Stories

This identity design was created in adobe illustrator to represent the official unit insignia for 2nd Marine Aircraft Wing at Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point, North Carolina, Feb. 12, 2025. The flying diamond insignia was first recognized during World War II as a shoulder patch. The patch was later mandated by the Commandant of the Marine Corps to represent all Marine Aircraft Wings.

2nd Marine Aircaft Wing

II Marine Expeditionary Force

AL ASAD, Iraq - Navy Captain Joseph Stuyvesant, left, the commanding officer of the Navy Base Command Group, and Master Chief Petty Officer Randy Spence, the BCG command master chief, replace the placard hanging under the sign outside the group's headquarters building during a Transfer of Authority ceremony, July 27. The BCG will be responsible for providing critical infrastructure support to the service members aboard Al Asad. - AL ASAD, Iraq - Navy Captain Joseph Stuyvesant, left, the commanding officer of the Navy Base Command Group, and Master Chief Petty Officer Randy Spence, the BCG command master chief, replace the placard hanging under the sign outside the group's headquarters building during a Transfer of Authority ceremony, July 27. The BCG will be responsible for providing critical infrastructure support to the service members aboard Al Asad.

Sailors take reins from Soldiers, prepare to support warfighters

With units rotating in and out of Iraq on a near constant basis, transfers of authority are fairly routine. One unit assumes the role and responsibilities of their predecessors, fulfilling the mission until it is their time to return home and be replaced. However, it is uncommon for a unit from one service to assume the role that has long been held

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AL ASAD, Iraq - A CH-53E "Super Stallion" flown by Marine Heavy Helicopter Squadron 466 sits on the Al Asad flight line before a crew begins a preflight inspection in preparation for a mission, July 9. The "Wolfpack" of HMH-466 is responsible for transporting Marines and equipment around Iraq's Al Anbar Province. - AL ASAD, Iraq - A CH-53E "Super Stallion" flown by Marine Heavy Helicopter Squadron 466 sits on the Al Asad flight line before a crew begins a preflight inspection in preparation for a mission, July 9. The "Wolfpack" of HMH-466 is responsible for transporting Marines and equipment around Iraq's Al Anbar Province.

HMH-466: the strength of the wolf is in the ‘Pack’

The sounds of a helicopter’s rotor blades cutting through the air overhead is fairly common aboard Al Asad. That the crew’s mission is to support the War on Terror is obvious, but what Marines in those helicopters do once they are out of sight is often unknown to the casual observer on the ground.For the members of the “Wolfpack” of Marine Heavy

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AL ASAD, Iraq- Lt. Col. Stephen Liszewski, commanding officer of Task Force Military Police, 1st Battalion, 12th Marine Regiment, holds the ribbon during the ceremony as Brig. Gen. Timothy C. Hanifen, commanding officer of 2nd Marine Aircraft Wing (Forward), cuts the ribbon to signify the opening of the new military working dog kennels, July 18. The new facility was built to accommodate the dogs and features a bathing sink, an improved obedience course and break yard, and includes increased kennel capacity. - AL ASAD, Iraq- Lt. Col. Stephen Liszewski, commanding officer of Task Force Military Police, 1st Battalion, 12th Marine Regiment, holds the ribbon during the ceremony as Brig. Gen. Timothy C. Hanifen, commanding officer of 2nd Marine Aircraft Wing (Forward), cuts the ribbon to signify the opening of the new military working dog kennels, July 18. The new facility was built to accommodate the dogs and features a bathing sink, an improved obedience course and break yard, and includes increased kennel capacity.

Four-legged war fighters dwell in new abode

Throughout the theatre service members are continually asking for and receiving operational gear they need to accomplish their mission.The latest troops on Al Asad to get new mission essential equipment were the four-legged war fighters, more commonly known as military working dogs, of Task Force Military Police, 1st Battalion, 12th Marine

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AR RAMADI, Iraq- The Marines of Kilo Battery 3rd Battalion, 12th Marine Regiment mourned four fallen brothers during a memorial ceremony, July 31. The memorial service honored the lives of Cpl. James H. McRae, Cpl. Matthew R. Zindars, Lance Cpl. Robert A. Lynch, and Hospitalman (FMF) Daniel S. Noble. - AR RAMADI, Iraq- The Marines of Kilo Battery 3rd Battalion, 12th Marine Regiment mourned four fallen brothers during a memorial ceremony, July 31. The memorial service honored the lives of Cpl. James H. McRae, Cpl. Matthew R. Zindars, Lance Cpl. Robert A. Lynch, and Hospitalman (FMF) Daniel S. Noble.

nes of Kilo 3/12 honor fallen brothers

The deafening silence filling the room was broken when battalion chaplain, Navy Lt. David B. Thames, addressed the Marines of Kilo Battery, 3rd Battalion, 12th Marine Regiment, in a somber tone and welcomed all the guests to the memorial service for four of the battalions fallen heroes.Honoring the memory and lives of Cpl. James H. Mcrae, Cpl.

