Marine Corps Aviation

The Flying Leatherneck Aviation Museum displays several portraits, including this painting of World War II Marine Corps fighter pilot Col. James E. Swett, a Medal of Honor recipient. The Flying Leatherneck is t More

A KC-130J Super Hercules maneuvers through calm skies during a division flight over eastern North Carolina, Sept. 1, 2015. Marine Aerial Refueler Transport Squadron 252 provides the Marine Air-Ground Task Force More

The original finding aid described this photograph as: [Complete] Scene Caption: Straight on medium aerial close-up of the refueling a US Navy F/A-18 from the Blue Angels' Aerial Demonstration team. Just the More

The original finding aid described this photograph as: [Complete] Scene Caption: Right side profile, medium aerial shot, of three F/A-18 Hornets from the US Navy's Blue Angel Aerial Demonstration Squadron. Th More

The original finding aid described this photograph as: [Complete] Scene Caption: Rear view medium shot over the shoulder of KC-10 Extender Boom Operator Techincal Sergeant Bob Culbertson of the 76th Air Refue More

The original finding aid described this photograph as: Base: Mcguire Air Force Base State: New Jersey (NJ) Country: United States Of America (USA) Scene Camera Operator: Gary Ell, CIV, USAF Release Status: More

A video plays at the at a ribbon cutting ceremony aboard Townsend Bombing Range, the East Coast’s premier air-to-ground bombing range, to commemorate its expansion and modernization, Jan 29. The video explained More

Coalition forces walk toward suspicious vehicles to search for drugs and possible threats in southwestern Afghanistan, May 8. The Marines supported efforts to disrupt enemy freedom of movement as well as counte More

Cpl. Joshua C. Riebold, left, and Lance Cpl. Taylor Gibson fill sandbags constructing living areas for the Marine Wing Support Squadron 371 Marines at Patrol Base Alcatraz, Afghanistan, Oct. 20. Gibson and Rieb More

Capt. Michael Gagnon takes notes on the debriefing at Patrol Base Alcatraz, Afghanistan, on the conclusion of a successful mission, Oct. 21. Gagnon, a native of Oxford, Mass., commands a team of roughly 20 men More

From left to right, Sgt. Adrian Howard takes the baton from Cpl. Ryan Bennett and Cpl. Rene Granados at Camp Leatherneck, Afghanistan, Nov. 9. The Marines, deployed with Marine Air Support Squadron 1, are takin More

Seaman Chase Lapradd, a corpsman attached to 2nd Marine Aircraft Wing (Forward), and a native of Drakes Branch, Va., receives his Fleet Marine Force qualification at Camp Leatherneck, Afghanistan, Feb. 16. The More

Maj. Gen. Jon. M. Davis, right, commanding general of 2nd Marine Aircraft Wing, congratulates Maj. J. Eric Grunke, AV-8B Harrier pilot with Marine Attack Squadron 542, upon his recognition as the Marine Corps A More

Secretary of Defense Leon E. Panetta, right foreground, participates in a wreath-laying ceremony at the base of the U.S. Marine Corps War Memorial during the Marine Aviation Centennial observance at the Marine More

Secretary of Defense Leon E. Panetta, second from left, is escorted to his seat by Commandant of the Marine Corps Gen. James F. Amos, center foreground, before the beginning of the Marine Aviation Centennial ob More

Capt. Adam Hamblin, assigned to Marine Attack Squadron (VMA) 231, fills in the aircraft log book while crew members discuss the performance of the AV-8B Harrier during the Joint Service Open House 2012. This ye More

A KC-130J Hercules aircraft lands on Tinian Island's North Field runway, May 30, during Exercise Geiger Fury 2012. The aircraft was the first to land on the runway since 1947. The runway was cleared and repaire More

Retired Capt. Charles Magill received a certificate of appreciation for his services as a pilot in Operation Desert Storm during a celebration held by the Flying Leatherneck Historical Foundation in San Diego, More

Pat Donovan stands with fellow veteran during a ceremony to honor the centennial of Marine Corps Aviation at the Westgate Hotel in San Diego, June 9. Pat Donovan was one of pilots who were commemorated for thei More

Seconds after takeoff from MCAS Yuma's flightline on Oct. 11, U.S. Marine Capt. Joshua Mallow steadies the KC-130J Hercules and prepares for AV-8B Harrier refueling ops. Mallow, attached to Marine Aerial Refue More

Cruising over 13,000' above Yuma, Ariz., Marine AV-8B Harrier pilot Michael McKenney, native of Arlington, Va., fills up at a KC-130J Hercules aerial refueling station during Weapons and Tactics Instructor Cou More

