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

As Marines put the final touches on the first big top, Cpl. Terence Carter, one of the combat engineers from Marine Wing Support Squadron 272, and native of New Bern, N.C., nails down angle bars to the base of the second Big Top, a KC-130J Hercules is visible in the background. - As Marines put the final touches on the first big top, Cpl. Terence Carter, one of the combat engineers from Marine Wing Support Squadron 272, and native of New Bern, N.C., nails down angle bars to the base of the second Big Top, a KC-130J Hercules is visible in the background.

Herculean effort builds big tops

Sand storms, unrelenting sunlight and the constant flow of dust can wreak havoc on the electrical parts of an aircraft’s engine. To combat this problem, Marines from Marine Aerial Refueler and Transport Squadron 252 and Marine Wing Support Squadron 272 have begun to build three big top shelters to safely store their KC-130J Hercules at Al Asad,

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Soldiers ride Warhorse into Al Anbar

In the final weeks of their deployment, the “Warhorse” lifted the “Blue Devils” into Al Anbar province in support of security and stabilization operations. Soldiers from 3rd Battalion, 504th Parachute Infantry Regiment, 82nd Airborne Division, were flown to a forward location by the rotors and Marines of Marine Heavy Helicopter Squadron 465, Sept.

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Soldiers from 3rd Battalion, 504th Parachute Infantry Regiment, 82nd Airborne Division, sit in the bay of a CH-53E Super Stallion. The soldiers were flown to a forward location in Al Anbar province by the Warhorses of Marine Heavy Helicopter Squadron 465 from Al Asad, Iraq, Sept. 21. - Soldiers from 3rd Battalion, 504th Parachute Infantry Regiment, 82nd Airborne Division, sit in the bay of a CH-53E Super Stallion. The soldiers were flown to a forward location in Al Anbar province by the Warhorses of Marine Heavy Helicopter Squadron 465 from Al Asad, Iraq, Sept. 21.

Birth of the U.S. Navy – 13 October 1775;

The U.S. Navy was born on 13 October 1775 by an act of the Continental Congress. Long-building political tensions between the British Empire and its American colonies had broken out into armed conflict. Peace and reconciliation efforts were failing. If the colonies were going to win their independence, they would need a Navy. 1775 was a

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AL ASAD, Iraq ? Corporal Rafael B. Fermin, an airframe and hydraulic mechanic with Marine Medium Helicopter Squadron 774, works to repair a CH-46 helicopter. Fermin and the rest of his reserve squadron recently began their second deployment supporting Operation Iraqi Freedom. - AL ASAD, Iraq ? Corporal Rafael B. Fermin, an airframe and hydraulic mechanic with Marine Medium Helicopter Squadron 774, works to repair a CH-46 helicopter. Fermin and the rest of his reserve squadron recently began their second deployment supporting Operation Iraqi Freedom.

HMM-774 hits ground running after third rotation with sister squadron

Marine Medium Helicopter Squadron 774 recently assumed duties from HMM-764, marking the beginning of their second combat deployment in as many years. The Wild Geese, a reserve squadron headquartered in Naval Station Norfolk, Va., is the sister squadron of HMM-764. The two were activated to fill a medium lift billet in support of Operation Iraqi

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United States Rep. Christopher Shays talks about the mission of Marine Tactical Electronic Warfare Squadron 1 with the squadron?s commanding officer, Col. Mark E. Wakeman, during a congressional delegation visit, Oct. 10, at Al Asad, Iraq. The congressmen from Connecticut, Massachusetts, North Dakota, New York, Wisconsin and American Samoa were briefed on 2nd Marine Aircraft Wing's progress and ongoing operations, visited the Fighting Griffins of Marine Medium Helicopter Squadron 266 and the Banshees of Marine Tactical Electronic Warfare Squadron 1 and had lunch with service members from their represented areas. - United States Rep. Christopher Shays talks about the mission of Marine Tactical Electronic Warfare Squadron 1 with the squadron?s commanding officer, Col. Mark E. Wakeman, during a congressional delegation visit, Oct. 10, at Al Asad, Iraq. The congressmen from Connecticut, Massachusetts, North Dakota, New York, Wisconsin and American Samoa were briefed on 2nd Marine Aircraft Wing's progress and ongoing operations, visited the Fighting Griffins of Marine Medium Helicopter Squadron 266 and the Banshees of Marine Tactical Electronic Warfare Squadron 1 and had lunch with service members from their represented areas.

