MCAS Cherry Point News

Master Andre L. Evans corrects Mizuki Cruz on his stance and form during tae kwon do practice at the Havelock Recreation Center May 13. The students can spend as many as 30 hours a week in Evan’s classes. Practices are held Monday through Saturday at the Havelock Recreation Center, Cherry Tree House and the Teen Center. - Master Andre L. Evans corrects Mizuki Cruz on his stance and form during tae kwon do practice at the Havelock Recreation Center May 13. The students can spend as many as 30 hours a week in Evan’s classes. Practices are held Monday through Saturday at the Havelock Recreation Center, Cherry Tree House and the Teen Center.

Capt. Daniel M. Apodaca embraces his wife, McKenzie, on the flight line at Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point, N.C., after returning from a deployment with the 26th Marine Expeditionary Unit May 15. Apodoca is a KC-130J pilot with Marine Aerial Refueler Transport Squadron 252. - Capt. Daniel M. Apodaca embraces his wife, McKenzie, on the flight line at Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point, N.C., after returning from a deployment with the 26th Marine Expeditionary Unit May 15. Apodoca is a KC-130J pilot with Marine Aerial Refueler Transport Squadron 252.

More than 30 Marines, Sailors and civilians from Cherry Point run down U.S. Highway 70 on their way to New Bern carrying the torch that will start the Craven County Spring Games Competition for the Special Olympics at Grover C. Fields Middle School May 12. More than 250 athletes between the ages of 5 and 65 competed in the track and field style events, which Cherry Point volunteers helped coordinate. The group of volunteers started the more than 15-mile run, which began at Wal-Mart in Havelock with a one-mile formation run and continued by passing the torch off while teams of three ran in one-mile legs. The volunteers ran the final mile in the formation, which took them into the field where the athletes awaited them. - More than 30 Marines, Sailors and civilians from Cherry Point run down U.S. Highway 70 on their way to New Bern carrying the torch that will start the Craven County Spring Games Competition for the Special Olympics at Grover C. Fields Middle School May 12. More than 250 athletes between the ages of 5 and 65 competed in the track and field style events, which Cherry Point volunteers helped coordinate. The group of volunteers started the more than 15-mile run, which began at Wal-Mart in Havelock with a one-mile formation run and continued by passing the torch off while teams of three ran in one-mile legs. The volunteers ran the final mile in the formation, which took them into the field where the athletes awaited them.

Maj. John C. Norton holds his daughter, Rowan, for the first time during the Marine Unmanned Aerial Vehicle Squadron 2 homecoming May 14. Rowan was born during VMU-2’s deployment to Afghanistan. - Maj. John C. Norton holds his daughter, Rowan, for the first time during the Marine Unmanned Aerial Vehicle Squadron 2 homecoming May 14. Rowan was born during VMU-2’s deployment to Afghanistan.

Lt. Col. Joshua L. Luck, right, passes the unit colors to Lt. Col. Michael J. Perez during the Marine Attack Squadron 542 change of command in the squadron’s hangar May 13. The passing of the colors symbolizes the passing of responsibility from one commander to the next. - Lt. Col. Joshua L. Luck, right, passes the unit colors to Lt. Col. Michael J. Perez during the Marine Attack Squadron 542 change of command in the squadron’s hangar May 13. The passing of the colors symbolizes the passing of responsibility from one commander to the next.

An AH-1 Super Cobra begins its descent onto a landing zone for re-fueling and re-supplying at Forward Arming and Refueling Point Ouellette, Afghanistan, April 5, 2011. The Vipers of Marine Light Attack Helicopter Squadron 169 transferred their responsibility of providing close air support in Regional Command Southwest to HMLA-267, at Camp Bastion, Afghanistan, May 19. - An AH-1 Super Cobra begins its descent onto a landing zone for re-fueling and re-supplying at Forward Arming and Refueling Point Ouellette, Afghanistan, April 5, 2011. The Vipers of Marine Light Attack Helicopter Squadron 169 transferred their responsibility of providing close air support in Regional Command Southwest to HMLA-267, at Camp Bastion, Afghanistan, May 19.

Gunnery Sgt. Brian D. Cook, the aviation ordnance chief with Marine Aerial Refueler Transport Squadron 252, exits through the hatch of a unique variant of the Marine Corps KC-130J Hercules located on Camp Dwyer, Afghanistan, May 1. The Harvest Hawk equipped Hercules has AGM-114 Hellfire and Griffin missiles, as well as a target site sensor from an AH-1Z attack helicopter to support aerial support for the troops on the ground. “I’m proud to serve my country and to support the Marines on the ground directly defending our freedom,” said Cook. - Gunnery Sgt. Brian D. Cook, the aviation ordnance chief with Marine Aerial Refueler Transport Squadron 252, exits through the hatch of a unique variant of the Marine Corps KC-130J Hercules located on Camp Dwyer, Afghanistan, May 1. The Harvest Hawk equipped Hercules has AGM-114 Hellfire and Griffin missiles, as well as a target site sensor from an AH-1Z attack helicopter to support aerial support for the troops on the ground. “I’m proud to serve my country and to support the Marines on the ground directly defending our freedom,” said Cook.

World War II veteran Terrence Walker, right, walks past an aisle of applause at the Coastal Carolina Regional Airport in New Bern, N.C., in appreciation of him and 107 of his fellow WWII veterans. The non-profit organization Honor Flight Southeastern North Carolina flew the veterans to visit the WWII Memorial in Washington, D.C., May 4. “I’m so overwhelmed right now,” Walker said of the reception. “I’m at a loss for words.” - World War II veteran Terrence Walker, right, walks past an aisle of applause at the Coastal Carolina Regional Airport in New Bern, N.C., in appreciation of him and 107 of his fellow WWII veterans. The non-profit organization Honor Flight Southeastern North Carolina flew the veterans to visit the WWII Memorial in Washington, D.C., May 4. “I’m so overwhelmed right now,” Walker said of the reception. “I’m at a loss for words.”

A Marine Heavy Helicopter Squadron 461 CH-53E Super Stallion lands next to a downed Canadian Forces CH-47 Chinook during a tactical recovery of aircraft and personnel mission in Kandahar Province, Afghanistan, May 17. Utilizing a trio CH-53E Super Stallion helicopters from Marine Heavy Helicopter Squadron 461, with assistance from 2nd Marine Logistics Group’s helicopter support team, the Canadian and American team was able to transport the injured aircraft back to its home at Kandahar Airfield, Afghanistan. - A Marine Heavy Helicopter Squadron 461 CH-53E Super Stallion lands next to a downed Canadian Forces CH-47 Chinook during a tactical recovery of aircraft and personnel mission in Kandahar Province, Afghanistan, May 17. Utilizing a trio CH-53E Super Stallion helicopters from Marine Heavy Helicopter Squadron 461, with assistance from 2nd Marine Logistics Group’s helicopter support team, the Canadian and American team was able to transport the injured aircraft back to its home at Kandahar Airfield, Afghanistan.