Sen. Thom Tillis, in the cockpit of an AV-8B Harrier, learns about the aircraft’s capabilities from Capt. Kevin Smalley during a visit to Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point, N.C., May 29, 2015. Tillis, a North Carolina senator, visited the air station to meet with service members and learn about the missions of Cherry Point and 2nd Marine Aircraft Wing. Smalley is a naval aviator with Marine Attack Training Squadron 203. “My goal is to understand service members more and take care of them to the best of my abilities as they dedicate time in their life to defend our rights,” Tillis said.