MCAS Cherry Point News

Cpl. Jeb Sayer walks atop an MV-22B Osprey while performing general maintenance in Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron 264’s hangar at Camp Bastion, Afghanistan, June 16. Sayer is a flightline mechanic with VMM-264 based out of Marine Corps Air Station New River, N.C. - Cpl. Jeb Sayer walks atop an MV-22B Osprey while performing general maintenance in Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron 264’s hangar at Camp Bastion, Afghanistan, June 16. Sayer is a flightline mechanic with VMM-264 based out of Marine Corps Air Station New River, N.C.

Lt. Cmdr. Amber Biles, the 2nd Marine Aircraft Wing (Forward) aeromedical safety officer, stands beneath the propeller of a KC-130J Hercules on the flight of Kandahar Airfield in Kandahar province, Afghanistan. An aerospace physiologist by trade, Biles is responsible for the proper utilization of flight equipment by the pilots of 2nd MAW (Fwd.). "It's all about human performance, anything that affects the pilot in the aircraft," said Biles. "We look at ways that both enhance performance and things that are detrimental to performance, and how we can negate those detriments."::r::::n:: - Lt. Cmdr. Amber Biles, the 2nd Marine Aircraft Wing (Forward) aeromedical safety officer, stands beneath the propeller of a KC-130J Hercules on the flight of Kandahar Airfield in Kandahar province, Afghanistan. An aerospace physiologist by trade, Biles is responsible for the proper utilization of flight equipment by the pilots of 2nd MAW (Fwd.). "It's all about human performance, anything that affects the pilot in the aircraft," said Biles. "We look at ways that both enhance performance and things that are detrimental to performance, and how we can negate those detriments."::r::::n::

Cpl. Richard L. Smith, right, watches as a Marine throws a grenade out of a training pit during Battery B, 2nd Low Altitude Air Defense Battalion’s grenade training at Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune, June 8. More than 25 Marines conducted the training, throwing two blue body practice grenades for every one live grenade that was thrown. “This training helps my Marines when we deploy to Afghanistan,” said 1st Lt. Konrad N. Reese, platoon commander for 2nd Platoon, Battery B, 2nd LAAD Bn. - Cpl. Richard L. Smith, right, watches as a Marine throws a grenade out of a training pit during Battery B, 2nd Low Altitude Air Defense Battalion’s grenade training at Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune, June 8. More than 25 Marines conducted the training, throwing two blue body practice grenades for every one live grenade that was thrown. “This training helps my Marines when we deploy to Afghanistan,” said 1st Lt. Konrad N. Reese, platoon commander for 2nd Platoon, Battery B, 2nd LAAD Bn.

(From left to right) Chief Warrant Officer 3 Jeffery B. Conger, Capt. Johnathan P. Stouffer, Capt. David C. Elert, Lt. Col. Joseph D. Williams, Mrs. Williams, Chief Warrant Officer 3 Jeffery A. Stapleton, Cpl. Jessica C. Pappas, Gunnery Sgt. David C. Rupp and Mrs. Rupp, and Sgt. William S. Waldrep stand in a row for a team photo at the 2011 Historic Half Marathon that took place in Fredericksburg, Va., May 15. The team was made up of Marines from Marine Attack Squadron 231 and members of the VMA-231 family, which raised more than $3,800 for Azalea Charities. - (From left to right) Chief Warrant Officer 3 Jeffery B. Conger, Capt. Johnathan P. Stouffer, Capt. David C. Elert, Lt. Col. Joseph D. Williams, Mrs. Williams, Chief Warrant Officer 3 Jeffery A. Stapleton, Cpl. Jessica C. Pappas, Gunnery Sgt. David C. Rupp and Mrs. Rupp, and Sgt. William S. Waldrep stand in a row for a team photo at the 2011 Historic Half Marathon that took place in Fredericksburg, Va., May 15. The team was made up of Marines from Marine Attack Squadron 231 and members of the VMA-231 family, which raised more than $3,800 for Azalea Charities.

Cpl. James H. Taggart JR. works with a fork lift to pick up pallets full of mess hall gear and places them on the shelves June 14. - Cpl. James H. Taggart JR. works with a fork lift to pick up pallets full of mess hall gear and places them on the shelves June 14.

