LEADERS

A U.S. Marine Corps MQ-9A MUX/MALE assigned to Marine Unmanned Aerial Vehicle Squadron (VMU) 3, Marine Aircraft Group 24, 1st Marine Aircraft Wing completes preflight checklist during the first Satellite Communications (SATCOM) Launch and Recovery (SLR) mission at Marine Corps Air Station Kaneohe Bay, Hawaii, June 20, 2024. SLR minimizes logistical constraints, enables operations from short airfields over vast distances, and supports the flexibility required for modern expeditionary operations. VMU-3's successful SLR demonstration emphasized its pivotal role in advancing Marine Corps capabilities in reconnaissance, surveillance, and target acquisition missions across the Indo-Pacific region. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Joseph Abreu) - A U.S. Marine Corps MQ-9A MUX/MALE assigned to Marine Unmanned Aerial Vehicle Squadron (VMU) 3, Marine Aircraft Group 24, 1st Marine Aircraft Wing completes preflight checklist during the first Satellite Communications (SATCOM) Launch and Recovery (SLR) mission at Marine Corps Air Station Kaneohe Bay, Hawaii, June 20, 2024. SLR minimizes logistical constraints, enables operations from short airfields over vast distances, and supports the flexibility required for modern expeditionary operations. VMU-3's successful SLR demonstration emphasized its pivotal role in advancing Marine Corps capabilities in reconnaissance, surveillance, and target acquisition missions across the Indo-Pacific region. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Joseph Abreu)

VMU-3 Advancing Operations: The Shift to SATCOM Launch and Recovery

Marine Unmanned Aerial Vehicle Squadron (VMU) 3, achieved a significant operational milestone with the successful execution of a Satellite Communications (SATCOM) Launch and Recovery (SLR) flight with the Marine Air-Ground Task Force Unmanned Expeditionary (MUX) Medium-Altitude, Long-Endurance (MALE) MQ-9A Aircraft System on June 20, 2024. This marks the first-ever employment of an all-Marine Corps certified team of active-duty aviators conducting an SLR mission with a Marine Corps aircraft at a Marine Corps Air Station.

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U.S. Marines with Marine Aviation Logistics Squadron (MALS) 24, Marine Aircraft Group 24,1st Marine Aircraft Wing, stage transport vehicles at Marine Corps Base Hawaii, Apr. 15, 2024. The purpose of MALS-24's Displaced Warrior exercise is to demonstrate their ability to set up power mobile maintenance facilities, assist flight operations and deliver supply support in an austere environment. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Jose Villasenor) - U.S. Marines with Marine Aviation Logistics Squadron (MALS) 24, Marine Aircraft Group 24,1st Marine Aircraft Wing, stage transport vehicles at Marine Corps Base Hawaii, Apr. 15, 2024. The purpose of MALS-24's Displaced Warrior exercise is to demonstrate their ability to set up power mobile maintenance facilities, assist flight operations and deliver supply support in an austere environment. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Jose Villasenor)

MALS-24 Displaced Warrior

From April 8th to May 10th, 2024, Marine Aviation Logistics Squadron (MALS) 24, Marine Aircraft Group (MAG) 24,1st Marine Aircraft Wing, executed a meticulously planned exercise, displacing a main body detachment of 59 U.S. Marines and equipment across Marine Corps Base Hawaii. The purpose of Displaced Warrior was to rehearse intermediate-level aviation logistics in austere conditions. An additional 48 Marines made up the second main body and rotated in to gain exposure to Mobile Maintenance Facilities (MMFs) without disrupting the ongoing flight operations at Marine Corps Air Station Kaneohe Bay, Hawaii.

