Stories

Gilmore discussed why he thinks Marines should reenlist and get the most out of their Marine Corps experience. MALS-14 is a subordinate unit of 2nd Marine Aircraft Wing, the aviation combat element of II Marine Expeditionary Force. (U.S. Marine Corps still image extracted from video by Cpl. Christian Cortez) - U.S. Marine Corps Sgt. Jacob Gilmore, an aviation-logistics information management systems specialist with Marine Aviation Logistics Squadron (MALS) 14, speaks during an interview at Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point, North Carolina, March 15, 2023. Gilmore discussed why he thinks Marines should reenlist and get the most out of their Marine Corps experience. MALS-14 is a subordinate unit of 2nd Marine Aircraft Wing, the aviation combat element of II Marine Expeditionary Force. (U.S. Marine Corps still image extracted from video by Cpl. Christian Cortez)

VMFA-542 received its first F-35B Lightning II jets and is the Marine Corps’ first East Coast operational F-35B Lightning II Joint Strike Fighter squadron. The arrival of the aircraft marks the beginning of F-35 deliveries to MCAS Cherry Point, continuing 2nd MAW’s operational transition from legacy fixed-wing tactical aircraft to the F-35. VMFA-542 is a subordinate unit of 2nd Marine Aircraft Wing, the aviation combat element of II Marine Expeditionary Force. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Anakin Smith) - Marine Fighter Attack Squadron (VMFA) 542 launches an F-35B Lightning II at Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point, North Carolina, May 31, 2023. VMFA-542 received its first F-35B Lightning II jets and is the Marine Corps’ first East Coast operational F-35B Lightning II Joint Strike Fighter squadron. The arrival of the aircraft marks the beginning of F-35 deliveries to MCAS Cherry Point, continuing 2nd MAW’s operational transition from legacy fixed-wing tactical aircraft to the F-35. VMFA-542 is a subordinate unit of 2nd Marine Aircraft Wing, the aviation combat element of II Marine Expeditionary Force. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Anakin Smith)

U.S. Marine Corps Cpl. Jose Arispe and Cpl. John Graham, both unmanned aerial vehicle avionics technicians with VMU-2, were awarded certificates of commendation for their actions in response to a vehicle crash while off duty. VMU-2 is a subordinate unit of 2nd Marine Aircraft Wing, the aviation combat element of II Marine Expeditionary Force. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Elias E. Pimentel III) - U.S. Marine Corps Sgt. Maj. Thomas Smith, the sergeant major of Marine Unmanned Aerial Vehicle Squadron (VMU) 2, reads an award citation at Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point, North Carolina, May 22, 2023. U.S. Marine Corps Cpl. Jose Arispe and Cpl. John Graham, both unmanned aerial vehicle avionics technicians with VMU-2, were awarded certificates of commendation for their actions in response to a vehicle crash while off duty. VMU-2 is a subordinate unit of 2nd Marine Aircraft Wing, the aviation combat element of II Marine Expeditionary Force. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Elias E. Pimentel III)

The L-MADIS is an electronic-attack system that counters unmanned-aircraft system by nonkinetic capabilities to destroy or negate aerial threats. 2nd LAAD is a subordinate unit of 2nd Marine Aircraft Wing, the aviation combat element of II Marine Expeditionary Force. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Sgt. Servante R. Coba) - U.S. Marine Corps Pfc. Clayton Hilemon (left) and Sgt. Alexander Locconielsen (right), a low-altitude air-defense gunners with 2nd Low Altitude Air Defense Battalion (LAAD), points to a drone during a demonstration with the Light Marine Air Defense Integrated System, or L-MADIS, at Marine Corps Outlying Landing Field Atlantic, North Carolina, Oct. 18, 2022. The L-MADIS is an electronic-attack system that counters unmanned-aircraft system by nonkinetic capabilities to destroy or negate aerial threats. 2nd LAAD is a subordinate unit of 2nd Marine Aircraft Wing, the aviation combat element of II Marine Expeditionary Force. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Sgt. Servante R. Coba)

