Stories

Two pilots taxi down the flightline in F-35B Lightning II Joint Strike Fighters aboard Marine Corps Air Station Beaufort, Nov. 6. The Airborne Tactical Advantage Company is training with Marine Fighter Attack Training Squadron 501 for the next two weeks to support new and transition pilots in their certification for the F-35B. The pilots are with VMFAT-501, Marine Aircraft Group 31. - Two pilots taxi down the flightline in F-35B Lightning II Joint Strike Fighters aboard Marine Corps Air Station Beaufort, Nov. 6. The Airborne Tactical Advantage Company is training with Marine Fighter Attack Training Squadron 501 for the next two weeks to support new and transition pilots in their certification for the F-35B. The pilots are with VMFAT-501, Marine Aircraft Group 31.

A pilot prepares to take off in an F-5N Tiger II aboard Marine Corps Air Station Beaufort, Aug. 22. A detachment from Marine Fighter Training Squadron 401 is providing red air for Marine Fighter Attack Training Squadron 501 from Aug. 20 to Sept. 1. VMFT-401 will simulate an enemy for the warlords to fight and maneuver against. The pilot is with VMFT-401. - A pilot prepares to take off in an F-5N Tiger II aboard Marine Corps Air Station Beaufort, Aug. 22. A detachment from Marine Fighter Training Squadron 401 is providing red air for Marine Fighter Attack Training Squadron 501 from Aug. 20 to Sept. 1. VMFT-401 will simulate an enemy for the warlords to fight and maneuver against. The pilot is with VMFT-401.

Marine Fighter Attack Squadron 312 conduct night operations aboard Marine Corps Air Station Beaufort, July 20. The squadrons of Marine Aircraft Group 31 conduct day and night operations to maintain operational readiness 365 days a year. - Marine Fighter Attack Squadron 312 conduct night operations aboard Marine Corps Air Station Beaufort, July 20. The squadrons of Marine Aircraft Group 31 conduct day and night operations to maintain operational readiness 365 days a year.

Col. Timothy P. Miller speaks during a change of command ceremony aboard Marine Corps Air Station Beaufort, July 7. Colonel Peter Buck relinquished command of the Air Station to Col. Timothy P. Miller, who most recently served at U.S. Pacific Command as the Warfighting Exercises Branch Chief. Buck, who assumed command on Feb. 13, 2014, is retiring from the Marine Corps after 30 years of dedicated service. - Col. Timothy P. Miller speaks during a change of command ceremony aboard Marine Corps Air Station Beaufort, July 7. Colonel Peter Buck relinquished command of the Air Station to Col. Timothy P. Miller, who most recently served at U.S. Pacific Command as the Warfighting Exercises Branch Chief. Buck, who assumed command on Feb. 13, 2014, is retiring from the Marine Corps after 30 years of dedicated service.

Marines and a fuels technician fill four-gallon bags with fuel to conduct a demolition exercise at the Explosive Ordnance Range aboard Marine Corps Air Station Beaufort, June 1. The MCAS Beaufort EOD Marines conducted the demolition exercise to detonate unused explosives from the 2017 MCAS Beaufort Air Show using the opportunity to practice for future air shows. The fuel bags were ignited to create the ‘wall of fire’, a pyrotechnic display used during air shows. The Marines are EOD technicians with EOD, MCAS Beaufort and the fuels technician is with Marine Wing Support Detachment 31, Marine Aircraft Group 31. - Marines and a fuels technician fill four-gallon bags with fuel to conduct a demolition exercise at the Explosive Ordnance Range aboard Marine Corps Air Station Beaufort, June 1. The MCAS Beaufort EOD Marines conducted the demolition exercise to detonate unused explosives from the 2017 MCAS Beaufort Air Show using the opportunity to practice for future air shows. The fuel bags were ignited to create the ‘wall of fire’, a pyrotechnic display used during air shows. The Marines are EOD technicians with EOD, MCAS Beaufort and the fuels technician is with Marine Wing Support Detachment 31, Marine Aircraft Group 31.

Cpl. Jamie Brooks is a Marine Corps Martial Arts Program Instructor and sports coach who uses his free time to give back to the communities around him. He spends two hours every morning teaching Marines MCMAP and volunteers for an hour after work three times week to coach a youth sports team. Despite working 14 to 15 hour days he says he never gets tired of it. “Seeing the shift in a Marines mindset - seeing the confidence they gain from belting up and challenging themselves is what makes the long hours worth it,” said Brooks. “When I coach after work I get to see the kid’s faces light up with joy and I know I am teaching them valuable life skills.” Brooks is an administrative specialist with Headquarters and Headquarters Squadron. - Cpl. Jamie Brooks is a Marine Corps Martial Arts Program Instructor and sports coach who uses his free time to give back to the communities around him. He spends two hours every morning teaching Marines MCMAP and volunteers for an hour after work three times week to coach a youth sports team. Despite working 14 to 15 hour days he says he never gets tired of it. “Seeing the shift in a Marines mindset - seeing the confidence they gain from belting up and challenging themselves is what makes the long hours worth it,” said Brooks. “When I coach after work I get to see the kid’s faces light up with joy and I know I am teaching them valuable life skills.” Brooks is an administrative specialist with Headquarters and Headquarters Squadron.

A MK-58 Hawker Hunter prepares to take off aboard Marine Corps Air Station Beaufort June 27. The aircraft is visiting Fightertown to participate in training operations with tenant squadrons. The Hawker Hunter is with the Airborne Tactical Advantage Company. Marine Fighter Attack Training Squadron utilized ATAC to train their pilots in anti-aircraft warfare. ATAC provided the adversary air presentation for VMFAT-501. The Hawker is with ATAC. - A MK-58 Hawker Hunter prepares to take off aboard Marine Corps Air Station Beaufort June 27. The aircraft is visiting Fightertown to participate in training operations with tenant squadrons. The Hawker Hunter is with the Airborne Tactical Advantage Company. Marine Fighter Attack Training Squadron utilized ATAC to train their pilots in anti-aircraft warfare. ATAC provided the adversary air presentation for VMFAT-501. The Hawker is with ATAC.

An F-35B Lightning II aircraft piloted by Maj. Jesse Peppers takes off from Marine Corps Air Station Beaufort, April 11. Peppers and the other F-35B Lightning II pilot instructors are training with Joint Direct Attack Munitions. After the instructors are proficient with JDAM they will add the ordnance to the syllabus for the F-35B training pilot program. The aircraft is with Marine Fighter Attack Training Squadron 501, Marine AircraftGroup 31. - An F-35B Lightning II aircraft piloted by Maj. Jesse Peppers takes off from Marine Corps Air Station Beaufort, April 11. Peppers and the other F-35B Lightning II pilot instructors are training with Joint Direct Attack Munitions. After the instructors are proficient with JDAM they will add the ordnance to the syllabus for the F-35B training pilot program. The aircraft is with Marine Fighter Attack Training Squadron 501, Marine Aircraft Group 31.

An F/A-18C Hornet aircraft conducts a simulated aircraft carrier landing aboard Marine Corps Air Station Beaufort, March 22. Therunway is equipped with a painted outline simulating the carrier for the pilots. The Marine and aircraft are with Marine Fighter Attack Squadron 312, Marine Aircraft Group 31. - An F/A-18C Hornet aircraft conducts a simulated aircraft carrier landing aboard Marine Corps Air Station Beaufort, March 22. The runway is equipped with a painted outline simulating the carrier for the pilots. The Marine and aircraft are with Marine Fighter Attack Squadron 312, Marine Aircraft Group 31.