MCAS Cherry Point News

The Marine Corps has a zero-tolerance policy on substance abuse. Just like drugs, alcohol physically impairs the body to perform to its fullest capabilities. Drinking and driving not only puts the driver at risk, but the passengers and other motorists in danger as well. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Jonah Lovy/Released) - The Marine Corps has a zero-tolerance policy on substance abuse. Just like drugs, alcohol physically impairs the body to perform to its fullest capabilities. Drinking and driving not only puts the driver at risk, but the passengers and other motorists in danger as well. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Jonah Lovy/Released)

A workbook lies open during a Prime for life prevention course at Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point, N.C., March 17, 2016. Prime for Life is an evidence-based prevention course that helps identify risks associated with alcohol and drug abuse, as well as promote skills for making low-risk choices. Prime for Life also emphasizes self-assessment, which provides guidance to individuals on how to better understand and accept the need to change personal behaviors. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Pfc. Nicholas P. Baird/Released) - A workbook lies open during a Prime for life prevention course at Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point, N.C., March 17, 2016. Prime for Life is an evidence-based prevention course that helps identify risks associated with alcohol and drug abuse, as well as promote skills for making low-risk choices. Prime for Life also emphasizes self-assessment, which provides guidance to individuals on how to better understand and accept the need to change personal behaviors. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Pfc. Nicholas P. Baird/Released)

Sgt. Fatimah Butler accepts the first place medal from Lt. Col. Ginger E. Beals, commanding officer of MWSS-271 for the Chef of the Quarter Competition at the Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point, N.C., mess hall, March 17, 2016. Three Marines competed this quarter, and Butler was named the winner. Butler will move on to the Chef of the Year Competition and compete with the other Chef of the Quarter winners. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Mackenzie Gibson/Released) - Sgt. Fatimah Butler accepts the first place medal from Lt. Col. Ginger E. Beals, commanding officer of MWSS-271 for the Chef of the Quarter Competition at the Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point, N.C., mess hall, March 17, 2016. Three Marines competed this quarter, and Butler was named the winner. Butler will move on to the Chef of the Year Competition and compete with the other Chef of the Quarter winners. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Mackenzie Gibson/Released)

Sergeant Ashley Rowback poses for a photo at Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point, N.C., Feb. 5, 2016. Rowback recently completed a 48.6 mile four event race and raised more than 11,000 dollars for leukemia and lymphoma research in memory of her late grandfather. Rowback’s love for running has given her the ability to use something she enjoys as a way to raise awareness. Her passion for physical fitness has shaped her career in the Marine Corps and has paved the way for her transition into the nursing field upon her exit from the Corps. Rowback is the 2nd Marine Aircraft Wing commanding general’s driver. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. N.W. Huertas/ Released) - Sergeant Ashley Rowback poses for a photo at Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point, N.C., Feb. 5, 2016. Rowback recently completed a 48.6 mile four event race and raised more than 11,000 dollars for leukemia and lymphoma research in memory of her late grandfather. Rowback’s love for running has given her the ability to use something she enjoys as a way to raise awareness. Her passion for physical fitness has shaped her career in the Marine Corps and has paved the way for her transition into the nursing field upon her exit from the Corps. Rowback is the 2nd Marine Aircraft Wing commanding general’s driver. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. N.W. Huertas/ Released)

Dustin J. Schneider conducts a routine check of fire and safety gear at Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point, N.C. Schneider earned the Marine Corps Civilian Firefighter of the Year Award for excellence in his job performance. Schneider was chosen from firefighters in fire departments across the Marine Corps. Schneider serves with Cherry Point Fire and Emergency Services. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Mackenzie Gibson/Released) - Dustin J. Schneider conducts a routine check of fire and safety gear at Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point, N.C. Schneider earned the Marine Corps Civilian Firefighter of the Year Award for excellence in his job performance. Schneider was chosen from firefighters in fire departments across the Marine Corps. Schneider serves with Cherry Point Fire and Emergency Services. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Mackenzie Gibson/Released)

Master Gunnery Sgt. George E. Otey Jr. participates in a team paintball match during the Devil Dog Dare Challenge Course at Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point, N.C., March 10, 2016. The Devil Dog Dare Challenge Course was designed for Marines and Sailors to get engaged in Operation Adrenaline Rush. OAR is a training tool designed to introduce Marines to activities that serve as alternatives to uncharacteristic behaviors often associated with incidents involving recently deployed Marines. Otey is a communications chief with G-6, 2nd Marine Aircraft Wing. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Nicholas P. Baird/Release) - Master Gunnery Sgt. George E. Otey Jr. participates in a team paintball match during the Devil Dog Dare Challenge Course at Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point, N.C., March 10, 2016. The Devil Dog Dare Challenge Course was designed for Marines and Sailors to get engaged in Operation Adrenaline Rush. OAR is a training tool designed to introduce Marines to activities that serve as alternatives to uncharacteristic behaviors often associated with incidents involving recently deployed Marines. Otey is a communications chief with G-6, 2nd Marine Aircraft Wing. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Nicholas P. Baird/Release)

