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<p>KABUL—The Taliban's weekend assault on a major coalition base was one of the most determined and effective ever seen in Afghanistan, according to details released Sunday, destroying six U.S. combat jets and damaging two others.</p> <p>In addition to the Taliban strike, which killed two U.S. Marines Friday night, two separate insider attacks by Afghan service members claimed the lives of six coalition troops. A lethal coalition airstrike, meanwhile, threatened to raise additional tensions in the country, amid reports of civilian casualties.</p>

Seven Marines died when their helicopter collided in midair Wednesday night...

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Marines Killed in Helicopter Collision The Cobra and Huey helicopters were conducting a training exercise at the time of the crash according to defense officials By R. Stickney | Thursday, Feb 23, 2012 | Updated 6:13 AM PST Seven U.S. Marines died when two helicopters collided last night near Yuma, Arizona. Defense officials said the Marines were from the 3rd Marine Airwing based at MCAS Miramar near San Diego. There were no survivors. The cause of the crash is under investigation. The identities of the seven killed have not been released pending formal notification of next of kin. Check back...

AL-ANBAR PROVINCE, Iraq — Marines from 2nd Battalion, 25th Marine Regiment, Regimental Combat Team 5 and Police Transition Team 4 teamed up Dec. 26 to help Iraqi Police from the Port of Waleed to form good relationships with their new neighbors in the town of Walej. Over the past six months, nomadic shepherds and their families, destitute from drought and disease which ravaged their herds, were forced to move from the desert into the town of Walej. Located in a remote region of western al-Anbar province near the Syrian border, Walej was an Iraqi Army compound prior to 2003. It...

Al ASAD, Iraq – Video is available of Lioness Marines conducting security measure tactics at entry control points and traffic control points to deter the use of females for terrorist acts as well as an increase in cultural sensitivities. Footage includes female Marines from the 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing (Forward) and other MNF-W units learning culturally sensitive methods for searching female Iraqis at security checkpoints including female Marines loading and firing weapons, practicing searching methods and using techniques on female civilians. For access to the video, contact the Digital Video and Imagery Distribution System by calling (678) 421-6604 or online...

Iraqi Pvt. Kalieph Qayes, military policeman with Military in Transition Team-0720, 7th Iraqi Army Division, searches an Iraqi national before coming aboard Al-Asad Air Base, Apr. 6. All local nationals coming on base are subject to a search by the Iraqi Soldiers manning the gate. Photo by Cpl. Scott McAdam, 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing (Fwd) Public Affairs. AL-ASAD — In Operation Iraqi Freedom, the Iraqi people are showing progress through their government works, rebuilding projects, and police and military operations. At Al Asad Air Base, Iraqi Soldiers work in conjunction with the Marine Corps, keeping the air base secure by...

Package of a Marine born in Baghdad becoming an American Citizen at a ceremony held at Al-Faw Palace in Baghdad. Produced by Staff Sgt. Ryan O' Hare. Also see "Iraqi Marine Becomes American Citizen" in the b-roll section.

An MV-22 Osprey, belonging to Marine Medium Tilt Rotor Squadron 263, sits on the deck waiting for members of the 27th Infantry Brigade, 7th Iraqi Infantry Division and Marines with Military in Transition team 0720 to load up after a heli-borne operation. Photo by 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing (Fwd) Public Affairs. AL-ANBAR PROVINCE — As Coalition forces continue to operate throughout the Iraqi countryside, training the Iraqi security forces (ISF) to stand on their own two feet becomes an increasingly familiar scene. Third Marine Aircraft Wing (Forward) does its own part in the transition process by participating in training operations...

AL ASAD, Iraq (July 13, 2006) -- The Marine Corps is comprised of Marines from all over the United States, but one particular squadron has 12 percent of its warriors coming from the one place where the towers are tall, the farmlands are vast and the spirits are strong -- New York. The Empire State is home to 16 of the Marines with Marine Heavy Helicopter Squadron 463, Marine Aircraft Group 16 (Reinforced), 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing. "It was surprising to find out that there are a lot of New Yorkers in the squadron," said Sgt. Michael Walton Jr., ordnance...

AL ASAD, Iraq (Mar. 16, 2006) -- An AV-8B Harrier screams loudly as it slowly lowers itself to the runway. Four other Harriers circle above, waiting for their turn to land - the Flying Nightmares have arrived. While the main body of Marine Attack Squadron 513, originally from Marine Corps Air Station Yuma, Ariz., arrived here a few weeks ago, the actual aircraft arrived March 7 to a unit ready to get to work. "The main body arrived prior to the aircraft in order to unpack and have the work centers established," said Gunnery Sgt. Travis A. White, quality assurance...

AL ASAD, Iraq (June 26, 2006) -- Marines here received the opportunity to see their families living in Yuma, Ariz., through a 30-minute video teleconference call June 17. The event, which was hosted at the Morale, Welfare and Recreation and Marine Aircraft Group 16 Headquarters buildings, afforded Marines from Marine Attack Squadron 513, MAG-16 (Reinforced), 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing, the chance to do more than just hear their loved ones back home. "The video calls are a way for me to stay in touch with my wife even though we are far apart," said Sgt. David K. Averill, aviation ordnance...

