III MEF VIDEOS

U.S. Marine Corps Lance Cpl. Tercell Byrd, a rifleman with 3d Battalion, 3d Marines, is awarded the Navy and Marine Corps Medal on Marine Corps Base Hawaii, June 30, 2021. Byrd received the Navy and Marine Corps Medal for his heroic actions on April 28, 2018. Byrd is a native of Newport News, Virginia. (U.S. Marine Corps video by Cpl. Hassanen Attabi)

U.S. Marine Gunnery Sgt. Edwin GonzalezDawkins, the III Marine Expeditionary Force movement control chief, and Cpl. Lexi Legrand, G-4 surface non-commissioned officer, III MEF, speak about the Master Gunnery Sergeant Gerardo Acevedo Award for motor transport chief of the year on Camp Courtney, Okinawa, Japan, April 12, 2021. GonzalezDawkins received the award due to his hard work and impact in the motor transport field in Fiscal Year 2020. (U.S. Marine Corps video by Cpl. Nickolas Beamish)

U.S. Marine Cpl Lexi Legrand, G-4 surface non-commissioned officer, speaks about Gunnery Sgt. Edwin GonzalezDawkins, movement control chief for III Marine Expeditionary Force, during an interview on Camp Courtney, Okinawa, Japan, April 12, 2021. GonzalezDawkins received the Fiscal Year 2020 Master Gunnery Sergeant Gerardo Acevedo Award for motor transport chief of the year. He received the award due to his hard work and impact in the motor transport field. (U.S. Marine Corps video by Cpl. Nickolas Beamish)

Gunnery Sgt. Edwin GonzalezDawkins, movement control chief for III Marine Expeditionary Force, received the Master Gunnery Sergeant Gerardo Acevedo Award as part of the Fiscal Year 2020 Marine Corps Motor Transport Awards Program. He was chosen by a board of senior motor transport officers and staff noncommissioned officers from across the Marine Corps. In this video, GonzalezDawkins shares his outlook about the award and his role within III MEF. ( U.S. Marine Corps video by Cpl. Nickolas Beamish)

U.S. Marines with Marine Aviation Logistics (MALS) 36 received the Secretary of Defense Maintenance Award for their work in 2020 at Marine Corps Air Station Futenma, Okinawa, Japan, Jan. 28, 2021. MALS-36 won the award for their outstanding achievements in weapon system and military equipment maintenance for 2020. (U.S. Marine Corps video by Lance Cpl. Dalton J. Payne)

U.S. Marine Corps Staff Sgt. Jim Thao, operations chief with 3rd Transportation Support Battalion, 3rd Marine Logistics Group (3rd MLG), speaks on receiving the Master Gunnery Sergeant Gerardo Acevedo Award on Camp Foster, Okinawa, Japan, July 20, 2020. 3rd MLG provides III Marine Expeditionary Force comprehensive logistics and combat service support for operations throughout the Indo-Pacific area of responsibility. (U.S. Marine Corps video by Lance Cpl. Moises A. Rodriguez)

U.S. Marine Corps Sgt. Gage Mohelsky, CH-53E mechanic, Marine Heavy Helicopter Squadron 463, Marine Aircraft Group 24, receives the Willie D. Sproule award for Maintenance Marine of the year from the Marine Corps Aviation Association on Marine Corps Base Hawaii, May 13, 2020. Sgt. Mohelsky received the award for promoting outstanding aviation maintenance and for his dedicated leadership. (U.S. Marine Corps video by Lance Cpl. Jacob Wilson)

Cpl. Luz Sauceda and Cpl. Jodner Charles receive the Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal on Camp Hansen and Camp Kinser, Okinawa, Japan, Jan. 24, 2019. Sauceda and Charles received the medal for being named 3rd Marine Logistics Group Non-Commissioned Officer and Marine of the Year. (U.S. Marine Corps motion imagery by Lance Cpl. Isaiah Campbell)

Lt. Nicholas Crossland, a dental officer with Combat Logistics Battalion 31, 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit, received the Lt. J.G. Weedon E. Osbourne Memorial Award at a ceremony May 5, 2018 on Camp Foster, Okinawa, Japan. Crossland earned the award for work he did while deployed with the 31st MEU. The Osborne award is given to dental officers who exhibit superior leadership while serving with the field medical service. (U.S. Marine Corps video by Sgt. Tiffany Edwards)

