Stories

Sophie Curatilo runs to the finish line during the 7.5K Anniversary Run aboard Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point, N.C., July 29, 2016. The run was to celebrate the 75th anniversary of MCAS Cherry Point and 2nd Marine Aircraft Wing. (Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Cody Lemons/ Released) - Sophie Curatilo runs to the finish line during the 7.5K Anniversary Run aboard Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point, N.C., July 29, 2016. The run was to celebrate the 75th anniversary of MCAS Cherry Point and 2nd Marine Aircraft Wing. (Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Cody Lemons/ Released)

Col. Todd Ferry, left, receives the unit colors from Col. Chris Pappas III during a change of command ceremony aboard Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point, N.C., July 28, 2016. Ferry is now the commanding officer of MCAS Cherry Point and Pappas’ next assignment is to be the chief of staff, Marine Corps Combat Development Command and executive assistant to the deputy commandant, Combat Development Integration in Quantico, Virginia. The change of command ceremony is a tradition that symbolizes the passing of authority from the outgoing to the incoming commanding officer. (United States Marine Corps photo by Sgt. Austin Long/ Released) - Col. Todd Ferry, left, receives the unit colors from Col. Chris Pappas III during a change of command ceremony aboard Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point, N.C., July 28, 2016. Ferry is now the commanding officer of MCAS Cherry Point and Pappas’ next assignment is to be the chief of staff, Marine Corps Combat Development Command and executive assistant to the deputy commandant, Combat Development Integration in Quantico, Virginia. The change of command ceremony is a tradition that symbolizes the passing of authority from the outgoing to the incoming commanding officer. (United States Marine Corps photo by Sgt. Austin Long/ Released)

Marines with U.S. Marine Corps Forces Special Operations Command complete a fast rope and rappelling course on Landing Zone Parrot at Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune, N.C., July 20, 2016. The exercise was a part of a two weeklong Helicopter Insertion and Extraction Techniques Course. The CH-53 provided for the training evolution was assigned to Marine Heavy Helicopter Squadron 461, 2nd Marine Aircraft Wing. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Mackenzie Gibson/Released) - Marines with U.S. Marine Corps Forces Special Operations Command complete a fast rope and rappelling course on Landing Zone Parrot at Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune, N.C., July 20, 2016. The exercise was a part of a two weeklong Helicopter Insertion and Extraction Techniques Course. The CH-53 provided for the training evolution was assigned to Marine Heavy Helicopter Squadron 461, 2nd Marine Aircraft Wing. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Mackenzie Gibson/Released)

Gunnery Sgt. Louie Cruz (right) explains how radar operations works to Chad Sydnor (left) in the radar room at Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point, N.C., July 19, 2016. Sydnor, the military legislative assistant for U.S. Sen. Richard Burr, visited Cherry Point to become more familiar with the air station’s mission and issues within Burr’s purview. Sydnor visited various places on the air station, including Fleet Readiness Center East, the Air Traffic Control tower, and the Devil Dog Gym. Cruz is the radar chief for Headquarters and Headquarters Squadron. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Mackenzie Gibson/Released) - Gunnery Sgt. Louie Cruz (right) explains how radar operations works to Chad Sydnor (left) in the radar room at Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point, N.C., July 19, 2016. Sydnor, the military legislative assistant for U.S. Sen. Richard Burr, visited Cherry Point to become more familiar with the air station’s mission and issues within Burr’s purview. Sydnor visited various places on the air station, including Fleet Readiness Center East, the Air Traffic Control tower, and the Devil Dog Gym. Cruz is the radar chief for Headquarters and Headquarters Squadron. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Mackenzie Gibson/Released)

