MCAS Miramar Marine Maj. Robert Weingart has been named the Alfred A. Cunningham Marine Aviator of the Year for his heroic actions during the September 2012 insurgent attack on Camp Bastion in Afghanistan.

At least 20 insurgents attacked the base with small arms, rocket-propelled grenades, and suicide improvised explosive device vests, according to the Department of Defense. Marine Lt. Col. Christopher Raible, 40, and Sgt. Bradley Atwell, 27, were killed ...

The MCAS Miramar-based 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing said thank you to the the San Diego Padres on Thursday during a special Colors ceremony at the base.

According to a 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing release:

In 1996, the Padres became the first national sports team to salute the military with discounted tickets, flag unfurling and special uniforms designed to look like military uniforms.

Former Padre (and son of a Marine veteran ...

The Navy announced today it has cancelled all remaining Blue Angels performances for the rest of 2013 due to sequestration cuts - and that includes the Miramar Air Show.

According to a Naval Air Forces news release:

Recognizing budget realities, current Defense policy states that outreach events can only be supported with local assets at no cost to the government.

This is one of many steps the Navy is taking to ...

Another homecoming today at MCAS Miramar. More than 200 Marines from the 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing (Forward) returned home this morning after a year-long deployment in Southern Afghanistan.

According to a Miramar news release, the Marines of the 3rd MAW (Forward) spent their time in Afghanistan as the aviation combat element for Regional Command-Southwest. The Marines provided "close air support, air assault and transportation for International Security Assistance Force-Afghanistan troops ...

Military children with special needs in the San Diego area recently got the chance to read to an adoring audience - therapy dogs.

The non-profit group Independent Therapy Dogs, Inc. brought pups of all sizes to MCAS Miramar last week to participate in the "Ruff Readers" program.

Independent Therapy Dogs, Inc. volunteer Mary Conklin of Carlsbad explained to MCAS Miramar public affairs why she participated:

“We bring the dogs here for ...

In what MCAS Miramar officials are calling the largest homecoming of the year, more than 220 Marines are slated to arrive at the base today after a year-long deployment in Afghanistan.

The Marines are from the 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing (Forward). They have spent a year in southern Afghanistan as the aviation combat element for Regional Command-Southwest. The 3rd MAW (Forward) provided close air support, air assault, and transportation for ...

About 200 Marines from the 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing are scheduled to arrive home today at MCAS Miramar in San Diego, according to a base news release:

3rd MAW (Forward) is completing a year-long tour as the aviation combat element for Regional Command-Southwest, where it provided close air support, air assault and transportation for International Security Assistance Force-Afghanistan troops in southern Afghanistan.

The homecoming was originally scheduled for 10 this ...

An Osprey based out of Marine Corps Air Station Miramar accidentally dropped a five-pound bucket of cleaning fluid while in flight on Wednesday evening. The bucket crashed through the roof of a San Diego auto body shop that was closed at the time.

No one was hurt, according to the Associated Press, but a motorhome inside the building sustained damage.

A HAZMAT crew was called to the scene, but it ...

The Marine Corps has advised its legal staff that spouses clubs operating on its installations must admit same-sex spouses if they wish to remain on the bases.

It's a step that the other service branches have not yet announced as they grapple with how to accommodate same-sex couples following repeal of the don't ask, don't tell policy that barred gays and lesbians from serving openly.

Underscoring the ...

Craving a butter-poached lobster grilled cheese? Or perhaps a freshly-made crepe with blue cheese and raspberries? Troops with refined appetites can head over to MCAS Miramar, where a corral of gourmet food trucks have been allowed on base to replace a food court under construction.

While the Main Exchange Food Court at Miramar is under construction, the base has contracted with Curbside Bites to provide the food trucks. Some of ...

From Camp Pendleton Public Affairs:

Five Marine Corps installations in the southwestern United States will begin a Suicide Prevention Program where leaders at all levels will facilitate access to prevention, counseling, treatment programs and services to any service member the command believes is at risk to themselves or others.

According to Marine Corps Installations-West, Camp Pendleton Order 1700.1, suicides and incidents of suicidal behavior and ideation can significantly degrade ...

The hardest thing Staff Sgt. Monica Paz ever had to do as a Marine was serve as drill instructor at Marine Corps Recruit Depot Parris Island. So when she found out she had a spinal cord injury, Paz believed she was ready for the challenge.

Paz now works as the accounting division chief and squadron support division chief for Marine Aviation Logistics Squadron 16, 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing (Forward), in ...

From: Marine Corps Air Station Miramar / 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing:

MARINE CORPS BASE CAMP PENDLETON, Calif. – “I strive to be perfect," yelled Staff Sgt. Van Black, a captain for the Marine Corps Air Station Miramar Falcons. "I strive to be perfect," yelled the team in response. Back and forth the captain yells the words of the Falcon chant and the team returns with intensity and volume all in preparation to ...

From Regional Command Southwest:

A pair of Marine Corps brothers had a chance to get together briefly before an operation over Afghanistan’s Helmand province.

Capt. Dustin Kerlin, a pilot with Medium Tiltrotor Squadron 161, recently enjoyed flying with his brother, Lt. Col. Matthew Kerlin.

Matthew, an embedded training team deputy commander, arrived here before the operation. Family members do not often deploy together, and his brother appreciated the opportunity ...

Roughly a dozen F/A-18 Hornet jets from MCAS Miramar's Marine Fighter Attack Squadron 314 have been sent to an undisclosed country in the Middle East due to U.S. tensions with Iran, according to the U-T San Diego.

The paper reports the U.S. Central Command "quietly" sent the squadron overseas in September. Members of the the U.S. Central Command contacted by the U-T declined to comment ...