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A U.S. Marine Corps MV-22B Osprey with Marine Medium Tilt Rotor Squadron 165, Marine Air Group 16, 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing, stages by the fuel line at a forward arming and refueling point during Steel Knight 23 Dec. 1, 2022, on Camp Wilson, Marine Corps Air Ground Combat Center Twentynine Palms. Exercise Steel Knight 23 provides 3rd MAW an opportunity to refine Wing-level warfighting in support of I Marine Expeditionary Force and fleet maneuver. - A U.S. Marine Corps MV-22B Osprey with Marine Medium Tilt Rotor Squadron 165, Marine Air Group 16, 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing, stages by the fuel line at a forward arming and refueling point during Steel Knight 23 Dec. 1, 2022, on Camp Wilson, Marine Corps Air Ground Combat Center Twentynine Palms. Exercise Steel Knight 23 provides 3rd MAW an opportunity to refine Wing-level warfighting in support of I Marine Expeditionary Force and fleet maneuver.

U.S. Marine Corps Lance Cpl. Alonso Guillen and U.S. Marine Corps Lance Cpl. Spencer Kirkwood, Low Altitude Air Defense gunners with 3rd Low Altitude Air Defense Battalion, Marine Air Control Group 38, 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing, use a Stinger Field Handling Trainer to practice tracking targets during exercise Steel Knight 23, on San Clemente Island, California, Dec. 6, 2022. 3rd LAAD provided close-in air defense to artillery positions for 1st Battalion, 11th Marine Regiment, 1st Marine Division. Exercise Steel Knight 23 provides 3rd MAW an opportunity to refine Wing-level warfighting in support of I Marine Expeditionary Force and fleet maneuver. Guillen is a Longmont, Colorado, native and Kirkwood is an O’Fallon, Illinois, native. - U.S. Marine Corps Lance Cpl. Alonso Guillen and U.S. Marine Corps Lance Cpl. Spencer Kirkwood, Low Altitude Air Defense gunners with 3rd Low Altitude Air Defense Battalion, Marine Air Control Group 38, 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing, use a Stinger Field Handling Trainer to practice tracking targets during exercise Steel Knight 23, on San Clemente Island, California, Dec. 6, 2022. 3rd LAAD provided close-in air defense to artillery positions for 1st Battalion, 11th Marine Regiment, 1st Marine Division. Exercise Steel Knight 23 provides 3rd MAW an opportunity to refine Wing-level warfighting in support of I Marine Expeditionary Force and fleet maneuver. Guillen is a Longmont, Colorado, native and Kirkwood is an O’Fallon, Illinois, native.

An F-35C Lightning II, assigned to Marine Wing Fighter Attack Squadron (VMFA) 314, launches from the flight deck of the aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN 72). Abraham Lincoln is underway conducting routine operations in the U.S. 3rd Fleet. - An F-35C Lightning II, assigned to Marine Wing Fighter Attack Squadron (VMFA) 314, launches from the flight deck of the aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN 72). Abraham Lincoln is underway conducting routine operations in the U.S. 3rd Fleet.

A U.S. Marine stands in front of the new F-35 flight simulator on Marine Corps Air Station Miramar, Calif., Jan. 21. - A U.S. Marine stands in front of the new F-35 flight simulator on Marine Corps Air Station Miramar, Calif., Jan. 21.

What it Takes to Move a Mountain: The Regimental Air Assault - Marines with 1st Marine Division load onto an MV-22B Osprey from Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron (VMM) 165, Marine Aircraft Group (MAG) 16, 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing (MAW), for a regimental air assault during exercise Steel Knight aboard Marine Corps Air Station Camp Pendleton, Calif., Dec. 10, 2019. Steel Knight is an annual exercise that integrates 3rd MAW’s combat power and capabilities with those of 1st Marine Division. This exercise provides the Marines and sailors of 3rd MAW with realistic and relevant training, which enhances their skills, tactics and combat readiness. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Warrant Officer Justin M. Pack)

Vuong saved the life of a UPS driver by using his Marine training to remove him from his wrecked truck. Vuong waited with the driver until emergency medical personnel arrived. - Staff Sgt. Hai Vuong, an imagery analyst from 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing, received the Liberty Mutual Lifesaver Award from Liberty Mutual Insurance and UPS at Marine Corps Air Station Miramar, Jan. 26. Vuong saved the life of a UPS driver by using his Marine training to remove him from his wrecked truck. Vuong waited with the driver until emergency medical personnel arrived.

