Stories

U.S. Marine Corps Gunnery Sgt. Brent Moffatt, a quality assurance chief with Marine Heavy Helicopter Squadron (HMH) 361, Marine Aircraft Group 16, 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing, waves the American flag during the Marine Air-Ground Task Force demonstration of the 2025 Marine Corps Air Station Miramar Air Show in San Diego, Sept. 28, 2025. The MAGTF Demo displays the coordinated use of close-air support, armor, artillery and infantry forces and provides a visual representation of how the Marine Corps operates. America's Air Show 2025 is a unique and incredible opportunity to witness Marine and joint aviation capabilities, civilian performers and the world-famous Blue Angels; to celebrate the 250th birthday of the Marine Corps alongside Marines and to see first-hand the innovative spirit of the Marine Corps through emerging technologies and forward-thinking. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Jordan Searls) - U.S. Marine Corps Gunnery Sgt. Brent Moffatt, a quality assurance chief with Marine Heavy Helicopter Squadron (HMH) 361, Marine Aircraft Group 16, 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing, waves the American flag during the Marine Air-Ground Task Force demonstration of the 2025 Marine Corps Air Station Miramar Air Show in San Diego, Sept. 28, 2025. The MAGTF Demo displays the coordinated use of close-air support, armor, artillery and infantry forces and provides a visual representation of how the Marine Corps operates. America's Air Show 2025 is a unique and incredible opportunity to witness Marine and joint aviation capabilities, civilian performers and the world-famous Blue Angels; to celebrate the 250th birthday of the Marine Corps alongside Marines and to see first-hand the innovative spirit of the Marine Corps through emerging technologies and forward-thinking. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Jordan Searls)

U.S. Marines and aircraft with Marine Aircraft Group 11, 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing, conduct a formation flight as part of Project Legacy off the coast of San Diego, March 4, 2025. The Project Legacy flight was a unique opportunity for all aircraft platforms across MAG-11 to fly as one team, practice tight formations, and take part in the documentation of a historical flight. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Jennifer Sanchez) - U.S. Marines and aircraft with Marine Aircraft Group 11, 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing, conduct a formation flight as part of Project Legacy off the coast of San Diego, March 4, 2025. The Project Legacy flight was a unique opportunity for all aircraft platforms across MAG-11 to fly as one team, practice tight formations, and take part in the documentation of a historical flight. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Jennifer Sanchez)

U.S. Marine Corps Capt. Tyler Chittick, front, a KC-130J Super Hercules pilot with Marine Aerial Refueler Transport Squadron (VMGR) 352, Marine Aircraft Group 11, 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing, presents the VMGR-352 flag to the honor graduate of Fox Company, Marine Combat Training, School of Infantry West, during a graduation ceremony after a Veteran's Day flag in San Diego, Nov. 7, 2024. The run, spearheaded by Capt. Tyler Chittick, began at MCAS Miramar and will end at the School of Infantry West, Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton totaling 55 miles of relay run and hike. Each year Chittick brings Marines together to complete a challenging physical activity in honor of fallen and disabled veterans including a fellow Marine who was injured by an improvised explosive device in Afghanistan in 2011. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Sgt. Luc Boatman) - U.S. Marine Corps Capt. Tyler Chittick, front, a KC-130J Super Hercules pilot with Marine Aerial Refueler Transport Squadron (VMGR) 352, Marine Aircraft Group 11, 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing, presents the VMGR-352 flag to the honor graduate of Fox Company, Marine Combat Training, School of Infantry West, during a graduation ceremony after a Veteran's Day flag in San Diego, Nov. 7, 2024. The run, spearheaded by Capt. Tyler Chittick, began at MCAS Miramar and will end at the School of Infantry West, Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton totaling 55 miles of relay run and hike. Each year Chittick brings Marines together to complete a challenging physical activity in honor of fallen and disabled veterans including a fellow Marine who was injured by an improvised explosive device in Afghanistan in 2011. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Sgt. Luc Boatman)

