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

The GEAR is an artificial-intelligence enabled and role-based simulation designed to train and develop MASS-1 Marines by exposing them to interactive scenarios prior to participating in an exercise or deployment. MASS-1 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 Lance Cpl. Matthew R. Gignac, an air-support operations operator with Marine Air Support Squadron (MASS) 1, operates a prototype of the Gaming Environment for Air Readiness at Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point, North Carolina, July 28, 2022. The GEAR is an artificial-intelligence enabled and role-based simulation designed to train and develop MASS-1 Marines by exposing them to interactive scenarios prior to participating in an exercise or deployment. MASS-1 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)

2nd MAW Marines Train Using Video Games

The tension in the room was palpable as the prototype of the Gaming Environment for Air Readiness system was booted. Program stakeholders loomed over the shoulders of anxious developers as the Marines of Marine Air Support Squadron (MASS) 1 prepared their demonstration of the program.

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On May 13, 2022, Ortiz, a native of Miami, Florida, performed life-saving actions on a man who had been hit by a car. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Chief Warrant Officer 2 Bryan Nygaard) - U.S. Marine Corps 1st Sgt. Jefferson Ortiz, company first sergeant for Air Operations Company, Marine Wing Support Squadron (MWSS) 271, poses for a photo at Marine Corps Auxiliary Landing Field Bogue, North Carolina, July 14, 2022. On May 13, 2022, Ortiz, a native of Miami, Florida, performed life-saving actions on a man who had been hit by a car. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Chief Warrant Officer 2 Bryan Nygaard)

Combat-hardened Marine saves the life of a man hit by a car

On a cloudy, humid afternoon in May 2022, U.S. Marine Corps 1st Sgt. Jefferson Ortiz was driving with his wife on Highway 43, through the small town of Vanceboro, back to their home in New Bern. Ortiz noticed that traffic in front of him was coming to a halt. He looked into a field where many people gathered around something on the ground. Ortiz’s combat instincts kicked in. He immediately pulled over, told his wife to dial 911, and moved toward the crowd of people.

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HMH-366 trained to ensure standardization and combat readiness in preparation for operational deployments. HMH-366 is a subordinate unit of 2nd Marine Aircraft Wing (MAW), the aviation combat element of II Marine Expeditionary Force. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Pfc. Rowdy Vanskike) - U.S. Marine Corps Staff Sgt. Joshua Perkins, a CH-53E Super Stallion crew chief with Marine Heavy Helicopter Squadron (HMH) 366, stands next to a CH-53E at Naval Air Station Joint Reserve Base (NAS JRB) Fort Worth, Texas, July 16, 2022. HMH-366 trained to ensure standardization and combat readiness in preparation for operational deployments. HMH-366 is a subordinate unit of 2nd Marine Aircraft Wing (MAW), the aviation combat element of II Marine Expeditionary Force. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Pfc. Rowdy Vanskike)

2nd MAW's Staff Sgt. Joshua Perkins Tells His Marine Corps Story

Thirteen years ago, 23-year-old Joshua Perkins was looking to change his life. After high school, he spent five years working as an automobile mechanic and became accustomed to it. Then, he found the Marine Corps.

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This event saw the reassignment of Marine Wing Support Squadron 271, previously assigned to Marine Aircraft Group 14, to the command of MACG-28. This change took place in alignment with Force Design 2030, an effort to redesign the Marine Corps to better fulfill its role as the nation's naval expeditionary force-in-readiness. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Jacob Bertram) - U.S. Marine Corps Sgt. Maj. Christopher Denham and Col. Michael McCarthy, Marine Air Control Group 28 sergeant major and commanding officer, salute during a realignment ceremony at Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point, North Carolina, June 1, 2022. This event saw the reassignment of Marine Wing Support Squadron 271, previously assigned to Marine Aircraft Group 14, to the command of MACG-28. This change took place in alignment with Force Design 2030, an effort to redesign the Marine Corps to better fulfill its role as the nation's naval expeditionary force-in-readiness. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Jacob Bertram)

Marine Wing Support Squadrons realign under MACG-28 in support of Force Design

MARINE CORPS AIR STATION CHERRY POINT, N.C. - Marine Air Control Group (MACG) 28 assumed command of all three Marine Wing Support Squadrons (MWSS) assigned to 2nd Marine Aircraft Wing (MAW) to modernize and enhance capabilities in support of the commandant of the Marine Corps’ Force Design, June 1, 2022.

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2nd MAW units are deployed to enhance NATO's capabilities in Eastern Europe at the invitation of the host nation. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Adam Henke) - A U.S. Marine Corps KC-130J Super Hercules, assigned to Marine Aerial Refueler Transport Squadron (VMGR) 252, 2nd Marine Aircraft Wing (MAW), prepares to take off for flight from Łask Air Base, Poland, April 15, 2022. 2nd MAW units are deployed to enhance NATO's capabilities in Eastern Europe at the invitation of the host nation. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Adam Henke)

U.S. Marine Corps' VMGR-252 squadron deployed to Poland in support of USAFE

ŁASK AIR BASE, Poland - U.S. Marines and KC-130J Super Hercules from Marine Aerial Refueler Transport Squadron (VMGR) 252, 2nd Marine Aircraft Wing (MAW), deployed to Łask Air Base, Poland, under the command of U.S. Air Forces in Europe and as a key enabler to Marine Fighter Attack Squadron (VMFA) 312.

