Stories

A Marine rifleman, right, from 3rd Battalion, 1st Marine Regiment of Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton, Calif., searches a Marine roleplayer from the Tactical Training Exercise Control Group, left, after he was “killed” during a long-range raid training exercise in the desert southeast of Marine Corps Air Station Yuma, Ariz., June 3. The job of the roleplayer is to provide realistic simulation and opposition for Marines during training exercises. - A Marine rifleman, right, from 3rd Battalion, 1st Marine Regiment of Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton, Calif., searches a Marine roleplayer from the Tactical Training Exercise Control Group, left, after he was “killed” during a long-range raid training exercise in the desert southeast of Marine Corps Air Station Yuma, Ariz., June 3. The job of the roleplayer is to provide realistic simulation and opposition for Marines during training exercises.

Lt. Col. Troy Pehrson, the outgoing commander of Marine Attack Squadron 211, center, passes the Marine Corps Colors to Lt. Col. Cory Simmons, the incoming commander of VMA-211, left, as Sgt. Maj. Michael Cayer, the sergeant major of VMA-211, right, salutes this symbolic act of the changing of command at the squadron hangar on Marine Corps Air Station Yuma, Ariz., May 31. Lt. Col. Pehrson’s next command will be at MCAS Cherry Point, N.C. - Lt. Col. Troy Pehrson, the outgoing commander of Marine Attack Squadron 211, center, passes the Marine Corps Colors to Lt. Col. Cory Simmons, the incoming commander of VMA-211, left, as Sgt. Maj. Michael Cayer, the sergeant major of VMA-211, right, salutes this symbolic act of the changing of command at the squadron hangar on Marine Corps Air Station Yuma, Ariz., May 31. Lt. Col. Pehrson’s next command will be at MCAS Cherry Point, N.C.

Left: Debi Mustain, the Coyote Ranch assistant troop committee coordinator and a native of Yuma, Ariz., and Peggy Munger, the Coyote Ranch troop committee coordinator and a native of Yuma, Ariz., proudly display some of the photos of deployed Marines at Coyote Ranch Yuma, Ariz., May 20. - Left: Debi Mustain, the Coyote Ranch assistant troop committee coordinator and a native of Yuma, Ariz., and Peggy Munger, the Coyote Ranch troop committee coordinator and a native of Yuma, Ariz., proudly display some of the photos of deployed Marines at Coyote Ranch Yuma, Ariz., May 20.

Master Sgt. Shaun Lawrence, a Uniform Victim Advocate with Marine Fighter Attack Squadron-121, Marine Corps Air Station Yuma, Ariz., and a native of Ulysses, Pa., cuts camouflage utilities apart to make into quilts and wall hangings, May 14. The "cammies" were donated from Marines during the "Take a Stand" motorcycle ride, April 30, in support of Sexual Assault Awareness Month. Marines and their spouses volunteer their time with Yuma community members to make quilts and wall tapestry's in support of Amberly's Place, a shelter that helps victims of domestic violence, child abuse and sexual assault. - Master Sgt. Shaun Lawrence, a Uniform Victim Advocate with Marine Fighter Attack Squadron-121, Marine Corps Air Station Yuma, Ariz., and a native of Ulysses, Pa., cuts camouflage utilities apart to make into quilts and wall hangings, May 14. The "cammies" were donated from Marines during the "Take a Stand" motorcycle ride, April 30, in support of Sexual Assault Awareness Month. Marines and their spouses volunteer their time with Yuma community members to make quilts and wall tapestry's in support of Amberly's Place, a shelter that helps victims of domestic violence, child abuse and sexual assault.

Marine Corps Air Station Yuma's Commanding Officer Col. Robert C. Kuckuk and MCAS Yuma Deacon David Sampson, of the station chapel, hand out volunteer appreciation certificates at the 12th annual Volunteer Appreciation Night on station May 2. The appreciation event was held to recognize volunteers who help with programs such as Navy Marine Corps Relief Society, youth sports, the Single Marine Program and the station chapel. - Marine Corps Air Station Yuma's Commanding Officer Col. Robert C. Kuckuk and MCAS Yuma Deacon David Sampson, of the station chapel, hand out volunteer appreciation certificates at the 12th annual Volunteer Appreciation Night on station May 2. The appreciation event was held to recognize volunteers who help with programs such as Navy Marine Corps Relief Society, youth sports, the Single Marine Program and the station chapel.

Marines with the explosive ordinance disposal unit for Marine Corps Air Station Yuma demonstrate what kind of work they conduct in the field to the children from local schools taking part in the Intro to Devil Dogs 101 childrens' tour, May 8. Some of the students that attended the Intro to Devil Dogs 101 were military dependents and had a chance to share their parent's military training with fellow classmates. - Marines with the explosive ordinance disposal unit for Marine Corps Air Station Yuma demonstrate what kind of work they conduct in the field to the children from local schools taking part in the Intro to Devil Dogs 101 childrens' tour, May 8. Some of the students that attended the Intro to Devil Dogs 101 were military dependents and had a chance to share their parent's military training with fellow classmates.

Active duty and retired Marines participated in a motorcycle ride at Marine Corps Air Station Yuma, Ariz., as a culminating event to raise awareness for Sexual Assault Awareness month, April 30. Participants, which also included community guests and family members, were provided with t-shirts that called for everyone to take a stand against sexual assault. - Active duty and retired Marines participated in a motorcycle ride at Marine Corps Air Station Yuma, Ariz., as a culminating event to raise awareness for Sexual Assault Awareness month, April 30. Participants, which also included community guests and family members, were provided with t-shirts that called for everyone to take a stand against sexual assault.

Cpl. MaryBeth Monson, a structural mechanic with Marine Aviation Logistics Squadron 13 (MALS-13) aboard Marine Corps Air Station Yuma, Ariz., and a native of Weston, Idaho, has been selected as the United Service Organization's (USO) Woman of the Year Military Leadership Award. Nominated by her command for her selfless dedication in leading and mentoring others and courageous acts while under extreme conditions while deployed in support of Marine Attack Squadron 211 (VMA 211). - Cpl. MaryBeth Monson, a structural mechanic with Marine Aviation Logistics Squadron 13 (MALS-13) aboard Marine Corps Air Station Yuma, Ariz., and a native of Weston, Idaho, has been selected as the United Service Organization's (USO) Woman of the Year Military Leadership Award. Nominated by her command for her selfless dedication in leading and mentoring others and courageous acts while under extreme conditions while deployed in support of Marine Attack Squadron 211 (VMA 211).