3D Marine Aircraft Wing, MCAS Miramar

This is the official home for videos, stories and information from the Marine Corps Air Station Miramar and 3d Marine Aircraft Wing Consolidated Public Affairs Office.

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TRAINING TUESDAY A #CH53E #SuperStallion from #Marine Heavy #Helicopter #Squadron (HMH) 465 hovers above as #Marines with #Combat Logistic #Battalion (CLB) 11 rush in to attach 6,200-pound weight to the helicopter aboard Marine Corps Air Station Miramar, #California, Jan. 7. (@Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Harley Robinson/Released) (at Marine Corps Base Miramar)

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WE'RE MOVING

Beginning Tuesday, Jan. 19, 2016 this account will be inactive. Keep up with Marine Corps Air Station Miramar and the 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing by following us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

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FIGHTER JET FRIDAY Lance Cpl. Edward McPherson, an #AV8B #Harrier mechanic with #Marine Aviation Weapons and Tactics Squadron (#MAWTS) One Cadre, conducts preflight procedures to support the #Weapons and #Tactics Instructor Course (WTI) 1-16 aboard Marine Corps Air Station #Yuma, #Arizona, Oct. 1, 2015. (@Marines photo by Chief Warrant Officer 3 Jorge Dimmer/Released) (at Marine Corps Air Station at Yuma)

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TILTROTOR THURSDAY An #MV22B #Osprey with Special-Purpose #Marine Air-Ground Task Force Crisis Response-Africa lands aboard Los Llanos Air Base, #Spain, Dec. 7. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Staff Sgt. Vitaliy Rusavskiy) (at Los Llanos Air Force Base)

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CARRIER LANDINGS An #MV22B #Osprey assigned #Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron (VMM) 166 (Reinforced) takes off from the flight deck of #amphibious transport dock ship #USSNewOrleans (LPD 18), part of the Boxer Amphibious Ready Group, in the #PacificOcean, Dec. 11. (@usnavy photo by photo by Petty Officer 3rd Class Brandon Cyr/Released) (at Uss New Orleans)

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TRAINING TUESDAY #Marines with with 2nd Battalion, 7th Marine Regiment, 1st Marine Division, drag a simulated casualty to safety during the mechanized assault portion of a #MarineCorps #Combat Readiness Evaluation at #MarineCorpsAirGroundCombatCenter #TwentyninePalms, #California, Dec. 10. (#USMarine photo by Lance Cpl. Devan Gowans/Released) (at Marine Corps Air Ground Combat Center Twentynine Palms)

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Corporals Course 2-16 graduates Dec. 10

Story and photos by Lance Cpl. Harley Robinson

Marines with Corporals Course 2-16 graduated the month-long course aboard Marine Corps Air Station Miramar, California, Dec. 10. Corporals course is a re-introduction to the basic Marine Corps values of noncommissioned officers.

“Corporals Course is the lowest echelon of the Marine Corps guided Professional Military Education,” said Sgt. Robert Hill, a faculty adviser instructor with 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing’s Corporals Course, and a Williamsburg, Virginia native. “We take young NCOs and we re-instill the values of honor, courage, commitment and discipline.”

Every two months, 3rd MAW hosts a three-and-a-half-weeks-long Corporals Course. The corporals start off by taking the Marine Corps’ Combat Fitness Test and Physical Fitness Test. Physical training (PT) is an integral part of the course, and includes Marine Corps Martial Arts Program PT and pool PT. “The PT was challenging, but it was there to challenge you,” said Cpl. Anthony Black with Marine Aerial Refueler Transport Squadron (VMGR) 352, the Honor Graduate of Corporals Course 2-16, and a New Port Richey, Florida native. The instructors, a team of sergeants from various units within 3rd MAW and MCAS Miramar, teach the corporals about the history of the Marine Corps and uniform regulations. “We don’t just inspect and then pass or fail; we inspect them to show them what it’s like to actually conduct a uniform inspection,” said Hill. “As the class progresses on, we allow them to take over the uniform inspections.” Along with history, the corporals engage in guided discussions and practical applications concerning the current events of the Marine Corps and the traditional skills of drill. “We show them the skills of sword manual, guidon manual, and what it is to lead a platoon,” said Hill.