U.S. Marine Corps F/A-18 Hornets assigned to Marine Aircraft Group 11, 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing, I Marine Expeditionary Force conduct a simulated airstrike during the Marine Air-Ground Task Force demonstration at the 2024 Marine Corps Air Station Miramar Airshow in San Diego, Sept. 28, 2024. The MAGTF Demo displays the coordinated use of close-air support, armor, artillery, and infantry forces and provides a visual representation of how the Marine Corps operates. America's Airshow 2024 is a unique and incredible opportunity to witness Marine and joint aviation capabilities, civilian performers, and the world-famous Blue Angels; to interact first-hand with Marines, other service members, and first responders; and to see first-hand the innovative spirit of the Marine Corps through emerging technologies and forward-thinking. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Arthur W. Shores) - U.S. Marine Corps F/A-18 Hornets assigned to Marine Aircraft Group 11, 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing, I Marine Expeditionary Force conduct a simulated airstrike during the Marine Air-Ground Task Force demonstration at the 2024 Marine Corps Air Station Miramar Airshow in San Diego, Sept. 28, 2024. The MAGTF Demo displays the coordinated use of close-air support, armor, artillery, and infantry forces and provides a visual representation of how the Marine Corps operates. America's Airshow 2024 is a unique and incredible opportunity to witness Marine and joint aviation capabilities, civilian performers, and the world-famous Blue Angels; to interact first-hand with Marines, other service members, and first responders; and to see first-hand the innovative spirit of the Marine Corps through emerging technologies and forward-thinking. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Arthur W. Shores)

U.S. Marines with Marine Corps Air Station Miramar were activated during Semper Durus 24 April 24, 2024 on MCAS Miramar. The Marines underwent S-130 Firefighter Training and became part of the all Marine Hand Crew that was created to battle wildfires during the summer. - U.S. Marines with Marine Corps Air Station Miramar were activated during Semper Durus 24 April 24, 2024 on MCAS Miramar. The Marines underwent S-130 Firefighter Training and became part of the all Marine Hand Crew that was created to battle wildfires during the summer.

U.S. Marines give insight to DACOWITS - U.S. Marine Corps Lance Cpl. Jennae Kahler, an F-35B Lightning II aircraft electrical systems technician with Marine Fighter Attack Squadron (VMFA) 311, Marine Aircraft Group 11, 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing, discusses the role women play in the Marine Corps during a luncheon with representatives from the Defense Advisory Committee on Women in the Services on MCAS Miramar, California, April 22, 2024. The purpose of the luncheon was to conduct research on behalf of Lloyd J. Austin III, the Secretary of Defense, in an informal setting. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Pfc. Seferino Gamez)

A U.S. Marine with Marine Fighter Attack Squadron (VMFA) 211 accelerates an F-35B Lightning II on the flight deck of HMS Queen Elizabeth in the Mediterranean Sea on November 24th, 2021 - A U.S. Marine with Marine Fighter Attack Squadron (VMFA) 211 accelerates an F-35B Lightning II on the flight deck of HMS Queen Elizabeth in the Mediterranean Sea on November 24th, 2021. VMFA-211 aircraft landed at Naval Station Rota as the first stop on their redeployment to Marine Corps Air Station Yuma, AZ. The success of this deployment demonstrates that the United States and the United Kingdom are united in our efforts to ensure security and freedom of the seas, that our maritime power projection capabilities are interoperable, complementary, and global.

The Marine Corps Exchange 24, nestled within the barracks area at Marine Corps Air Station Miramar, San Diego, is a 24-hour convenience store that offers Marines around-the-clock access to essential supplies and snacks, regardless of duty schedules or holiday closures. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Pfc. Seferino Gamez) - The Marine Corps Exchange 24, nestled within the barracks area at Marine Corps Air Station Miramar, San Diego, is a 24-hour convenience store that offers Marines around-the-clock access to essential supplies and snacks, regardless of duty schedules or holiday closures. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Pfc. Seferino Gamez)

U.S. Marine Corps Cpl. Johnson Truong, an air support operations operator with Marine Air Support Squadron 3, Marine Air Control Group 38, 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing, coordinates fire missions from the Multifunction Air Operations Center in support of Exercise Steel Knight 23.2 at Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton, California, Dec. 6, 2023. The MAOC provides expeditionary aviation command and control and air surveillance to the Marine Air-Ground Task Force. Steel Knight 23.2 is a three-phase exercise designed to train I Marine Expeditionary Force in the planning, deployment and command and control of a joint force against a peer or near-peer adversary combat force and enhance existing live-fire and maneuver capabilities of the MAGTF. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Daniel Childs) - U.S. Marine Corps Cpl. Johnson Truong, an air support operations operator with Marine Air Support Squadron 3, Marine Air Control Group 38, 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing, coordinates fire missions from the Multifunction Air Operations Center in support of Exercise Steel Knight 23.2 at Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton, California, Dec. 6, 2023. The MAOC provides expeditionary aviation command and control and air surveillance to the Marine Air-Ground Task Force. Steel Knight 23.2 is a three-phase exercise designed to train I Marine Expeditionary Force in the planning, deployment and command and control of a joint force against a peer or near-peer adversary combat force and enhance existing live-fire and maneuver capabilities of the MAGTF. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Daniel Childs)

