Major Samuel Griffith

A U. S. Marine Corps reservist stationed in West Palm Beach, who yearned to return to the cockpit of an F-18 Hornet, was killed in Afghanistan on Wednesday.  Major Samuel Griffith, 36, was on his third tour of duty and his second in Afghanistan, his father, William Griffith, said by phone from his North Carolina home Wednesday evening. He was told by the Marine Corps that his son was shot, but he could not offer additional details.

He was commissioned into the Marine Corps in 1997 and flew F-18s. About two years ago, he became an inactive reservist in the Forward Air Control Unit for 4th Anglico, his father said.

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Rest in Peace and Semper Fi, Marine

The Bubble

High Tech, back in the old Corps

Semper Fi

CH-53

Over the Rainbow

A CH-53E Super Stallion prepares to land on the USNS Arctic during a simulated Expanded, Visit, Board, Search and Seizure, Dec. 7, 2011. The 24th MEU is currently taking part in Composite Training Unit Exercise (COMPTUEX), scheduled to take place Nov. 28 to Dec. 21. The training is meant to develop cohesion between the 24th MEU and Amphibious Squadron 8 (PHIBRON 8) in conducting amphibious operations, crisis response and limited contingency operations while operating from the sea. The CH-53E helicopters are a detachment from HMH-464 based at Marine Corps Air Station New River, N.C., and comprise part of Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron VMM-261 (Reinforced), which is the Aviation Combat Element for the 24th MEU.

(U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Michael Petersheim)

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WW II Photos

WW II Photos

Carrier Deck in WW II

The Pilot survived

Marines and Army Exercise

U.S. Army paratroopers with 1st Battalion, 1st Special Forces Group Airborne, are dropped out of a Marine CH-46E Sea Knight helicopter over Ie Shima, Japan, Nov. 29. The helicopter crew supported static-line parachute operations, giving the paratroopers an opportunity to practice and train with Marine pilots. The pilots are with Marine Medium Helicopter Squadron 262, Marine Aircraft Group 36, 1st Marine Aircraft Wing. 

http://www.marines.mil/unit/mcbjapan/Pages/2011/111209-airborne.aspx#.TuEC_mO5MlY

A Great Helicopter Retires

Marine Medium Helicopter Squadron 163 flew its last flight of the CH-46E Sea Knight before re-designating as a Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron with MV-22B Ospreys, Nov. 30, 2011. HMM-163 is scheduled to re-designate as VMM-163

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