According to Hill, re-establishing the Marine Corps values, learning its history and pursuing physical fitness are all tactics used to boost the young Marines’ confidence, which is a huge aspect of becoming a great NCO. “The biggest thing for us is confidence in our abilities to say yes or no, and to know what we can and can’t do,” Hill said. “If we’re not honest with our own responsibilities and abilities, there’s no way we can lead and encourage other Marines.” Corporals Course puts the Marines back in a classroom setting, with instructors there to push them and challenge them every day. “At first it’s kind of a culture shock and you don’t like any of them,” said Black. “Now, at the end of it, I definitely appreciate everything that they did for us. They’re not only instructors and teachers, but mentors and friends as well.” The instructors attempt to get to know the corporals personally to help them know tailor the leadership principles to their junior Marines. “Corporals Course is an excellent tool to re-encourage Marines and inspire them to go back to their units a little more motivated,” said Hill. “If we inspire one Marine, then we have done our job.” At the end of the course, students come away more motivated and confident in themselves as a leader, said Black. “I can definitely see an improvement [in myself],” Black said. “Overall, I think it’s good for the Marine Corps and good for the NCOs.”

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MONDAY MOTIVATION

U.S. Marines with 1st Battalion, 7th Marine Regiment, Special Purpose Marine Air-Ground Task Force-Crisis Response-Central Command, carry a simulated casualty toward an MV-22 Osprey with Marine Medium Tiltrotor (VMM) Squadron 268, during a tactical recovery of aircraft and personnel (TRAP) exercise at an undisclosed location in Southwest Asia, Dec. 28. Members of SPMAGTF-CR-CC are ready to respond to any crisis response mission in theater to include the employment of a TRAP force. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Clarence Leake/Released)

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MAGTF MONDAY A #CH53E #SuperStallion with #Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron (VMM) 162 (Reinforced), #26thMarineExpeditionaryUnit, prepares to land on the flight deck of the amphibious transport dock ship #USSArlington, Dec. 22, 2015. (#USMarine photo by Cpl. Jeraco Jenkins/Released).

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TILTROTOR THURSDAY #Marines with Combat Logistics Battalion (CLB) 5 attach a simulated cargo of 1,400 pounds to an #MV22B #Osprey with #Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron (VMM) 363 #RedLions aboard Marine Corps Air Station Miramar, Calif., Dec. 16. (#USMarine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Kimberlyn Adams/Released)

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WING WEDNESDAY #Marines with 1st Expeditionary Operations board a #CH53E #SuperStallion for a free fall jump at 10,000 feet above Drop Zone #Basilone, @mcb_camp_pendleton #California, Dec. 2 (at Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton)

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ABOVE AND BEYOND Pvt. George Melendez, a combat correspondent with Headquarters and Headquarters Squadron, stationed in #Marine Corps Air Station #Yuma, #Arizona, volunteered with the Marine Corps Community Services Single Marine Program to provide food for people in need at the #CrossroadsMissionShelter, Dec. 16. (at Marine Corps Air Station Yuma)

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TILTROTOR THURSDAY #Marines with #Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron (VMM) 363 perform post-flight checks on an #MV22B #Osprey after an #aerialrefueling training event aboard Marine Corps Air Station Miramar, Calif., Dec. 16. (#USMarine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Harley Robinson/Released) (at Marine Corps Air Station Miramar)

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WING WEDNESDAY Gunnery Sgt. Christopher Mulcahy, a #combat #marksmanship #trainer #instructor with #Marine Light Attack Helicopter Training Squadron (HMLAT) 303, fires an #M134 GAU-17 #Minigun during an #aerialgunnery shoot aboard @mcb_Camp_Pendleton, #California, Dec. 17. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Sgt. Lillian Stephens/Released) (at Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton)

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TRAINING TUESDAY An #MV22B #Osprey pilot with #Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron (VMM) 363 maneuvers his #aircraft into position during an #aerialrefueling exercise near Marine Corps Air Station Miramar, California, Dec. 16. (#USMarine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Harley Robinson/Released) (at MCAS Miramar, California)

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SUNRISE SUNDAY An #FA18C #Hornet with #Marine Fighter Attack Squadron (VMFA) 323 prepares to take off from the flight deck of the #USSNimitz in the #PacificOcean, June 27, 2012. (#USNavy photo by Petty Officer 3rd Class Ian Cotter/Released) (at USS Nimitz)

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TILTROTOR THURSDAY An #MV22 #Osprey with #Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron (VMM) 161 (Reinforced) "Greyhawks” takes off of the flight deck of the #USSEssex, Dec. 13. (#USNavy Photo by Petty Officer 2nd Class Bradley Gee/Released) (at Pacific Ocean)