The Parris Island Marine Band performed during a military appreciation football game at the Justin M. Heyward Academy in Ridgeland, S.C., Sept. 5. The band performed a mixture of military marching music with precise drill movements. - The Parris Island Marine Band performed during a military appreciation football game at the Justin M. Heyward Academy in Ridgeland, S.C., Sept. 5. The band performed a mixture of military marching music with precise drill movements.

Marine Fighter Attack Training Squadron 501 (VMFAT-501), the Marine Corps' only F-35B Lightning II Joint Strike Fighter training squadron, completed their first F-35B Lightning II takeoff supported entirely by Marine maintainers aboard Marine Corps Air Station Beaufort, S.C., Sept. 4. The squadron's F-35B Lightning II aircraft, designed by Lockheed Martin, is normally maintained by both Marine maintainers and Lockheed Martin technicians making the squadron's 100 percent Marine maintenance paramount for aircraft operations in deployed environments. The F-35B Lightning II JSF will replace the Marine Corps’ aging legacy tactical fleet. In addition to replacing the F/A-18A-D Hornet, the Marine Corps will replace the AV-8B Harrier and EA-6B Prowler, essentially necking down to one common tactical fixed-wing aircraft. The integration of the F-35B/C strike fighters will provide the dominant, multi-role, fifth-generation capabilities needed across the full spectrum of combat operations to deter potential adversaries and enable future naval aviation power projection. - Marine Fighter Attack Training Squadron 501 (VMFAT-501), the Marine Corps' only F-35B Lightning II Joint Strike Fighter training squadron, completed their first F-35B Lightning II takeoff supported entirely by Marine maintainers aboard Marine Corps Air Station Beaufort, S.C., Sept. 4. The squadron's F-35B Lightning II aircraft, designed by Lockheed Martin, is normally maintained by both Marine maintainers and Lockheed Martin technicians making the squadron's 100 percent Marine maintenance paramount for aircraft operations in deployed environments. The F-35B Lightning II JSF will replace the Marine Corps’ aging legacy tactical fleet. In addition to replacing the F/A-18A-D Hornet, the Marine Corps will replace the AV-8B Harrier and EA-6B Prowler, essentially necking down to one common tactical fixed-wing aircraft. The integration of the F-35B/C strike fighters will provide the dominant, multi-role, fifth-generation capabilities needed across the full spectrum of combat operations to deter potential adversaries and enable future naval aviation power projection.

Students with Bolden Elementary/ Middle school aboard Laurel Bay Community Housing demonstrated their respect in remembrance of the 9/11 attacks on the United States, Sept. 11, 2014. The students retired an American flag and read student-produced poetry that acknowledged the sacrifices made 13 years before. - Students with Bolden Elementary/ Middle school aboard Laurel Bay Community Housing demonstrated their respect in remembrance of the 9/11 attacks on the United States, Sept. 11, 2014. The students retired an American flag and read student-produced poetry that acknowledged the sacrifices made 13 years before.

Children play at a military appreciation event aboard Laurel Bay, S.C., Sept. 6. - Children play at a military appreciation event aboard Laurel Bay, S.C., Sept. 6.

Photovoltaic panels, or solar panels, are one of the many projects aboard Marine Corps Air Station Beaufort to help reduce energy. In addition, Public Works asks that individuals help reduce the base energy bill by using electricity conservatively. - Photovoltaic panels, or solar panels, are one of the many projects aboard Marine Corps Air Station Beaufort to help reduce energy. In addition, Public Works asks that individuals help reduce the base energy bill by using electricity conservatively.

Marine Fighter Attack Squadron 251 conducted Fleet Carrier Landing Practice training aboard Marine Corps Air Station Beaufort, Sept. 2. The valuable training prepares pilots for situations and landings they will face while deployed aboard an aircraft carrier. - Marine Fighter Attack Squadron 251 conducted Fleet Carrier Landing Practice training aboard Marine Corps Air Station Beaufort, Sept. 2. The valuable training prepares pilots for situations and landings they will face while deployed aboard an aircraft carrier.