An F-35B Lightning II with Marine Fighter Attack Squadron 211 taxis on the flightline while an F/A-18 Hornet takes off during the Marine Division Tactics Course at Marine Corps Air Station Miramar, Calif., June 16. This course gives pilots air-to-air combat experience and the tools to train Marines in their squadrons on the latest tactics. - An F-35B Lightning II with Marine Fighter Attack Squadron 211 taxis on the flightline while an F/A-18 Hornet takes off during the Marine Division Tactics Course at Marine Corps Air Station Miramar, Calif., June 16. This course gives pilots air-to-air combat experience and the tools to train Marines in their squadrons on the latest tactics.

Crash fire and rescue Marines with Marine Wing Support Squadron 372, based out of Marine Corps Air Station, Yuma, Arizona, douse a car fire on U.S. Interstate 8, Oct. 7, 2016. The Marines noticed a compact car bellowing smoke on the westbound side of the interstate near exit 36 while in route to provide crash fire and rescue support at an auxiliary landing exercise for C-130 aircraft at Stoval Airfield, located approximately 50 miles east of Yuma. - Crash fire and rescue Marines with Marine Wing Support Squadron 372, based out of Marine Corps Air Station, Yuma, Arizona, douse a car fire on U.S. Interstate 8, Oct. 7, 2016. The Marines noticed a compact car bellowing smoke on the westbound side of the interstate near exit 36 while in route to provide crash fire and rescue support at an auxiliary landing exercise for C-130 aircraft at Stoval Airfield, located approximately 50 miles east of Yuma.

A crew chief with Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron 165 looks outside an MV-22B Osprey during a training flight from Marine Corps Air Station Miramar to Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton, California, June 8. Crew chiefs aboard the Osprey assisted with maintaining visuals during the flight for the pilots. - A crew chief with Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron 165 looks outside an MV-22B Osprey during a training flight from Marine Corps Air Station Miramar to Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton, California, June 8. Crew chiefs aboard the Osprey assisted with maintaining visuals during the flight for the pilots.

An MV-22B Osprey with Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron (VMM) 364 “Purple Foxes” lands during section and division confined area landings at Holtville Airfield, Calif., May 20. The training was conducted to familiarize both pilots and crew chiefs with landing in a small area around other aircraft. - An MV-22B Osprey with Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron (VMM) 364 “Purple Foxes” lands during section and division confined area landings at Holtville Airfield, Calif., May 20. The training was conducted to familiarize both pilots and crew chiefs with landing in a small area around other aircraft.

A Marine with the Chemical Biological Radiological and Nuclear (CBRN) unit receives assistance putting on a hazardous material suit during Assessment Consequence Management training at Marine Corps Air Station Miramar, California, May 6. The ACM training is conducted by CBRN once a month to maintain mission readiness. - A Marine with the Chemical Biological Radiological and Nuclear (CBRN) unit receives assistance putting on a hazardous material suit during Assessment Consequence Management training at Marine Corps Air Station Miramar, California, May 6. The ACM training is conducted by CBRN once a month to maintain mission readiness.

