Maintainers from Marine All-Weather Fighter Attack Squadron 242 perform after-flight inspections and repairs to the squadron’s F/A-18D aircraft in preparation for exercise Red Flag-Alaska 16-2 at Eielson Air Force Base, Alaska, June 4, 2016. Exercise Red Flag-Alaska 16-2 provides VMFA-314 and Marine All-Weather Fighter Attack Squadron 242, based out of Marine Corps Station Iwakuni, Japan, the opportunity to train with joint and international units, increasing their combat skills by participating simulated combat situations in a realistic threat environment. - Maintainers from Marine All-Weather Fighter Attack Squadron 242 perform after-flight inspections and repairs to the squadron’s F/A-18D aircraft in preparation for exercise Red Flag-Alaska 16-2 at Eielson Air Force Base, Alaska, June 4, 2016. Exercise Red Flag-Alaska 16-2 provides VMFA-314 and Marine All-Weather Fighter Attack Squadron 242, based out of Marine Corps Station Iwakuni, Japan, the opportunity to train with joint and international units, increasing their combat skills by participating simulated combat situations in a realistic threat environment.

A pilot greets his family at Marine Corps Air Station Beaufort, South Carolina, March 15, 2016. More than 180 Marines and 10 F/A-18D Hornet aircraft have been deployed to the Western Pacific since October 2015 as part of the Unit Deployment Program. The pilot is with VMFA(AW)-224. - A pilot greets his family at Marine Corps Air Station Beaufort, South Carolina, March 15, 2016. More than 180 Marines and 10 F/A-18D Hornet aircraft have been deployed to the Western Pacific since October 2015 as part of the Unit Deployment Program. The pilot is with VMFA(AW)-224.

An F/A-18D Hornet from Marine Fighter Attack Training Squadron 101 prepares for take-off at Marine Corps Air Station Beaufort, S.C., Oct. 13. VMFAT-101 is a training squadron for Marine Corps and Navy students who are learning to pilot F-18s. The squadron is based out of Marine Corps Air Station Miramar under the command of Marine Aircraft Group 11. - An F/A-18D Hornet from Marine Fighter Attack Training Squadron 101 prepares for take-off at Marine Corps Air Station Beaufort, S.C., Oct. 13. VMFAT-101 is a training squadron for Marine Corps and Navy students who are learning to pilot F-18s. The squadron is based out of Marine Corps Air Station Miramar under the command of Marine Aircraft Group 11.

An F/A-18C Hornet lands aboard Marine Corps Air Station Beaufort, South Carolina, Sept. 24. VMFAT-101 brought 15 jets from Marine Corps Air Station Miramar, California, to train at MCAS Beaufort. The Hornet is with Marine Fighter Attack Training Squadron 101, Marine Aircraft Group 11. - An F/A-18C Hornet lands aboard Marine Corps Air Station Beaufort, South Carolina, Sept. 24. VMFAT-101 brought 15 jets from Marine Corps Air Station Miramar, California, to train at MCAS Beaufort. The Hornet is with Marine Fighter Attack Training Squadron 101, Marine Aircraft Group 11.