Marines filled the banquet room at the Sonoran Pueblo aboard Marine Corps Air Station Yuma, Ariz., April 27, for the Weapons and Tactics Instructor Course 2-14 graduation ceremony. Following the invocation read More

Marines with Marine Fighter Attack Squadron 115 prepare to deploy to the Western Pacific aboard Marine Corps Air Station Beaufort as part of the Unit Deployment Program, July 9. Marine Fighter Attack Squadron 1 More

U.S. Marines assigned to 2nd Marine Aircraft Wing attend a Marine Corps Aviation Association (MCAA) awards ceremony on Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point, N.C., Feb. 23, 2015. MCAA awarded Marines based on p More

150319-N-KG934-082 ORLANDO, Fla. (March 19, 2015) -- The U.S. Navy Flight Demonstration Squadron, the Blue Angels, execute the Delta Breakout over the Cinderella Castle in the Magic Kingdom at Walt Disney Worl More

U.S. Marines assigned to Marine Wing Support Squadron 271 conduct a tour of a water treatment facility for students of Weapons and Tactics Instructor Course (WTI) 2-15 on Site 50 training area near Wellton, Ari More

A U.S. Marine attending the infantry officers course holds an ammunition can before a fast rope training exercise in preparation for Talon Reach during Weapons and Tactics Instructor Course (WTI 2-15) at Auxili More

U.S. Marines attending the infantry officer course prepare to conduct a fast rope exercise during Weapons and Tactics Instructor Course (WTI) on Marine Corps Air Station Yuma, Ariz., March 27, 2015. WTI is a se More

A forward arming and refueling point exercise is set up during Weapons and Tactics Instructor Course (WTI 2-15) at Auxiliary Airfield 2 near Yuma, Ariz., March 30, 2015. WTI is a seven-week event hosted by Mari More

An MK36 wrecker assigned to Marine Wing Support Squadron 271 is used to conduct an aircraft salvage during Weapons and Tactics Instructor Course (WTI 2-15) at K-9 Village, Yuma Proving Grounds, AZ., March 30, 2 More

U.S. Marines assigned to Marine Aerial Refueler Transport Squadron 252 conduct an air delivery during Weapons and Tactics Instructor Course (WTI 2-15) at Auxiliary Airfield 2 near Yuma, Ariz., April 1, 2015. WT More

U.S. Marines assigned to Landing Support Company, 1st Transportation Support Battalion prepare a Humvee for an external lift during Weapons and Tactics Instructor Course (WTI) Course 2-15 at Auxiliary Airfield More

A U.S. Marine assigned to 1st Battalion, 5th Marine Regiment, 1st Marine Division, provides security while participating in a heavy Huey raid during Weapons and Tactics Instructor Course (WTI) Course 2-15 at Au More

7.26mm ball rounds are laid out in preparation for battle drills during Weapons and Tactics Instructor (WTI) Course 2-15 near Yuma, Ariz., April 4, 2015. WTI is a seven-week event hosted by Marine Aviation Weap More

A U.S. Marine Corps UH-1Y Huey participates in a heavy Huey raid exercise during Weapons and Tactics Instructor (WTI) Course 2-15 at Yuma Proving Grounds near Yuma, Ariz., April 8, 2015. WTI is a seven-week eve More

U.S. Marines assigned to Marine Wing Support Squadron (MWSS) 271, prepare to conduct a defense of an expeditionary airfield (DEAF) exercise during Weapons and Tactics Instructor Course (WTI) 2-15 at Landing Zon More

A KC-130T aircraft assigned to Marine Aerial Refueler Transport Squadron (VMGR) 452 is parked on the flightline during Weapons and Tactics Instructor Course (WTI) 2-15 in Yuma, Ariz., April 11, 2015. WTI is a s More

U.S. Marine Corps Cpl. Harley R. Workman, a crew chief assigned to Marine Heavy Helicopter Squadron (HMH) 466, prepares to conduct assault support tactics during Weapons and Tactics Instructor Course (WTI) 2-15 More

A U.S. Marine Corps M16A4 service rifle and a FIM-29 Stinger missile launcher are staged under a tree during Weapons and Tactics Instructor Course (WTI) 2-15 near Tacts Airfield, Ariz., April 15, 2015. WTI is a More

U.S. Marine Corps Maj. Jason M. Ellis, left, an instructor assigned to Marine Aviation Weapons and Tactics Squadron One (MAWTS-1), and Maj. Timothy R. Drieslein, a pilot assigned to Marine Aerial Refueler Trans More

