2nd MAW News

The “sundown” of the AV-8B Harrier II, an iconic aircraft that has supported joint and Marine Corps operations for over 40 years, also represents the dawn of a new era; it paves the way for 2nd MAW’s full transition to the F-35B and C Lightning II. VMA-223 is the U.S. Marine Corps' last operational Harrier squadron. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Bryan Giraldo) - A U.S. Marine Corps AV-8B Harrier II with Marine Attack Squadron (VMA) 223, Marine Aircraft Group 14, 2nd Marine Aircraft Wing, sits in front of a crowd at Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point, June 3, 2026. The “sundown” of the AV-8B Harrier II, an iconic aircraft that has supported joint and Marine Corps operations for over 40 years, also represents the dawn of a new era; it paves the way for 2nd MAW’s full transition to the F-35B and C Lightning II. VMA-223 is the U.S. Marine Corps' last operational Harrier squadron. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Bryan Giraldo)

The January 2026 SLC brought together 2nd MAW O-6 and O-5 commanders, station commanders, their senior enlisted leaders, and 2nd MAW staff to enhance their understanding of key topics impacting 2nd MAW and improve mission effectiveness at each level of command. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Chief Warrant Officer 2 Akeel Austin) - U.S. Marines with 2nd Marine Aircraft Wing pose for a photo during the January 2026 Senior Leaders' Conference at Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point, North Carolina, Jan. 14, 2026. The January 2026 SLC brought together 2nd MAW O-6 and O-5 commanders, station commanders, their senior enlisted leaders, and 2nd MAW staff to enhance their understanding of key topics impacting 2nd MAW and improve mission effectiveness at each level of command. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Chief Warrant Officer 2 Akeel Austin)

U.S. Marines with MWHS-2 took part in a 250-mile relay run in celebration of the Marine Corps' 250th birthday. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Anakin Smith) - U.S. Marine Corps Sgt. Matthew Holder, from Alabama, a network administrator with Marine Wing Headquarters Squadron (MWHS) 2, 2nd Marine Aircraft Wing, runs with the squadron colors at Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point, North Carolina, Nov. 5, 2025. U.S. Marines with MWHS-2 took part in a 250-mile relay run in celebration of the Marine Corps' 250th birthday. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Anakin Smith)

U.S. Marine Corps Cpl. Malikah Warren, 2nd Distribution Support Battalion, 2nd Marine Logistics Group, left, and Cpl. Zbigniew Adamczyk, Marine Medium Tiltrotor Training Squadron 204, Marine Aircraft Group 26, 2nd Marine Aircraft Wing, right, pose for a photo after receiving Red Cross Lifesaving Awards at Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune, North Carolina, Dec. 16, 2025. The Marines received the Lifesaving Award, the second highest award the American Red Cross bestows, for rescuing people during an emergency at a local beach earlier this year. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Erica S. Padgett) - U.S. Marine Corps Cpl. Malikah Warren, 2nd Distribution Support Battalion, 2nd Marine Logistics Group, left, and Cpl. Zbigniew Adamczyk, Marine Medium Tiltrotor Training Squadron 204, Marine Aircraft Group 26, 2nd Marine Aircraft Wing, right, pose for a photo after receiving Red Cross Lifesaving Awards at Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune, North Carolina, Dec. 16, 2025. The Marines received the Lifesaving Award, the second highest award the American Red Cross bestows, for rescuing people during an emergency at a local beach earlier this year. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Erica S. Padgett)

VMM-264’s reactivation adds an additional MV-22B Osprey squadron to 2nd MAW and II Marine Expeditionary Force, providing additional assault support capability. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. David Ornelas Baeza) - U.S. Marines with Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron (VMM) 264, Marine Aircraft Group 26, 2nd Marine Aircraft Wing, take part in a reactivation ceremony at Marine Corps Air Station New River, North Carolina, Dec. 11, 2025. VMM-264’s reactivation adds an additional MV-22B Osprey squadron to 2nd MAW and II Marine Expeditionary Force, providing additional assault support capability. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. David Ornelas Baeza)

Marines with VMFA-542 returned to MCAS Cherry Point following a deployment in the U.S. Central Command area of responsibility. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Landon Lingle) - A U.S. Marine Corps pilot with Marine Fighter Attack Squadron (VMFA) 542, Marine Aircraft Group 14, 2nd Marine Aircraft Wing, taxis an F-35B Lightning II aircraft at Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point, North Carolina, Oct. 8, 2025. Marines with VMFA-542 returned to MCAS Cherry Point following a deployment in the U.S. Central Command area of responsibility. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Landon Lingle)

