3rd Marine Aircraft Wing

Because a recent string of military aircraft accidents can be largely blamed on human error, the commandant of the Marine Corps Tuesday ordered all Marine pilots to leave their cockpits for a two-day safety refresher course over the next two weeks. Gen. Alfred M. Gray Jr. said that in the seven recent accidents, which claimed the lives of 45 Marines, "air crew error predominates and most likely will be a primary cause in all these mishaps." Aircraft and crews based at Tustin and El Toro Marine Corps air stations in Orange County have been involved in three of the fatal helicopter accidents, accounting for 25 of the fatalities.

After a two-year command of the 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing at the El Toro Marine Corps Air Station, Maj. Gen. Harold Blot turned over the leadership of his 14,000 Marines in a ceremony witnessed by 500 people Friday. Blot gave the command to Maj. Gen. Paul A. Fratarangelo, who comes to El Toro from Camp Pendleton, where he was deputy commanding general of the 1st Marine Expeditionary Force. Blot, 54, praised the 3rd Wing, which includes personnel in Tustin, Camp Pendleton and Yuma, Ariz.

Because a recent string of military aircraft accidents can be largely blamed on human error, the commandant of the Marine Corps ordered all Marine pilots to leave their cockpits for a two-day safety refresher course over the next two weeks. Gen. Alfred M. Gray Jr. said that in the seven recent accidents, which claimed the lives of 45 Marines, "air crew error predominates and most likely will be a primary cause in all these mishaps." Aircraft and crews based at Tustin and El Toro Marine Corps air stations in Orange County have been involved in three of the fatal helicopter accidents, accounting for 25 of the fatalities.

Since the daily television and newspaper coverage of the Persian Gulf War, the Orange County residents who live under the flight paths of military jets and helicopters may now have a better understanding of why Marine aircraft train overhead. Eight thousand Marines and hundreds of aircraft based at El Toro and Tustin saw action in the Persian Gulf.

Two Marine aviators from Camp Pendleton escaped injury when their new Cobra attack helicopter landed at a gunnery range near the Salton Sea, rolled on its side and caught fire, Marine officials reported Friday. The crew members were identified as Capt. Stephen E. Brown of Oceanside, the pilot, and 1st Lt. Justin K. Green of Mount Krisco, N.Y., the gunner. Col. Dan Kuhn, commander of the Camp Pendleton-based Marine Air Group 39, which is part of the 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing at El Toro Marine Corps Air Station, said preliminary information shows that the aircraft had landed safely in the darkness.

Because a recent string of military aircraft accidents can be largely blamed on human error, the commandant of the Marine Corps on Tuesday ordered all Marine pilots to leave their cockpits for a two-day safety refresher course over the next two weeks. Gen. Alfred M. Gray Jr. said in the seven recent accidents, which claimed the lives of 45 Marines, "air crew error predominates and most likely will be a primary cause in all these mishaps." Aircraft and crews based at Tustin and El Toro Marine Corps air stations in Orange County have been involved in three of the fatal helicopter accidents, accounting for 25 of the fatalities.

The familiar sight of a lone Marine Corps F-18 skirting the borders of the El Toro air station, making tight turns, low passes and a giant upside-down loop in front of hundreds of thousands of gaping spectators, will not be a part of this year's Navy Relief Air Show at El Toro. The Marines have decided to cut the stunt from this year's show, which is scheduled for next Saturday and Sunday, because of the near-fatal crash of a lone F-18 during last year's presentation. "I guess the bottom line is I'm not willing to take the chance," said Maj. Gen. Donald E. P. Miller, commander of the 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing at El Toro.

After a two-year command of the 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing at the El Toro Marine Corps Air Station, Maj. Gen. Harold Blot turned over the leadership of his 14,000 Marines in a ceremony witnessed by 500 people Friday. Blot gave the command to Maj. Gen. Paul A. Fratarangelo, who comes to El Toro from Camp Pendleton, where he was deputy commanding general of the 1st Marine Expeditionary Force. Blot, 54, praised the 3rd Wing, which includes personnel in Tustin, Camp Pendleton and Yuma, Ariz.