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2nd MAW units are deployed to enhance NATO's capabilities in Eastern Europe at the invitation of the host nation. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Adam Henke) - A U.S. Marine Corps AN/TPS-80 Ground/Air Task Oriented Radar system (G/ATOR), assigned to Marine Air Control Squadron 2, 2nd Marine Aircraft Wing (MAW), scans for and tracks aircraft at Siauliai Air Base, Lithuania, April 26, 2022. 2nd MAW units are deployed to enhance NATO's capabilities in Eastern Europe at the invitation of the host nation. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Adam Henke)

Marines showcase NATO command and control capabilities

Estonian Brig. Gen. Rauno Sirk, Estonian Air Force commander, and Col. Dainius Guzas, Lithuanian Air Force commander, visited Siauliai Air Base, Apr. 26. They met with the 2nd Marine Aircraft Wing (MAW) to observe the unique aviation command and control capabilities of Marine Air Control Group (MACG) 28.

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Exercise Cold Response ’22 is a biennial exercise that takes place across Norway, with participation from each of its military services, as well as from 26 additional North Atlantic Treaty Organization allied nations and regional partners. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Chief Warrant Officer 2 Bryan Nygaard) - U.S. Marines with Marine Aerial Refueler Transport Squadron 252, 2d Marine Aircraft Wing take off in a KC-130J Super Hercules at Air Station, Bardufoss, March 5, 2022. Exercise Cold Response ’22 is a biennial exercise that takes place across Norway, with participation from each of its military services, as well as from 26 additional North Atlantic Treaty Organization allied nations and regional partners. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Chief Warrant Officer 2 Bryan Nygaard)

PRESS RELEASE: MARINE CORPS UNITS REPOSITIONED TO EASTERN EUROPE TO SUPPORT NATO

In coordination with the U.S Embassy in Lithuania, United States European Command (USEUCOM), and in direct support to U.S. Air Forces Europe, U.S. Marines from 2d Marine Aircraft Wing, II Marine Expeditionary Force, have deployed to enhance Eastern Europe’s collective defense posture and NATO’s capabilities.

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Marines with HMH-464 trained to increase proficiency in sustained littoral operations from expeditionary advanced bases. HMH-464 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. Christopher Hernandez) - U.S. Marine Corps Capt. Patrick Kelly (left), a CH-53E Super Stallion pilot with Marine Aviation Weapons and Tactics Squadron (MAWTS)-1, and Sgt. Samuel Bonita, a crew chief with Marine Heavy Helicopter Squadron (HMH) 464, look at the skyline over Miami, Florida, Dec. 2, 2021. Marines with HMH-464 trained to increase proficiency in sustained littoral operations from expeditionary advanced bases. HMH-464 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. Christopher Hernandez)

HMH-464 "Condors" fly high in Florida

Marine Heavy Helicopter Squadron (HMH) 464 trained in Florida to become more proficient in expeditionary advance base operations, Nov. 22 – Dec. 11, 2021.

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The CH-53K is an optimized vertical, heavy-lift, sea-based, long-range solution for the Marine Corps and will provide three times the lift capability of its predecessor. - A CH-53K King Stallion (right) and a CH-53E Super Stallion are staged during a redesignation ceremony at Marine Corps Air Station New River, North Carolina, Jan. 24, 2022. The squadron received its first CH-53K King Stallion, and the ceremony signified the beginning of the Marine Corps’ modernization from the CH-53E Super Stallion to the CH-53K King Stallion in support of the expeditionary warfare vision for future-force employment. The CH-53K is an optimized vertical, heavy-lift, sea-based, long-range solution for the Marine Corps and will provide three times the lift capability of its predecessor. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Elias E. Pimentel III)

HMH-461 Conducts Redesignation Ceremony

Marine Heavy Helicopter Squadron (HMH) 461 held a re-designation ceremony at Marine Corps Air Station New River, North Carolina, Jan 24. The ceremony marked HMH-461’s transition from a CH-53E Super Stallion to the Marine Corps’ first fleet CH-53K King Stallion squadron.

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The event was a demonstration of expeditionary advanced base operations (EABO) concepts to illustrate the capabilities of 2nd Marine Aircraft Wing as a result of the Commandant of the Marine Corps' force design. The demonstration marks the first time East Coast F-35 air delivery ground refueling and other F-35 operations have been conducted at MCALF Bogue. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Chief Warrant Officer Bryan Nygaard) - U.S. Marines with Marine Aviation Logistics Squadron (MALS) 31 and Marine Aerial Refueler Transport Squadron (VMGR) 252 refuel and arm two F-35B Lightning II assigned to Marine Fighter Attack Training Squadron (VMFAT) 501 at Marine Corps Auxiliary Landing Field (MCALF) Bogue, North Carolina, Nov. 18, 2021. The event was a demonstration of expeditionary advanced base operations (EABO) concepts to illustrate the capabilities of 2nd Marine Aircraft Wing as a result of the Commandant of the Marine Corps' force design. The demonstration marks the first time East Coast F-35 air delivery ground refueling and other F-35 operations have been conducted at MCALF Bogue. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Chief Warrant Officer Bryan Nygaard)