MCAS Cherry Point News

Gunnery Sgt. Louie Cruz (right) explains how radar operations works to Chad Sydnor (left) in the radar room at Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point, N.C., July 19, 2016. Sydnor, the military legislative assistant for U.S. Sen. Richard Burr, visited Cherry Point to become more familiar with the air station’s mission and issues within Burr’s purview. Sydnor visited various places on the air station, including Fleet Readiness Center East, the Air Traffic Control tower, and the Devil Dog Gym. Cruz is the radar chief for Headquarters and Headquarters Squadron. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Mackenzie Gibson/Released) - Gunnery Sgt. Louie Cruz (right) explains how radar operations works to Chad Sydnor (left) in the radar room at Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point, N.C., July 19, 2016. Sydnor, the military legislative assistant for U.S. Sen. Richard Burr, visited Cherry Point to become more familiar with the air station’s mission and issues within Burr’s purview. Sydnor visited various places on the air station, including Fleet Readiness Center East, the Air Traffic Control tower, and the Devil Dog Gym. Cruz is the radar chief for Headquarters and Headquarters Squadron. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Mackenzie Gibson/Released)

Marines with Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point’s Explosive Ordnance Disposal and 2nd Marine Aircraft Wing’s Chemical, Biological, Radiological and Nuclear Defense sweep the area around a simulated incident site during a training exercise at MCAS Cherry Point, N.C., July 12, 2016. The purpose of the training was to further refine the interoperability between EOD and CBRN. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Mackenzie Gibson/Released) - Marines with Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point’s Explosive Ordnance Disposal and 2nd Marine Aircraft Wing’s Chemical, Biological, Radiological and Nuclear Defense sweep the area around a simulated incident site during a training exercise at MCAS Cherry Point, N.C., July 12, 2016. The purpose of the training was to further refine the interoperability between EOD and CBRN. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Mackenzie Gibson/Released)

Cpl. Duane Levy bear crawls during the four-and-a-half mile endurance course of a Marine Corps Martial Arts Instructor Course at Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point, N.C., July 1, 2016. The endurance course was the culminating event of three weeks of physical, mental, and character challenges Marines assigned to MWCS-28 completed to earn their instructor tabs. MCMAP is a combat system that trains Marines in the art of hand-to-hand and close quarters combat techniques while building morale and team-building functions. This MCMAP instructor course was conducted by the unit to certify Marines with the responsibility of instructing and training Marines in MCMAP. Levy is an engineer equipment electronic system technician assigned to MWCS-28, Marine Air Control Group 28, 2nd Marine Aircraft Wing. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. N.W. Huertas/Released) - Cpl. Duane Levy bear crawls during the four-and-a-half mile endurance course of a Marine Corps Martial Arts Instructor Course at Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point, N.C., July 1, 2016. The endurance course was the culminating event of three weeks of physical, mental, and character challenges Marines assigned to MWCS-28 completed to earn their instructor tabs. MCMAP is a combat system that trains Marines in the art of hand-to-hand and close quarters combat techniques while building morale and team-building functions. This MCMAP instructor course was conducted by the unit to certify Marines with the responsibility of instructing and training Marines in MCMAP. Levy is an engineer equipment electronic system technician assigned to MWCS-28, Marine Air Control Group 28, 2nd Marine Aircraft Wing. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. N.W. Huertas/Released)

Gary Sinise and the Lt. Dan Band perform songs from all different genres on the Two Rivers Theater stage at Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point, N.C., July 5, 2016. Gary Sinise and the Lt. Dan Band have participated in 70 United Service Organization tours since they came together. In total, they have entertained more than 363,000 service members and military families in 13 countries. The band puts on shows to raise spirits, funds and awareness for severely wounded warriors in need. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Mackenzie Gibson/Released) - Gary Sinise and the Lt. Dan Band perform songs from all different genres on the Two Rivers Theater stage at Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point, N.C., July 5, 2016. Gary Sinise and the Lt. Dan Band have participated in 70 United Service Organization tours since they came together. In total, they have entertained more than 363,000 service members and military families in 13 countries. The band puts on shows to raise spirits, funds and awareness for severely wounded warriors in need. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Mackenzie Gibson/Released)

Senior leaders cut a ceremonial ribbon during a ribbon cutting ceremony at Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point, N.C., June 24, 2016. Marine Air Support Squadron 1 received a new, state-of-the-art facility to support several of its units, including the communications, electronics, headquarters and service, and air support company, as well as the unit’s supply section. The complex, which represents a new era of technology for the squadron and the Marine Corps, supports better quality training operations using a new battle lab capable of recreating realistic training missions with outside entities or other communications assets. MASS-1 is an aviation command and control unit responsible for the planning, receiving, coordination and processing of requests for direct or close air support. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. N.W. Huertas/Released) - Senior leaders cut a ceremonial ribbon during a ribbon cutting ceremony at Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point, N.C., June 24, 2016. Marine Air Support Squadron 1 received a new, state-of-the-art facility to support several of its units, including the communications, electronics, headquarters and service, and air support company, as well as the unit’s supply section. The complex, which represents a new era of technology for the squadron and the Marine Corps, supports better quality training operations using a new battle lab capable of recreating realistic training missions with outside entities or other communications assets. MASS-1 is an aviation command and control unit responsible for the planning, receiving, coordination and processing of requests for direct or close air support. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. N.W. Huertas/Released)