VMFAT-501 deployed to NAS JRB New Orleans to increase entry-level pilots' proficiency in offensive-air support, electronic warfare, and routine flight operations for their future fleet assignments. VMFAT-501 is a subordinate unit of 2nd Marine Aircraft Wing, the aviation combat element of II Marine Expeditionary Force. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Elias E. Pimentel III) - U.S. Marines with Marine Fighter Attack Training Squadron (VMFAT) 501 fly four F-35B Lightning II fighter jets over Naval Air Station Joint Reserve Base New Orleans, Louisiana, Oct. 24, 2022. VMFAT-501 deployed to NAS JRB New Orleans to increase entry-level pilots' proficiency in offensive-air support, electronic warfare, and routine flight operations for their future fleet assignments. VMFAT-501 is a subordinate unit of 2nd Marine Aircraft Wing, the aviation combat element of II Marine Expeditionary Force. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Elias E. Pimentel III)

The SS Wright provides MALS with the capability to conduct intermediate aviation maintenance aboard the ship, which reduces the time required for maintenance during a deployment. The MALS are subordinate units of 2nd Marine Aircraft Wing, the Aviation Combat element of II Marine Expeditionary Force. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Adam Henke) - U.S. Marines with Marine Aviation Logistics Squadrons (MALS) unload cargo from the Military Sealift Command aviation-logistics support ship SS Wright (T-AVB 3) at the Port of Morehead City, North Carolina, Sept. 20, 2022. The SS Wright provides MALS with the capability to conduct intermediate aviation maintenance aboard the ship, which reduces the time required for maintenance during a deployment. The MALS are subordinate units of 2nd Marine Aircraft Wing, the Aviation Combat element of II Marine Expeditionary Force. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Adam Henke)

The Marines of 2nd MLG facilitated the transportation of 2nd Marine Aircraft Wing (MAW) vehicles and equipment via train to Yuma, Arizona, in support of Weapons and Tactics Instructor course. 2nd MLG and 2nd MAW are the logistics combat element and aviation combat element of II Marine Expeditionary Force. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Elias E. Pimentel III) - U.S. Marines with 2nd Supply Battalion, 2nd Marine Logistics Group (MLG), verify equipment information at Morehead City, North Carolina, Aug. 17, 2022. The Marines of 2nd MLG facilitated the transportation of 2nd Marine Aircraft Wing (MAW) vehicles and equipment via train to Yuma, Arizona, in support of Weapons and Tactics Instructor course. 2nd MLG and 2nd MAW are the logistics combat element and aviation combat element of II Marine Expeditionary Force. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Elias E. Pimentel III)

This was the first time the Marine Corps deployed the King Stallion in an exercise. HMH-461 is a subordinate unit of 2nd Marine Aircraft Wing, the aviation combat element of II Marine Expeditionary Force. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Adam Henke) - U.S. Marines with Marine Heavy Helicopter Squadron (HMH) 461 carry a cargo container with a CH-53K King Stallion at Mountain Home Air Force Base, Idaho, Aug. 11, 2022. This was the first time the Marine Corps deployed the King Stallion in an exercise. HMH-461 is a subordinate unit of 2nd Marine Aircraft Wing, the aviation combat element of II Marine Expeditionary Force. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Adam Henke)

Rosa competed in the Bravo Hackathon, an event held to help the Department of Defense (DoD) by combining the information technology knowledge of civilians and service members. VMU-2 is a subordinate unit of 2nd Marine Aircraft Wing, the aviation combat element of II Marine Expeditionary Force. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Anakin Smith) - U.S. Marine Corps 1st Lt. Anthony Rosa, an unmanned-aerial surveillance electronic warfare officer with Marine Unmanned Aerial Vehicle Squadron (VMU) 2, poses for a photo at Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point, North Carolina, Aug. 24, 2022. Rosa competed in the Bravo Hackathon, an event held to help the Department of Defense (DoD) by combining the information technology knowledge of civilians and service members. VMU-2 is a subordinate unit of 2nd Marine Aircraft Wing, the aviation combat element of II Marine Expeditionary Force. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Anakin Smith)