Some of the most memorable stories of 2015 involved San Diego’s military community.
From overseas tragedies to emotional homecomings, NBC 7 is committed to covering those stories that impact the thousands of servicemen and women who call our region home.
Nothing captivated San Diegans as much as the mysterious light in the sky that was spotted on November 7. Within hours, U.S. Navy officials confirmed to NBC 7 the unusual lights in the sky were connected to the test firing of a Trident II missile from USS Kentucky well off the coast.
San Diegans Share Images of Mysterious Light in Sky
Six San Diego-based Marines on a mission to help those who could not help themselves became the subject of international news when their UH-1 "Huey" helicopter crashed May 12 in Nepal. The crew was delivering aid to victims of a devastating earthquake. Here at home, their sacrifice was honored in a special ceremony on Camp Pendleton.
News outlets around the world grabbed onto an image taken by a now-retired Marine with Britain's Prince Harry. Once based at MCAS Miramar, Sgt. Kristie Ennis now lives in San Diego County and talked with NBC 7 about the headlines she made on her 1000-mile trek across Great Britain.
Local
Who could forget the emergency beach landing of a Marine military helicopter? The CH-53E Super Stallion helicopter landed near Del Mar Shores Beach in Solana Beach, south of Fletcher Cove in April.
Or better yet - the awesome video posted by singer Kenny Loggins reminding the world how San Diego was the backdrop for the Hollywood blockbuster “Top Gun.”
In a year that saw relaxed rules concerning the appearance of troops - from tattoos to body fat - members of our Armed Forces saw the evolving culture within the military firsthand.
Women will now be allowed to take on combat roles and the Department of Defense is looking into how to open the military to transgender service members.
In a landmark moment, a San Diego man and his partner were the first male same-sex couple to be chosen for the ceremonial first kiss. Thomas Sawicki and his boyfriend Shawn Brier talked with NBC 7 about the buzz created by their kiss during the homecoming of submarine warship USS San Francisco.
San Diego hosted Capt. Niloofar Rahmani, the first female fixed-wing pilot in the Afghan Air Force, as she visited MCAS Miramar and inspired U.S. military instructors and fellow pilots.
In a year that began with the key conspirator's guilty plea in a wide-reaching bribery scandal, we saw more than a dozen arrests and learned of the potential of hundreds of co-conspirators.
“Fat Leonard” was not the only person to face consequences in the scandal. Three local Naval officers received career-ending censures.
Meanwhile, federal investigators say we are likely to see more headlines stemming from this bribery scheme since they have hundreds of potential suspects.
Still, stories of the heroic actions of our men and women in uniform dominated our military coverage.
A 70-year-old man sailing alone across the Pacific Ocean was rescued by the nuclear-powered aircraft carrier USS Carl Vinson as its crew returned home to San Diego.
The military’s second highest honor, the Navy Cross, was bestowed to Sgt. Rafael Peralta this year - 11 years after he fell on a grenade in combat. NBC 7 spoke to the Marine who says his life was saved by Peralta.
Months later, the family was present as USS Rafael Peralta was christened in the fallen Marine’s honor.
The Navajo Code Talkers were honored at Camp Pendleton for their actions that changed the course of history during and after World War II.
And a U.S. Navy officer, paralyzed from the chest down after a motorcycle crash, paid off on his promise to the ICU Nurse who cared for him. “Remember me?” Chief Petty Officer Jesus Fernando Ruiz asked.
