U.S. Marine Corps Lt. Col. Jens Gilbertson, from Pennsylvania and commanding officer of Marine Light Attack Helicopter Squadron (HMLA) 269, addresses the audience during the reactivation ceremony of HMLA-269 at Marine Corps Air Station New River, North Carolina, July 1, 2024. The reactivation of HMLA-269 provides 2nd Marine Aircraft Wing and II Marine Expeditionary Force with additional offensive air support, utility support, armed escort, and airborne supporting arms capability. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Staff Sgt. Theodore Bergan)
U.S. Marine Corps Sgt. Zonia Kotaro, a career planner with Marine Wing Headquarters Squadron (MWHS) 2, speaks on why she loves the Marine Corps at Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point, North Carolina, June 28, 2024. Kotaro, from the Republic of Palau, joined the Marine Corps in 2014 to search for a challenge. After completing her first contract, she entered the Individual Ready Reserve and obtained a degree in Business Administration. In 2021, Kotaro joined the Active Reserve and is now on active duty orders to serve at 2nd Marine Aircraft Wing. (U.S. Marine Corps video by Sgt. Christopher Hernandez)
MARINE CORPS AIR STATION CHERRY POINT, N.C. -- The U.S. Marine Corps continues its transitional journey and development of its fifth-generation fixed-wing capabilities with the F-35B Lightning II jet. Those jets could not fly without Marines like Sgt. Rhett Butler who maintain them through long days and nights.
Butler, a native of Monrovia, Maryland, and an F-35B Lightning II jet airframes mechanic, joined the Marine Corps in 2020 because of his family’s military history. His great-grandfather served as a Marine rifleman during World War II and fought in the Pacific theater, another family member served as a U.S. Army officer, and another as a Sailor in the U.S. Navy. Because of this heritage, he decided to enlist into the Marine...