Five minutes. That’s the amount of time it took for Marines with Marine Wing Support Squadron 371 to refuel an F-35B Lightning II and get it back in the air. This was all part of a forward arming and refueling point operation hosted by Marine Corps Air Station Yuma during which the tactical aviation ground refueling system was employed.A FARP is setup by a support squadron and can have one or several distributive fuel points across a landing zone that enable aircraft to land and obtain both fuel and ordnance during a mission.“Our mission today was to support VMFA-122 with a one-point static-FARP,” said Staff Sgt. Steve Anderson, a bulk fuel specialist with MWSS-371. “We issue fuel to aircraft that come in to support their objectives in the

The Marine Corps will commemorate the 75th anniversary of the Battle of Iwo Jima during a 36-day-long observance, Feb. 19 – March 2, 2020.In ALMAR 02-20, Commandant of the Marine Corps Gen. David H. Berger said commanders across the force should conduct a commemoration within the 36-day observance period.“We should all pause to remember and honor the legacy they forged, as our Nation pays tribute to our ‘greatest generation,’” said Berger.The ALMAR states how the force will pause to remember the sacrifices of WWII veterans and their families through activities such as formations, battle studies, wreath layings or simply moments of quiet reflection.This year’s theme, “We are Iwo,” honors the efforts and sacrifices of all service members,

The 19th Sergeant Major of the Marine Corps, Sgt. Maj. Troy E. Black, sponsored summits for health, wellness, and fitness; recruiting and retention; and enlisted professional and personal development at Quantico, V.A and Camp Lejeune, N. C., Feb. 3-7.As Sergeant Major of the Marine Corps, Sgt. Maj. Black is responsible for offering advice to the Commandant of the Marine Corps on all policies affecting the Corps. While Sgt. Maj. Black was speaking to Marines, he mentioned he wants to engage directly with the enlisted force, from private first class to sergeants major. By sponsoring these summits, Sgt. Maj. Black can listen to the recommendations from leaders and subject matter experts around the Corps on these topics.The convergence of rank

On Feb. 19, 1945, more than 70,000 U.S. Marines conducted an amphibious assault to take the Island of Iwo Jima from fortified Japanese forces. Over the next 36 days nearly 7,000 Marines would be killed during the battle, which is regarded as one of the bloodiest of World War II, as they faced hidden enemy artillery, machine guns, vast bunker systems and underground tunnels. Of the 82 Marines who earned the Medal of Honor during all of World War II, 22 medals were earned for actions on Iwo Jima.Now, 75 years later, 28 Marines and Sailors who fought on Iwo Jima gathered to remember the battle at the 75th and final commemoration sunset ceremony Feb. 15, 2020, at the Pacific Views Event Center on Camp Pendleton, California.In 1945, the 3rd, 4th