U.S. Marine Corps Private First Class Anthony A. Mendoza, left, Lance Cpl. Vince C. Haughton, middle, and Private First Class Deonte I. Mitchell, riflemen assigned to 1st Battalion, 5th Marine Regiment, 1st Mar More

U.S. Marine Corps Sgt. Jessie T. James, a crew chief assigned to Marine Light Attack Helicopter Squadron (HMLA) 267 inspects a mini-gun before Final Exercise 3 during Weapons and Tactics Instructor Course (WTI) More

U.S. Marines assigned to 2nd Marine Aircraft Wing listen while Ray E. Mabus, the Secretary of the Navy speaks on Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point, N.C., May 6, 2015. The Honorable Mr. Mabus spoke to the Ma More

U.S. Marines assigned to Marine Wing Headquarters Squadron (MWHS) 2 gather to participate in a physical fitness test (PFT) on Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point, N.C., May 21, 2015. All Marines are required More

U.S. Marines assigned to 2nd Marine Aircraft Wing (MAW) Band perform during a relief and appointment ceremony on Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point, N.C., June 4, 2015. Sgt. Maj. Christopher G. Robinson was More

U.S. Marine Corps Maj. Brian F. Mazzola, a pilot assigned to Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron (VMM) 263, delivers a brief in preparation for fast-rope and rappelling training with Marine Special Operations Comm More

U.S. Marines assigned to the 2nd Marine Aircraft Wing Band, perform during Marine Wing Communications Squadron (MWCS) 28's change of command ceremony on Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point, N.C., June 25, 201 More

U.S. Marine Corps combat cameramen assigned to Marine Wing Headquarters Squadron 2, and Headquarters and Headquarters Squadron, attend a lighting class conducted by Ricardo Robinson (right), the deputy director More

U.S. Marines assigned to Marine Unmanned Aerial Vehicle Squadron (VMU) 2, are briefed for a familiarization flight at Marine Corps Air Station, N.C., July 1, 2015. VMU-2 conducted a training flight to increase More

U.S. Marines assigned to Marine Unmanned Aerial Vehicle Squadron (VMU) 2 conduct a pre-flight check on a RQ-21A Blackjack during a training flight at Marine Corps Outlying Field Atlantic Field on July 15, 2015. More

U.S. Marine Corps Sgt. Kathryn K. Bynum, a videographer with 2nd Marine Aircraft Wing Combat Camera, documents the final flight of two CH-46E Sea Knights assigned to Marine Medium Helicopter Squadron (HMM) 774 More

U.S. Marines assigned to Marine Wing Headquarters Squadron (MWHS) 2, prepare to participate in a four mile hike on Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point, N.C., Sept. 10, 2015. MWHS-2 conducted the hike to incre More

U.S. Rep. Robert J. Wittman, a representative of the First Congressional District of Virginia, discusses the impact of readiness training in the workforce with the leadership of Marine Corps Air Station Cherry More

U.S. Marine Corps Sgt. Maj. Ronald L. Green, the 18th Sergeant Major of the Marine Corps, addresses Marines assigned to 2nd Marine Air Wing on Marine Corps Air Station (MCAS) Cherry Point, N.C., Sept. 15, 2015. More

A CH-53E Super Stallion helicopter offloads Marines during a non-combatant evacuation exercise as part of Weapons and Tactics Instructor course 1-16 at Kiwanis Park in Yuma, Ariz., Friday, Oct. 16, 2015. During More

Marines with 2nd Battalion, 7th Marine Regiment, based out of Marine Corps Air Ground Combat Center Twentynine Palms, Calif., provide security in front of a CH-53E Super Stallion helicopter during a non-combata More

A Marine with Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron (VMM) 165 pilots an MV-22B Osprey during section formation maneuvers in Holtville, Calif., June 29. VMM-165 conducts the training to familiarize new crew chiefs an More

ROYAL AUSTRALIAN AIR FORCE BASE, Darwin – U.S. Marine Sgt. Matthew O’Clair, aircraft maintainer, Marine Light Attack Helicopter Squadron 367, Marine Rotational Force Darwin 17.2 (MRF-D), oversees the offload of More

Rob Holland performs stunts in an MXS-RH aircraft during the 2017 Air Show aboard Marine Corps Air Station Beaufort, April X. Holland’s MXS-RH all carbon-fiber, American-made, one of a kind aircraft is based of More

ROYAL AUSTRALIAN AIR FORCE BASE DARWIN, Australia – U.S. Marine Sgt. Phil Berry, weapons and tactics instructor, Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron 268, Marine Rotational Force Darwin, looks out the rear of an MV More