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An MV-22B Osprey attached to Medium Tiltrotor Squadron (VMM) 268, Marine Aircraft Group 24, 1st Marine Aircraft Wing, departs Marine Corps Air Station Kaneohe Bay in preparation for Marine Rotational Force Darwin (MRF-D) , April 16, 2024. MRF-D is a deployment held in Australia that enhances capabilities and readiness of both of the United States Marine Corps and Australian Defense Force and continues to help strengthen the alliance between the two nations. VMM-268 will serve as the Aviation Combat Element for the upcoming iteration of MRF-D. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Blake Gonter) - An MV-22B Osprey attached to Medium Tiltrotor Squadron (VMM) 268, Marine Aircraft Group 24, 1st Marine Aircraft Wing, departs Marine Corps Air Station Kaneohe Bay in preparation for Marine Rotational Force Darwin (MRF-D) , April 16, 2024. MRF-D is a deployment held in Australia that enhances capabilities and readiness of both of the United States Marine Corps and Australian Defense Force and continues to help strengthen the alliance between the two nations. VMM-268 will serve as the Aviation Combat Element for the upcoming iteration of MRF-D. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Blake Gonter)

VMM-268 Prepares for MRF-D Deployment

Today, U.S. Marine Corps MV-22B Ospreys from Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron (VMM) 268, Marine Aircraft Group (MAG) 24, 1st Marine Aircraft Wing (MAW), departed Marine Corps Base Hawaii for Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam in preparation for their upcoming deployment to the 13th annual iteration of Marine Rotational Force Darwin (MRF-D) in Australia.

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U.S. Marine Corps Sgt. Christian Krapf, a Rhode Island native, left, and Sgt. Matthew Miclat, a California native, both air traffic controllers with Marine Air Control Squadron 4, Marine Air Control Group 18, 1st Marine Aircraft Wing, observe Marines with Marine Wing Support Squadron 172, disembark a CH-53E Super Stallion with Marine Heavy Helicopter Squadron 466 during air traffic control operations at Rodriguez Live Fire Range Complex, Pocheon, South Korea, March 10, 2024, during Warrior Shield 24. Warrior Shield 24 is an annual joint, combined exercise held on the Korean Peninsula that seeks to strengthen the combined defensive capabilities of Republic of Korea and U.S. forces. This routine, regularly scheduled, field training exercise provides the ROK and U.S. Marines the opportunity to rehearse combined operations, exchange knowledge, and demonstrate the strength and capabilities of the ROK-US Alliance. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Tyler Harmon) - U.S. Marine Corps Sgt. Christian Krapf, a Rhode Island native, left, and Sgt. Matthew Miclat, a California native, both air traffic controllers with Marine Air Control Squadron 4, Marine Air Control Group 18, 1st Marine Aircraft Wing, observe Marines with Marine Wing Support Squadron 172, disembark a CH-53E Super Stallion with Marine Heavy Helicopter Squadron 466 during air traffic control operations at Rodriguez Live Fire Range Complex, Pocheon, South Korea, March 10, 2024, during Warrior Shield 24. Warrior Shield 24 is an annual joint, combined exercise held on the Korean Peninsula that seeks to strengthen the combined defensive capabilities of Republic of Korea and U.S. forces. This routine, regularly scheduled, field training exercise provides the ROK and U.S. Marines the opportunity to rehearse combined operations, exchange knowledge, and demonstrate the strength and capabilities of the ROK-US Alliance. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Tyler Harmon)

Marine Aircraft Group 12 Deploys to Korea for Command and Control Operations, Strengthening Regional Security

SUWON, REPUBLIC OF KOREA—U.S. Marines with Marine Aircraft Group (MAG) 12 deployed from Marine Corps Air Station (MCAS) Iwakuni, Japan, to Suwon Air Base, Republic of Korea, established command and control of aviation operations supporting exercise Warrior Shield 24 from Feb. 29 to March 22, 2024.

