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 ? Gunnery Sgt. Ron S. Smith, the MALS-26 aviation information systems chief, takes the oath of enlistment during a reenlistment ceremony at the Marine Air Group 26 headquarters building, at Al Asad, Iraq. Smith?s family was able to sit in on the ceremony because of video teleconferencing technology. - AL ASAD, Iraq ? Gunnery Sgt. Ron S. Smith, the MALS-26 aviation information systems chief, takes the oath of enlistment during a reenlistment ceremony at the Marine Air Group 26 headquarters building, at Al Asad, Iraq. Smith?s family was able to sit in on the ceremony because of video teleconferencing technology.

MALS-26 Marine’s family joins reenlistment at Al Asad

When Gunnery Sgt. Ron S. Smith, the Marine Aviation Logistics Squadron 26 aviation information systems chief, reenlists, he likes to mark the occasion by doing something no one else has done.For one of his reenlistments, the Brooklyn, NY, native, tried to spring out of a helicopter. For his most recent, Smith decided to become the first forward

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Army Cpl. Derek A. Marinaro, a team leader with the 109th Mechanized Infantry, uses sign language to communicate with his parents during a video teleconferencing session. Marinaro's parents are deaf, and his inability to talk with them over phone made this the first time he had communicated with his parents since he arrived in Iraq six weeks ago. The video teleconference was made possible by the Freedom Calls Foundation, a nonprofit organization dedicated to promoting better communication between deployed service members and their loved ones. - Army Cpl. Derek A. Marinaro, a team leader with the 109th Mechanized Infantry, uses sign language to communicate with his parents during a video teleconferencing session. Marinaro's parents are deaf, and his inability to talk with them over phone made this the first time he had communicated with his parents since he arrived in Iraq six weeks ago. The video teleconference was made possible by the Freedom Calls Foundation, a nonprofit organization dedicated to promoting better communication between deployed service members and their loved ones.

Freedom Calls Foundation provides unprecedented combat zone communication

Keeping in touch with friends and family at home is always a challenge during deployments. Though communications in combat zones have evolved, some still find it difficult to contact people they care about. Freedom Calls Foundation, a nonprofit organization founded to keep military personnel closer to those they love, is taking the next step in

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The unit guidons of MWSS-271 and MWSS-272 wave in the desert breeze during a transfer of authority ceremony at Al Asad, Iraq. The Untouchables of MWSS-272 will provide aviation ground support for the 2nd Marine Aircraft Wing. - The unit guidons of MWSS-271 and MWSS-272 wave in the desert breeze during a transfer of authority ceremony at Al Asad, Iraq. The Untouchables of MWSS-272 will provide aviation ground support for the 2nd Marine Aircraft Wing.

Wing support transfers hands at Al Asad

Marines and sailors from Marine Wing Support Squadron 271 and MWSS-272 took place in a transfer of authority ceremony at Al Asad, Iraq, Aug. 29 at the headquarters for the Wing support squadrons. The ceremony was a formality, as the Untouchables of MWSS-272 had already assumed responsibility for some operations from ‘271’s Workhorses. “Everybody’s

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AL ASAD, Iraq - Captain Howard Mariott, an aviation logistics division watch officer, Cpl. Claywood Baker an administration noncommissioned officer and Gunnery Sgt. Michael Montoya, the Tactical Air Command Center security guard commander, all with Marine Wing Headquarters Squadron 2 were all recently awarded the Navy and Marine Association Leadership Award. The award recognizes the most outstanding company grade officers and enlisted Marines at each regiment or headquarters level unit within the operating forces. - AL ASAD, Iraq - Captain Howard Mariott, an aviation logistics division watch officer, Cpl. Claywood Baker an administration noncommissioned officer and Gunnery Sgt. Michael Montoya, the Tactical Air Command Center security guard commander, all with Marine Wing Headquarters Squadron 2 were all recently awarded the Navy and Marine Association Leadership Award. The award recognizes the most outstanding company grade officers and enlisted Marines at each regiment or headquarters level unit within the operating forces.