Since the daily television and newspaper coverage of the Persian Gulf War, the Orange County residents who live under the flight paths of military jets and helicopters may now have a better understanding of why Marine aircraft train overhead. Eight thousand Marines and hundreds of aircraft based at El Toro and Tustin saw action in the Persian Gulf.

Fullerton's war dead will be honored next Monday with the unveiling of a new granite memorial at Hillcrest Park, city officials said. The 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing Band from the El Toro Marine Corps Air Station will perform at ceremonies at 10 a.m. at the park, at Harbor Boulevard and Valley View Drive. The ceremonies will commemorate the 46th anniversary of the bombing of Pearl Harbor. The keynote speaker will be Brig. Gen. Lloyd G. Pool, assistant commander of the 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing.

Two Marine aviators from Camp Pendleton escaped injury when their new Cobra attack helicopter landed at a gunnery range near the Salton Sea, rolled on its side and caught fire, Marine officials reported Friday. The crew members were identified as Capt. Stephen E. Brown of Oceanside, the pilot, and 1st Lt. Justin K. Green of Mount Krisco, N.Y., the gunner. Col. Dan Kuhn, commander of the Camp Pendleton-based Marine Air Group 39, which is part of the 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing at El Toro Marine Corps Air Station, said preliminary information shows that the aircraft had landed safely in the darkness.

Because a recent string of military aircraft accidents can be largely blamed on human error, the commandant of the Marine Corps ordered all Marine pilots to leave their cockpits for a two-day safety refresher course over the next two weeks. Gen. Alfred M. Gray Jr. said that in the seven recent accidents, which claimed the lives of 45 Marines, "air crew error predominates and most likely will be a primary cause in all these mishaps." Aircraft and crews based at Tustin and El Toro Marine Corps air stations in Orange County have been involved in three of the fatal helicopter accidents, accounting for 25 of the fatalities.

Because a recent string of military aircraft accidents can be largely blamed on human error, the commandant of the Marine Corps on Tuesday ordered all Marine pilots to leave their cockpits for a two-day safety refresher course over the next two weeks. Gen. Alfred M. Gray Jr. said in the seven recent accidents, which claimed the lives of 45 Marines, "air crew error predominates and most likely will be a primary cause in all these mishaps." Aircraft and crews based at Tustin and El Toro Marine Corps air stations in Orange County have been involved in three of the fatal helicopter accidents, accounting for 25 of the fatalities.

Because a recent string of military aircraft accidents can be largely blamed on human error, the commandant of the Marine Corps Tuesday ordered all Marine pilots to leave their cockpits for a two-day safety refresher course over the next two weeks. Gen. Alfred M. Gray Jr. said that in the seven recent accidents, which claimed the lives of 45 Marines, "air crew error predominates and most likely will be a primary cause in all these mishaps." Aircraft and crews based at Tustin and El Toro Marine Corps air stations in Orange County have been involved in three of the fatal helicopter accidents, accounting for 25 of the fatalities.

The familiar sight of a lone Marine Corps F-18 skirting the borders of the El Toro air station, making tight turns, low passes and a giant upside-down loop in front of hundreds of thousands of gaping spectators, will not be a part of this year's Navy Relief Air Show at El Toro. The Marines have decided to cut the stunt from this year's show, which is scheduled for next Saturday and Sunday, because of the near-fatal crash of a lone F-18 during last year's presentation. "I guess the bottom line is I'm not willing to take the chance," said Maj. Gen. Donald E. P. Miller, commander of the 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing at El Toro.

Bombers to Practice:Residents in the area around the Marine Corps Air Station may notice an increase in noise levels on Monday and Tuesday. On those days, A-4 Skyhawk tactical bombers of the 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing will be conducting simulated aircraft carrier take-offs and landings at the base. The noisiest day will be Monday, when the planes will be practicing from 10 to 11 a.m., 1 to 2 p.m. and from 8 to 9 p.m. On Tuesday, the aircraft will practice simulated carrier landings from 1 to 2 p.