LEADERS - Page 4

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.

Read More

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.

Read More

U.S. Marine Corps Lance Cpl. Kayden Cardona, aircraft maintenance support equipment electrician with Marine Aviation Logistics Squadron (MALS) 24, Marine Aircraft Group (MAG) 24, 1st Marine Aircraft Wing (MAW) receives an award from Col. William Heiken, commanding officer of MAG-24, 1st MAW at Marine Corps Air Station Kaneohe Bay, Hawaii, March 1, 2024. Cardona was awarded the Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal for lifesaving actions. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Logan Beeney) - U.S. Marine Corps Lance Cpl. Kayden Cardona, aircraft maintenance support equipment electrician with Marine Aviation Logistics Squadron (MALS) 24, Marine Aircraft Group (MAG) 24, 1st Marine Aircraft Wing (MAW) receives an award from Col. William Heiken, commanding officer of MAG-24, 1st MAW at Marine Corps Air Station Kaneohe Bay, Hawaii, March 1, 2024. Cardona was awarded the Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal for lifesaving actions. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Logan Beeney)

U.S. Marine Corps Lance Cpl. Cardona Awarded for Lifesaving Actions

U.S. Marine Corps Lance Cpl. Kayden Cardona, an Arlington, Texas native and aircraft maintenance support equipment technician with Marine Aviation Logistics Squadron (MALS) 24, Marine Aircraft Group 24, 1st Marine Aircraft Wing, demonstrated remarkable courage when he witnessed a terrifying motor vehicle accident, involving a motorcycle, on January 26, 2024. Cardona instinctively provided emergency medical care to the critically injured rider. For his life-saving actions, Cardona received the Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal on March 1, 2024.

Read More

U.S. Marines with Marine Fighter Attack Squadron (VMFA) 232 performs preflight inspections on an F/A-18C Hornet aircraft at Andersen Air Force Base, Guam, Jan. 30, 2024. Nicknamed the “Red Devils,” VMFA-232 traveled from Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni, Japan to Guam as a part of their Aviation Training Relocation Program deployment to train multilaterally with allies and partners, and enhance the squadron’s combat readiness. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. David Getz) - U.S. Marines with Marine Fighter Attack Squadron (VMFA) 232 performs preflight inspections on an F/A-18C Hornet aircraft at Andersen Air Force Base, Guam, Jan. 30, 2024. Nicknamed the “Red Devils,” VMFA-232 traveled from Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni, Japan to Guam as a part of their Aviation Training Relocation Program deployment to train multilaterally with allies and partners, and enhance the squadron’s combat readiness. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. David Getz)

Marine Aircraft Group 12 concludes Cope North 24

Marines with Marine Aircraft Group 12, 1st Marine Aircraft Wing, completed Cope North 24, a three-week-long multinational aviation training exercise, alongside joint, partner, and allied forces in Guam and the Northern Mariana Islands from Feb 2 to 23, 2024.

Read More

U.S. Navy RP3 Jordan Warren (2nd from the left) with Marine Aircraft Logistics Squadron 24, Marine Aircraft Group 24, 1st Marine Aircraft Wing, poses with teammates for a group photo at Colorado Springs, Colorado, Feb. 15, 2024. Warren was granted a temporary additional duty to join the All-Navy wrestling team and compete with the goal of representing the United States in the Olympics. (courtesy photo by RP3 Jordan Warren) - U.S. Navy RP3 Jordan Warren (2nd from the left) with Marine Aircraft Logistics Squadron 24, Marine Aircraft Group 24, 1st Marine Aircraft Wing, poses with teammates for a group photo at Colorado Springs, Colorado, Feb. 15, 2024. Warren was granted a temporary additional duty to join the All-Navy wrestling team and compete with the goal of representing the United States in the Olympics. (courtesy photo by RP3 Jordan Warren)

U.S. Navy Sailor Pursues Olympic Dream Through Wrestling

Edison, New Jersey native and U.S. Navy Religious Programs Specialist 3 (RP3) Jordan Warren, was recently provided an opportunity to leverage his passion and skill in professional wrestling. RP3 Warren serves as a chaplain’s assistant with Marine Aircraft Logistics Squadron 24, Marine Aircraft Group 24, 1st Marine Aircraft Wing. He is on a mission to achieve his childhood dream of competing at the Olympics.

Read More

U.S. Marines with Marine Aerial Refueler Transport Squadron 152, 1st Marine Aircraft Wing, unload equipment from a KC-130J Super Hercules aircraft in preparation to transport Department of Social Welfare and Development family food packs at Villamor Airbase, Philippines, Feb. 11, 2024. At the request of the Government of the Philippines, the U.S. Marines of III Marine Expeditionary Force are supporting the U.S. Agency for International Development in providing foreign humanitarian assistance to the ongoing disaster relief mission in Mindanao. The forward presence and ready posture of III MEF assets in the region facilitated rapid and effective response to crisis, demonstrating the U.S.’s commitment to Allies and partners during times of need. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Sgt. Savannah Mesimer) - U.S. Marines with Marine Aerial Refueler Transport Squadron 152, 1st Marine Aircraft Wing, unload equipment from a KC-130J Super Hercules aircraft in preparation to transport Department of Social Welfare and Development family food packs at Villamor Airbase, Philippines, Feb. 11, 2024. At the request of the Government of the Philippines, the U.S. Marines of III Marine Expeditionary Force are supporting the U.S. Agency for International Development in providing foreign humanitarian assistance to the ongoing disaster relief mission in Mindanao. The forward presence and ready posture of III MEF assets in the region facilitated rapid and effective response to crisis, demonstrating the U.S.’s commitment to Allies and partners during times of need. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Sgt. Savannah Mesimer)