A Marine with Company B, Marine Wing Communications Squadron 28 stands guard during a communications field exercise at Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point, N.C., March 3, 2016. MWCS-28 incorporates numerous systems ranging from single-channel radios to systems with an emphasis on interoperability and beyond line-of-sight communications for a broad spectrum of information services. During the exercise, Bravo Company provided their own Tactical Air Operations Center, Tactical Air Command Center and simulated unmanned aerial vehicle squadron requests, giving the Marines a broader understanding on what roles requesting agencies play during operations within a communications squadron. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Pfc. Nicholas P. Baird/Released) - A Marine with Company B, Marine Wing Communications Squadron 28 stands guard during a communications field exercise at Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point, N.C., March 3, 2016. MWCS-28 incorporates numerous systems ranging from single-channel radios to systems with an emphasis on interoperability and beyond line-of-sight communications for a broad spectrum of information services. During the exercise, Bravo Company provided their own Tactical Air Operations Center, Tactical Air Command Center and simulated unmanned aerial vehicle squadron requests, giving the Marines a broader understanding on what roles requesting agencies play during operations within a communications squadron. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Pfc. Nicholas P. Baird/Released)

Lance Cpl. Kevin S. Millican stands security during casualty evacuation drills at Fort Stewart, S.C., Feb. 25, 2016. During the exercise, Marines trained in events such as casualty evacuation, assault support missions and aerial refueling, proving the Marine Air-Ground Task Force is a highly effective combat force. Millican is a rifleman with 3rd Battalion, 6th Marine Regiment. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Pfc. Nicholas P. Baird/Released) - Lance Cpl. Kevin S. Millican stands security during casualty evacuation drills at Fort Stewart, S.C., Feb. 25, 2016. During the exercise, Marines trained in events such as casualty evacuation, assault support missions and aerial refueling, proving the Marine Air-Ground Task Force is a highly effective combat force. Millican is a rifleman with 3rd Battalion, 6th Marine Regiment. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Pfc. Nicholas P. Baird/Released)

Pictured here with Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point’s commanding officer Col. Chris Pappas III and Sgt. Maj. Benjamin Pangborn are volunteers with the Navy Marine Corps Relief Society were recognized for their volunteer service during the Navy-Marine Corps Relief Society and Cherry Point Volunteer Awards and Recognition Ceremony at MCAS Cherry Point, N.C., Feb. 22, 2016. The ceremony was held to honor the volunteers for their dedicated service and the countless hours they have contributed to the progression of Marines and Sailors with Cherry Point and the 2nd Marine Aircraft Wing. Last year, the organization was able to provide assistance to over 1,100 service members. The NMCRS provides financial, educational and other need-based assistance to service members needing assistance. Pappas is the Commanding officer and Pangborn is the sergeant major, both of MCAS Cherry Point. - Pictured here with Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point’s commanding officer Col. Chris Pappas III and Sgt. Maj. Benjamin Pangborn are volunteers with the Navy Marine Corps Relief Society were recognized for their volunteer service during the Navy-Marine Corps Relief Society and Cherry Point Volunteer Awards and Recognition Ceremony at MCAS Cherry Point, N.C., Feb. 22, 2016. The ceremony was held to honor the volunteers for their dedicated service and the countless hours they have contributed to the progression of Marines and Sailors with Cherry Point and the 2nd Marine Aircraft Wing. Last year, the organization was able to provide assistance to over 1,100 service members. The NMCRS provides financial, educational and other need-based assistance to service members needing assistance. Pappas is the Commanding officer and Pangborn is the sergeant major, both of MCAS Cherry Point.

Staff Sgt. Jeremiah Gaulitz operates the controls during aerial refueling mission over the Atlantic Ocean Feb. 11, 2016. Marine Aerial Refueler Transport Squadron 252 conducted aerial refuels off the North Carolina coast to provide routine training for both pilots and crew members. Aerial refueling enables aircraft with short ranges of flight to significantly extend their operational reach. This capability enables missions to be executed more efficiently, which gives the pilots the ability to provide quicker and more extensive support to the Marines on the ground. Guilitz is a crew master with the squadron. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. N.W. Huertas/Released) - Staff Sgt. Jeremiah Gaulitz operates the controls during aerial refueling mission over the Atlantic Ocean Feb. 11, 2016. Marine Aerial Refueler Transport Squadron 252 conducted aerial refuels off the North Carolina coast to provide routine training for both pilots and crew members. Aerial refueling enables aircraft with short ranges of flight to significantly extend their operational reach. This capability enables missions to be executed more efficiently, which gives the pilots the ability to provide quicker and more extensive support to the Marines on the ground. Guilitz is a crew master with the squadron. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. N.W. Huertas/Released)