U.S. Marines with Marine Corps Systems Command, fire a Stinger Missile from a Marine Air Defense Integrated System (MADIS) at Yuma Proving Ground, Arizona, December 13, 2023. The MADIS Mk1, pictured, and Mk2 form a complementary pair and will be the basic building block of the Low Altitude Air Defense (LAAD) Battalions’ ground-based air defense capability. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Virginia Guffey) - U.S. Marines with Marine Corps Systems Command, fire a Stinger Missile from a Marine Air Defense Integrated System (MADIS) at Yuma Proving Ground, Arizona, December 13, 2023. The MADIS Mk1, pictured, and Mk2 form a complementary pair and will be the basic building block of the Low Altitude Air Defense (LAAD) Battalions’ ground-based air defense capability. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Virginia Guffey)

U.S. Marines with 2nd Battalion, 23rd Marine Regiment, 4th Marine Division, Marine Forces Reserve, and volunteers collect toys, books, and other gifts during Disneyland’s Toys for Tots Drive in Anaheim, California, Dec. 9, 2023. Toys for Tots is a year-round charity that provides toys, books, and games to economically disadvantaged children and families since 1947. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Samantha Devine) - U.S. Marines with 2nd Battalion, 23rd Marine Regiment, 4th Marine Division, Marine Forces Reserve, and volunteers collect toys, books, and other gifts during Disneyland’s Toys for Tots Drive in Anaheim, California, Dec. 9, 2023. Toys for Tots is a year-round charity that provides toys, books, and games to economically disadvantaged children and families since 1947. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Samantha Devine)

U.S. Marine Corps F-35B Lightning II aircraft with Marine Fighter Attack Squadron (VMFA) 122, Marine Aircraft Group 13, 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing, takeoff during suppression of enemy air defense training in support of Exercise Steel Knight 23.2 at Marine Corps Air Station Yuma, Arizona, Dec. 6, 2023. SEAD training increases the ability of fifth-generation fighter pilots to enter the fight first, strike targets deep within an enemy air defense system, and enable follow on strikes by supporting weapons platforms. Steel Knight 23.2 is a three-phase exercise designed to train I Marine Expeditionary Force in the planning, deployment and command and control of a joint force against a peer or near-peer adversary combat force and enhance existing live-fire and maneuver capabilities of the Marine Air-Ground Task Force. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Elizabeth Gallagher) - U.S. Marine Corps F-35B Lightning II aircraft with Marine Fighter Attack Squadron (VMFA) 122, Marine Aircraft Group 13, 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing, takeoff during suppression of enemy air defense training in support of Exercise Steel Knight 23.2 at Marine Corps Air Station Yuma, Arizona, Dec. 6, 2023. SEAD training increases the ability of fifth-generation fighter pilots to enter the fight first, strike targets deep within an enemy air defense system, and enable follow on strikes by supporting weapons platforms. Steel Knight 23.2 is a three-phase exercise designed to train I Marine Expeditionary Force in the planning, deployment and command and control of a joint force against a peer or near-peer adversary combat force and enhance existing live-fire and maneuver capabilities of the Marine Air-Ground Task Force. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Elizabeth Gallagher)

