Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point

Flares are discharged from a U.S. Marine Corps CH-53D Sea Stallion helicopter of Marine Heavy Helicopter Squadron 363 (HMH-363) during a routine flight operation, Helmand River Valley, Helmand Province, Afghanistan, Jan. 5, 2012. Marine pilots of HMH-363 utilize flares ensuring the safety of the crew onboard and safe guarding the aircraft while in flight during poor visibility weather. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Robert R. Carrasco/Released).

U.S. Marine Corps Cpl. Zachary Hughes, weapons tactics instructor, Marine Heavy Helicopter Squadron 363, observes Lance Cpl. Madison DeLoach operate a .50-caliber machine gun, Helmand River Valley, Helmand Province, Afghanistan, Jan. 5, 2011. DeLoach operated the .50-caliber machine gun during flight operations with the guidance of Hughes. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Robert R. Carrasco/Released).

U.S. Marine Corps Cpl. Zachary Hughes (foreground), weapons tactics instructor, Marine Heavy Helicopter Squadron 363, observes Lance Cpl. Madison DeLoach operate a .50-caliber machine gun, Helmand River Valley, Helmand Province, Afghanistan, Jan. 5, 2011. DeLoach operated the .50-caliber machine gun during flight operations with the guidance of Hughes. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Robert R. Carrasco/Released).

U.S. Marine Corps Capt. Viet Tran, pilot, Marine Heavy Helicopter Squadron 363 (HMH-363), reviews the flight operation itinerary, Camp Bastion, Helmand Province, Afghanistan, Jan. 5, 2012. HMH-363 conducted flight operations in support of troops throughout the Helmand Province. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Robert R. Carrasco/Released).

U.S. Marines of 1st Radio Battalion, 2D Marine Expeditionary Force (Forward), load onto a CH-53D Sea Stallion helicopter of Marine Heavy Helicopter Squadron 363 (HMH-363) during a routine flight operation, Forward Operating Base Edinburgh, Helmand Province, Afghanistan, Jan. 5, 2012. HMH-363 conducted flight operations in support of troops throughout the Helmand Province. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Robert R. Carrasco/Released).

U.S. Marine Corps Lance Cpl. Madison DeLoach, crew chief, Marine Heavy Helicopter Squadron 363 (HMH-363), observes the terrain during a routine flight operation, Helmand River Valley, Helmand Province, Afghanistan, Jan. 5, 2012. HMH-363 conducted flight operations in support of troops throughout the Helmand Province. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Robert R. Carrasco/Released).

Personnel disembark a U.S. Marine Corps CH-53D Sea Stallion helicopter of Marine Heavy Helicopter Squadron 363 (HMH-363), Forward Operating Base Musa Qal'eh, Helmand Province, Afghanistan, Jan. 5, 2012. HMH-363 conducted flight operations in support of troops throughout the Helmand Province. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Robert R. Carrasco/Released).

U.S. Marine Corps Lance Cpl. Madison DeLoach, crew chief, Marine Heavy Helicopter Squadron 363 (HMH-363), observes the terrain during a routine flight operation, Helmand River Valley, Helmand Province, Afghanistan, Jan. 5, 2012. HMH-363 conducted flight operations in support of troops throughout the Helmand Province. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Robert R. Carrasco/Released).

U.S. Marines of Marine Heavy Helicopter Squadron 363 (HMH-363) conduct an end of day assessment on a CH-53D Sea Super Stallion, Camp Bastion, Helmand Province, Afghanistan, Jan. 5, 2012. End of day assessments are conducted after flight operations ensuring aircraft of HMH-363 are ready to support future missions. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Robert R. Carrasco/Released).

U.S. Marines of Marine Heavy Helicopter Squadron 363 (HMH-363) conduct an end of day assessment on a CH-53D Sea Super Stallion, Camp Bastion, Helmand Province, Afghanistan, Jan. 5, 2012. End of day assessments are conducted after flight operations ensuring aircraft of HMH-363 are ready to support future missions. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Robert R. Carrasco/Released).