A U.S. Marine taxis down the flightline in an AV-8B Harrier II during Lt. Col. Keith Bucklew’s last flight as commanding officer of Marine Attack Squadron 311 at Marine Corps Air Station Yuma, Ariz., Oct. 14. - A U.S. Marine taxis down the flightline in an AV-8B Harrier II during Lt. Col. Keith Bucklew’s last flight as commanding officer of Marine Attack Squadron 311 at Marine Corps Air Station Yuma, Ariz., Oct. 14.

From a slow take off to high flying - Capt. Kelsey Casey, from San Francisco, assigned to the “Tomcats” of Marine Attack Squadron (VMA) 311, prepares for flight operations aboard the amphibious assault ship USS Bonhomme Richard (LHD 6) during a certification exercise (CERTEX). Bonhomme Richard, flagship of the Bonhomme Richard Expeditionary Strike Group, is supporting a CERTEX that will evaluate the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU) on crisis response operations for a number of potential contingencies. CERTEX, taking place off the coast of and within Australia’s Shoalwater Bay Training Area, will test the MEU’s ability to conduct all of its core missions such as stability operations, non-combatant evacuation and disaster relief. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Jeanette Mullinax/Released)

U.S. Marine Corps Capt. Sean M. Stephenson poses for a photo in front of his AV-8B Harrier on the flight deck of the USS Bonhomme Richard (LHD 6) March 17, 2015. Stephenson started out his career as an enlisted band member and then persued his dream of becoming a pilot. Stehenson is a Harrier pilot with Marine Attack Squadron 231, 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit. - U.S. Marine Corps Capt. Sean M. Stephenson poses for a photo in front of his AV-8B Harrier on the flight deck of the USS Bonhomme Richard (LHD 6) March 17, 2015. Stephenson started out his career as an enlisted band member and then persued his dream of becoming a pilot. Stehenson is a Harrier pilot with Marine Attack Squadron 231, 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit.