A maintenance Marine with Marine Light Attack Helicopter Squadron 367 signals the pilots of a UH-1Y Huey helicopter as it takes off from the flight line aboard Marine Corps Air Station Kaneohe Bay, Hawaii, April 9, 2014. HMLA-367 plays an important role in the everyday operations aboard Marine Corps Base Hawaii and has proven to be a vital asset in the Pacific as the Marine Corps begins to shift its focus back to the west. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Matthew Bragg) - A maintenance Marine with Marine Light Attack Helicopter Squadron 367 signals the pilots of a UH-1Y Huey helicopter as it takes off from the flight line aboard Marine Corps Air Station Kaneohe Bay, Hawaii, April 9, 2014. HMLA-367 plays an important role in the everyday operations aboard Marine Corps Base Hawaii and has proven to be a vital asset in the Pacific as the Marine Corps begins to shift its focus back to the west. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Matthew Bragg)
Cpl. Paul Krehbiel (right), the chemical, biological, radioactive and nuclear chief with 3rd Radio Battalion, helps a Marine clear CS gas from his gas mask during annual gas chamber training at Boondocker Training Area, March 25, 2014. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Matthew Bragg) - Cpl. Paul Krehbiel (right), the chemical, biological, radioactive and nuclear chief with 3rd Radio Battalion, helps a Marine clear CS gas from his gas mask during annual gas chamber training at Boondocker Training Area, March 25, 2014. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Matthew Bragg)
Reconnaissance Marines and sailors board a CH-53E Super Stallion assigned to Marine Heavy Helicopter Squadron 463 as they prepare to conduct a low-level static line jump package on the fl ight line on Marine Corps Air Station Kaneohe Bay, March 18, 2014. At an altitude between 1,500 feet to 2,000 feet, three to four service members jumped each time as the aircraft flew over the area. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Matthew J. Bragg) - Reconnaissance Marines and sailors board a CH-53E Super Stallion assigned to Marine Heavy Helicopter Squadron 463 as they prepare to conduct a low-level static line jump package on the fl ight line on Marine Corps Air Station Kaneohe Bay, March 18, 2014. At an altitude between 1,500 feet to 2,000 feet, three to four service members jumped each time as the aircraft flew over the area. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Matthew J. Bragg)
Sgt. Maj. Ernest W. Rose was born in San Jose, Calif. He enlisted in the marine Corps Dec. 26, 1990. Rose was assigned to Combat Logistics Battalion 3 in 2011 aboard Marine Corps Base Hawaii before transferring to Marine Corps Air Station in 2013, and then to Headquarters Battalion in January 2014 as the battalion sergeant major. His personal awards include the navy Commendation Medal with four gold stars, Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal with three gold stars, Marine Corps Good Conduct Medal with one silver star and one bronze star. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Matthew Bragg) - Sgt. Maj. Ernest W. Rose was born in San Jose, Calif. He enlisted in the marine Corps Dec. 26, 1990. Rose was assigned to Combat Logistics Battalion 3 in 2011 aboard Marine Corps Base Hawaii before transferring to Marine Corps Air Station in 2013, and then to Headquarters Battalion in January 2014 as the battalion sergeant major. His personal awards include the navy Commendation Medal with four gold stars, Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal with three gold stars, Marine Corps Good Conduct Medal with one silver star and one bronze star. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Matthew Bragg)
Sgt. Ryan Hetu, a crew chief with Marine Heavy Helicopter Squadron 463, helps unload a pallet of ammunition from a CH-53E aircraft at Bradshaw Airfield on the Island of Hawaii, March 12, 2014. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Matthew Bragg) - Sgt. Ryan Hetu, a crew chief with Marine Heavy Helicopter Squadron 463, helps unload a pallet of ammunition from a CH-53E aircraft at Bradshaw Airfield on the Island of Hawaii, March 12, 2014. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Matthew Bragg)
Gunnery Sgt. Timothy C. Tardif, staff noncommissioned officer of Scout Sniper School, School of Infantry West-Detachment Hawaii, and a 32-year-old native of Denver, speaks to Marines of Corporals Course at Dewey Square on Marine Corps Base Hawaii, Feb. 25, 2013. The Marines had just completed a four hour-long case study, or training exercise, based off of true experiences Tardif faced as a corporal in combat during Operation Iraqi Freedom, April 12, 2003. Tardif received shrapnel wounds while assaulting the enemy compound and refused medical attention in order to keep fighting alongside his platoon. Thirteen months later he was awarded the Silver Star for the actions he displayed on that day. Tardif explained to the Marines the Marine Corps is what they make of it, and the effectiveness of their leadership will depend of the bond they build with their Marines. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Matthew Bragg) - Gunnery Sgt. Timothy C. Tardif, staff noncommissioned officer of Scout Sniper School, School of Infantry West-Detachment Hawaii, and a 32-year-old native of Denver, speaks to Marines of Corporals Course at Dewey Square on Marine Corps Base Hawaii, Feb. 25, 2013. The Marines had just completed a four hour-long case study, or training exercise, based off of true experiences Tardif faced as a corporal in combat during Operation Iraqi Freedom, April 12, 2003. Tardif received shrapnel wounds while assaulting the enemy compound and refused medical attention in order to keep fighting alongside his platoon. Thirteen months later he was awarded the Silver Star for the actions he displayed on that day. Tardif explained to the Marines the Marine Corps is what they make of it, and the effectiveness of their leadership will depend of the bond they build with their Marines. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Matthew Bragg)
Marines with Combat Assault Company, 3rd Marine Regiment, use amphibious assault vehicles to tear up the mud in the salvage yard wetland aboard Marine Corps Base Hawaii during the annual Mud Ops environmental training exercise, Feb. 19, 2014. The CAC Marines team up with the Environmental Compliance and Protection Department each year to conduct the two to three-day exercise and tear up the mud within the Nuupia Pond Wildlife Management Area and salvage yard wetland to help preserve the comfortable living conditions of the wildlife within the areas. The result of this exercise allows the endangered Hawaiian black-necked stilt to feed and lay nests as well as making water more absorbable in the mud. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Matthew Bragg) - Marines with Combat Assault Company, 3rd Marine Regiment, use amphibious assault vehicles to tear up the mud in the salvage yard wetland aboard Marine Corps Base Hawaii during the annual Mud Ops environmental training exercise, Feb. 19, 2014. The CAC Marines team up with the Environmental Compliance and Protection Department each year to conduct the two to three-day exercise and tear up the mud within the Nuupia Pond Wildlife Management Area and salvage yard wetland to help preserve the comfortable living conditions of the wildlife within the areas. The result of this exercise allows the endangered Hawaiian black-necked stilt to feed and lay nests as well as making water more absorbable in the mud. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Matthew Bragg)
A player with 3rd Radio Battalion attempt to take a shot during a game in the third week of the intramural basketball season at the Semper Fit Center gym, Feb. 4, 2014. Despite a comeback effort, the team lost to Marine Aviation Logistics Squadron 24 by a score of 49-39. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Matthew Bragg) - A player with 3rd Radio Battalion attempt to take a shot during a game in the third week of the intramural basketball season at the Semper Fit Center gym, Feb. 4, 2014. Despite a comeback effort, the team lost to Marine Aviation Logistics Squadron 24 by a score of 49-39. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Matthew Bragg)
Four F/A-18D Hornets with Marine All-Weather Fighter Attack Squadron 224 sit stationary outside Hangar 105 next to the flight line at Marine Corps Air Station Kaneohe Bay, Jan. 29, 2014. The unit is stationed at MCAS Beaufort, and is currently on a six-month deployment through the Western Pacific. VMFA(AW)-224 arrived in Hawaii, Jan 10., to participate in Exercise Lava Viper at Pohakuloa Training Area. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Matthew Bragg) - Four F/A-18D Hornets with Marine All-Weather Fighter Attack Squadron 224 sit stationary outside Hangar 105 next to the flight line at Marine Corps Air Station Kaneohe Bay, Jan. 29, 2014. The unit is stationed at MCAS Beaufort, and is currently on a six-month deployment through the Western Pacific. VMFA(AW)-224 arrived in Hawaii, Jan 10., to participate in Exercise Lava Viper at Pohakuloa Training Area. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Matthew Bragg)
A sniper and his spotter, both recon Marines with third platoon, Force Reconnaissance Company, 13th Marine Expeditionary Unit, I Marine Expeditionary Force, complete a live-fire high-angle sniper exercise at Kaneohe Bay Range Training Facility aboard Marine Corps Base Hawaii, Aug. 23, 2013. The relationship between a sniper and his spotter is an important one, because they rely on each other to ensure the mission is accomplished. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Matthew Bragg) - A sniper and his spotter, both recon Marines with third platoon, Force Reconnaissance Company, 13th Marine Expeditionary Unit, I Marine Expeditionary Force, complete a live-fire high-angle sniper exercise at Kaneohe Bay Range Training Facility aboard Marine Corps Base Hawaii, Aug. 23, 2013. The relationship between a sniper and his spotter is an important one, because they rely on each other to ensure the mission is accomplished. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Matthew Bragg)