Stories

Marine Attack Training Squadron 203 Marines, their families and members of the Havelock community bow their heads for prayer before the kick-off of the simiannual pig pickin’ at Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point, N.C., March 22, 2016. More than 300 Marines, family members and members of the Havelock community attended the event. The event was held to show the community’s appreciation to the Marines and thank the service members on Cherry Point for their contributions to the Marine Air-Ground Task Force. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Pfc. Nicholas P. Baird/Released) - Marine Attack Training Squadron 203 Marines, their families and members of the Havelock community bow their heads for prayer before the kick-off of the simiannual pig pickin’ at Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point, N.C., March 22, 2016. More than 300 Marines, family members and members of the Havelock community attended the event. The event was held to show the community’s appreciation to the Marines and thank the service members on Cherry Point for their contributions to the Marine Air-Ground Task Force. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Pfc. Nicholas P. Baird/Released)

Lt. Col. Kris Faught speaks to Marines with Marine Unmanned Aerial Vehicle Squadron 2 before the first RQ-21A Blackjack flight into Class D airspace over Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point, N.C., March 21, 2016. The RQ-21A Blackjack system is modular, flexible and multi-mission capable, providing roll-on, roll-off transitions between land and maritime environments. Faught is the commanding officer of VMU-2. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Pfc. Nicholas P. Baird/Released) - Lt. Col. Kris Faught speaks to Marines with Marine Unmanned Aerial Vehicle Squadron 2 before the first RQ-21A Blackjack flight into Class D airspace over Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point, N.C., March 21, 2016. The RQ-21A Blackjack system is modular, flexible and multi-mission capable, providing roll-on, roll-off transitions between land and maritime environments. Faught is the commanding officer of VMU-2. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Pfc. Nicholas P. Baird/Released)

The Marine Corps has a zero-tolerance policy on substance abuse. Just like drugs, alcohol physically impairs the body to perform to its fullest capabilities. Drinking and driving not only puts the driver at risk, but the passengers and other motorists in danger as well. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Jonah Lovy/Released) - The Marine Corps has a zero-tolerance policy on substance abuse. Just like drugs, alcohol physically impairs the body to perform to its fullest capabilities. Drinking and driving not only puts the driver at risk, but the passengers and other motorists in danger as well. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Jonah Lovy/Released)

A workbook lies open during a Prime for life prevention course at Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point, N.C., March 17, 2016. Prime for Life is an evidence-based prevention course that helps identify risks associated with alcohol and drug abuse, as well as promote skills for making low-risk choices. Prime for Life also emphasizes self-assessment, which provides guidance to individuals on how to better understand and accept the need to change personal behaviors. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Pfc. Nicholas P. Baird/Released) - A workbook lies open during a Prime for life prevention course at Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point, N.C., March 17, 2016. Prime for Life is an evidence-based prevention course that helps identify risks associated with alcohol and drug abuse, as well as promote skills for making low-risk choices. Prime for Life also emphasizes self-assessment, which provides guidance to individuals on how to better understand and accept the need to change personal behaviors. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Pfc. Nicholas P. Baird/Released)

Sgt. Fatimah Butler accepts the first place medal from Lt. Col. Ginger E. Beals, commanding officer of MWSS-271 for the Chef of the Quarter Competition at the Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point, N.C., mess hall, March 17, 2016. Three Marines competed this quarter, and Butler was named the winner. Butler will move on to the Chef of the Year Competition and compete with the other Chef of the Quarter winners. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Mackenzie Gibson/Released) - Sgt. Fatimah Butler accepts the first place medal from Lt. Col. Ginger E. Beals, commanding officer of MWSS-271 for the Chef of the Quarter Competition at the Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point, N.C., mess hall, March 17, 2016. Three Marines competed this quarter, and Butler was named the winner. Butler will move on to the Chef of the Year Competition and compete with the other Chef of the Quarter winners. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Mackenzie Gibson/Released)

Sergeant Ashley Rowback poses for a photo at Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point, N.C., Feb. 5, 2016. Rowback recently completed a 48.6 mile four event race and raised more than 11,000 dollars for leukemia and lymphoma research in memory of her late grandfather. Rowback’s love for running has given her the ability to use something she enjoys as a way to raise awareness. Her passion for physical fitness has shaped her career in the Marine Corps and has paved the way for her transition into the nursing field upon her exit from the Corps. Rowback is the 2nd Marine Aircraft Wing commanding general’s driver. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. N.W. Huertas/ Released) - Sergeant Ashley Rowback poses for a photo at Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point, N.C., Feb. 5, 2016. Rowback recently completed a 48.6 mile four event race and raised more than 11,000 dollars for leukemia and lymphoma research in memory of her late grandfather. Rowback’s love for running has given her the ability to use something she enjoys as a way to raise awareness. Her passion for physical fitness has shaped her career in the Marine Corps and has paved the way for her transition into the nursing field upon her exit from the Corps. Rowback is the 2nd Marine Aircraft Wing commanding general’s driver. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. N.W. Huertas/ Released)

Dustin J. Schneider conducts a routine check of fire and safety gear at Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point, N.C. Schneider earned the Marine Corps Civilian Firefighter of the Year Award for excellence in his job performance. Schneider was chosen from firefighters in fire departments across the Marine Corps. Schneider serves with Cherry Point Fire and Emergency Services. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Mackenzie Gibson/Released) - Dustin J. Schneider conducts a routine check of fire and safety gear at Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point, N.C. Schneider earned the Marine Corps Civilian Firefighter of the Year Award for excellence in his job performance. Schneider was chosen from firefighters in fire departments across the Marine Corps. Schneider serves with Cherry Point Fire and Emergency Services. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Mackenzie Gibson/Released)

Master Gunnery Sgt. George E. Otey Jr. participates in a team paintball match during the Devil Dog Dare Challenge Course at Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point, N.C., March 10, 2016. The Devil Dog Dare Challenge Course was designed for Marines and Sailors to get engaged in Operation Adrenaline Rush. OAR is a training tool designed to introduce Marines to activities that serve as alternatives to uncharacteristic behaviors often associated with incidents involving recently deployed Marines. Otey is a communications chief with G-6, 2nd Marine Aircraft Wing. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Nicholas P. Baird/Release) - Master Gunnery Sgt. George E. Otey Jr. participates in a team paintball match during the Devil Dog Dare Challenge Course at Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point, N.C., March 10, 2016. The Devil Dog Dare Challenge Course was designed for Marines and Sailors to get engaged in Operation Adrenaline Rush. OAR is a training tool designed to introduce Marines to activities that serve as alternatives to uncharacteristic behaviors often associated with incidents involving recently deployed Marines. Otey is a communications chief with G-6, 2nd Marine Aircraft Wing. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Nicholas P. Baird/Release)

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)

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)