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The latest news and the coverage of news, events, videos, tweets and more from the U.S. Marine Corps.

Tag: 3rd MAW

U.S. Marine Corps Captain Joshua Brooks, an unmanned aircraft system representative, and Master Sergeant Willie Cheeseboro Jr., an enlisted aircrew coordinator with Marine Unmanned Aerial Vehicle Squadron 1, prepare to launch and operate the first Marine Corps owned MQ-9A Reaper on Marine Corps Air Station Yuma, Ariz. Aug. 30, 2021. The MQ-9A is designed to maintain a persistent presence overseas with its long range endurance, and has the capability to provide immediate support to ground units. - U.S. Marine Corps Captain Joshua Brooks, an unmanned aircraft system representative, and Master Sergeant Willie Cheeseboro Jr., an enlisted aircrew coordinator with Marine Unmanned Aerial Vehicle Squadron 1, prepare to launch and operate the first Marine Corps owned MQ-9A Reaper on Marine Corps Air Station Yuma, Ariz. Aug. 30, 2021. The MQ-9A is designed to maintain a persistent presence overseas with its long range endurance, and has the capability to provide immediate support to ground units.

3rd MAW procures Marine Corps’ first MQ-9A “Reaper”

Marine Unmanned Aerial Vehicle Squadron 1, 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing, procured the Marine Corps’ first MQ-9A “Reaper” remotely piloted aircraft after transitioning from contractor owned, contractor operated to government owned, contractor operated at Marine Corps Aircraft Station Yuma, Arizona, August 30, 2021. In order to achieve the Commandant of the Marine Corps’ vision of future force design, VMU-1 has transitioned from the RQ-21 Group 3 unmanned aircraft to the MQ-9A...

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U.S. Marine Corps AH-1Z Viper and UH-1Y Venom with Marine Light Attack Helicopter Squadron 267, Marine Aircraft Group 16, 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing, fly over a U.S. Navy Submarine during Advanced Naval Basing evolution of Summer Fury 21 at San Clemente, California, July 20, 2021. Advanced Naval Basing offering forward logistics and support, as well as sensor and strike capabilities that make a significant contribution to undersea warfare campaigns in the Indo-Pacific region. Summer Fury is an exercise conducted by 3rd MAW in order to maintain and build capability, strength and trust within its units to generate the readiness and lethality needed to deter and defeat adversaries during combat operations as the U.S. Marine Corps refines tactics and equipment in accordance with Force Design 2030. - U.S. Marine Corps AH-1Z Viper and UH-1Y Venom with Marine Light Attack Helicopter Squadron 267, Marine Aircraft Group 16, 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing, fly over a U.S. Navy Submarine during Advanced Naval Basing evolution of Summer Fury 21 at San Clemente, California, July 20, 2021. Advanced Naval Basing offering forward logistics and support, as well as sensor and strike capabilities that make a significant contribution to undersea warfare campaigns in the Indo-Pacific region. Summer Fury is an exercise conducted by 3rd MAW in order to maintain and build capability, strength and trust within its units to generate the readiness and lethality needed to deter and defeat adversaries during combat operations as the U.S. Marine Corps refines tactics and equipment in accordance with Force Design 2030.

3rd Marine Aircraft Wing trains for modern island hopping campaign

Marines and Sailors with 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing participate in an island hopping campaign as part of advanced naval base training during Exercise Summer Fury 21. With assets positioned across the West Coast, both on land and at sea, 3rd MAW tested components of expeditionary advanced base operations in preparation for future maritime conflicts in the Indo-Pacific region. Island hopping originated during World War II when Allied forces deployed to the Pacific theater adopted a “leapfrogging” tactic as a way to gain control...

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Largest Marine Aircraft Wing kicks off exercise with long-range strike

Marines with 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing begin Exercise Summer Fury 21 with a long-range maritime strike off the coast of Washington. Summer Fury is the largest Marine aviation exercise on the West Coast, and provides 3rd MAW opportunity to improve warfighter readiness in support of a Marine Expeditionary Force maritime campaign.

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U.S. Marine Fighter Attack Squadron 314 declares their initial operational capability for the F-35C Lightning II, having met the standards set forth by Headquarters Marine Corps. - U.S. Marine Fighter Attack Squadron 314 declares their initial operational capability for the F-35C Lightning II, having met the standards set forth by Headquarters Marine Corps.

3rd MAW advances air superiority with F-35C

In a time characterized by rapidly evolving tactics and modernized equipment, the Marine Corps has taken the next step in maintaining air superiority as Marine Fighter Attack Squadron 314 declares their initial operational capability for the F-35C Lightning II. Initial operational capability declaration marks a significant accomplishment for 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing, enabling VMFA-314 to deploy the F-35C onto aircraft carriers where they will be able to support combat operations anywhere in the world. “The F-35 is an expeditionary platform that extends the reach of our Marines and machines, and increases our ability to support joint and allied partners at a moment’s notice,” said Maj. Gen. Christopher Mahoney, 3rd MAW commanding general...

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A U.S. Marine fires an M2 .50-caliber machine gun from a CH-53E Super Stallion in Yuma, Ariz., Oct. 3. - A U.S. Marine fires an M2 .50-caliber machine gun from a CH-53E Super Stallion in Yuma, Ariz., Oct. 3.

