Stories

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)

An electrical worker demonstrates the damage an active power line can cause during a demonstration drill at Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point, N.C., June 4, 2015. September is National Preparedness Month, a time where emergency safety is highlighted across the air station. The Cherry Point Fire and Emergency Services and the Public Works Departments are among the many that go out to local communities to educate them on safety procedures and protocols that can prevent and potentially aid them during emergency situations. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by N.W. Huertas/Released) - An electrical worker demonstrates the damage an active power line can cause during a demonstration drill at Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point, N.C., June 4, 2015. September is National Preparedness Month, a time where emergency safety is highlighted across the air station. The Cherry Point Fire and Emergency Services and the Public Works Departments are among the many that go out to local communities to educate them on safety procedures and protocols that can prevent and potentially aid them during emergency situations. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by N.W. Huertas/Released)

Members of a construction crew make final adjustments near the end of the initial construction stage of a stream restoration project at Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point. Only weeks before, this piece of ground was the site of a dysfunctional concrete culvert that did a very poor job of routing storm water runoff from an air station housing area to the Neuse River. The Cherry Point Environmental Affairs Department tackled this project in effort to clean up the inefficient site and to improve water quality in the Neuse. The project will soon move into its next stage with a series of plantings throughout the stream’s riparian zone. (Photo by Jessica Guilianelli) - Members of a construction crew make final adjustments near the end of the initial construction stage of a stream restoration project at Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point. Only weeks before, this piece of ground was the site of a dysfunctional concrete culvert that did a very poor job of routing storm water runoff from an air station housing area to the Neuse River. The Cherry Point Environmental Affairs Department tackled this project in effort to clean up the inefficient site and to improve water quality in the Neuse. The project will soon move into its next stage with a series of plantings throughout the stream’s riparian zone. (Photo by Jessica Guilianelli)

Lt. Gen. Jon M. Davis observes a brief on some of the mechanics of a CH-53E Super Stallion during a “Boots on the Ground” event at Marine Corps Air Station New River, N.C., Sept. 17, 2015. The deputy commandant of Marine Corps Aviation visited the air station to discuss the future of naval aviation. Maintainers were given the opportunity to share suggestions for improvement on their training and aircraft. (U.S.M.C. photo by Cpl. N.W. Huertas/ Released) - Lt. Gen. Jon M. Davis observes a brief on some of the mechanics of a CH-53E Super Stallion during a “Boots on the Ground” event at Marine Corps Air Station New River, N.C., Sept. 17, 2015. The deputy commandant of Marine Corps Aviation visited the air station to discuss the future of naval aviation. Maintainers were given the opportunity to share suggestions for improvement on their training and aircraft. (U.S.M.C. photo by Cpl. N.W. Huertas/ Released)

Staff Sgt. Annett Castro, left, puts money in the love bank of Giovanni Hernandez, right, during a Marriage Enrichment Retreat, hosted by 2nd Marine Aircraft Wing Chaplains in New Bern, N.C., Sept. 19, 2015. Forty couples took part in the two-day retreat to rekindle their bond with one another. The love bank is a physical representation for rewarding positive actions by each partner. Castro is an assistant individual material readiness list asset manager for Marine Aircraft Group 29. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Jason Jimenez/Released) - Staff Sgt. Annett Castro, left, puts money in the love bank of Giovanni Hernandez, right, during a Marriage Enrichment Retreat, hosted by 2nd Marine Aircraft Wing Chaplains in New Bern, N.C., Sept. 19, 2015. Forty couples took part in the two-day retreat to rekindle their bond with one another. The love bank is a physical representation for rewarding positive actions by each partner. Castro is an assistant individual material readiness list asset manager for Marine Aircraft Group 29. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Jason Jimenez/Released)

Marines with 2nd Low Altitude Air Defense Battalion, Bravo Battery tactically enter a building during military operations on urban terrain training at Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point, N.C., Sept. 16, 2015. MOUT training is utilized to prepare Marines for urban warfare in areas such as towns and cities. The Marines conducted the training to sharpen combat skills and the knowledge required for MOUT operations is equal across the entire platoon. - Marines with 2nd Low Altitude Air Defense Battalion, Bravo Battery tactically enter a building during military operations on urban terrain training at Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point, N.C., Sept. 16, 2015. MOUT training is utilized to prepare Marines for urban warfare in areas such as towns and cities. The Marines conducted the training to sharpen combat skills and the knowledge required for MOUT operations is equal across the entire platoon.