News Stories Archive

Plane captain Lance Cpl. Joseph Crescenzo, of Ocala, Fla., signals stand clear to maintainers while directing an AV-8B Harrier assigned to the Bulldogs of Marine Attack Squadron (VMA) 223 at Key West, Florida March 24. Naval Air Station Key West is a state-of-the-art facility for air-to-air combat fighter aircraft of all military services and provides world-class pierside support to U.S. and foreign naval vessels. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Brian Morales/ Released)

Photo by Petty Officer 1st Class Brian Morales

VMA-223 conducts air-to-air training above Florida Keys

14 Apr 2015 | Cpl. U.B. Roberts The Official United States Marine Corps Public Website

NAVAL AIR STATION KEY WEST, Fla. -- Marines with Marine Attack Squadron 223 traveled to Key West, Fla. to conduct air-to-air training March 18 through April 12.

The squadron conducted the training to hone their skills to provide offensive air support, armed reconnaissance, and air defense for the Marine Air-Ground Task Force.

During the training, the Marines trained to build air-to-air flight leadership for potential section and division leaders, according to a pilot with VMA-223.

The training provided the Marines with an opportunity to train realistically with live air-to-air missiles and complete training sorties that are needed for qualifications.

“All Harrier pilots seek to maintain air-to-air proficiency both as a potential mission set and as an exercise to increase overall situational awareness. The air-to-air arena affords the opportunity to make rapid decisions while handling the aircraft at the extreme edge of its operating envelope,” explained the pilot.

Plane captain Lance Cpl. Joseph Crescenzo, of Ocala, Fla., signals stand clear to maintainers while directing an AV-8B Harrier assigned to the Bulldogs of Marine Attack Squadron (VMA) 223 at Key West, Florida March 24. Naval Air Station Key West is a state-of-the-art facility for air-to-air combat fighter aircraft of all military services and provides world-class pierside support to U.S. and foreign naval vessels. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Brian Morales/ Released)