Marines with Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point’s Explosive Ordnance Disposal and 2nd Marine Aircraft Wing’s Chemical, Biological, Radiological and Nuclear Defense sweep the area around a simulated incident site during a training exercise at MCAS Cherry Point, N.C., July 12, 2016. The purpose of the training was to further refine the interoperability between EOD and CBRN. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Mackenzie Gibson/Released) - Marines with Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point’s Explosive Ordnance Disposal and 2nd Marine Aircraft Wing’s Chemical, Biological, Radiological and Nuclear Defense sweep the area around a simulated incident site during a training exercise at MCAS Cherry Point, N.C., July 12, 2016. The purpose of the training was to further refine the interoperability between EOD and CBRN. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Mackenzie Gibson/Released)

Cpl. Duane Levy bear crawls during the four-and-a-half mile endurance course of a Marine Corps Martial Arts Instructor Course at Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point, N.C., July 1, 2016. The endurance course was the culminating event of three weeks of physical, mental, and character challenges Marines assigned to MWCS-28 completed to earn their instructor tabs. MCMAP is a combat system that trains Marines in the art of hand-to-hand and close quarters combat techniques while building morale and team-building functions. This MCMAP instructor course was conducted by the unit to certify Marines with the responsibility of instructing and training Marines in MCMAP. Levy is an engineer equipment electronic system technician assigned to MWCS-28, Marine Air Control Group 28, 2nd Marine Aircraft Wing. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. N.W. Huertas/Released) - Cpl. Duane Levy bear crawls during the four-and-a-half mile endurance course of a Marine Corps Martial Arts Instructor Course at Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point, N.C., July 1, 2016. The endurance course was the culminating event of three weeks of physical, mental, and character challenges Marines assigned to MWCS-28 completed to earn their instructor tabs. MCMAP is a combat system that trains Marines in the art of hand-to-hand and close quarters combat techniques while building morale and team-building functions. This MCMAP instructor course was conducted by the unit to certify Marines with the responsibility of instructing and training Marines in MCMAP. Levy is an engineer equipment electronic system technician assigned to MWCS-28, Marine Air Control Group 28, 2nd Marine Aircraft Wing. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. N.W. Huertas/Released)

Gary Sinise and the Lt. Dan Band perform songs from all different genres on the Two Rivers Theater stage at Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point, N.C., July 5, 2016. Gary Sinise and the Lt. Dan Band have participated in 70 United Service Organization tours since they came together. In total, they have entertained more than 363,000 service members and military families in 13 countries. The band puts on shows to raise spirits, funds and awareness for severely wounded warriors in need. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Mackenzie Gibson/Released) - Gary Sinise and the Lt. Dan Band perform songs from all different genres on the Two Rivers Theater stage at Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point, N.C., July 5, 2016. Gary Sinise and the Lt. Dan Band have participated in 70 United Service Organization tours since they came together. In total, they have entertained more than 363,000 service members and military families in 13 countries. The band puts on shows to raise spirits, funds and awareness for severely wounded warriors in need. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Mackenzie Gibson/Released)

Senior leaders cut a ceremonial ribbon during a ribbon cutting ceremony at Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point, N.C., June 24, 2016. Marine Air Support Squadron 1 received a new, state-of-the-art facility to support several of its units, including the communications, electronics, headquarters and service, and air support company, as well as the unit’s supply section. The complex, which represents a new era of technology for the squadron and the Marine Corps, supports better quality training operations using a new battle lab capable of recreating realistic training missions with outside entities or other communications assets. MASS-1 is an aviation command and control unit responsible for the planning, receiving, coordination and processing of requests for direct or close air support. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. N.W. Huertas/Released) - Senior leaders cut a ceremonial ribbon during a ribbon cutting ceremony at Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point, N.C., June 24, 2016. Marine Air Support Squadron 1 received a new, state-of-the-art facility to support several of its units, including the communications, electronics, headquarters and service, and air support company, as well as the unit’s supply section. The complex, which represents a new era of technology for the squadron and the Marine Corps, supports better quality training operations using a new battle lab capable of recreating realistic training missions with outside entities or other communications assets. MASS-1 is an aviation command and control unit responsible for the planning, receiving, coordination and processing of requests for direct or close air support. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. N.W. Huertas/Released)