MCAS Cherry Point News

Tour guide Rodolfo E. Thompson leads the Marines of Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron 365 and Marine Wing Support Squadron 271 up the stairs of an ancient Mayan ruin at Altun Ha, Belize, Sept. 14, 2011. The morale, welfare and recreation day the Marines had was the first opportunity for many of them to appreciate the ancient Mayan ruins. - Tour guide Rodolfo E. Thompson leads the Marines of Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron 365 and Marine Wing Support Squadron 271 up the stairs of an ancient Mayan ruin at Altun Ha, Belize, Sept. 14, 2011. The morale, welfare and recreation day the Marines had was the first opportunity for many of them to appreciate the ancient Mayan ruins.

Staff Sgt. Douglas Acero, a Marine Attack Squadron 513 avionics technician and Sugarland, Texas, native, was three days away from graduating boot camp when the Twin Towers fell on 9/11. Ten years later, he's in Afghanistan supporting Marines on the ground by helping maintain his squadron's AV-8B Harriers.::r::::n:: - Staff Sgt. Douglas Acero, a Marine Attack Squadron 513 avionics technician and Sugarland, Texas, native, was three days away from graduating boot camp when the Twin Towers fell on 9/11. Ten years later, he's in Afghanistan supporting Marines on the ground by helping maintain his squadron's AV-8B Harriers.::r::::n::

U.S. Marines with 2D Marine Logistics Group (Forward) and Marine Aerial Refueler Transport Squadron 252 (VMGR-252) load cargo onto a KC-130J Super Hercules airplane, Camp Bastion, Afghanistan, September 5, 2011. VMGR-252 conducted an aerial drop to re-supply ground troops with necessary supplies of ammunition, food, and water. - U.S. Marines with 2D Marine Logistics Group (Forward) and Marine Aerial Refueler Transport Squadron 252 (VMGR-252) load cargo onto a KC-130J Super Hercules airplane, Camp Bastion, Afghanistan, September 5, 2011. VMGR-252 conducted an aerial drop to re-supply ground troops with necessary supplies of ammunition, food, and water.

Jordan Lane, the son of Maj. Leron Lane, pins the rank of major on his father’s collar during a promotion ceremony and luncheon held at Millers Landing on Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point, N.C., Sept. 4. Jordan, his younger brother Jacob, and Lane’s wife Wendy, took part in pinning on Lane’s new rank. - Jordan Lane, the son of Maj. Leron Lane, pins the rank of major on his father’s collar during a promotion ceremony and luncheon held at Millers Landing on Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point, N.C., Sept. 4. Jordan, his younger brother Jacob, and Lane’s wife Wendy, took part in pinning on Lane’s new rank.

Gunnery Sgt. Donald J. Wilmot, a survivor of the Sept. 11 attack on the Pentagon, shares his experience with Marines, Sailors and civilians during a ceremony honoring the victims of 9/11 at the Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point headquarters building, Sept. 9. Wilmot is the administrative chief for Marine Air Control Squadron 2. - Gunnery Sgt. Donald J. Wilmot, a survivor of the Sept. 11 attack on the Pentagon, shares his experience with Marines, Sailors and civilians during a ceremony honoring the victims of 9/11 at the Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point headquarters building, Sept. 9. Wilmot is the administrative chief for Marine Air Control Squadron 2.

Capt. Daniel Fiust is the battalion air officer for 3rd Battalion, 4th Marine Regiment, and a San Carlos, Calif. native. Fiust formerly served as an AV-8B Harrier pilot with Marine Attack Squadron 513, a unit he now coordinates in his duties as a forward air controller. - Capt. Daniel Fiust is the battalion air officer for 3rd Battalion, 4th Marine Regiment, and a San Carlos, Calif. native. Fiust formerly served as an AV-8B Harrier pilot with Marine Attack Squadron 513, a unit he now coordinates in his duties as a forward air controller.

Eight Cherry Point Marines and Sailors were selected to compete with the men and women’s All-Marine softball teams against the other branches of the U.S. military during the 2011 Armed Forces Softball Championships in Pensacola, Fla., Sept. 17-24. - Eight Cherry Point Marines and Sailors were selected to compete with the men and women’s All-Marine softball teams against the other branches of the U.S. military during the 2011 Armed Forces Softball Championships in Pensacola, Fla., Sept. 17-24.

Cherry Point Marines form the rifle squad for the 9/11 Memorial Unveiling Ceremony at the Havelock Fire Department Sept. 11. More than 100 people attend the ceremony and saw the artifact of the World Trade Center revealed at its new home. The memorial is scheduled to be finished by September 11, 2012. - Cherry Point Marines form the rifle squad for the 9/11 Memorial Unveiling Ceremony at the Havelock Fire Department Sept. 11. More than 100 people attend the ceremony and saw the artifact of the World Trade Center revealed at its new home. The memorial is scheduled to be finished by September 11, 2012.

The command of Marine Aviation Logistics Squadron 40 sings a song about the change of the squadron’s name back to the Smokin’ Aces at Camp Bastion, Afghanistan, Sept. 3. The song made reference to the squadron’s old name, the Thoroughbreds, to the tune of “A Horse with No Name.” The song was only a small part of the celebration which included food, music and sporting events for Marines to enjoy. - The command of Marine Aviation Logistics Squadron 40 sings a song about the change of the squadron’s name back to the Smokin’ Aces at Camp Bastion, Afghanistan, Sept. 3. The song made reference to the squadron’s old name, the Thoroughbreds, to the tune of “A Horse with No Name.” The song was only a small part of the celebration which included food, music and sporting events for Marines to enjoy.