Photo By Dane Wiedmann | US Marines from Air Test and Evaluation Squadron (VX) 23 supporting first of class...... read more read more
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From the HMS Queen Elizabeth Communications Team
NORTH ATLANTIC OCEAN -- US Marines on board HMS Queen Elizabeth shared their birthday celebrations with Royal Marines and Royal Navy sailors during a ceremony at sea Nov. 10, 2018.
The small contingent of US Marines from Air Test and Evaluation Squadron (VX) 23/F-35 Integrated Test Force, stood in formation in the aircraft hangar of Britain’s Flagship to share a cake and ‘dits’, or stories of Marine Corps history.
“This celebration binds us closely with the generations of Marines who have gone before us, and will likewise bind us with the generations to come,” said Maj. Michael Lippert, VX-23 test pilot. “We believe that once a man or woman becomes a Marine, that person will forever be a Marine – whether active or retired – and it is with all of them that we are happy to share this tradition and to say, ‘Happy Birthday, Marines’.”
The celebration of the US Marine Corps’ birthday is one of their proudest traditions. Every year on November 10 around the globe, Marines take part in celebrating the founding of “a Corps of Marines” by the Continental Congress in 1775. This sacred day is celebrated by US Marines both at home and deployed, even in some of the most austere theatres of combat.
Also witnessing the time-honored event were nearly 200 personnel from the ITF also on HMS Queen Elizabeth carrying the first of class flight trials (fixed wing) to develop the F-35B operating envelop for the Queen Elizabeth Class carriers.
“It is an especially unique privilege to celebrate this special day aboard the Queen Elizabeth with our small detachment of active U.S. Marines and civilians of F-35 Integrated Test Force – many of whom are prior service Marines,” Lippert said. “It is a true pleasure to have the opportunity to share this tradition with our brothers and sisters in arms of the Royal Marines and Royal Navy.”
The bonds forged in training and operations makes Marines truly an elite. These bonds between the RM and USMC formed in adversity and shared understanding are as strong as ever and the ship was also happy to say a big ‘ Happy Birthday Marines’ to those USMC serving alongside us today.
| Date Taken: | 11.10.2018 |
| Date Posted: | 11.21.2018 12:51 |
| Story ID: | 300532 |
| Location: | NORTH ATLANTIC OCEAN |
| Web Views: | 178 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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