Lance Cpl. Jonathan J. Limrick, a combat engineer with Marine Wing Support Squadron 272, directs a bulldozer clearing ground debris to expand a forward arming refueling point at Combat Outpost Ouellette in Afghanistan’s Helmand province, April 17. The forward arming refueling point was recently constructed at the combat outpost to enable 2nd Marine Aircraft Wing (Forward) to better support Marines and other coalition troops operating near Sangin, Afghanistan “We are constructing barriers, buffing up the base perimeter and building fuel bladders,” said Limrick. “This is all part of making Ouellette bigger to support the ground troops better.” - Lance Cpl. Jonathan J. Limrick, a combat engineer with Marine Wing Support Squadron 272, directs a bulldozer clearing ground debris to expand a forward arming refueling point at Combat Outpost Ouellette in Afghanistan’s Helmand province, April 17. The forward arming refueling point was recently constructed at the combat outpost to enable 2nd Marine Aircraft Wing (Forward) to better support Marines and other coalition troops operating near Sangin, Afghanistan “We are constructing barriers, buffing up the base perimeter and building fuel bladders,” said Limrick. “This is all part of making Ouellette bigger to support the ground troops better.”

Sgt. Zachary M. Salter checks the automated weather observation system at the Marine Air Control Squadron 2 compound at Camp Dwyer, Afghanistan, April 15. The system takes weather readings every five minutes and provides meteorological and oceanographic analyst Marines with valuable atmospheric information. Salter is a METOC analyst with the MACS-2detachment deployed out of Marine Corps Air Station New River, N.C. - Sgt. Zachary M. Salter checks the automated weather observation system at the Marine Air Control Squadron 2 compound at Camp Dwyer, Afghanistan, April 15. The system takes weather readings every five minutes and provides meteorological and oceanographic analyst Marines with valuable atmospheric information. Salter is a METOC analyst with the MACS-2detachment deployed out of Marine Corps Air Station New River, N.C.

The Marines and sailors of Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron 264 stand in formation during a change of command ceremony at the squadron's hangar on Camp Bastion, Afghanistan, April 15. Lt. Col. Jeffrey P. Hogan relinquished command of the squadron to Lt. Col. Brian G. McAvoy. "It is hard to leave Marines I've worked with," said Hogan. "Especially while on deployment out here." - The Marines and sailors of Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron 264 stand in formation during a change of command ceremony at the squadron's hangar on Camp Bastion, Afghanistan, April 15. Lt. Col. Jeffrey P. Hogan relinquished command of the squadron to Lt. Col. Brian G. McAvoy. "It is hard to leave Marines I've worked with," said Hogan. "Especially while on deployment out here."

Kyle G. Butzer, an AV-8B Harrier engine mechanic with Marine Aviation Logistics Squadron 14, swings in on a tee shot at Cherry Point’s Sound of Freedom Golf Course during the air station’s annual Single Marine Program Devil Dog Open April 8. The tournament’s winning team registered a score of 59, 13 shots under the course’s par 72, and the top nine finishing teams received prizes ranging from golf gear to gift certificates redeemable at the course’s golf shop. - Kyle G. Butzer, an AV-8B Harrier engine mechanic with Marine Aviation Logistics Squadron 14, swings in on a tee shot at Cherry Point’s Sound of Freedom Golf Course during the air station’s annual Single Marine Program Devil Dog Open April 8. The tournament’s winning team registered a score of 59, 13 shots under the course’s par 72, and the top nine finishing teams received prizes ranging from golf gear to gift certificates redeemable at the course’s golf shop.

A KC-130J Hercules belonging to Marine Aerial Refueler Transport Squadron 252 flies over the Middle East with two Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron 266 MV-22B Ospreys, April 3. Six Ospreys with Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron 266 returned to the 26th Marine Expeditionary Unit after a trek from Camp Bastion, Afghanistan, to Souda Bay, Greece, with the assistance of a pair of KC-130J Hercules from 2nd Marine Aircraft Wing (Forward) who provided transport and aerial refueling support. - A KC-130J Hercules belonging to Marine Aerial Refueler Transport Squadron 252 flies over the Middle East with two Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron 266 MV-22B Ospreys, April 3. Six Ospreys with Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron 266 returned to the 26th Marine Expeditionary Unit after a trek from Camp Bastion, Afghanistan, to Souda Bay, Greece, with the assistance of a pair of KC-130J Hercules from 2nd Marine Aircraft Wing (Forward) who provided transport and aerial refueling support.

Cpl. Erin C. Pesti performs preflight checks on a KC-130J Hercules at, April 3, moments before takeoff to support a mission in Souda Bay, Greece. Pesti, an Athens, Ga., native and KC-130J crew chief with Marine Aerial Refueler Transport Squadron 152, is currently serving her fifth month deployed to Kandahar Air Field, Afghanistan, where her squadron supports 2nd Marine Aircraft Wing (Forward - Cpl. Erin C. Pesti performs preflight checks on a KC-130J Hercules at, April 3, moments before takeoff to support a mission in Souda Bay, Greece. Pesti, an Athens, Ga., native and KC-130J crew chief with Marine Aerial Refueler Transport Squadron 152, is currently serving her fifth month deployed to Kandahar Air Field, Afghanistan, where her squadron supports 2nd Marine Aircraft Wing (Forward

Rear Adm. Alton L. Stocks, left, is greeted upon arrival by the command element of Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point, Col. Philip J. Zimmerman, center, and Sgt. Maj. Jerry L. Bailey, right, March 29. Stocks, the commander of Navy Medicine East, visited the air station to tour the Naval health clinic. - Rear Adm. Alton L. Stocks, left, is greeted upon arrival by the command element of Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point, Col. Philip J. Zimmerman, center, and Sgt. Maj. Jerry L. Bailey, right, March 29. Stocks, the commander of Navy Medicine East, visited the air station to tour the Naval health clinic.

Vought F4U-1s of Marine Fighter Attack Squadron 323 fly a mission in the Pacific in 1945. Prior to World War II, amphibious operations were reliant upon battleships for naval gunfire support. Though the battleship continued to play a role, the versatility of aircraft would contribute to the battleship being phased out of service by the early 21st century. - Vought F4U-1s of Marine Fighter Attack Squadron 323 fly a mission in the Pacific in 1945. Prior to World War II, amphibious operations were reliant upon battleships for naval gunfire support. Though the battleship continued to play a role, the versatility of aircraft would contribute to the battleship being phased out of service by the early 21st century.