MOUNT BUNDEY TRAINING AREA, Australia – U.S. Marine landing support specialists with 7th Engineer Support Battalion, Combat Logistics Detachment, Marine Rotational Force Darwin, make their way to an MV-22B Ospr More

NORTHERN TERRITORY, Australia – U.S. Marine Cpl. Tannyr Novak, crew chief, Marine Light Attack Helicopter Squadron 367, Marine Rotational Force Darwin, takes in the view during a flight to an aerial gun range a More

U.S. Marine Corps Maj. Jasmin Moghbeli, a pilot assigned to Marine Test and Evaluation Squadron (VMX) 1, conducts her final flight in an AH-1 "Cobra" at Marine Corps Air Station Yuma, Ariz., June 7, 2017. Maj. More

ROYAL AUSTRALIAN AIR FORCE BASE DARWIN, Australia – U.S. Marines with Marine Light Attack Helicopter Squadron 367, Marine Rotational Force Darwin load a UH-1Y Venom onto a C-17 Globemaster III, Sept. 25, 2017. More

ROYAL AUSTRALIAN AIR FORCE BASE DARWIN, Australia – U.S. Marines with Marine Light Attack Helicopter Squadron 367, Marine Rotational Force Darwin load a UH-1Y Venom onto a C-17 Globemaster III, Sept. 25, 2017. More

U.S. Marine Corps Pfc. Myles Bautista, an engineering equipment operator with Marine Wing Support Squadron 272 (MWSS-272) ground guides Pfc. Ashley Hewes, an engineering equipment operator with MWSS-272, while More

U.S. Marine Corps Lance Cpl. Andrew Ambs, a heavy equipment operator with Marine Wing Support Squadron 272 (MWSS-272) repairs a hose seal on a Tractor, Rubber Tired, Articulated, Multipurpose vehicle (TRAM) dur More

U.S. Marines with Marine Wing Support Squadron 272 spread portland cement with a Tractor, Rubber Tired, Articulated, Multipurpose vehicle during an expeditionary airfield maintenance exercise in support of Wea More

U.S. Marines with Marine Wing Support Squadron (MWSS) 272 compact portland cement during an expeditionary airfield maintenance exercise in support of Weapons and Tactics Instructor Course 2-18 at STOVAL Expedit More

U.S. Marines, with Combat Logisitics Regiment 25, unfold a 3,000 gallon water bladder during Expeditionary water purification in support of Weapons and Tactics Instructors course 2-18 at Siphon 8 Training Area, More

U.S. Marine Corps pilots and flight crew chiefs prepare a UH-1Y Venom for take off during Air to Ground Refinement in support of Weapons and Tactics Instructors course 2-18 at Marine Corps Air Station Yuma, Yum More

U.S. Marine pilots and flight crew chiefs conduct landing and take off training using UH-1Y Venoms during Assault Support Training in support of Weapons and Tactics Instructors course 2-18 at Marine Corps air S More

U.S. Marines with Marine Aviation Weapons and Tactics Squadron 1 fly in MV-22 Ospreys in support of Weapons and Tactics Instructors course 2-18 at Yuma Proving Grounds, Ariz., April 13. WTI is a seven-week trai More

The first CH-53K King Stallion lands on the flight line at Marine Corps Air Station New River, North Carolina May 16, 2018. The aircraft’s delivery to MCAS New River marks another on-time milestone for the U.S. More

A U.S. Marine UH-1Y Huey “Venom” utility helicopter with the 22nd Marine Expeditionary Unit is signaled by U.S. Navy flight deck crewman as it approaches the flight deck of the USS Arlington (LPD-24) during Amp More

U.S. Marines assigned to Marine Light Attack Helicopter Squadron 269 utilize an UH-1Y Venom aircraft to transport infantry Marines with 1st Battalion, 3rd Marine Regiment, 3rd Marine Division throughout the tra More

U.S. Marine Corps EA-6B Prowlers fly above Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point, North Carolina, Feb. 26, 2019. Marine Tactical Electronic Warfare Squadron (VMAQ) 2 flew the aircraft in preparation for their f More

Colonel Takaoka (left) presents Maj. Tina D. Terry (right) with a certificate of appreciation on Marine Corps Air Station Futenma, Okinawa, Japan, Feb. 26, 2019. The award was presented to Terry for her actions More

A ribbon cutting ceremony is held aboard Townsend Bombing Range, the East Coast’s premier air-to-ground bombing range, to commemorate its expansion and modernization, Jan. 29. The range has expanded from 5,183 More

