Staff Sgt. Matthew A. Ratliff, HMLA-773 aerial observer, fires an M2 .50-caliber machine gun out of a UH-1N Huey helicopter during Operation Javelin Thrust July 21. The exercise allowed reserve Marines to keep current in their training as well as prepare for a deployed environment. - Staff Sgt. Matthew A. Ratliff, HMLA-773 aerial observer, fires an M2 .50-caliber machine gun out of a UH-1N Huey helicopter during Operation Javelin Thrust July 21. The exercise allowed reserve Marines to keep current in their training as well as prepare for a deployed environment.

Marines of the MAG-49, Detachment C breathe in the cool air, as they prepare for an early morning flight to the Southern Methodist Stadium in Dallas for the Bell Helicopter Armed Forces Bowl, Dec. 30. (Official Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Fenton Reese) - Marines of the MAG-49, Detachment C breathe in the cool air, as they prepare for an early morning flight to the Southern Methodist Stadium in Dallas for the Bell Helicopter Armed Forces Bowl, Dec. 30. (Official Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Fenton Reese)