Sgt. Jeffrey L. Allen scopes out the terrain from his seat in a UH-1Y Huey at Marine Corps Air Station Futenma, Okinawa, Japan, April 8, 2016,. Allen, along with other crew chiefs and aircraft maintainers, may work up to 16 hours a day performing maintenance and checks on aircraft to ensure safe missions. Allen, from Ennis, Texas, is with Marine Light Attack Helicopter Squadron 167, currently supporting Marine Aircraft Group 36, 1st Marine Aircraft Wing, III Marine Expeditionary Force, under the unit deployment program. - Sgt. Jeffrey L. Allen scopes out the terrain from his seat in a UH-1Y Huey at Marine Corps Air Station Futenma, Okinawa, Japan, April 8, 2016,. Allen, along with other crew chiefs and aircraft maintainers, may work up to 16 hours a day performing maintenance and checks on aircraft to ensure safe missions. Allen, from Ennis, Texas, is with Marine Light Attack Helicopter Squadron 167, currently supporting Marine Aircraft Group 36, 1st Marine Aircraft Wing, III Marine Expeditionary Force, under the unit deployment program.

Cpl. Alec Bechtel, a crew chief with Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron 161, communicates with pilots during a field carrier landing practice at Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton, California, March 30, 2016. Marines with VMM-161 conducted field carrier landing practices at Camp Pendleton to maintain their proficiency in landing aboard Navy vessels. - Cpl. Alec Bechtel, a crew chief with Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron 161, communicates with pilots during a field carrier landing practice at Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton, California, March 30, 2016. Marines with VMM-161 conducted field carrier landing practices at Camp Pendleton to maintain their proficiency in landing aboard Navy vessels.

Cpl. Joshua Payne, a crew chief with Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron (VMM) 161 and a Spring, Texas, native, guides the pilots of an MV-22B Osprey to an unprepared field during casualty-evacuation training aboard Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton, Calif., Jan. 20. Casualty-evacuation training prepares the Marines to land in a combat zone, pick up injured Marines and transport them to a safe area. - Cpl. Joshua Payne, a crew chief with Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron (VMM) 161 and a Spring, Texas, native, guides the pilots of an MV-22B Osprey to an unprepared field during casualty-evacuation training aboard Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton, Calif., Jan. 20. Casualty-evacuation training prepares the Marines to land in a combat zone, pick up injured Marines and transport them to a safe area.

Gunnery Sgt. Christopher Mulcahy, a combat marksmanship trainer instructor with Marine Light Attack Helicopter Training Squadron 303, fires an M134 GAU-17 Minigun during an aerial gunnery shoot at Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton, California, Dec. 17. Marines with HMLAT-303 flew a formation flight and conducted an aerial gunnery to shoot give students the opportunity to refine basic skills needed to operate in the Fleet Marine Force. - Gunnery Sgt. Christopher Mulcahy, a combat marksmanship trainer instructor with Marine Light Attack Helicopter Training Squadron 303, fires an M134 GAU-17 Minigun during an aerial gunnery shoot at Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton, California, Dec. 17. Marines with HMLAT-303 flew a formation flight and conducted an aerial gunnery to shoot give students the opportunity to refine basic skills needed to operate in the Fleet Marine Force.

Bulk refueling specialists with Marine Wing Support Squadron 373 prepare to refuel an F-35B Lightning II from Marine Fighter Attack Squadron 121 at Red Beach at Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton, Calif., Dec. 10, 2015. Various squadrons within 3rd MAW performed more than 70 sorties ranging from external lifts, convoy escorts and casualty evacuation missions with rotary aircraft and fire support missions with the F-35B Lightning II Joint Strike Fighter to providing refueling points for air and ground assets. - Bulk refueling specialists with Marine Wing Support Squadron 373 prepare to refuel an F-35B Lightning II from Marine Fighter Attack Squadron 121 at Red Beach at Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton, Calif., Dec. 10, 2015. Various squadrons within 3rd MAW performed more than 70 sorties ranging from external lifts, convoy escorts and casualty evacuation missions with rotary aircraft and fire support missions with the F-35B Lightning II Joint Strike Fighter to providing refueling points for air and ground assets.