Army paratroopers assigned to the 3rd Battalion, 509th Parachute Infantry Regiment, 4th Infantry Brigade Combat Team (Airborne), 25th Infantry Division, U.S. Army Alaska, jump from a U.S. Marine Corps KC-130J S More

A KC-130J Super Hercules pilot gazes at a KC-130J maneuver through the skies during a division flight over eastern North Carolina, Sept. 1, 2015. Marine Aerial Refueler Transport Squadron 252 provides the Marin More

A ribbon cutting ceremony is held aboard Townsend Bombing Range, the East Coast’s premier air-to-ground bombing range, to commemorate its expansion and modernization, Jan. 29. The range has expanded from 5,183 More

A Marine Corps AH-1W Super Cobra attack helicopter from Marine Light Attack Helicopter Squadron 169 provides security for coalition forces searching vehicles for drugs or weapons in southwestern, Afghanistan, M More

The day before the first mission, Capt. Michael Gagnon briefs his Marines at Patrol Base Alcatraz, Afghanistan, Oct. 20, on the plan to construct a helicopter-landing zone for a special operations outpost in th More

Cpl. Christopher Cane constructs a helicopter landing zone in the Helmand River valley of southwestern Afghanistan from behind the wheel of an armored bulldozer, Oct. 21. Cane, a native of Olympia, Wash., is a More

Seaman Chase Lapradd, a corpsman attached to 2nd Marine Aircraft Wing (Forward), and a native of Drakes Branch, Va., receives his Fleet Marine Force qualification certificate from Cmdr. Erica Miller, the 2nd Ma More

Maj. J. Eric Grunke, pictured here at Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point, N.C., April 24, has been named Marine Corps Aviator of the Year by the Marine Corps Aviation Association. The MCAA gives the award to More

Secretary of Defense Leon E. Panetta, second from left, returns to his seat after a wreath-laying ceremony at the base of the U.S. Marine Corps War Memorial during the Marine Aviation Centennial observance at t More

Lt. Mark Tedrow, assigned to the U.S. Navy flight demonstration squadron Blue Angels, re-enlists Logistics Specialist 1st Class Yinette Torres, assigned to Naval Air Facility Washington, during the Joint Servic More

Pat Donovan stands as he is honored at a banquet to celebrate the centennial of Marine Corps Aviation hosted by the Flying Leatherneck Historical Foundation in San Diego, June 9. Donovan was one of six pilots w More

Retired Col. Mike Kurth received a certification of appreciation for his services as a pilot in Operation Desert Storm at a celebration to commemorate the 100th anniversary of Marine Corps aviation at the Westg More

After launching from MCAS Yuma's flightline on Oct. 11, U.S. Marine Capt. Joshua Mallow steadies the KC-130J Hercules and prepares for AV-8B Harrier refueling ops. Mallow, attached to Marine Aerial Refueler Tr More

Cruising over 13,000' above Yuma, Ariz., Marine AV-8B Harrier pilot Maj. Michael McKenney, native of Arlington, Va., fills up at a KC-130J Hercules aerial refueling station during Weapons and Tactics Instructor More

Hundreds of Marines, sailors, airmen and civilians listen attentively as the guest speaker, Lt. Gen. Jon M. Davis, Deputy Commander of United States Cyber Command, addresses the crowd during the Weapons and Tac More

Marines with Marine Fighter Attack Squadron 115 prepare to deploy to the Western Pacific aboard Marine Corps Air Station Beaufort as part of the Unit Deployment Program, July 9. Marine Fighter Attack Squadron 1 More

U.S. Marines assigned to 2nd Marine Aircraft Wing attend a Marine Corps Aviation Association (MCAA) awards ceremony on Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point, N.C., Feb. 23, 2015. MCAA awarded Marines based on p More

U.S. Marines assigned to Marine Wing Support Squadron 271 conduct a tour of a water treatment facility for students of Weapons and Tactics Instructor Course (WTI) 2-15 on Site 50 training area near Wellton, Ari More

U.S. Marine Corps Capt. Kevin J. Fitzsimmons, a safety insert officer attending the infantry officers course, conducts a safety brief prior to a fast rope training exercise in preparation for Talon Reach during More

U.S. Marines attending the infantry officer course prepare to conduct a fast rope exercise during Weapons and Tactics Instructor Course (WTI) on Marine Corps Air Station Yuma, Ariz., March 27, 2015. WTI is a se More

An AH-1Z and two AH-1W Cobras assigned to Marine Light Attack Helicopter Squadron 269 fly over a forward arming and refueling point exercise during Weapons and Tactics Instructor Course (WTI 2-15) at Auxiliary More