MCAS Cherry Point News

Abby Kate, 5, waves goodbye to her dad, Capt. Michael Wallace, piloting the AV-8B Harrier, on the Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point flight line, June 1. Wallace deployed with more than 30 fellow Marine Attack Squadron 542 Marines in support of operations in the Pacific with the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit. (Official U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Tyler J. Bolken) - Abby Kate, 5, waves goodbye to her dad, Capt. Michael Wallace, piloting the AV-8B Harrier, on the Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point flight line, June 1. Wallace deployed with more than 30 fellow Marine Attack Squadron 542 Marines in support of operations in the Pacific with the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit. (Official U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Tyler J. Bolken)

Paul Ringheiser Jr., left, and Paul Ringheiser III, stand on front of a B-25J Mitchell bomber owned by Disabled American Veterans flight team, aboard Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point, N.C., May 4, 2012. Paul III's grandfather Paul Ringheiser Sr. was a flight engineer on the Marine Corps equivalent of the aircraft during World War II era. "I was in the seat where he would have sat, right below the cockpit gunner," Paul Jr. said. "That’s where the flight engineer would have sat so it was really interesting and really emotional to think 'this is what he would have gone through,'" said Paul Sr. - Paul Ringheiser Jr., left, and Paul Ringheiser III, stand on front of a B-25J Mitchell bomber owned by Disabled American Veterans flight team, aboard Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point, N.C., May 4, 2012. Paul III's grandfather Paul Ringheiser Sr. was a flight engineer on the Marine Corps equivalent of the aircraft during World War II era. "I was in the seat where he would have sat, right below the cockpit gunner," Paul Jr. said. "That’s where the flight engineer would have sat so it was really interesting and really emotional to think 'this is what he would have gone through,'" said Paul Sr.

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.

Lt. Col. Gregory T. Puntney, left, the outgoing commanding officer of Marine Wing Communication Squadron 28, 2nd Marine Aircraft Wing, and Lt. Col. Matthew E. Limbert, the incoming commanding officer, await the arrival of the unit colors during a change of command ceremony aboard Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point, N.C., April 19, 2012. During the ceremony, Puntney humbly reflected on his tenure as the "Spartans" commander. "It is a singular honor and privilege to be here, on this day, on this field, with these Marines. We celebrate this team and their achievements," he said. "Matt, I look forward to observing from afar how you will lead the Marines and take them to the next level. They are poised and ready." - Lt. Col. Gregory T. Puntney, left, the outgoing commanding officer of Marine Wing Communication Squadron 28, 2nd Marine Aircraft Wing, and Lt. Col. Matthew E. Limbert, the incoming commanding officer, await the arrival of the unit colors during a change of command ceremony aboard Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point, N.C., April 19, 2012. During the ceremony, Puntney humbly reflected on his tenure as the "Spartans" commander. "It is a singular honor and privilege to be here, on this day, on this field, with these Marines. We celebrate this team and their achievements," he said. "Matt, I look forward to observing from afar how you will lead the Marines and take them to the next level. They are poised and ready."