U.S. Marines with I Marine Expeditionary Force board a CH-53E Super Stallion assigned to Marine Heavy Helicopter Squadron (HMH) 361, Marine Aircraft Group 16, 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing, during a Marine Corps Combat Readiness Evaluation (MCCRE) in support of Exercise Steel Knight 23.2 at Marine Corps Air Station Miramar, California, Dec. 2, 2023. The MCCRE is conducted before deployment, consisting of a tactical recovery of aircraft and personnel exercise, high altitude aerial refueling, aviation delivered ground refueling, external lift exercises. Steel Knight 23.2 is a three-phase exercise designed to train I Marine Expeditionary Force in the planning, deployment and command and control of a joint force against a peer or near-peer maneuver capabilities of the Marine Air-Ground Task Force. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Jackson Rush) - U.S. Marines with I Marine Expeditionary Force board a CH-53E Super Stallion assigned to Marine Heavy Helicopter Squadron (HMH) 361, Marine Aircraft Group 16, 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing, during a Marine Corps Combat Readiness Evaluation (MCCRE) in support of Exercise Steel Knight 23.2 at Marine Corps Air Station Miramar, California, Dec. 2, 2023. The MCCRE is conducted before deployment, consisting of a tactical recovery of aircraft and personnel exercise, high altitude aerial refueling, aviation delivered ground refueling, external lift exercises. Steel Knight 23.2 is a three-phase exercise designed to train I Marine Expeditionary Force in the planning, deployment and command and control of a joint force against a peer or near-peer maneuver capabilities of the Marine Air-Ground Task Force. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Jackson Rush)

MCAS Miramar - U.S. Marines stationed on Marine Corps Air Station Miramar, pose for a group photo to commemorate 29 Marines becoming certified wildland firefighters on MCAS Miramar, March 24, 2023. These Marines have trained to become wildland firefighters to form the first hand crew composed primarily of U.S. Marines. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Jackson Rush)

N/A - Walter Joseph Riedemann III, the lead maintenance mechanic for Naval Facilities Emergency Services at MCAS Miramar, respects and admires his family's history of prestigious U.S. Naval service but has charted out a different course for himself. This Virginia Beach native teams up with Marines, Sailors, and civilian employees of MCAS Miramar to help 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing fulfill its mission of supplying air combat power to the Marine Air Ground Task Force and U.S. combatant commands around the world.

Marines Fight Evolve Win Graphic - Marines Fight Evolve Win Graphic

Aircraft Rescue and Fire Fighting Marines volunteer with San Diego Fire Department - U.S. Marine Corps Sgts. Katrina Jimenez and Cori Barney, and Lance Cpl. Kyra Cherry, aircraft rescue and firefighting Marines with Aircraft Rescue and Fire Fighting unit, Headquarters and Headquarters Squadron, Marine Corps Air Station Miramar, pose for a photo after volunteering during the San Diego Fire-Rescue Department Girls Empowerment Camp in San Diego, California, April 18, 2021. The two-day camp was an opportunity for kids of all genders to build confidence, make new friends, and work with professional firefighters while learning some of the skills they use during their careers. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Krysten Houk)

The site testing team in front of the microgrid powerplant after successful black start tests at Marine Corps Air station Miramar, June 20, 2020. - The site testing team in front of the microgrid powerplant after successful black start tests at Marine Corps Air station Miramar, June 20, 2020.

U. S. Marine Corps Staff Sgt. Matthew Pruitt, the staff noncommissioned officer in charge of the Miramar automated test equipment detachment of Center for Naval Aviation Technical Training Unit North Island, poses for a photo on Marine Corps Air Station Miramar, California, June 15, 2020. Pruitt was awarded a Navy and Marine Achievement Medal for his heroic rescue of a civilian from a dog attack. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Krysten Houk) - U. S. Marine Corps Staff Sgt. Matthew Pruitt, the staff noncommissioned officer in charge of the Miramar automated test equipment detachment of Center for Naval Aviation Technical Training Unit North Island, poses for a photo on Marine Corps Air Station Miramar, California, June 15, 2020. Pruitt was awarded a Navy and Marine Achievement Medal for his heroic rescue of a civilian from a dog attack. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Krysten Houk)

Kiona Mitchell, the self-appointed valedictorian of the 2020 graduation class, gives a speech at the Milcon Clubhouse on Marine Corps Air Station Miramar, California, June 13, 2020. - Kiona Mitchell, the self-appointed valedictorian of the 2020 graduation class, gives a speech at the Milcon Clubhouse on Marine Corps Air Station Miramar, California, June 13, 2020. A local active-duty military spouse orchestrated the special graduation to give students a chance to celebrate their achievement after schools cancelled their graduations due to pandemic, and included procedures and restrictions in place to prevent COVID-19 transmission. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Cheng Chang/Released)