U.S. Marine Corps Lance Cpl. David Ornelas-Baeza, from Texas, and a combat videographer with 2d Marine Aircraft Wing, is greeted by a NASCAR crewmember during the Coca-Cola 600 at Charlotte Motor Speedway in Concord, North Carolina, May 26, 2024. The U.S. Marine Corps supported the Coca-Cola 600, a NASCAR race held during Memorial Day weekend, with static displays of military aircraft, vehicles and participation in ceremonies. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Emily Hazelbaker)
Members of the U.S. armed forces participate in a joint service pre-race ceremony, exemplifying unity and patriotism ahead of the Coca-Cola 600 at the Charlotte Motor Speedway in Concord, North Carolina, May 26, 2024. The U.S. Marine Corps supported the Coca-Cola 600, a NASCAR race held during Memorial Day weekend, with static displays of military aircraft, vehicles and participation in ceremonies. (U.S. Marine Corps video by Cpl. Emily Hazelbaker)
MARINE CORPS AIR STATION CHERRY POINT, N.C. -- The U.S. Marine Corps continues its transitional journey and development of its fifth-generation fixed-wing capabilities with the F-35B Lightning II jet. Those jets could not fly without Marines like Sgt. Rhett Butler who maintain them through long days and nights.
Butler, a native of Monrovia, Maryland, and an F-35B Lightning II jet airframes mechanic, joined the Marine Corps in 2020 because of his family’s military history. His great-grandfather served as a Marine rifleman during World War II and fought in the Pacific theater, another family member served as a U.S. Army officer, and another as a Sailor in the U.S. Navy. Because of this heritage, he decided to enlist into the Marine...