Bulk refueling specialists with Marine Wing Support Squadron 373 prepare to refuel an F-35B Lightning II from Marine Fighter Attack Squadron 121 at Red Beach aboard Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton, Calif., Dec. 10, 2015. Various squadrons within 3rd MAW performed more than 70 sorties ranging from external lifts, convoy escorts and casualty evacuation missions with rotary aircraft and fire support missions with the F-35B Lightning II Joint Strike Fighter to providing refueling points for air and ground assets. - Bulk refueling specialists with Marine Wing Support Squadron 373 prepare to refuel an F-35B Lightning II from Marine Fighter Attack Squadron 121 at Red Beach aboard Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton, Calif., Dec. 10, 2015. Various squadrons within 3rd MAW performed more than 70 sorties ranging from external lifts, convoy escorts and casualty evacuation missions with rotary aircraft and fire support missions with the F-35B Lightning II Joint Strike Fighter to providing refueling points for air and ground assets.

An F-35B Lightning II Joint Strike Fighter, Marine Fighter Attack Squadron 121, 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing, performs a conventional take-off at the Strategic Expeditionary Landing Field during Exercise Steel Knight 2016 at Marine Corps Air Ground Combat Center Twentynine Palms, California, Dec. 11, 2015. This year’s iteration of Exercise Steel Knight works to advance 1st Marine Division’s warfighting capabilities, to include interoperability between the ground and air forces and integration of the F-35B. - An F-35B Lightning II Joint Strike Fighter, Marine Fighter Attack Squadron 121, 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing, performs a conventional take-off at the Strategic Expeditionary Landing Field during Exercise Steel Knight 2016 at Marine Corps Air Ground Combat Center Twentynine Palms, California, Dec. 11, 2015. This year’s iteration of Exercise Steel Knight works to advance 1st Marine Division’s warfighting capabilities, to include interoperability between the ground and air forces and integration of the F-35B.

Marines with Marine Heavy Helicopter Squadron 465 “Warhorse” mount a .50-caliber machine gun onto a CH-53E Super Stallion aboard Marine Corps Air Station Miramar, California, Nov. 16. Marines with HMH-465 will conduct aerial gun shoots, fire bucket training and terrain flights over the course of five days in El Centro, California. - Marines with Marine Heavy Helicopter Squadron 465 “Warhorse” mount a .50-caliber machine gun onto a CH-53E Super Stallion aboard Marine Corps Air Station Miramar, California, Nov. 16. Marines with HMH-465 will conduct aerial gun shoots, fire bucket training and terrain flights over the course of five days in El Centro, California.

Cpl. Joseph Giordano, a team leader with Alpha Battery, 3rd Low Altitude Air Defense Battalion, carries a FIM-92 stinger weapons system during the National Training Center Rotation 16-01 on Fort Irwin, Calif., Oct. 20. This was the first time in more than 10 years that a Marine LAAD unit participated in this exercise. - Cpl. Joseph Giordano, a team leader with Alpha Battery, 3rd Low Altitude Air Defense Battalion, carries a FIM-92 stinger weapons system during the National Training Center Rotation 16-01 on Fort Irwin, Calif., Oct. 20. This was the first time in more than 10 years that a Marine LAAD unit participated in this exercise.

Marines with 1st Radio Battalion, I Marine Expeditionary Force, prepare to conduct a parachute drop out of a KC-130J Super Hercules at Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton, California, July 8. Marines with Marine Aerial Refueler Transport Squadron 352 assisted the battalion with the parachute drop. - Marines with 1st Radio Battalion, I Marine Expeditionary Force, prepare to conduct a parachute drop out of a KC-130J Super Hercules at Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton, California, July 8. Marines with Marine Aerial Refueler Transport Squadron 352 assisted the battalion with the parachute drop.

Capt. Joseph Tremaine, a CH-53E Super Stallion pilot with Marine Heavy Helicopter Squadron (HMH) 466, conducts preflight checks aboard Marine Corps Air Station Miramar, California, July 2. The aircrew prepares the aircraft for night fast-rope training on Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton, California. - Capt. Joseph Tremaine, a CH-53E Super Stallion pilot with Marine Heavy Helicopter Squadron (HMH) 466, conducts preflight checks aboard Marine Corps Air Station Miramar, California, July 2. The aircrew prepares the aircraft for night fast-rope training on Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton, California.