3rd MAW strengthens as WTI 1-21 concludes

Upon the completion of Weapons and Tactics Instructor (WTI) course 1-21, over 100 newly qualified instructors return to their respective squadrons throughout the Marine Corps. Culminating in a fully integrated, combined arms exercise encompassing all functions of Marine aviation, WTI prepares graduates to support the Marine Air-Ground Task Force with mission planning, briefing and debriefing, threat systems, and unit weapons system employment...

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U.S. Marines prepare to deploy an oceanographic sensor at the Pacific Ocean, Calif., Oct. 13. - U.S. Marines prepare to deploy an oceanographic sensor at the Pacific Ocean, Calif., Oct. 13.

Making History with VMM-163: Squadron Deploys Oceanographic Sensors

The Marine Corps continuously works toward enhancing their operational capabilities while performing amphibious operations to save lives and ensure mission success. For the first time ever, Marines with Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron 163, Marine Aircraft Group 16, 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing, launched four oceanographic sensors from MV-22B Ospreys into the Pacific Ocean as part of Trident Warrior 20. By deploying these sensors, Marines were able to capture critical information about features that increase battlespace awareness...

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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.

Sun sets as Harriers prepare for Lightning

Marine Attack Squadron 311 conducts a sundown ceremony at Marine Corps Air Station Yuma, October 15. In spring 2022, VMA-311 will reactivate as Marine Fighter Attack Squadron 311 operating the F-35C Lightning II at Marine Corps Air Station Miramar. Similarly, VMA-214 will begin flying the F-35B as VMFA-214 at Marine Corps Air Station Yuma. The VMA-311 Tomcats were initially commissioned in 1942 as a fighter attack squadron in Cherry Point, North Carolina. The Tomcats deployed in support of the WWII island hopping campaign, and flew the first Marine jet combat mission in 1950 during the Korean Conflict...

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Five F-35B Lightning II Joint Strike Fighters taxi at Royal Air Force Station Marham, United Kingdom on Sept. 3. - Five F-35B Lightning II Joint Strike Fighters taxi at Royal Air Force Station Marham, United Kingdom on Sept. 3.

The Wake Island Avengers have Arrived

Marine Fighter Attack Squadron 211 deployed for training to Royal Air Force Marham in the early evening of 03 September, 2020. Pilots from the “Wake Island Avengers” flew more than six F-35B Lightning II Joint Strike Fighters from Marine Corps Air Station Yuma, Arizona to MCAS Beaufort, South Carolina, and then onto RAF Mahram. VMFA-211 is training with UK’s 617 Squadron at Marham in preparation for next year’s inaugural, global deployment onboard HMS Queen Elizabeth as part of Carrier Strike Group 21...

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F-35B Lightning II - MARINE CORPS AIR STATION MIRAMAR, Calif.- An F-35B Lightning II assigned to Marine Fighter Attack Squadron (VMFA) 211, Marine Aircraft Group (MAG) 13, 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing (MAW), refuels in flight with Marine Aerial Refueler Transport Squadron (VMGR) 352 while conducting flight operations above Marine Corps Air Ground Combat Center Twentynine Palms, Calif., Oct. 4. The ability to refuel in flight is critical for the supportability and the sustainability of the F-35B during missions. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Becky Calhoun/Released)

3rd Marine Aircraft Wing’s F-35 Squadron Brings Home “Top Honors”

Marines with 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing were recognized for their performance in Exercise Red Flag 20-3, which took place between August 3 and August 15 in the vicinity of the Nevada Test and Training Range in Southern Nevada. Red Flag is an annual war game that has continued to evolve since 1975 and provides Joint Forces with realistic training to help them identify and overcome emerging threats. Marine Fighter Attack Squadron 211 was given “Top Honors” for their superior performance as they showcased the squadron’s abilities to provide support and keep aircraft in the fight...

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A U.S. Marine observes aircraft coming onto the flight line with a precision approach radar system on MCAS Camp Pendleton, Calif., Aug. 11. - A U.S. Marine observes aircraft coming onto the flight line with a precision approach radar system on MCAS Camp Pendleton, Calif., Aug. 11.

Marines set up, execute expeditionary ATC operations on MCAS Camp Pendleton

For the month of August, U.S. Marines with 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing and Marine Corps Air Station Camp Pendleton, California, will be putting their air traffic control skills to the test in an expeditionary environment. Marines with Marine Air Control Squadron 1, Marine Air Control Group 38, 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing, worked with Marines from Headquarters and Headquarters Squadron, MCAS Camp Pendleton, to set up an Air Traffic Navigation, Integration and Coordination System over the last few days and conducted their first flight check August 11...

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Summer Fury showcases reach of 3rd MAW’s lethal weapons - U.S. Marine Corps CH-53E Super Stallions depart from a forward arming and refueling point during Exercise Summer Fury 20 at Naval Air Weapons Station China Lake, Calif., July 31.

Summer Fury showcases reach of 3rd MAW’s lethal weapons

The character of warfighting is increasingly dynamic, and the rapid advance of new technology has led the Marine Corps to cultivate training evolutions to meet the challenges presented today by adversaries across the Pacific Ocean. In his 2019 planning guidance, Gen. David H. Berger, 38th Commandant of the Marine Corps, outlined force redesign as his primary focus area for the future of the Marine Corps...

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U.S. Marines pilots fly new F-35B 's out of Marine Corps Air Station Yuma to be delivered to Forward Deployed Naval Forces, Japan on March 26. - U.S. Marines pilots fly new F-35B 's out of Marine Corps Air Station Yuma to be delivered to Forward Deployed Naval Forces, Japan on March 26.