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U.S. Marines with Marine Wing Support Squadron 174, Marine Aircraft Group (MAG) 24, 1st Marine Aircraft Wing deliver buddy benches to Kainalu Elementary School, Kailua, Hawaii, April 1, 2024. MAG-24 Marines partnered with the school to construct and deliver six buddy benches that serve as a positive space for students to sit and make friends. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Tania Guerrero) - U.S. Marines with Marine Wing Support Squadron 174, Marine Aircraft Group (MAG) 24, 1st Marine Aircraft Wing deliver buddy benches to Kainalu Elementary School, Kailua, Hawaii, April 1, 2024. MAG-24 Marines partnered with the school to construct and deliver six buddy benches that serve as a positive space for students to sit and make friends. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Tania Guerrero)

MAG-24 Marines Partner with Kainalu Elementary to Build Kindness

KAILUA, Hawaii – To kick off the Month of the Military Child, U.S. Marines with Marine Wing Support Squadron (MWSS) 174, Marine Aircraft Group (MAG) 24, 1st Marine Aircraft Wing, partnered with Kainalu Elementary School’s Transition Center to construct and deliver six “buddy benches” on Apr. 1, 2024.

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1st MAW concludes Freedom Shield

Over 300 United States Marines assigned to 1st Marine Aircraft Wing (MAW) partook in Freedom Shield 24, an annual, bilateral exercise with U.S. and Republic of Korea (ROK) Marines. Participants of the two nations studied operational plans during the ten-day exercise and refined tactical and operational best practices in support of the ROK’s defense.

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U.S. Marine Corps Maj. Shane Gentry, an MQ-9A MUX/MALE pilot with Marine Unmanned Aerial Vehicle Squadron 3, Marine Aircraft Group (MAG) 24, 1st Marine Aircraft Wing poses for a photo at MAG-24 headquarters, Marine Corps Air Station Kaneohe Bay, Hawaii, March 25, 2024. Gentry was awarded the Marine Corps Aviation Association’s Alfred A. Cunningham award for his superior performance. The award also names the recipient the Marine Aviator of the Year and is the highest honor a Marine aviator can achieve during their career. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Logan Beeney) - U.S. Marine Corps Maj. Shane Gentry, an MQ-9A MUX/MALE pilot with Marine Unmanned Aerial Vehicle Squadron 3, Marine Aircraft Group (MAG) 24, 1st Marine Aircraft Wing poses for a photo at MAG-24 headquarters, Marine Corps Air Station Kaneohe Bay, Hawaii, March 25, 2024. Gentry was awarded the Marine Corps Aviation Association’s Alfred A. Cunningham award for his superior performance. The award also names the recipient the Marine Aviator of the Year and is the highest honor a Marine aviator can achieve during their career. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Logan Beeney)

Maj. Shane Gentry, Marine Aviator of the Year

On March 14, 2024, U.S. Marine Corps Maj. Shane R. Gentry, an MQ-9A MUX/MALE pilot with Marine Unmanned Aerial Vehicle Squadron (VMU) 3, Marine Aircraft Group 24, 1st Marine Aircraft Wing, was awarded the Marine Corps Aviation Association’s Alfred A. Cunningham award.

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Brig. Gen. Kelvin Gallman, 1st Marine Aircraft Wing Assistant Wing Commander, and Col. Ronnie Michael, Camp Mujuk Commanding Officer, tour the Pohang Sunrin Aeyukwon, an orphanage founded by U.S. Marines during the Korean War on March 14, 2024. Brig. Gen Gallman visited the orphanage after the conclusion of Freedom Shield 24, the largest bilateral exercise between the U.S. and Republic of Korea militaries on the Korean peninsula. - Brig. Gen. Kelvin Gallman, 1st Marine Aircraft Wing Assistant Wing Commander, and Col. Ronnie Michael, Camp Mujuk Commanding Officer, tour the Pohang Sunrin Aeyukwon, an orphanage founded by U.S. Marines during the Korean War on March 14, 2024. Brig. Gen Gallman visited the orphanage after the conclusion of Freedom Shield 24, the largest bilateral exercise between the U.S. and Republic of Korea militaries on the Korean peninsula.

AWC visits ROK Orphanage Built by 1st MAW Marines

“While Marine jet fighters roared overhead on their death missions, a small group of First Marine Air Wing men dedicated a work of mercy.” This opening line of a 1952 Marine Corps Gazette article may have left many readers believing this statement paradoxical, even antithetical to the Marine Corps mission to fight and win under any circumstances. Yet, while the fury and violence of the Korean War raged around them, many Marines found themselves serving in a unique capacity: one focused on saving lives rather than taking them.

