Members of the Marine Wing Support Squadron 373 explosive ordnance disposal team build a structure for breach training at Camp Billy Machen in California, April 20, 2010. The team trained with breaching charges for an upcoming deployment to Afghanistan. The team stayed in Yuma due to the air station’s proximity to the ranges and to train with MWSS-371 and station EOD teams. - Members of the Marine Wing Support Squadron 373 explosive ordnance disposal team build a structure for breach training at Camp Billy Machen in California, April 20, 2010. The team trained with breaching charges for an upcoming deployment to Afghanistan. The team stayed in Yuma due to the air station’s proximity to the ranges and to train with MWSS-371 and station EOD teams.

Marines with Marine Attack Squadron 211 unload their gear from a KC-10 on the flight line of Eielson Air Force Base in Alaska after a seven-hour flight from Yuma April 13, 2010. More than 160 Marines from VMA-211 and Marine Aviation Logistics Squadron 13 flew north to participate in Exercise Red Flag-Alaska, one of the largest joint-service exercises in the U.S. military. The Avengers’ eight AV-8B Harriers comprise part of the 100 aircraft participating in the exercise. - Marines with Marine Attack Squadron 211 unload their gear from a KC-10 on the flight line of Eielson Air Force Base in Alaska after a seven-hour flight from Yuma April 13, 2010. More than 160 Marines from VMA-211 and Marine Aviation Logistics Squadron 13 flew north to participate in Exercise Red Flag-Alaska, one of the largest joint-service exercises in the U.S. military. The Avengers’ eight AV-8B Harriers comprise part of the 100 aircraft participating in the exercise.

Lance Cpl. David Checrallah hugs and kisses his wife Christina in front of the Marine Attack Squadron 513 hangar at the Marine Corps Air Station in Yuma, Ariz., April 13, 2010. Approximately 100 VMA-513 Marines deployed with the 11th Marine Expeditionary Unit for a seven-month deployment touring the Middle East and Horn of Africa. While on deployment the squadron participated in eight exercises with other nations providing close-air support and escorting helicopters for a majority of the exercises. - Lance Cpl. David Checrallah hugs and kisses his wife Christina in front of the Marine Attack Squadron 513 hangar at the Marine Corps Air Station in Yuma, Ariz., April 13, 2010. Approximately 100 VMA-513 Marines deployed with the 11th Marine Expeditionary Unit for a seven-month deployment touring the Middle East and Horn of Africa. While on deployment the squadron participated in eight exercises with other nations providing close-air support and escorting helicopters for a majority of the exercises.

Maj. Casey Elam, Marine Attack Squadron 211 pilot and maintenance officer, practices in an AV-8B Harrier flight simulator at the Marine Corps Air Station in Yuma, Ariz., April 2, 2010. Elam was one of nine Marines selected in 2010 for the U.S. Naval Test Pilot School in Patuxent River, Md. “This has been a dream of mine since I was a young person,” said Elam. “It’s my honor to have this opportunity to learn and grow as an aviator.” The yearlong school tests pilots on their handling of multiple aircraft and understanding of various weapons and navigation systems. - Maj. Casey Elam, Marine Attack Squadron 211 pilot and maintenance officer, practices in an AV-8B Harrier flight simulator at the Marine Corps Air Station in Yuma, Ariz., April 2, 2010. Elam was one of nine Marines selected in 2010 for the U.S. Naval Test Pilot School in Patuxent River, Md. “This has been a dream of mine since I was a young person,” said Elam. “It’s my honor to have this opportunity to learn and grow as an aviator.” The yearlong school tests pilots on their handling of multiple aircraft and understanding of various weapons and navigation systems.

Tawni Crossan, Marine Attack Squadron 214 spouse, climbs up a rope during VMA-214’s Jane Wayne Day at the Marine Corps Air Station in Yuma, Ariz., April 9, 2010. Jane Wayne Day allows Corps dependents to spend a day as Marines, learning about what they do and how they train. Thirty-three spouses spent the day doing activities such as weapons training, Marine Corps martial arts, watching Harriers deliver ordnance and running the obstacle course. Crossan was the only spouse to complete the rope climb. - Tawni Crossan, Marine Attack Squadron 214 spouse, climbs up a rope during VMA-214’s Jane Wayne Day at the Marine Corps Air Station in Yuma, Ariz., April 9, 2010. Jane Wayne Day allows Corps dependents to spend a day as Marines, learning about what they do and how they train. Thirty-three spouses spent the day doing activities such as weapons training, Marine Corps martial arts, watching Harriers deliver ordnance and running the obstacle course. Crossan was the only spouse to complete the rope climb.