U.S. representatives visit Al Asad, meet with Marines, Soldiers, Sailors

A congressional delegation of U.S. House of Representative members and staff visited 2nd Marine Aircraft Wing personnel here, Oct. 10. Christopher Shays, the representative from Connecticut’s 4th District, led the group of six House members and staff from Washington to Al Asad to get a firsthand view of the Marine Corps’ Aviation Combat Element,

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AL ASAD, Iraq - Lance Cpl. Nick R. Baham and Lance Cpl. Michael W. Kenney, administrative clerks with Marine Light Attack Squadron 167, prepare to raise the colors during HML/A-167?s colors ceremony Oct. 10. Baham?s mother has breast cancer, and he is sending her the flag he flew as a gift. - AL ASAD, Iraq - Lance Cpl. Nick R. Baham and Lance Cpl. Michael W. Kenney, administrative clerks with Marine Light Attack Squadron 167, prepare to raise the colors during HML/A-167?s colors ceremony Oct. 10. Baham?s mother has breast cancer, and he is sending her the flag he flew as a gift.

Marine supports mom, raises breast cancer awareness by flying flag

You take the flag, march it to the flag pole, call the commands and fly the colors. A member of the color guard for Marine Light Attack Squadron 167, Lance Cpl. Nick R. Baham, a Denver native, has done it a hundred times. However, on Oct. 10, it was different. The flag that Baham flew that morning would not fly again the next day. On Oct. 10,

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MAG-26 surpasses 50,000 mishap-free, combat flight hours

Whether turning wretches, loading ordnance, building airframes or flying combat missions, the Marines at Al Asad, Iraq, are all building a record of excellence. The more than 2,000 Marines in Marine Aircraft Group 26 have consistently had their various aircraft ready to fly for more than seven months, surpassing 50,000 mishap-free, combat flight

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AL ASAD, Iraq - Corporal Brian E. Marema, member of the 6th Civil Affairs Group, shows Iraqi children how to operate a soccer ball pump during a civil affairs mission in Hawran Wadi, Iraq, Oct. 8. - AL ASAD, Iraq - Corporal Brian E. Marema, member of the 6th Civil Affairs Group, shows Iraqi children how to operate a soccer ball pump during a civil affairs mission in Hawran Wadi, Iraq, Oct. 8.

Marines, Soldiers work together to win Iraqi trust

The 6th Civil Affairs Group, working with Soldiers from the 1st Battalion, 109th Infantry Regiment (Mechanized), delivered school supplies and other gifts to children at an elementary school in Hawran Wadi, Iraq, Oct. 8. The team of Marines and Soldiers conducts civil affairs missions at least twice a month, each time bringing something to the

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Sergeant Maj. Leon Haith, the command sergeant major for the 67th Area Support Group, and Col. Kenneth E. Hassler, commanding officer of the 67th, hang their group?s sign in front of the headquarters building, during a transfer of authority ceremony, Oct. 4, at Al Asad, Iraq. - Sergeant Maj. Leon Haith, the command sergeant major for the 67th Area Support Group, and Col. Kenneth E. Hassler, commanding officer of the 67th, hang their group?s sign in front of the headquarters building, during a transfer of authority ceremony, Oct. 4, at Al Asad, Iraq.

New Guard unit assumes command, supports Al Asad Marines

Soldiers from the Nebraska National Guard recently arrived at Al Asad to relieve their comrades and continue support for the 2nd Marine Aircraft Wing. The 67th Area Support Group, a Lincoln, Neb., Army National Guard unit recently relieved the 326th ASG and held a transfer of authority ceremony at the unit’s headquarters, Oct. 4. Maj. Gen. Stephen

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Corporal Scott New, a hygiene equipment operator with Marine Wing Support Squadron 272 and a Apopka, Fla., native, and Naval Movile Construction Battalion 24?s Petty Officer 1st Class Robert Semmelmann, a utilitiesman, work to connect a new piece of pipe to the Al Asad water supply, Sept. 26, in Baghdadi, Iraq. - Corporal Scott New, a hygiene equipment operator with Marine Wing Support Squadron 272 and a Apopka, Fla., native, and Naval Movile Construction Battalion 24?s Petty Officer 1st Class Robert Semmelmann, a utilitiesman, work to connect a new piece of pipe to the Al Asad water supply, Sept. 26, in Baghdadi, Iraq.