Stories

Michelle Walters selects a gown with her baby during Operation Ball Gown at Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point, N.C., Oct. 2, 2015. More than 100 women celebrated the 7th annual Operation Ball Gown with Marine Corps Ball etiquette tips and the opportunity to select a free gown. They were given a sneak-peak into the birthday ball ceremony where they learned the ins-and-outs of the historical tradition while waiting for their opportunity to select a gown. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Jason Jimenez/Released) - Michelle Walters selects a gown with her baby during Operation Ball Gown at Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point, N.C., Oct. 2, 2015. More than 100 women celebrated the 7th annual Operation Ball Gown with Marine Corps Ball etiquette tips and the opportunity to select a free gown. They were given a sneak-peak into the birthday ball ceremony where they learned the ins-and-outs of the historical tradition while waiting for their opportunity to select a gown. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Jason Jimenez/Released)

Lt. Col. Scott Koltick, (right), passes the flag to Lt. Col. Claiborne Rogers, (left), signifying the changing of command during an assumption of command ceremony for Marine Refueler Transport Squadron 252, at Marine Corps Air Station Cherry point, North Carolina, Oct. 1, 2015. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Pfc. Nicholas P. Baird/ Released) - Lt. Col. Scott Koltick, (right), passes the flag to Lt. Col. Claiborne Rogers, (left), signifying the changing of command during an assumption of command ceremony for Marine Refueler Transport Squadron 252, at Marine Corps Air Station Cherry point, North Carolina, Oct. 1, 2015. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Pfc. Nicholas P. Baird/ Released)

Lance Cpl. Patrick Marlowe clears a room during a security forces training exercise at Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune, N.C., Sept. 30, 2015. More than 30 Marines with 2nd Low Altitude Air Defense Battalion participated in the week-long training, covering a full spectrum of scenarios they may encounter while deployed. Marlowe is a low altitude air defense gunner with the battalion. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Jason Jimenez/Released) - Lance Cpl. Patrick Marlowe clears a room during a security forces training exercise at Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune, N.C., Sept. 30, 2015. More than 30 Marines with 2nd Low Altitude Air Defense Battalion participated in the week-long training, covering a full spectrum of scenarios they may encounter while deployed. Marlowe is a low altitude air defense gunner with the battalion. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Jason Jimenez/Released)

In accordance with the National Preparedness Month, Marines, Sailors and Department of Defense employees attended an emergency preparedness seminar hosted by Mission Assurance at Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point, N.C., Sept., 29. The attending members were educated on mass notification procedures and emergency action planning resources that could assist them during hazardous weather conditions year round. (Courtesy photo) - In accordance with the National Preparedness Month, Marines, Sailors and Department of Defense employees attended an emergency preparedness seminar hosted by Mission Assurance at Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point, N.C., Sept., 29. The attending members were educated on mass notification procedures and emergency action planning resources that could assist them during hazardous weather conditions year round. (Courtesy photo)

An electrician performs a live-wire safety demonstration during the Emergency Preparedness Fair at the Two Rivers theater at Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point, N.C., June 4, 2015. During the month of September, the National Preparedness Month grants Marines and their families the opportunity to learn how to prepare and stay safe from natural disasters. Service members and their families were educated at the fair on resources available at Cherry Point and in surrounding communities to prepare for and respond to hurricanes and other natural disasters. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. H.W. Huertas/ Released) - An electrician performs a live-wire safety demonstration during the Emergency Preparedness Fair at the Two Rivers theater at Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point, N.C., June 4, 2015. During the month of September, the National Preparedness Month grants Marines and their families the opportunity to learn how to prepare and stay safe from natural disasters. Service members and their families were educated at the fair on resources available at Cherry Point and in surrounding communities to prepare for and respond to hurricanes and other natural disasters. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. H.W. Huertas/ Released)