Maj. Gen. Michael Rocco, commanding general of 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing, awards Master Gunnery Sgt. Kevin Anderson, a maintenance chief with Marine Tiltrotor Squadron 166, the Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal inside Hangar 6 aboard Marine Corps Air Station Miramar, Calif., June 25, 2015. A team of twenty-four Marines from VMM-166, VMM-268 and VMM-364 received awards for playing a role in returning a grounded MV-22 Osprey to operational flight status. - Maj. Gen. Michael Rocco, commanding general of 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing, awards Master Gunnery Sgt. Kevin Anderson, a maintenance chief with Marine Tiltrotor Squadron 166, the Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal inside Hangar 6 aboard Marine Corps Air Station Miramar, Calif., June 25, 2015. A team of twenty-four Marines from VMM-166, VMM-268 and VMM-364 received awards for playing a role in returning a grounded MV-22 Osprey to operational flight status.

Lt. Col. Jason Holden, right, commanding officer of Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron 163, and a Woodbridge, Virginia native, shakes the hand of Cpl. Andrew Sturgess, his crew chief and a Sidney, Indiana, native, after a successful training flight aboard Marine Corps Air Station Miramar, California, April 10. This training operation marks the last time the commanding officer of VMM-163 will participate in a squadron-sized event before relinquishing command. - Lt. Col. Jason Holden, right, commanding officer of Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron 163, and a Woodbridge, Virginia native, shakes the hand of Cpl. Andrew Sturgess, his crew chief and a Sidney, Indiana, native, after a successful training flight aboard Marine Corps Air Station Miramar, California, April 10. This training operation marks the last time the commanding officer of VMM-163 will participate in a squadron-sized event before relinquishing command.

As part of the annual training exercise Scorpion Fire, Lance Cpl. Clinton Lehner, a crew chief with Marine Light Helicopter Squadron (HMLA) 369 “Gunfighters,” looks down range during close-air support maneuvers at the Chocolate Mountain Aerial Gunnery Range, Calif., Jan. 29. Marines with both tiltrotor and fixed-wing squadrons participate in this annual exercise, which provides a realistic environment for ground units in need of close air support. - As part of the annual training exercise Scorpion Fire, Lance Cpl. Clinton Lehner, a crew chief with Marine Light Helicopter Squadron (HMLA) 369 “Gunfighters,” looks down range during close-air support maneuvers at the Chocolate Mountain Aerial Gunnery Range, Calif., Jan. 29. Marines with both tiltrotor and fixed-wing squadrons participate in this annual exercise, which provides a realistic environment for ground units in need of close air support.

Chuck Hagel, secretary of defense, speaks to Marines and Sailors aboard Marine Corps Air Station Miramar, Calif., Jan. 13. Marines and Sailors also had the opportunity to ask questions, take photos with Hagel and receive coins. - Chuck Hagel, secretary of defense, speaks to Marines and Sailors aboard Marine Corps Air Station Miramar, Calif., Jan. 13. Marines and Sailors also had the opportunity to ask questions, take photos with Hagel and receive coins.

A UH-1Y Huey with Marine Light Attack Helicopter Squadron 369 “Gunfighters,” prepares to land during a familiarization flight aboard Marine Corps Air Station Camp Pendleton, Calif., Oct. 16. Pilots and crews practiced basic flight operations like landings and take offs several times in succession to hone their skills. - A UH-1Y Huey with Marine Light Attack Helicopter Squadron 369 “Gunfighters,” prepares to land during a familiarization flight aboard Marine Corps Air Station Camp Pendleton, Calif., Oct. 16. Pilots and crews practiced basic flight operations like landings and take offs several times in succession to hone their skills.