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AL ASAD, Iraq- LCpl. Josh Buckner, a Bravo Battery, 2nd Low Altitude Aircraft Defense LAAD gunner, controls an Iraqi citizen while their vehicle is being searched. The Iraqi is kept in a holding area while Marines inspect their vehicle. - AL ASAD, Iraq- LCpl. Josh Buckner, a Bravo Battery, 2nd Low Altitude Aircraft Defense LAAD gunner, controls an Iraqi citizen while their vehicle is being searched. The Iraqi is kept in a holding area while Marines inspect their vehicle.

2nd LAAD mans ECP 1, never lets guard down

Al Asad is like a stronghold, within that stronghold, the joint efforts of Marines, Soldiers, Sailors, and Airmen ensure that daily operations continue in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom. However, on the outside the Marines of Entry Control Point 1, Bravo Battery, 1st Platoon, 2nd Low Altitude Air Defense, are ensuring no hostile traffic is

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Task Force Military Police ensures dignified treatment of prisoners in Iraq

When service members think of military police, they think of those who stand guard at gates or drive around trying to maintain order, but while in Iraq there is a group of Marines that have a different mission. The Marines of Bravo Battery, Task Force Military Police, 1st Battalion, 12th Marines, are responsible for the security and handling of

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AR RAMADI, Iraq- Sgt. Randy Edwards, a Marine Wing Support Squadron 371 heavy equipment operator, installs the spectrum precision laser level on its base, May 17. The laser level is mounted on a tripod and sends a signal to the receiver mounted on the 130 G grader and controls the blade. - AR RAMADI, Iraq- Sgt. Randy Edwards, a Marine Wing Support Squadron 371 heavy equipment operator, installs the spectrum precision laser level on its base, May 17. The laser level is mounted on a tripod and sends a signal to the receiver mounted on the 130 G grader and controls the blade.

Heavy equipment operator comes full circle, becomes well rounded

The Marine Corps forges leaders and professionals by refining the qualities that are inherent in those who serve. But, sometimes people are professionals before they become the ‘First to Fight.’ Such is the case of Sgt. Randy Edwards, a heavy equipment operator with the “Sandsharks” of Marine Wing Support Squadron 371. Before becoming a Marine,

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AR RAMADI, Iraq- Cpl. Robert Goodall II (left), an expeditionary airfield technician with Marine Wing Support Squadron, and Lance Cpl. Bradlee Harris, a heavy equipment mechanic with MWSS-371, lay AM-2 matting, May 18. The Marines laid two helicopter landing pads in Ramadi. - AR RAMADI, Iraq- Cpl. Robert Goodall II (left), an expeditionary airfield technician with Marine Wing Support Squadron, and Lance Cpl. Bradlee Harris, a heavy equipment mechanic with MWSS-371, lay AM-2 matting, May 18. The Marines laid two helicopter landing pads in Ramadi.

Expeditionary airfield technicians produce, maintain airfields

If you could spend a day with an expeditionary airfield Marine, in the States you would see them catching fighter jets with emergency arresting gear on the flightline, or while deployed to Iraq sweeping the flightline for damage and making rapid repairs to ensure a safe landing zone. The expeditionary airfield technicians of Marine Wing Support

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Country music star Toby Keith performs one of his hit singles during a concert held at the Al Asad stadium, May 25. Keith also signed autographs and took photos with a group of service members before the concert. - Country music star Toby Keith performs one of his hit singles during a concert held at the Al Asad stadium, May 25. Keith also signed autographs and took photos with a group of service members before the concert.

Toby Keith shares country lovin’ with troops in Iraq

Shouts of “Toby! Toby! Toby!” were harmoniously belted by service members yearning for an encore performance during a concert at the Al Asad stadium. Catering to his fans, country music star Toby Keith performed his hit single “Courtesy of the Red, White, and Blue,” to close out an hour-long concert held, May 25. “I have always had great respect

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AL ASAD, Iraq - Sgt. Casey Brey, a loadmaster with Marine Aerial Refueling Transport Squadron 252 Detachment A, checks to make sure a cargo delivery system bundle is properly secured in the cargo compartment of a C-130J "Hercules" before taking off from Al Asad on an air delivery mission, May 17. - AL ASAD, Iraq - Sgt. Casey Brey, a loadmaster with Marine Aerial Refueling Transport Squadron 252 Detachment A, checks to make sure a cargo delivery system bundle is properly secured in the cargo compartment of a C-130J "Hercules" before taking off from Al Asad on an air delivery mission, May 17.