AL ASAD, Iraq (April 9, 2006) -- Sweat slowly drips off of the Marines as they carefully raise the 500- and 1000-pound munitions to the weapons carriage on the AV-8B Harrier - the Flying Nightmares are readying for action. Marine Attack Squadron 513, Marine Aircraft Group 16, 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing, is the first Harrier squadron to employ the Joint Direct Attack Munitions in a combat zone. "With this new feature on our jets, we will be able to hit targets more accurately, therefore making us a more effective squadron," said Lt. Col. Willis E. Price, commanding officer, VMA-513. The...

MIRAMAR ---- Gunnery Sgt. Gail Saylor returned home from a Middle East deployment 10 days ago. On Thursday, she and 10-year-old daughter were saying goodbye to her husband, Gunnery Sgt. Stuart Saylor, who left Miramar Marine Corps Air Station for Iraq, his seventh deployment since 9/11. "The life of a Marine," Gail Saylor said. "This is my last trip," Stuart Saylor said as he and about 300 other troops attached to the 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing at Miramar Marine Corps Air Station queued up outside a base armory to retrieve their sidearms and rifles, do a final check on their...

Marine fatally shot at Miramar barracks SIGNONSANDIEGO NEWS SERVICES 10:37 a.m. January 19, 2006 MIRAMAR – A Marine was found dead of a gunshot wound Tuesday in his barracks at Marine Corps Air Station Miramar.Sgt. Francisco D. Aquino, 25, of Hidalgo, N.M., was declared dead in his room at 8:32 a.m. Tuesday, according Sgt. Nathan LaForte.The Naval Criminal Investigative Service was handling the probe, LaForte said.Aquino was an auto mechanic assigned to Marine Air Control Squadron 1, Marine Air Control Group 38, 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing, he said.Aquino was deployed in support of Operation Enduring Freedom from February to March...

Pendleton Cobra pilots remembered during memorial service Submitted by: MCB Camp Pendleton Story Identification #: 2005112219544 Story by Lance Corporal Lanessa Arthur MARINE CORPS BASE CAMP PENDLETON, Calif. (Nov. 22, 2005) -- Family and friends remembered their loved ones Monday in a memorial ceremony held at the Marine Memorial Chapel here. Maj. Gerald M. Bloomfield and Capt. Michael D. Martino both of Marine Light/Attack Helicopter Squadron 369, Marine Aircraft Group 39, 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing, I Marine Expeditionary Force were 70 miles west of Ar Ramadi, in an AH-1W Super Cobra helicopter, when they crashed while performing a support mission...

MARINE CORPS AIR STATION MIRAMAR, Calif. (Aug. 28, 2005) -- About 80 Marines debarked a plane and ran into the open arms of loved ones here Aug. 28, following a seven-month deployment to Iraq. The Marines, from A Company, Marine Wing Communications Squadron 38, Marine Air Control Group 38, 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing, were deployed to Iraq in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom. “(The separation) was really hard,” said Tricia Noel, wife of Sgt. Nicholas B. Noel, company guide. “It’s great to have him home." Other squadron members were also on hand to welcome the Marines home, including the group...

DEADLIEST DAY FOR U.S. TROOPS IN IRAQ Helicopter crash in Iraq also kills a Pearl Harbor sailor Isle families seized by uncertainty Crashes had killed 7 with isle ties Elections may present more dangers Fallen isle soldier honored By Gregg K. Kakesako gkakesako@starbulletin.com In one of the darkest days for Hawaii's military since World War II, 27 Kaneohe Marines and a Pearl Harbor sailor were reported to be among the 31 people killed when a troop helicopter crashed in Iraq yesterday. The news, which President Bush called "very discouraging to the American people," quickly spread through Kaneohe yesterday afternoon, stunning...

Harrier squadrons combine in Iraq to provide air supportSubmitted by: 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing Story Identification #: 20041224153725 Story by Sgt. Nathan K. LaForte AL ASAD, Iraq (Dec. 24, 2004) -- The salt-stained jets streaked across the sky signaling the arrival of the newest squadron on the block. They were exhausted from a trans-Atlantic flight that started at Marine Corps Air Station Yuma, Ariz., and ended at Al Asad, Iraq in a few short days in mid-November. The "Tomcats" of Marine Attack Squadron 311, Marine Aircraft Group 16, 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing, found their "welcome aboard" period short-lived as the...

ASAD, Iraq, Dec. 23, 2004 -- Instant decisions and decisive action led to two soldiers receiving the Soldiers Medal here Dec. 18 for heroism in a fight to save the lives of four Cobra AH-1 attack helicopter pilots March 29. Army Staff Sgt. Spencer A. Howell, medic, and crew chief Army Spc. Eric S. Burns of the 507th Air Ambulance Company each received the Soldiers Medal on Dec. 18 in recognition of heroics performed on March 29. Photo courtesy of Coalition Press Information Center(Click photo for screen-resolution image); high- resolution image available. Staff Sgt. Spencer A. Howell and crew chief...