MCAS Cherry Point News

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)

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)

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)

Children gather to meet Santa Claus during the annual 2nd Marine Aircraft Wing band Christmas concert at Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point, N.C., Dec. 4, 2015. Audience members shared laughs and cheers with other members of the community while also getting the opportunity to donate to the Toys for Tots foundation. The 2nd MAW band has held the traditional concert at the air station as a way to bring both the military and local community together to unwind and share in the holiday spirit. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. N.W. Huertas/Released) - Children gather to meet Santa Claus during the annual 2nd Marine Aircraft Wing band Christmas concert at Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point, N.C., Dec. 4, 2015. Audience members shared laughs and cheers with other members of the community while also getting the opportunity to donate to the Toys for Tots foundation. The 2nd MAW band has held the traditional concert at the air station as a way to bring both the military and local community together to unwind and share in the holiday spirit. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. N.W. Huertas/Released)

Service members, spouses and families watch a movie during the 3rd Annual Trunk-or-Treat at Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point, N.C., Oct. 26, 2015. Families and spouses watched Halloween themed movies like “The Ghost of Lord Farquaad” and “Alvin and the Chipmunks: Halloween collection.” The event was hosted by Marine Wing Headquarters Squadron 2 and Marine Aircraft Group 14 to allow family members to get together and celebrate Halloween in a safe and fun environment. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. U. B. Roberts/Released.) - Service members, spouses and families watch a movie during the 3rd Annual Trunk-or-Treat at Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point, N.C., Oct. 26, 2015. Families and spouses watched Halloween themed movies like “The Ghost of Lord Farquaad” and “Alvin and the Chipmunks: Halloween collection.” The event was hosted by Marine Wing Headquarters Squadron 2 and Marine Aircraft Group 14 to allow family members to get together and celebrate Halloween in a safe and fun environment. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. U. B. Roberts/Released.)

Micheal McGarr participates in a K-9 training demonstration at Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point, N.C., Sept. 18, 2015. The demonstration was a part of a series of activities available for spouses and families to partake in, for the 2nd annual Open House event hosted by Marine Air Control Squadron 2. The event was designed to emphasize the importance of family readiness by allowing the family members to visit the work space and become familiar with the equipment that their Marines use on a day-to-day basis. Garr is the chief trainer of the K-9 unit, with Headquarters and Headquarters squadron at MCAS Cherry Point. - Micheal McGarr participates in a K-9 training demonstration at Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point, N.C., Sept. 18, 2015. The demonstration was a part of a series of activities available for spouses and families to partake in, for the 2nd annual Open House event hosted by Marine Air Control Squadron 2. The event was designed to emphasize the importance of family readiness by allowing the family members to visit the work space and become familiar with the equipment that their Marines use on a day-to-day basis. Garr is the chief trainer of the K-9 unit, with Headquarters and Headquarters squadron at MCAS Cherry Point.

Sgt. Christopher Legeune feeds a dog at the Carteret County Humane Society and Animal Shelter in Newport, N.C., July 11, 2015 The Single Marine Program at Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point accounted for one-third of the total volunteer hours for the entire SMP across the Marine Corps. Marines and Sailors of Cherry Point volunteer weekly in various locations such as the animal shelter, retirement homes and home builds. Legeune is an aviation data specialist with Marine Aircraft Group 14. - Sgt. Christopher Legeune feeds a dog at the Carteret County Humane Society and Animal Shelter in Newport, N.C., July 11, 2015 The Single Marine Program at Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point accounted for one-third of the total volunteer hours for the entire SMP across the Marine Corps. Marines and Sailors of Cherry Point volunteer weekly in various locations such as the animal shelter, retirement homes and home builds. Legeune is an aviation data specialist with Marine Aircraft Group 14.

The pilot of an AV-8B Harrier assigned to Marine Attack Squadron 223 flies above Boca Chica Field, Naval Air Station Key West, Fla., March 25, 2015. Marines with VMA-223 traveled to Key West to conduct air-to-air training March 18 – April 12.The squadron conducted the training to refine its ability to provide offensive air support, armed reconnaissance and aerial defense for the Marine Air-Ground Task Force. - The pilot of an AV-8B Harrier assigned to Marine Attack Squadron 223 flies above Boca Chica Field, Naval Air Station Key West, Fla., March 25, 2015. Marines with VMA-223 traveled to Key West to conduct air-to-air training March 18 – April 12. The squadron conducted the training to refine its ability to provide offensive air support, armed reconnaissance and aerial defense for the Marine Air-Ground Task Force.

Best-selling author Dave Pelzer speaks to a crowd of Marines, Sailors and civilians during a visit to Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point, N.C., April 1, 2015. - Best-selling author Dave Pelzer speaks to a crowd of Marines, Sailors and civilians during a visit to Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point, N.C., April 1, 2015.

A Marine reads through an informational brochure during a Hiring our Heroes career and transition class at Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point, N.C., March 20, 2015. Hiring our Heroes is hosted by the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation and is a nationwide initiative to help veterans find meaningful employment in public, private and non-profit sectors. The program is aimed at transitioning service members and families to assist in their integration back into the civilian community. - A Marine reads through an informational brochure during a Hiring our Heroes career and transition class at Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point, N.C., March 20, 2015. Hiring our Heroes is hosted by the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation and is a nationwide initiative to help veterans find meaningful employment in public, private and non-profit sectors. The program is aimed at transitioning service members and families to assist in their integration back into the civilian community.