Lance Cpl. Eric Falcon, left, a Marine Attack Squadron 513 flight safety equipment mechanic and Lubbock, Texas, native, and Cpl. Shiloh Haynes, a VMA-513 powerline mechanic and Parker, Colo., native. Stand guard at one of the gyms at Kandahar Airfield, Afghanistan, June 8. - Lance Cpl. Eric Falcon, left, a Marine Attack Squadron 513 flight safety equipment mechanic and Lubbock, Texas, native, and Cpl. Shiloh Haynes, a VMA-513 powerline mechanic and Parker, Colo., native. Stand guard at one of the gyms at Kandahar Airfield, Afghanistan, June 8.

Cpl. Andy L. Girona, an airframe mechanic with Marine Light Attack Helicopter Squadron 269, and a native of Bethlehem, Pa., lubricates and inspects an AH-1W Cobra’s hinges for corrosion on Camp Dwyer, Afghanistan, June 6. “This is my first deployment,” said Girona. “I’ve got everything I need here and I like it.” - Cpl. Andy L. Girona, an airframe mechanic with Marine Light Attack Helicopter Squadron 269, and a native of Bethlehem, Pa., lubricates and inspects an AH-1W Cobra’s hinges for corrosion on Camp Dwyer, Afghanistan, June 6. “This is my first deployment,” said Girona. “I’ve got everything I need here and I like it.”

Capt Michael Christman displays an Apple iPad used by AH-1W Super Cobra pilots to quickly access maps and other data they can use to ensure precision strikes are targeted at enemy positions. One advantage of using the tablet over traditional maps is the pilots’ ability to mold its functions to whichever platform they are flying. Christman is an AH-1W Super Cobra pilot with Marine Light Helicopter Squadron 267, based out of Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton, Calif. - Capt Michael Christman displays an Apple iPad used by AH-1W Super Cobra pilots to quickly access maps and other data they can use to ensure precision strikes are targeted at enemy positions. One advantage of using the tablet over traditional maps is the pilots’ ability to mold its functions to whichever platform they are flying. Christman is an AH-1W Super Cobra pilot with Marine Light Helicopter Squadron 267, based out of Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton, Calif.

Cpl. Raymond Hewitt, a generator mechanic with Marine Wing Support Squadron 272, instructs Gholam Mohammad, an Afghan National Army soldier, on electrical wiring at an Afghan National Security Forces generator operator and maintainer course at Camp Leatherneck, Afghanistan, June 9. Hewitt, a native of Lowville, N.Y., and three other Marines with MWSS-272, instructed Afghan soldiers and police to promote their capabilities in self-sustainment. - Cpl. Raymond Hewitt, a generator mechanic with Marine Wing Support Squadron 272, instructs Gholam Mohammad, an Afghan National Army soldier, on electrical wiring at an Afghan National Security Forces generator operator and maintainer course at Camp Leatherneck, Afghanistan, June 9. Hewitt, a native of Lowville, N.Y., and three other Marines with MWSS-272, instructed Afghan soldiers and police to promote their capabilities in self-sustainment.

Maj. George P. Ramszy, left, and Lt. Col. Todd M. Caruso embark onto the Marine Corps' first EA-6B Prowler before flying the aircraft's final flight, which left from Marine Tactical Electronic Warfare Squadron 2 at Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point, June 10. After 34 years of service the Prowler known as 000 or 160432 is slated to be retired from use in the military. Its new job will be as a display at its home base of Cherry Point. Ramszy is an aviation maintenance officer with VMAQ-2; Caruso is the commanding officer of VMAQ-2. - Maj. George P. Ramszy, left, and Lt. Col. Todd M. Caruso embark onto the Marine Corps' first EA-6B Prowler before flying the aircraft's final flight, which left from Marine Tactical Electronic Warfare Squadron 2 at Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point, June 10. After 34 years of service the Prowler known as 000 or 160432 is slated to be retired from use in the military. Its new job will be as a display at its home base of Cherry Point. Ramszy is an aviation maintenance officer with VMAQ-2; Caruso is the commanding officer of VMAQ-2.