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 Aviator of the Year by the Marine Corps Aviation Association, during a luncheon at Miller's Landing officers' club aboard Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point, April 17. Grunke was involved in a Tactical Recovery of Aircraft and Personnel mission in Libya in March 2011 to rescue the pilot of an Air Force F-15E that had crashed due to a mechanical failure. Over the course of the mission, Grunke dropped two 500-pound laser-guided bombs on tactical vehicles pursuing the pilot and identified a suitable landing zone for the MV-22B Osprey that would make the pickup. - 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 Aviator of the Year by the Marine Corps Aviation Association, during a luncheon at Miller's Landing officers' club aboard Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point, April 17. Grunke was involved in a Tactical Recovery of Aircraft and Personnel mission in Libya in March 2011 to rescue the pilot of an Air Force F-15E that had crashed due to a mechanical failure. Over the course of the mission, Grunke dropped two 500-pound laser-guided bombs on tactical vehicles pursuing the pilot and identified a suitable landing zone for the MV-22B Osprey that would make the pickup.