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 ? Lance Cpl. John Gonzalez, an ordnance technician with Marine All-Weather Fighter Attack Squadron 332 and Jackson, Mich., native, gives directions to a Moonlighter pilot after landing here July 30. The Moonlighters took part in exercises in California and Arizona to prepare for this deployment. - AL ASAD, Iraq ? Lance Cpl. John Gonzalez, an ordnance technician with Marine All-Weather Fighter Attack Squadron 332 and Jackson, Mich., native, gives directions to a Moonlighter pilot after landing here July 30. The Moonlighters took part in exercises in California and Arizona to prepare for this deployment.

Moonlighters bring the sting to the Al Anbar province

The Moonlighters of Marine All-Weather Fighter Attack Squadron 332 joined the forward deployed 2nd Marine Aircraft Wing Aug. 1 in support of stability operations in the Al Anbar province. The Moonlighters replaced the Bengals of VMFA(AW)-224. Both squadrons are based in Marine Corps Air Station, Beaufort, S.C. “We are here to continue the work of

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AL ASAD, Iraq?An F/A-18 Hornet waits in the morning sun and Iraqi dust Aug. 3. The Bengals of Marine All-Weather Fighter Attack Squadron 224 wrapped up a seven-month deployment this week. The ?Bengals? provided close air support for the 2nd Marine Expeditionary Force to include raids on anti-Iraqi Force strong holds, counter-mortar and counter-improvised explosive device operations and search and seizure operations. - AL ASAD, Iraq?An F/A-18 Hornet waits in the morning sun and Iraqi dust Aug. 3. The Bengals of Marine All-Weather Fighter Attack Squadron 224 wrapped up a seven-month deployment this week. The ?Bengals? provided close air support for the 2nd Marine Expeditionary Force to include raids on anti-Iraqi Force strong holds, counter-mortar and counter-improvised explosive device operations and search and seizure operations.

Bengals end operations in Iraq

Marine All-Weather Fighter Attack Squadron 224 wrapped up a seven month deployment this week as the unit began its trek home. The unit’s F/A-18 Hornet aircraft, along with approximately 200 Marines and sailors, arrived to support Marine and coalition forces as well as the newly formed Iraqi Security Forces Jan. 15. The ‘Bengals’ provided close

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AL ASAD, Iraq ? Gunnery Sgt. Ronald Morgan, a company gunnery sergeant with the Provisional Security Battalion, pins Cpl. Roman Sena, a field military policeman with security battalion and Columbus, Ohio, native, during his promotion ceremony here Aug. 1. Morgan was Sena?s senior drill instructor at boot camp in 2002 at Marine Corps Recruit, Depot Parris Island, S.C. - AL ASAD, Iraq ? Gunnery Sgt. Ronald Morgan, a company gunnery sergeant with the Provisional Security Battalion, pins Cpl. Roman Sena, a field military policeman with security battalion and Columbus, Ohio, native, during his promotion ceremony here Aug. 1. Morgan was Sena?s senior drill instructor at boot camp in 2002 at Marine Corps Recruit, Depot Parris Island, S.C.

NCO promoted by senior drill instructor

Corporal Roman Sena, a military policeman with Provisional Security Battalion, was promoted by his senior drill instructor at a ceremony here Aug. 1. Sena, who graduated recruit training Oct. 25, 2002, was a member of Gunnery Sgt. Ronald Morgan’s, last platoon aboard Marine Corps Recruit Depot, Parris Island, S.C. Sena was ecstatic about having

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AL ASAD, Iraq - Lieutenant Col. Jay Johnson, the Marine Wing Support Squadron 271 commanding officer, along with Lance Cpls. Lincoln Echard, a bulk fuel specialist and Christopher McCutcheon, an Aircraft Rescue and Fire Fighting crash crewman both with MWSS-271. The three Marines all graduated high school in Washington County, Ohio. Johnson and Echard graduated from Warren High School in 1982 and 2002 respectively while McCutcheon graduated in 2002 from Frontier High School. - AL ASAD, Iraq - Lieutenant Col. Jay Johnson, the Marine Wing Support Squadron 271 commanding officer, along with Lance Cpls. Lincoln Echard, a bulk fuel specialist and Christopher McCutcheon, an Aircraft Rescue and Fire Fighting crash crewman both with MWSS-271. The three Marines all graduated high school in Washington County, Ohio. Johnson and Echard graduated from Warren High School in 1982 and 2002 respectively while McCutcheon graduated in 2002 from Frontier High School.

