Stories

F/A-18C Hornets prepares for takeoff aboard Marine Corps Air Station Beaufort, April 9. - F/A-18C Hornets prepares for takeoff aboard Marine Corps Air Station Beaufort, April 9. The Hornets are with Marine Fighter Attack Squadron 115 and deployed in support of combat operation overseas. While deployed, the squadron will coordinate with our international partners and other branches of the U.S. military in order to ensure the mission is accomplished and freedom is protected.

Col. Peter D. Buck speaks to noncommissioned officers about his command philosophy focusing on core values and Warrior Ethos during a Corporals Course graduation aboard Marine Corps Air Station Beaufort, March 14. Buck took the opportunity to remind the Marines of their role as noncommissioned officers and reemphasize his command philosophy in particular detrimental behavior that would break the special trust and confidence bestow upon them when they first receive the Eagle, Globe and Anchor emblem. Buck is the commanding officer of MCAS Beaufort. - Col. Peter D. Buck speaks to noncommissioned officers about his command philosophy focusing on core values and Warrior Ethos during a Corporals Course graduation aboard Marine Corps Air Station Beaufort, March 14. Buck took the opportunity to remind the Marines of their role as noncommissioned officers and reemphasize his command philosophy in particular detrimental behavior that would break the special trust and confidence bestow upon them when they first receive the Eagle, Globe and Anchor emblem. Buck is the commanding officer of MCAS Beaufort.

A maintaner stands in front of an F/A-18C Hornet on the flightline aboard Marine Corps Air Station Beaufort May 4. Marine Fighter Attack Squadron 251 is participating in a Weapons Systems Evaluation Program at Tyndall Air Force Base, Fla., May 6-20. The program gives pilots experience with flying against real aircraft outside a simulation. The real world training helps Marines be tactically proficient and prepared to deploy. The pilot is with VMFA-251. - A maintaner stands in front of an F/A-18C Hornet on the flightline aboard Marine Corps Air Station Beaufort May 4. Marine Fighter Attack Squadron 251 is participating in a Weapons Systems Evaluation Program at Tyndall Air Force Base, Fla., May 6-20. The program gives pilots experience with flying against real aircraft outside a simulation. The real world training helps Marines be tactically proficient and prepared to deploy. The pilot is with VMFA-251.

An F/A- 18 C Hornet rests on the flight line Dec. 1 aboard Marine Corps Air Station Beaufort after returning from Integrated Training Exercise aboard Marine Corps Air-Ground Combat Center Twenty-nine Palms Calif., from Oct. 16- Nov. 20. Marine Fighter Attack Squadron 122 conducted the training exercise to prepare for an upcoming deployment in early 2016. VMFA-122 is with Marine Aircraft Group 31. - An F/A- 18 C Hornet rests on the flight line Dec. 1 aboard Marine Corps Air Station Beaufort after returning from Integrated Training Exercise aboard Marine Corps Air-Ground Combat Center Twenty-nine Palms Calif., from Oct. 16- Nov. 20. Marine Fighter Attack Squadron 122 conducted the training exercise to prepare for an upcoming deployment in early 2016. VMFA-122 is with Marine Aircraft Group 31.

Xxenos, a military working dog, rests during one of his combat deployments.The retired MWD passed away earlier this year at the age of 10. Xxenos hadbeen retired three years and deployed three times during his career; twice toIraq and once to Afghanistan. Xxenos was a Marine specialized search dog. - Xxenos, a military working dog, rests during one of his combat deployments. The retired MWD passed away earlier this year at the age of 10. Xxenos had been retired three years and deployed three times during his career; twice to Iraq and once to Afghanistan. Xxenos was a Marine specialized search dog.

Lance Cpl. Kenneth Hildebrandt eats a meal during a field exercise on Fort Stewart, Ga., June 1-7. The Marines ate and slept out in the field for the duration of the exercise. Hildebrandt is a machinist with Combat Logistics Company 23, Combat Logistics Regiment 25. - Lance Cpl. Kenneth Hildebrandt eats a meal during a field exercise on Fort Stewart, Ga., June 1-7. The Marines ate and slept out in the field for the duration of the exercise. Hildebrandt is a machinist with Combat Logistics Company 23, Combat Logistics Regiment 25.

Marines with Range Company, Weapons and Field Training Battalion aboard Marine Corps Recruit Depot Parris Island participated in Operation Adrenaline Rush at the James Island County Park in Charleston, S.C., Aug. 22. Operation Adrenaline Rush combines combat and operational stress control principles with an outdoor recreation adventure activity to aid in mitigating boredom and high-risk behavior of recent deployed Marines and sailors. - Marines with Range Company, Weapons and Field Training Battalion aboard Marine Corps Recruit Depot Parris Island participated in Operation Adrenaline Rush at the James Island County Park in Charleston, S.C., Aug. 22. Operation Adrenaline Rush combines combat and operational stress control principles with an outdoor recreation adventure activity to aid in mitigating boredom and high-risk behavior of recent deployed Marines and sailors.

Marine Attack Training Squadron 203 detached from Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point, N.C., for training aboard Marine Corps Air Station Beaufort, May 9 through 22. The training allowed air traffic controllers to familiarize themselves with the vertical and short takeoff and landing pattern that VMAT-203 AV-8B Harriers share with F-35s as the squadron conducted air-to-air and familiarization training. - Marine Attack Training Squadron 203 detached from Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point, N.C., for training aboard Marine Corps Air Station Beaufort, May 9 through 22. The training allowed air traffic controllers to familiarize themselves with the vertical and short takeoff and landing pattern that VMAT-203 AV-8B Harriers share with F-35s as the squadron conducted air-to-air and familiarization training.

Captain William T. Paxton, an F-18 pilot with Marine Fighter Attack Squadron 251, was awarded the Bronze Star medal with a combat distinguishing device during an award ceremony aboard Marine Corps Air Station Beaufort, May 5. While serving with 2nd Battalion 8th Marines as the forward air controller, Paxton spent five hours calling in accurate air strikes on enemy targets, allowing his small command element to escape and evacuate an injured Marine. - Captain William T. Paxton, an F-18 pilot with Marine Fighter Attack Squadron 251, was awarded the Bronze Star medal with a combat distinguishing device during an award ceremony aboard Marine Corps Air Station Beaufort, May 5. While serving with 2nd Battalion 8th Marines as the forward air controller, Paxton spent five hours calling in accurate air strikes on enemy targets, allowing his small command element to escape and evacuate an injured Marine.

Marine Fighter Attack Squadron 312, also known as the Checkerboards, deployedJan. 12, aboard the USS Harry S. Truman in support of Navy Carrier Air Wing 3 aswell as Carrier Support Group Ten. The Navy carrier air wing attached to the USSHarry S. Truman will provide close air support for maritime security operations. - Marine Fighter Attack Squadron 312, also known as the Checkerboards, deployed Jan. 12, aboard the USS Harry S. Truman in support of Navy Carrier Air Wing 3 as well as Carrier Support Group Ten. The Navy carrier air wing attached to the USS Harry S. Truman will provide close air support for maritime security operations.