On their final approach to Wake Island on Jan. 8, 2009, pilots Capt. Chris Maloney, left, and Capt. Chris Kocab prepare to land a KC-130 Hercules cargo plane carrying an advance maintenance crew from Marine Attack Squadron 211. The advance maintenance crew prepared for Harrier landings at stops en route to Iwakuni, Japan, where the squadron recently deployed to for a tour with the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit. The squadron's return to Wake Island marks the first time since May 1993 the bulk of the squadron, nicknamed the "Wake Island Avengers," has returned to its symbolic birthplace. From Dec. 8-23, 1941, a handful of the unit's Marines helped to defend the island from an overwhelming Japanese invasion force even after most of their planes were destroyed. VMA-211 is based in Yuma, Ariz. The pilots were members of Marine Aerial Refueler Transport Squadron 352, based in Miramar, Calif. (Photo by Gunnery Sgt. Bill Lisbon)