Biography

Master Sgt. Kevin O. Cochran, 1st Marine Aircraft Wing's current operations chief, poses with a few of his awards on Camp Foster, Okinawa, Japan, Jan. 10, 2018. - Master Sgt. Kevin O. Cochran, 1st Marine Aircraft Wing's current operations chief, poses with a few of his awards on Camp Foster, Okinawa, Japan, Jan. 10, 2018. Preparing to retire, Cochran, a Dayton, Ohio native, was recognized for assisting an Okinawan man out of his overturned vehicle Jan. 8, 2018. Cochran is a 23-year Marine Corps veteran. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Jess Etheridge)

An MV-22B Osprey of Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron (VMM) 265 lands on the flight deck of the Navy’s forward-deployed aircraft carrier, USS Ronald Reagan (CVN 76). Ronald Reagan, the flagship of Carrier Strike Group 5, provides a combat-ready force that protects and defends the collective maritime interests of its allies and partners in the Indo-Asia-Pacific region. - An MV-22B Osprey of Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron (VMM) 265 lands on the flight deck of the Navy’s forward-deployed aircraft carrier, USS Ronald Reagan (CVN 76). Ronald Reagan, the flagship of Carrier Strike Group 5, provides a combat-ready force that protects and defends the collective maritime interests of its allies and partners in the Indo-Asia-Pacific region.

U.S. Marine Corps 1st Lt. Olivia Raftshol, a KC-130J Hercules co-pilot, left, and Maj. Matthew Stolzenberg, a KC-130J Hercules pilot, with Marine Aerial Refueler Transport Squadron (VMGR) 152, prepare to land at Iwo To (Iwo Jima), Japan, Nov. 7, 2017. Multiple squadrons participated in the professional military education on the island to gain information on its historical significance and foster esprit de corps. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Mason Roy) - U.S. Marine Corps 1st Lt. Olivia Raftshol, a KC-130J Hercules co-pilot, left, and Maj. Matthew Stolzenberg, a KC-130J Hercules pilot, with Marine Aerial Refueler Transport Squadron (VMGR) 152, prepare to land at Iwo To (Iwo Jima), Japan, Nov. 7, 2017. Multiple squadrons participated in the professional military education on the island to gain information on its historical significance and foster esprit de corps. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Mason Roy)

Marines with 1st Marine Aircraft Wing participated in the joint field training exercise Blue Chromite 2018, throughout the prefecture of Okinawa, Japan, October 23 – November 3, 2017. BC18 is a U.S.-only mission rehearsal which strengthens the Navy-Marine Corps expeditionary, amphibious rapid- response capabilities required to swiftly and effectively respond to a regional crisis or contingency across the Indo-Asia-Pacific region. - Marines with 1st Marine Aircraft Wing participated in the joint field training exercise Blue Chromite 2018, throughout the prefecture of Okinawa, Japan, October 23 – November 3, 2017. BC18 is a U.S.-only mission rehearsal which strengthens the Navy-Marine Corps expeditionary, amphibious rapid- response capabilities required to swiftly and effectively respond to a regional crisis or contingency across the Indo-Asia-Pacific region.

An F-35B Lightning II aircraft with Marine Fighter Attack Squadron (VMFA) 121 based out of Marine Corps Air Station (MCAS) Iwakuni, Japan, conducts a nighttime aerial refueling training operation with a KC-130J Hercules with Marine Aerial Refueler Transport Squadron (VMGR) 152 based out of MCAS Iwakuni Oct. 25, 2017. The training was conducted at night to improve operational readiness and enhance pilot proficiency. - An F-35B Lightning II aircraft with Marine Fighter Attack Squadron (VMFA) 121 based out of Marine Corps Air Station (MCAS) Iwakuni, Japan, conducts a nighttime aerial refueling training operation with a KC-130J Hercules with Marine Aerial Refueler Transport Squadron (VMGR) 152 based out of MCAS Iwakuni Oct. 25, 2017. The training was conducted at night to improve operational readiness and enhance pilot proficiency. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Mason Roy)

. - Marines with Marine Air Support Squadron 2, Marine Air Control Group 18, Marine Aircraft Group 36, 1st Marine Aircraft Wing, conduct a range in South Korea during exercise Midori Guardian 17, which was held from September 5 to October 15, 2017. Midori Guardian, a Unit Level Training event aimed at enhancing squadron readiness while in a field environment, utilizes simulated real-world scenarios focused on Direct Air Support Center and an Air Support Element operations, live-fire ranges, and Marine Corps Common Skills training to prepare the unit for future operations. (courtesy photo)

An RQ-7B Shadow unmanned aerial system with Marine Unmanned Aerial Vehicle Squadron 3 (VMU-3), is launched during a training event at Landing Zone Westfield, Marine Corps Air Station Kaneohe Bay, Oct. 13, 2017. The purpose of the event is to conduct UAS operations with a minimal amount of personnel and equipment after flying a system in by KC-130J in order to operate immediately within a short amount of time. - An RQ-7B Shadow unmanned aerial system with Marine Unmanned Aerial Vehicle Squadron 3 (VMU-3), is launched during a training event at Landing Zone Westfield, Marine Corps Air Station Kaneohe Bay, Oct. 13, 2017. The purpose of the event is to conduct UAS operations with a minimal amount of personnel and equipment after flying a system in by KC-130J in order to operate immediately within a short amount of time.

MARINE CORPS BASE CAMP BUTLER, Okinawa, Japan – Yesterday III Marine Expeditionary Force and Marine Corps Installations Pacific completed the process of removing the CH-53E Super Stallion that conducted an emergency landing on Okinawa, Japan. Our Marines worked closely with local officials and Japanese police to remove the debris and clear all military equipment from the site before 9:00 pm. The Marines plan to return to the site next week to conduct a walk-through to ensure nothing was missed during the deteriorating weather conditions caused by the pending Typhoon Lan. - MARINE CORPS BASE CAMP BUTLER, Okinawa, Japan – Yesterday III Marine Expeditionary Force and Marine Corps Installations Pacific completed the process of removing the CH-53E Super Stallion that conducted an emergency landing on Okinawa, Japan. Our Marines worked closely with local officials and Japanese police to remove the debris and clear all military equipment from the site before 9:00 pm. The Marines plan to return to the site next week to conduct a walk-through to ensure nothing was missed during the deteriorating weather conditions caused by the pending Typhoon Lan.

MARINE CORPS BASE CAMP BUTLER, Okinawa, Japan –CH-53E Super Stallion helicopters stationed here will resume normal flight operations Wed, Oct. 18, following government of Japan and Okinawa Prefectural Government leadership notification. - MARINE CORPS BASE CAMP BUTLER, Okinawa, Japan –CH-53E Super Stallion helicopters stationed here will resume normal flight operations Wed, Oct. 18, following government of Japan and Okinawa Prefectural Government leadership notification.