Pilots and aircrewman make the desert floor near Yuma, Ariz., their ready room as they gather together for a briefing during Exercise Desert Punch on April 17, 1997. Desert Punch is a simulated helicopter assault mission involving over 60 helicopters from nine squadrons of Marine Aircraft Group 16. The helicopters launched from Marine Corps Air Stations El Toro and Tustin, Calif., and rendezvoused at the designated landing zone outside Yuma.