Lance Cpl. Viral Patel directs an TAV-8B Harrier pilot

Lance Cpl. Viral Patel directs an TAV-8B Harrier pilot prior to take off at Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point, N.C., March 11, 2016. A plane captain is responsible for conducting a final examination of the aircraft and guiding the pilots out onto the runway. Plane captains possess extensive knowledge of their designated aircraft and can determine if there are any last minute discrepancies that could potentially ground the aircraft. Patel is a plane captain and a fixed-wing aircraft mechanic with Marine Attack Training Squadron 203. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. N.W. Huertas/Released)