U.S. Marines Deliver Emergency Relief to Mindanao

At the request of the Government of the Philippines, U.S. Marines from III Marine Expeditionary Force will support the U.S. Agency for International Development by providing foreign humanitarian assistance to the ongoing disaster relief mission in Mindanao, Republic of the Philippines, Feb. 12, 2024.

Read More

A KC-130 assigned to Marine Aerial Refueler Squadron 153 (VMGR-153), Marine Aircraft Group 24, 1st Marine Aircraft Wing, takes off during a forward arming and refueling point exercise (FARP) as part of Force Design Integration Exercise (FDIE) at Marine Corps Air Station Kaneohe Bay, Hawaii, Sept. 27, 2023. A FARP is used to extend the capabilities of rotary or fixed-wing aircraft to allow rearming and refueling without having to fall back to a forward operating base. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Logan Beeney) - A KC-130 assigned to Marine Aerial Refueler Squadron 153 (VMGR-153), Marine Aircraft Group 24, 1st Marine Aircraft Wing, takes off during a forward arming and refueling point exercise (FARP) as part of Force Design Integration Exercise (FDIE) at Marine Corps Air Station Kaneohe Bay, Hawaii, Sept. 27, 2023. A FARP is used to extend the capabilities of rotary or fixed-wing aircraft to allow rearming and refueling without having to fall back to a forward operating base. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Logan Beeney)

Hawaii’s KC-130s Reach Initial Operational Capability

MARINE CORPS AIR STATION KANEOHE BAY – A year after their arrival in Hawaii, Marine Aerial Refueler Squadron (VMGR) 153 reached and declared Initial Operation Capability (IOC) on Feb. 6, 2024.

Read More

U.S. Marine Corps Cpl. Jacob Vasek and 1st Lt. Andrew Tilden with Marine Unmanned Aerial Vehicle Squadron (VMU) 3, Marine Aircraft Group 24, 1st Marine Aircraft Wing, pose for a group photo with students at Aliamanu Middle School, Hawaii, Jan. 26, 2024. Students learned about MQ-9A capabilities and aviation career fields in the Marine Corps. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Logan Beeney) - U.S. Marine Corps Cpl. Jacob Vasek and 1st Lt. Andrew Tilden with Marine Unmanned Aerial Vehicle Squadron (VMU) 3, Marine Aircraft Group 24, 1st Marine Aircraft Wing, pose for a group photo with students at Aliamanu Middle School, Hawaii, Jan. 26, 2024. Students learned about MQ-9A capabilities and aviation career fields in the Marine Corps. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Logan Beeney)

VMU-3 Visits Aliamanu Middle School

HONOLULU, Hawaii – U.S. Marines from Marine Unmanned Aerial Vehicle Squadron (VMU) 3, Marine Aircraft Group 24, 1st Marine Aircraft Wing partnered with Aliamanu Middle School’s Flight and Space classes on Jan. 26, 2023. This visit marked the first time in the school’s history that U.S. Marines introduced students to remotely piloted aircraft, specifically, the MQ-9A MUX/MALE.

Read More

U.S. Marine Corps Staff Sgt. Craig Larkin, the Marine Aircraft Group 36 Headquarters career planner, meritoriously promotes to the rank of gunnery sergeant on Marine Corps Air Station (MCAS) Futenma, Okinawa, Japan, Dec. 22, 2023. Larkin promoted as the recipient of the 2023 Career Planner of the Year Award. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Sav Ford) - U.S. Marine Corps Staff Sgt. Craig Larkin, the Marine Aircraft Group 36 Headquarters career planner, meritoriously promotes to the rank of gunnery sergeant on Marine Corps Air Station (MCAS) Futenma, Okinawa, Japan, Dec. 22, 2023. Larkin promoted as the recipient of the 2023 Career Planner of the Year Award. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Sav Ford)

2023 Career Planner of the Year

Throughout his time as a career planner, Larkin focused on making a difference in Marines’ lives. Before assisting each Marine, he asks himself, "if I were in their shoes, what kind of service or result would I want?”

Read More

231115-M-JN598-1005 - U.S. Marine Corps Col. Kyle B. Shoop, the commanding officer of Marine Aircraft Group (MAG) 12, speaks with newly selected and promoted staff sergeants during a three-day staff sergeant indoctrination seminar at Marine Corps Air Station (MCAS) Iwakuni, Japan, Nov. 15, 2023. This staff sergeant indoctrination seminar, hosted by MAG-12, is designed for newly selected and promoted staff sergeants, and provides a unique educational program that covers spiritual fitness, professional development, nutrition, and other aspects of effective leadership.