Deuce Marines receive leadership award

Three Marines attached to Marine Wing Headquarters Squadron 2 were recently selected to receive the Navy and Marine Association Leadership Award. The award recognizes the most outstanding company grade officers and enlisted Marines at each regiment or headquarters level unit within the operating forces. Corporal Claywood Baker, an administration

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AL ASAD, Iraq ? Gunnery Sgt. Francisco Dones, the embarkation and logistics chief with Marine Medium Helicopter Squadron 764 and Lancaster, Calif., native poses in front of a Moonlight CH-46. Dones joined the Marine Corps in 1986 to become a motor transportation vehicle operator after graduating from Van Nuys High School. - AL ASAD, Iraq ? Gunnery Sgt. Francisco Dones, the embarkation and logistics chief with Marine Medium Helicopter Squadron 764 and Lancaster, Calif., native poses in front of a Moonlight CH-46. Dones joined the Marine Corps in 1986 to become a motor transportation vehicle operator after graduating from Van Nuys High School.

Southern Cal Marine keeps Moonlight shining

In 1986, as Francisco Dones prepared for high school graduation, he pondered what was next. He had a drive for something more, and he had hopes of making a difference. The decision he made would forever change his life. “I was a troubled youth and needed some direction,” said Gunnery Sgt. Francisco Dones, the embarkation and logistics chief for

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AL ASAD, Iraq ? An AV-8B Harrier of Marine Attack Squadron 223 lands aboard Al Asad air base Aug. 26. The Bulldog?s maintenance crew began preparing the aircraft for the next day when they began flying combat missions. - AL ASAD, Iraq ? An AV-8B Harrier of Marine Attack Squadron 223 lands aboard Al Asad air base Aug. 26. The Bulldog?s maintenance crew began preparing the aircraft for the next day when they began flying combat missions.

Bulldogs hit the deck: VMA-223 ready to roll in Al Asad

More than 150 Marines from Marine Attack Squadron 223 arrived here Aug. 26. As the aircraft landed plane captains directed the Harrier jet aircraft near the hangar where they were prepped for combat. The pilots were scheduled to begin flying combat missions the following day. The Bulldogs of VMA-223 are replacing the Flying Gators of Marine

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MAG-26 Marines recognized for outstanding leadership

The largest Marine aircraft group in the Corps is bound to have outstanding service members in its ranks. Recently, three Marines with the headquarters squadron of Marine Aircraft Group 26 were announced as winners of the 2004 Navy and Marine Association Leadership Award. Sergeant Thomas R. Fuller, the training, anti-terrorism and force protection

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New Yorker prepares Marines for combat, trains Iraqis for police work

Before Marine Aircraft Group 26 left North Carolina earlier this year, pre-deployment training helped its Marines and sailors prepare for some of the things they would see here. Sergeant Thomas R. Fuller, the group’s training, anti-terrorism and force protection chief, was responsible for building a pre-deployment training plan and instructing some

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AL ASAD, Iraq - Iraqi men stand beneath their national flag during their graduation ceremony Aug. 24 as they listen to the introduction being given by the academy director, Chief Warrant Officer Scott Reinhardt. More than 100 Iraqi police officers graduated from the advanced course, it was the last class to attend the academy here. - AL ASAD, Iraq - Iraqi men stand beneath their national flag during their graduation ceremony Aug. 24 as they listen to the introduction being given by the academy director, Chief Warrant Officer Scott Reinhardt. More than 100 Iraqi police officers graduated from the advanced course, it was the last class to attend the academy here.

Last advanced police class graduates at Al Asad

The last class of Iraqi police officers graduated Aug. 24 from the Iraqi training academy here. The almost 200 policemen will soon be on their way to cities throughout Iraq to contribute in the effort of ensuring the security of this land. The Marines, civilian international police officer training cadre and other staff who assist with the

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AL ASAD, Iraq ? A Greyhawk CH-46 ?spins up? during a test Aug. 22. The Marines will test every aircraft here before flying them to the base they will operate from during this deployment. - AL ASAD, Iraq ? A Greyhawk CH-46 ?spins up? during a test Aug. 22. The Marines will test every aircraft here before flying them to the base they will operate from during this deployment.