during the Fall Chicken Picking at Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point, North Carolina, Oct. 7, 2015. The event was held to enhance relationships between the New Bern community and the service members at the air station. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Pfc. Nicholas P. Baird/ Released)

Staff Sgt. Harrison Porquin fires a rifle at a moving target during a skeet range at Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point, N.C., Oct. 7, 2015. Marines with 2nd Low Altitude Air Defense Battalion held a weapons safety class and participated in the range as part of their Firearms Mentorship Program to promote proper weapons safety and education in a recreational manor. The program allows Marines to maintain their basic rifleman skills and receive further education on safety measures while handling weapons. Porquin is a warehouse chief with the battalion. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. N.W. Huertas/Released) - Staff Sgt. Harrison Porquin fires a rifle at a moving target during a skeet range at Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point, N.C., Oct. 7, 2015. Marines with 2nd Low Altitude Air Defense Battalion held a weapons safety class and participated in the range as part of their Firearms Mentorship Program to promote proper weapons safety and education in a recreational manor. The program allows Marines to maintain their basic rifleman skills and receive further education on safety measures while handling weapons. Porquin is a warehouse chief with the battalion. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. N.W. Huertas/Released)

Marines flip tires during a Super Squad Competition hosted by Marine Wing Communications Squadron 28 at Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point, N.C., Oct. 7, 2015. With a total of seven stations to complete, the Marines powered through physical fatigue, 200 pull-ups divided amongst each individual squad member and memory-challenging exercises. Their ability to work as a team and function under stressful scenarios enables them to provide outstanding support to the Marine Air-Ground Task Force. MWCS-28 provides expeditionary communications for the Aviation Combat Element of the II Marine Expeditionary Force. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Jason Jimenez/Released) - Marines flip tires during a Super Squad Competition hosted by Marine Wing Communications Squadron 28 at Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point, N.C., Oct. 7, 2015. With a total of seven stations to complete, the Marines powered through physical fatigue, 200 pull-ups divided amongst each individual squad member and memory-challenging exercises. Their ability to work as a team and function under stressful scenarios enables them to provide outstanding support to the Marine Air-Ground Task Force. MWCS-28 provides expeditionary communications for the Aviation Combat Element of the II Marine Expeditionary Force. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Jason Jimenez/Released)