Military

MCAS Yuma helicopter rescues stranded hiker

BY JAMES GILBERT @YSJamesGilbert

A Search and Rescue helicopter from Marine Corps Air Station Yuma rescued a 22-year-old hiker Saturday afternoon who had climbed up a rock structure and couldn't make it back down. “He was completely uninjured, just stranded. He was also showi... Full story

Navy naming ship after Yuma

BY HILLARY DAVIS @YSHillaryDavis

A new U.S. Navy ship will be named after Yuma.The USNS Yuma will be a joint high-speed vessel, the Navy announced Thursday. These aluminum catamarans are swift, agile transport vessels that serve in a variety of roles for the military branches in sup... Full story

For returning squadron, the Nightmare is over

For one Marine, though, married life about to begin

BY JAMES GILBERT @YSJamesGilbert

Zuleika Olea said she would have been just as happy to have her Marine boyfriend back home from the six-month deployment he had just served.But when he surprised her with an engagement ring, and got down on one knee in front of the squadron's hangar ... Full story

Military probes raid that killed 2 local Marines

ASSOCIATED PRESS

WASHINGTON — The U.S. military has begun to investigate a Taliban attack on a U.S.-British base in Afghanistan last September that killed two Marines and destroyed six aircraft and put on hold the announced promotion of the two-star Marine gene... Full story

Yuma soldiers among returning Arizona Army Guard

BY JAMES GILBERT @YSJamesGilbert

Three Yumans are among the 140 soldiers of the 258th Engineer Company of the Arizona Army National Guard who are returning Friday from their deployment to Afghanistan. The Yuma soldiers are Francisco Salcido Gutierrez, Jessica Mendez and Aaron Telle... Full story

Belted Marines teach hand-to-hand techniques

BY SENIOR MASTER SGT. - GEORGE THOMPSON - SPECIAL TO YUMA SUN

SOUTHWEST ASIA — From the Halls of Montezuma, to the shores of Tripoli; they fight our country's battles in the air, on land, hand-to-hand and sea.The Marine Corps Martial Arts Program (MCMAP) trains Marines how to execute unarmed and armed tec... Full story

Fallen Yuma-based Marines honored with Armed Forces Park plaque

BY JAMES GILBERT @YSJamesGilbert

Three Yuma-based Marines who made the ultimate sacrifice for their country were recently honored when polished black granite plaques bearing their names were hung in the city's Armed Forces Park.Etched with the names of Lt. Col. Christopher “Ot... Full story

Harrier, F-35 group commander departs, new commander welcomed

BY JAMES GILBERT @YSJamesGilbert

Harrier, F-35 group commander departs, new commander welcomedMarines, sailors, civilian employees and community members gathered at Marine Corps Air Station Yuma for an official change of command ceremony Thursday for the incoming and outgoing comman... Full story

Bronze Star awarded (photo)

Maj. Gen. Steven W. Busby (left), commanding general of Third Marine Aircraft Wing, congratulates Lt. Col. Brent Weathers on receiving the Bronze Star. Weathers, an AV-8B Harrier pilot with Marine Aircraft Group 13 and native of Marshall, Okla., was ... Full story

Lightning strikes again and again (photos)

Two more F-35B Lightning IIs fly overhead before landing at Marine Corps Air Station Yuma on Wednesday, becoming the 5th and 6th aircraft attached to Marine Fighter Attack Squadron 121. VMFA-121 is the first operational F-35 squadron in the U.S. mi... Full story

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