Videos

U.S. Marines with Marine Wing Support Squadron (MWSS) 371, Marine Aircraft Group 13, 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing taxi and refuel F-35B Lightning II with Marine Fighter Attack Squadron (VMFA) 211 and the AV-8B Harrier with Marine Attack Squadron (VMA) 214 at a forward arming and refueling point (FARP) in Naval Air Facility El Centro, Calif., Dec. 3, 2020. VMFA-211 and VMA-214 congruently engaged in an expeditionary demonstration utilizing a FARP. (U.S. Marine Corps video by Lance Cpl. Levi Voss)

Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron (VMM) 163 (Reinforced) serves as the aviation combat element of the 11th Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU). VMM-163’s role is to provide the MEU commander with aviation assets and capabilities in support of the six functions of Marine Corps aviation: offensive air support, anti-air warfare, assault support, air reconnaissance, electronic warfare and control of aircraft and missiles. (U.S. Marine Corps video by Staff Sgt. Donald Holbert)

Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron (VMM) 163 (Reinforced) serves as the aviation combat element of the 11th Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU). VMM-163’s role is to provide the MEU commander with aviation assets and capabilities in support of the six functions of Marine Corps aviation: offensive air support, anti-air warfare, assault support, air reconnaissance, electronic warfare and control of aircraft and missiles. (U.S. Marine Corps video by Staff Sgt. Donald Holbert)

Marines with Marine Aircraft Group (MAG) 13 demonstrate the whole Marine Corps concept during Exercise Northern Lightning at Volk Field Counterland Training Center, Camp Douglas, Wis., Aug. 13. Exercise Northern Lightning 2018 allows the Air Force, Marine Corps and Navy to strengthen interoperability between services and gives the different branches a greater understanding of aviation capabilities within a joint fighting force. (U.S. Marine Corps video by Sgt. David Bickel)

Marines with Marine Aircraft Group (MAG) 13 demonstrate the elements of an Air Combat Element during Exercise Northern Lightning at Volk Field Counterland Training Center, Camp Douglas, Wis., Aug. 20. Exercise Northern Lightning 2018 allows the Air Force, Marine Corps and Navy to strengthen interoperability between services and gives the different branches a greater understanding of aviation capabilities within a joint fighting force. (U.S. Marine Corps video by Sgt. David Bickel)

President Franklin D. Roosevelt proclaimed August 19, 1939, National Aviation Day to celebrate the development of aeronautics. However, Marine Corps aviation began on May 22, 1912, when 1st Lt. Alfred A. Cunningham reported to the aviation camp at the United States Naval Academy, Annapolis, Maryland. Starting with its first aircraft, the Curtiss C-3, Marine aviation has stayed at the forefront of cutting-edge technology with its newest aircraft, the F-35B Lightning II. Currently, the four Marine aircraft wings are operating across the world and stand ready to overcome any obstacles in the future. (U.S. Marine Corps video by Cpl. Jessica Etheridge)

Marine Attack Squadron 311 AV-8B Harriers fire the AGM-65E 'Maverick' missile during the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit's Amphibious Integration Training, August 5, 2017. The Maverick is a laser guided, air-to-surface tactical missile designed to eliminate armored targets and hardened structures. VMA-311 is concluding the Harrier's 'farewell tour' with the 31st MEU as the force transitions to the F-35B Lightning II Joint Strike Fighter. The 31st MEU partners with the Navy’s Amphibious Squadron 11 to form the amphibious component of the Bonhomme Richard Expeditionary Strike Group. The 31st MEU and PHIBRON 11 conducted Amphibious Integration Training in preparation for Certificaton Exercise, and to ensure readiness for crisis response throughout the Indo-Asia-Pacific region. (U.S. Marine Corps video by Lance Cpl. Garett Burns/Released)

Marine Corps Capt. Michael Gucwa an, AV-8B Harrier pilot with VMA-311, explains the training and importance of the Advanced Precision Kill Weapon System (APKWS) aboard the USS Bonhomme Richard (LHD 6) while underway in the Pacific Ocean, June 9, 2017. During the flight Harrier pilots fired the (APKWS), a laser-guided rocket, for the first time in the Indo-Asia-Pacific region. VMA-311 is the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit’s fixed-wing attack asset and are combined with Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron 265 (Reinforced), to make up the 31st MEU’s Aviation Combat Element. The 31st MEU partners with the Navy’s Amphibious Squadron 11 to form amphibious component of the Bonhomme Richard Expeditionary Strike Group. The 31st MEU and PHIBRON 11 combine to provide a cohesive blue-green team capable of accomplishing a variety of missions across the Indo-Asia-Pacific.(U.S. Marine Corps video by Lance Cpl. Garett Burns)

ARTA TRAINING RANGE, Djibouti (Oct. 20, 2015) U.S. Marines with the 15th Marine Expeditionary Unit participate in various events during a desert survival and tactics course. Elements of the 15th MEU trained with the 5th Overseas Combined Arms Regiment (RIAOM) in Djibouti in order to improve interoperability between the MEU and the French military. (U.S. Marine Corps motion media by Sgt. Steve H. Lopez/Released) Interview: Cpl. Daniel Clark, Section Leader, Delta Company, 1st Light Armored Reconnaissance Detachment, Battalion Landing Team 3rd Battalion, 1st Marine Regiment, 15th Marine Expeditionary Unit