Cpl. Ajunelle Simmons performs a weighted squat at Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point, Sept. 27, 2015. The Hancock gym and Devil Dog gym’s hours will increase by more than 40 hours per week beginning Oct. 1, 2015, collectively between the two fitness facilities. The change in hours comes from the concerns of Marines on the air station being heard by their senior leadership. Simmons is a food service specialist with Marine Wing Support Squadron 274. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Jason Jimenez/Released) - Cpl. Ajunelle Simmons performs a weighted squat at Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point, Sept. 27, 2015. The Hancock gym and Devil Dog gym’s hours will increase by more than 40 hours per week beginning Oct. 1, 2015, collectively between the two fitness facilities. The change in hours comes from the concerns of Marines on the air station being heard by their senior leadership. Simmons is a food service specialist with Marine Wing Support Squadron 274. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Jason Jimenez/Released)

A Marine fires an FIM-92 Stinger Missile at a target during a stinger simulation training range at Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point, N.C., Sept. 24, 2015. Marines with 2nd Low Altitude Air Defense Battalion sharpened their proficiency skills by simulating the weight transfer felt when firing the 34.2 pound missile. The weapon is a personal and portable infrared, homing, surface-to-air missile capable of tracking and engaging aircraft up to an altitude of 10,000 feet and covering distances up to eight kilometers. 2nd LAAD utilizes the stinger missile to provide ground-to-air defense to the 2nd Marine Aircraft Wing and Marine Air-Ground Task Force elements. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. N.W. Huertas/ Released) - A Marine fires an FIM-92 Stinger Missile at a target during a stinger simulation training range at Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point, N.C., Sept. 24, 2015. Marines with 2nd Low Altitude Air Defense Battalion sharpened their proficiency skills by simulating the weight transfer felt when firing the 34.2 pound missile. The weapon is a personal and portable infrared, homing, surface-to-air missile capable of tracking and engaging aircraft up to an altitude of 10,000 feet and covering distances up to eight kilometers. 2nd LAAD utilizes the stinger missile to provide ground-to-air defense to the 2nd Marine Aircraft Wing and Marine Air-Ground Task Force elements. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. N.W. Huertas/ Released)

Pedro Helicopter “02” squats patiently at Miller’s Landing moments before its crew receives the order to launch on its final flight at Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point, N.C., Sept. 25, 2015. This flight conducted with its two remaining fellow aircraft, will be the final “phrog” flight for the Department of Defense. Pedro’s distinctive orange and gray colors have been a familiar sight in eastern North Carolina, especially welcomed when the weathered has turned and someone is in distress at sea or the surrounding forests. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Jason Jimenez/Released) - Pedro Helicopter “02” squats patiently at Miller’s Landing moments before its crew receives the order to launch on its final flight at Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point, N.C., Sept. 25, 2015. This flight conducted with its two remaining fellow aircraft, will be the final “phrog” flight for the Department of Defense. Pedro’s distinctive orange and gray colors have been a familiar sight in eastern North Carolina, especially welcomed when the weathered has turned and someone is in distress at sea or the surrounding forests. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Jason Jimenez/Released)

Marines travel through a buffet line during a bi-annual Pig Picking sponsored by the Havelock Military Affairs Committee at Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point, N.C., Sept. 22, 2015. The event was held to show the community’s appreciation for the Marines and thank the service members on Cherry Point for their service. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Pfc. Nicholas P. Baird/ Released) - Marines travel through a buffet line during a bi-annual Pig Picking sponsored by the Havelock Military Affairs Committee at Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point, N.C., Sept. 22, 2015. The event was held to show the community’s appreciation for the Marines and thank the service members on Cherry Point for their service. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Pfc. Nicholas P. Baird/ Released)

Gunnery Sgt. Jeffrey Short walks behind the tree line toward his hunting area with a crossbow during archery hunting season at Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point, N.C., Sept. 22, 2015. Hunting on Cherry Point is open to active duty personnel, their dependents, retirees, DOD employees and sponsored guests. Short is the Air Combat Intelligence company gunnery sergeant for Marine Wing Headquarters Squadron 2. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Jason Jimenez/Released) - Gunnery Sgt. Jeffrey Short walks behind the tree line toward his hunting area with a crossbow during archery hunting season at Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point, N.C., Sept. 22, 2015. Hunting on Cherry Point is open to active duty personnel, their dependents, retirees, DOD employees and sponsored guests. Short is the Air Combat Intelligence company gunnery sergeant for Marine Wing Headquarters Squadron 2. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Jason Jimenez/Released)