VMA-223 conducts first East Coast Harrier squadron AMRAAM exercise [Image 9 of 9]

MARINE CORPS AIR STATION CHERRY POINT, NC, UNITED STATES

08.07.2014

Photo by Sgt. T. T. Parish 

II Marine Expeditionary Force   

Capt. Andrew R. Christ, in the cockpit of an AV-8B Harrier, conducts pre-flight safety checks with Lance Cpl. Ryan E. Stanley at Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point, N.C., Aug. 7, 2014. Marine Attack Squadron 223 conducted the first East Coast Harrier squadron AIM-120A advanced medium-range air-to-air missile firing exercise off the coast of Oceana, Va., to help the squadron enhance its mission readiness. While the primary mission of VMA-223 is air-to-ground attack support for the Marine Air-Ground Task Force from the sea or land, the squadron's AV-8B pilots train to engage airborne enemies beyond visual range with radar guided air-to-air missiles. Christ is a quality assurance officer and naval aviator and Stanley is a fixed-wing aircraft mechanic, both with VMA-223.

• Date Taken: 08.07.2014
• Date Posted: 08.08.2014 14:39
• Photo ID: 1491966
• VIRIN: 140807-M-PJ332-418
• Resolution: 5760x3840
• Size: 8.32 MB
• Location: MARINE CORPS AIR STATION CHERRY POINT, NC, US
• Hometown: BRODHEAD, WI, US
• Hometown: CALDWELL, WV, US
• Hometown: NEWHALL, CA, US
• Hometown: TAMAQUA, PA, US