Curtis Hartley, left, works with a Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point Public Works Department employee to replace a window during Protégé Day at MCAS Cherry Point, N.C., June 22, 2016. Protégé Day has been an annual event since it began in 2013. The purpose of Protégé Day is to give individuals with disabilities the opportunity to match up with professionals in their desired career fields for a day, in order to gain a better understanding of civilian jobs available aboard the air station. Hartley is a resident of the Carteret County Vocational Rehabilitation Center. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Mackenzie Gibson/Released) - Curtis Hartley, left, works with a Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point Public Works Department employee to replace a window during Protégé Day at MCAS Cherry Point, N.C., June 22, 2016. Protégé Day has been an annual event since it began in 2013. The purpose of Protégé Day is to give individuals with disabilities the opportunity to match up with professionals in their desired career fields for a day, in order to gain a better understanding of civilian jobs available aboard the air station. Hartley is a resident of the Carteret County Vocational Rehabilitation Center. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Mackenzie Gibson/Released)

Marines with Marine Attack Training Squadron 203 conduct maintenance inside an AV-8B Harrier at Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point, N.C., June 8, 2016. During the past three years, VMAT-203 has trained more than 130 AV-8B pilots and 2,000 AV-8B maintenance personnel. Within that time period, the squadron has flown over 12,000 flight hours, participated in four deployments for instructor and student training and received the Commandant's Aviation Efficiency Award. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. N.W. Huertas/ Released) - Marines with Marine Attack Training Squadron 203 conduct maintenance inside an AV-8B Harrier at Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point, N.C., June 8, 2016. During the past three years, VMAT-203 has trained more than 130 AV-8B pilots and 2,000 AV-8B maintenance personnel. Within that time period, the squadron has flown over 12,000 flight hours, participated in four deployments for instructor and student training and received the Commandant's Aviation Efficiency Award. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. N.W. Huertas/ Released)

Lt. Cmdr. Paul Greer, left, and Lt. Cmdr. Brian L. Jacobson have each recieved the Military Chaplains Association Distinguished Service Award while serving as chaplains at 2nd Marine Aircraft Wing. Greer was recognized for the 2016 Award while Jacobson was the 2015 recipient. The award recognizes one representative from each branch of service for their performance and dedication to the troops while serving as a chaplain. (U.S. Marine Corps photo illustration by Lance Cpl. Mackenzie Gibson/Released) - Lt. Cmdr. Paul Greer, left, and Lt. Cmdr. Brian L. Jacobson have each recieved the Military Chaplains Association Distinguished Service Award while serving as chaplains at 2nd Marine Aircraft Wing. Greer was recognized for the 2016 Award while Jacobson was the 2015 recipient. The award recognizes one representative from each branch of service for their performance and dedication to the troops while serving as a chaplain. (U.S. Marine Corps photo illustration by Lance Cpl. Mackenzie Gibson/Released)

Marines with the 2nd Marine Aircraft Wing perform a pass-in-review for new commanding general, Brig. Gen. Matthew G. Glavy during the 2nd MAW change of command ceremony at Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point, N.C., June 9, 2016. Maj. Gen. Gary L. Thomas relinquished his post as the 2nd MAW commanding general to Glavy during the ceremony. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. N. W. Huertas/Released) - Marines with the 2nd Marine Aircraft Wing perform a pass-in-review for new commanding general, Brig. Gen. Matthew G. Glavy during the 2nd MAW change of command ceremony at Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point, N.C., June 9, 2016. Maj. Gen. Gary L. Thomas relinquished his post as the 2nd MAW commanding general to Glavy during the ceremony. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. N. W. Huertas/Released)

Col. Chris C. Pappas III addresses a crowd during a Voluntary Protection Program Gold status achievement ceremony at Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point, N.C., May 27, 2016. Six departments were among the first to achieve Gold status within MCAS Cherry Point VPP. Gold status is achieved when all safety protocols implemented by the VPP are completed and maintained. Some of those requirements involve monthly supervisor inspections, achieving 90-percent medical surveillance or higher, completing VPP passports and completing Occupational Safety and Health Administration training. Pappas is the air station commanding officer. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. N.W. Huertas/ Released) - Col. Chris C. Pappas III addresses a crowd during a Voluntary Protection Program Gold status achievement ceremony at Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point, N.C., May 27, 2016. Six departments were among the first to achieve Gold status within MCAS Cherry Point VPP. Gold status is achieved when all safety protocols implemented by the VPP are completed and maintained. Some of those requirements involve monthly supervisor inspections, achieving 90-percent medical surveillance or higher, completing VPP passports and completing Occupational Safety and Health Administration training. Pappas is the air station commanding officer. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. N.W. Huertas/ Released)