Lt. Nicholas Crossland, a dental officer with Combat Logistics Battalion 31, 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit, received the Lt. J.G. Weedon E. Osbourne Memorial Award at a ceremony May 5, 2018 on Camp Foster, Okinawa, Japan. Crossland earned the award for work he did while deployed with the 31st MEU. The Osborne award is given to dental officers who exhibit superior leadership while serving with the field medical service. (U.S. Marine Corps video by Sgt. Tiffany Edwards)

U.S. Marines with Marine Wing Support Squadron 172 cook a three-course meal during a food service evaluation designed for the Maj. Gen. William Pendleton Thompson Hill Award at Camp Foster, Okinawa, Japan, December 8, 2017. MWSS-172 Marines competed to earn the title ‘Best Field Mess’ for the Asia-Pacific region. Established in 1985, the W.P.T Hill award was created to reward high quality food service by identifying the best mess halls and field messes throughout the Marine Corps and encouraging a commitment to excellence through competition. MWSS-172 is attached to Marine Aircraft Group 36, 1st Marine Aircraft Wing. (U.S. Marine Corps video by Cpl. Andy Martinez)

For their bravery and professionalism, during the Vietnam War, the 1st Marine Aircraft Wing was awarded the Presidential Unit Citation by former president Lyndon B. Johnson on October 9, 1968. CITATION: THE PRESIDENT of the United States takes pleasure in presenting the PRESIDENTIAL UNIT CITATION TO THE FIRST MARINE AIRCRAFT WING for service as set forth in the following CITATION: For extraordinary heroism and outstanding performance of duty in action against the North Vietnamese Army and Viet Gong forces in the Republic of Vietnam, from 11 May 1965 to 15 September 1967. Throughout this period, the First Marine Aircraft Wing, operating in I and II Corps tactical -zones of the Republic of Vietnam, North Vietnam, and adjacent waters, sought out and destroyed determined enemy forces and provided combat air support to ground forces of the Free World and the Republic of Vietnam. Participating in 195 major operations, and thousands of other attacks, the Wing continuously and aggressively carried the battle to the elusive enemy in bitterly contested actions. Operations such as DOUBLE EAGLE, HARVEST MOON, STARLITE, HASTINGS, PRAIRIE, UNION, HICKORY, COCHISE, AND SWIFT, reflect the high degree of superior airmanship, valor, devotion to duty and professionalism exhibited by personnel of the Wing. Although heavily committed to increased combat operations, the Wing developed and successfully employed new weapons, tactics, and procedures against the hard-core communist forces with gratifying results. Through the aggressive actions of the Wing, military and political victories were denied the insurgent communist forces, thereby providing a more stable atmosphere for the legally constituted Government of the Republic of Vietnam. The establishment, and logistical support of many separate airfields throughout the I Corps tactical zone and the vital air supply support provided the III Marine Amphibious Force and its allied ground forces, was a tribute to the resourcefulness and determination of the Wing. This dependable support was provided under the most trying and difficult combat conditions. Flying in fair weather and foul, against a fanatical, well-armed enemy, the uncommon courage and intrepidity of the Marine pilots and supporting Wing personnel, acting in a concerted team effort, contributed to another glorious chapter in an already illustrious history. The valor, devotion to duty, aggressive spirit, professionalism, and ingenuity of the entire First Marine Aircraft Wing in battle against a well trained, dangerous, and determined enemy, reflected the highest degree of heroism and exemplary performance, and were in keeping with the highest traditions of the Marine Corps and the United States Naval Service. LYNDON B. JOHNSON Music by: AShamaluevMusic Footage by: Jeff Quitney (U.S. Marine Corps video by Cpl. Jessica Etheridge)

Cpl. Dennis M. Eames earned the title of the 2016 Motor Transportation Operator of the Year. The winners were announced Feb. 17, 2017. Eames, an Antioch, Illinois, native, is with Marine Wing Support Squadron 172, Marine Aircraft Group 36, 1st Marine Aircraft Wing, III Marine Expeditionary Force, stationed on Camp Foster, Okinawa, Japan. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Amaia Unanue)

Staff Sgt. Frank J. Head Jr. and Cpl. Taylor J....

Food Service Specialists with Marine Wing Support Squadron 172, Marine Aircraft Group 36, 1st Marine Aircraft Wing, III Marine Expeditionary Force, compete for the annual Maj. Gen. William Pendleton Thompson Hill Field Mess Award on Thursday, March 2, 2016, at Camp Foster, Okinawa, Japan. The award recognizes the best field mess in the Marine Corps.