News Stories

VMFA-121 trains to fuel airpower in contaminated environments - U.S. Marine Corps Pfc. Tristan Aber, a motor transport operator with Logistics Department Fuels Division, helps fuel an F-35B Lightning II during a training exercise at Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni, Japan, Nov. 15, 2017. A hot refuel is a fast-paced fueling method that allows aircraft to take in fuel while powered up, which gets them back to the fight quicker. Executing missions on time and being faster than the enemy is a vital aspect to the Marine Corps, and exercises like these assure that Marines can keep working quickly no matter what environment they’re forced to work in. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Carlos Jimenez)

U.S. Marine Corps Lance Cpl. Keon Willingham, a powerline mechanic with Marine Fighter Attack Squadron (VMFA) 121, detaches a hose from the squadron’s F-35B Lightning II aircraft during aviation delivered ground refueling training with Marine Aerial Refueler Transport Squadron (VMGR) 152 at Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni, Japan, April 11, 2017. The ADGR marked the first evolution of this form of refueling for VMFA-121’s F-35B Lightning II aircraft, and it increases the squadron’s ability to refuel by C-130 aircraft in austere locations when other resources may not be available. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Joseph Abrego) - U.S. Marine Corps Lance Cpl. Keon Willingham, a powerline mechanic with Marine Fighter Attack Squadron (VMFA) 121, detaches a hose from the squadron’s F-35B Lightning II aircraft during aviation delivered ground refueling training with Marine Aerial Refueler Transport Squadron (VMGR) 152 at Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni, Japan, April 11, 2017. The ADGR marked the first evolution of this form of refueling for VMFA-121’s F-35B Lightning II aircraft, and it increases the squadron’s ability to refuel by C-130 aircraft in austere locations when other resources may not be available. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Joseph Abrego)

U.S. Marines with Marine Fighter Attack Squadron (VMFA) 121 load ordnance on an F-35B Lightning II aircraft during hot-reload training at Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni, Japan, April 6, 2017. This signified the first time the squadron loaded ordnance onto a running F-35B Lightning II aircraft at the air station in order to prepare for real-world scenarios. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Joseph Abrego) - U.S. Marines with Marine Fighter Attack Squadron (VMFA) 121 load ordnance on an F-35B Lightning II aircraft during hot-reload training at Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni, Japan, April 6, 2017. This signified the first time the squadron loaded ordnance onto a running F-35B Lightning II aircraft at the air station in order to prepare for real-world scenarios. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Joseph Abrego)

U.S. Marine Corps Lt. Col. Richard M. Rusnok Jr., oncoming commanding officer of Marine Fighter Attack Squadron (VMFA) 121, receives the VMFA-121 guidon from Lt. Col. J.T. Bardo, outgoing commanding officer of VMFA-121, on Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni, Japan, March 3, 2017. The passing of the guidon is a Marine Corps tradition signifying the passing on of the commanding officer billet. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Jacob A. Farbo) - U.S. Marine Corps Lt. Col. Richard M. Rusnok Jr., oncoming commanding officer of Marine Fighter Attack Squadron (VMFA) 121, receives the VMFA-121 guidon from Lt. Col. J.T. Bardo, outgoing commanding officer of VMFA-121, on Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni, Japan, March 3, 2017. The passing of the guidon is a Marine Corps tradition signifying the passing on of the commanding officer billet. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Jacob A. Farbo)