Current and former commanding generals of 2nd Marine Aircraft Wing (MAW) render their respects to colors during a change of command ceremony at Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point, North Carolina, Aug. 28, 2025. The ceremony represented a transfer of responsibility, authority, and accountability from Maj. Gen. William H. Swan to Maj. Gen. Ryan S. Rideout. 2nd MAW generates, deploys and sustains expeditionary, combat-ready aviation forces for II Marine Expeditionary Force, the Marine Corps and the joint force. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Sgt. Rowdy Vanskike) - Current and former commanding generals of 2nd Marine Aircraft Wing (MAW) render their respects to colors during a change of command ceremony at Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point, North Carolina, Aug. 28, 2025. The ceremony represented a transfer of responsibility, authority, and accountability from Maj. Gen. William H. Swan to Maj. Gen. Ryan S. Rideout. 2nd MAW generates, deploys and sustains expeditionary, combat-ready aviation forces for II Marine Expeditionary Force, the Marine Corps and the joint force. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Sgt. Rowdy Vanskike)

U.S. Marine Corps Sgt. Victor Estes, from Alabama, an MV-22B Osprey crew chief with Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron (VMM) 162, drops sonobuoys out of an MV-22B Osprey during a flight near Surface Combat Systems Center Wallops Island, Virginia, July 2, 2025. Atlantic Alliance 2025 (AA25) is the premier East Coast naval integration exercise, featuring over 25 U.S. Navy and Marine Corps units alongside Dutch naval forces and British Royal Commandos. Spanning from North Carolina to Maine, AA25 will showcase a range of dynamic events including force integration, air assault operations, bilateral reconnaissance, naval strait transits, amphibious assault training, and a simulated war-at-sea exercise. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Orlanys Diaz Figueroa) - U.S. Marine Corps Sgt. Victor Estes, from Alabama, an MV-22B Osprey crew chief with Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron (VMM) 162, drops sonobuoys out of an MV-22B Osprey during a flight near Surface Combat Systems Center Wallops Island, Virginia, July 2, 2025. Atlantic Alliance 2025 (AA25) is the premier East Coast naval integration exercise, featuring over 25 U.S. Navy and Marine Corps units alongside Dutch naval forces and British Royal Commandos. Spanning from North Carolina to Maine, AA25 will showcase a range of dynamic events including force integration, air assault operations, bilateral reconnaissance, naval strait transits, amphibious assault training, and a simulated war-at-sea exercise. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Orlanys Diaz Figueroa)

The ceremony represented the squadron's transition from an all-weather F/A-18D Hornet squadron to an F-35B Lightning II squadron and signified the transfer of responsibility, authority, and accountability from Allen to Lt. Col John P. Stuart. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Gavin K. Kulczewski) - U.S. Marine Corps Sgt. Maj. Steven E. Buckom, from North Carolina, command senior enlisted leader, Marine All-Weather Fighter Attack Squadron (VMFA(AW)) 224, passes the Marine Corps colors to Lt. Col. Jarrod Allen, from California, the outgoing commanding officer of VMFA(AW)-224, during a squadron redesignation and change of command ceremony at Marine Corps Air Station Beaufort, South Carolina, June 26, 2025. The ceremony represented the squadron's transition from an all-weather F/A-18D Hornet squadron to an F-35B Lightning II squadron and signified the transfer of responsibility, authority, and accountability from Allen to Lt. Col John P. Stuart. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Gavin K. Kulczewski)

Stewart received the Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal for providing lifesaving immediate medical treatment and coordinating emergency medical care for a driver after a vehicle crash on Interstate 95 in Virginia on May 17, 2025. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Bryan Giraldo) - U.S. Marine Corps Col. Everett Good, left, from Missouri, commanding officer, Marine Aircraft Group (MAG) 29, and 1st Lt. Willie Stewart, from Colorado, a CH-53E Super Stallion student pilot with Marine Heavy Helicopter Training Squadron (HMHT) 302, shake hands during an award ceremony at Marine Corps Air Station New River, North Carolina, June 17, 2025. Stewart received the Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal for providing lifesaving immediate medical treatment and coordinating emergency medical care for a driver after a vehicle crash on Interstate 95 in Virginia on May 17, 2025. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Bryan Giraldo)