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A U.S. Marine Corps MV-22 Osprey tiltrotor aircraft with Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron (VMM) 262, Marine Aircraft Group 36, 1st Marine Aircraft Wing, conducts a bilateral formation flight alongside Japan Ground Self-Defense Force service members with Western Army Aviation Group during the field training exercise portion of Resolute Dragon 23 off the coast of Kumamoto, Japan, Oct. 18, 2023. RD 23 is an annual bilateral exercise in Japan that strengthens the command, control, and multi-domain maneuver capabilities of Marines in III Marine Expeditionary Force and allied Japan Self-Defense Force personnel. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Kyle Chan) - A U.S. Marine Corps MV-22 Osprey tiltrotor aircraft with Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron (VMM) 262, Marine Aircraft Group 36, 1st Marine Aircraft Wing, conducts a bilateral formation flight alongside Japan Ground Self-Defense Force service members with Western Army Aviation Group during the field training exercise portion of Resolute Dragon 23 off the coast of Kumamoto, Japan, Oct. 18, 2023. RD 23 is an annual bilateral exercise in Japan that strengthens the command, control, and multi-domain maneuver capabilities of Marines in III Marine Expeditionary Force and allied Japan Self-Defense Force personnel. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Kyle Chan)

1st MAW MV-22s return to air

The 1st Marine Aircraft Wing has returned its MV-22s to flight status March 14, as the Naval Air Systems Command (NAVAIR) has deemed the aircraft safe to fly based on a meticulous and data-driven approach prioritizing flight worthiness and safety.

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U.S. Marines with Marine Wing Support Squadron (MWSS) 171, Marine Aircraft Group 12, Royal Thai marines with the Royal Thai Marine Corps Construction Company of Combat Engineers, and members of the Singapore Army with the 30th Combat Engineer Brigade install support beams at the Ban Prakaet school in Chanthaburi, Thailand, Feb. 13, 2024. Marines of MWSS-171 lent their engineering expertise to multilateral humanitarian efforts during Cobra Gold 24. Joint Exercise Cobra Gold is the largest joint exercise in mainland Asia and a concrete example of the strong alliance and strategic relationship between Thailand and the United States. This year will be the 43rd iteration of the multilateral exercise and will be held from Feb. 27 to March 8, 2024. (U.S. Marine Corps Photo by Cpl. Calah Thompson) - U.S. Marines with Marine Wing Support Squadron (MWSS) 171, Marine Aircraft Group 12, Royal Thai marines with the Royal Thai Marine Corps Construction Company of Combat Engineers, and members of the Singapore Army with the 30th Combat Engineer Brigade install support beams at the Ban Prakaet school in Chanthaburi, Thailand, Feb. 13, 2024. Marines of MWSS-171 lent their engineering expertise to multilateral humanitarian efforts during Cobra Gold 24. Joint Exercise Cobra Gold is the largest joint exercise in mainland Asia and a concrete example of the strong alliance and strategic relationship between Thailand and the United States. This year will be the 43rd iteration of the multilateral exercise and will be held from Feb. 27 to March 8, 2024. (U.S. Marine Corps Photo by Cpl. Calah Thompson)

Building Schools and Relationships: Singaporean, Thai and U.S. service members complete ENCAP project during Exercise Cobra Gold 24

On February 8, 2024, Marines with Marine Wing Support Squadron (MWSS) 171 traveled from Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni to the small Ban Prakaet Village in Chanthaburi Thailand to build a school. The Marines would go on to spend a month staying at a nearby temple, eating, sleeping and working alongside their counterparts in the Royal Thai Marine Corps and Singaporean Army. They would also sow seeds of friendship with the local village members and students, who would greet them every morning with smiles brighter than the hot Thailand sun that would beam upon them for the next month.

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