Washington County Workhorses support the fight in Iraq

In the small rural towns of Washington County, Ohio the chances of fellow residents serving in the military in the same place overseas may seem almost unheard of. But from that county of almost 64,000, three Marines are contributing to the Global War on Terror from the same unit. For the Marines of Marine Wing Support Squadron 271 the Washington

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AL ASAD, Iraq ? Lance Cpl. Nick Bredehoft, a CH-46E airframes mechanic and aerial observer assigned to Marine Medium Helicopter Squadron 764, bucks a rivet on a bracket for a CH-46E Sea Knight?s clam shell door July 30. Bredehoft, a 2002 graduate of Hill Crest High School in his native Dallas, is on his second deployment in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom. - AL ASAD, Iraq ? Lance Cpl. Nick Bredehoft, a CH-46E airframes mechanic and aerial observer assigned to Marine Medium Helicopter Squadron 764, bucks a rivet on a bracket for a CH-46E Sea Knight?s clam shell door July 30. Bredehoft, a 2002 graduate of Hill Crest High School in his native Dallas, is on his second deployment in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom.

Dallas Marine serves second tour in Iraq, goes above and beyond

Al Asad is home to hundreds of aircraft mechanics who are heavily relied upon to keep the aircraft here supporting the mission of the 2nd Marine Aircraft Wing (Forward). Whether they’re working under the blazing sun or during the not much cooler nights, the mechs do their best to maintain combat-ready aircraft. One such Marine is Lance Cpl. Nick

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CAMP FALLUJAH, Iraq - Sergeant Teddy Straub pins rank insignia on Cpl. Robert E. Straub's collar during a promotion ceremony Aug. 1. The brothers, from Ontario, Calif., are deployed to different locations in Iraq and don't see each other often because of deployments in support of the Global War on Terrorism and other operational commitments. - CAMP FALLUJAH, Iraq - Sergeant Teddy Straub pins rank insignia on Cpl. Robert E. Straub's collar during a promotion ceremony Aug. 1. The brothers, from Ontario, Calif., are deployed to different locations in Iraq and don't see each other often because of deployments in support of the Global War on Terrorism and other operational commitments.

Helicopter crew chief reunites with brother at promotion

It’s no secret that the Marine Corps, because of the bond that exists between its members, is often referred to as a ‘Band of Brothers.’ So in an organization with more than 175,000 members it’s not rare to see real siblings proudly sharing the eagle, globe and anchor. Sergeant Teddy Straub and Cpl. Robert E. Straub, natives of Ontario, Calif.,

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2nd Marine Division - 2nd Marine Division

Florida Marine leans forward for the Black Knights

Some Marines are drawn to service by a strong military heritage, while others are drawn to it by a small unexplainable call to duty. For Lance Cpl. Matt Aronson, a CH-46 crew chief with Marine Medium Helicopter Squadron 264 it seemed like joining the Corps was the way to begin his career. While attending Florida Atlantic University in 2002, Aronson

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AL ASAD, Iraq - Corporal Eric Hilker, a loadmaster with Marine Aerial Refueler Transport Squadron 252 and Ithaca, N.Y., native, directs a vehicle onto the KC-130J here July 28. The KC-130J is used to transport cargo and passengers throughout Iraq, along with mid-air refueling. - AL ASAD, Iraq - Corporal Eric Hilker, a loadmaster with Marine Aerial Refueler Transport Squadron 252 and Ithaca, N.Y., native, directs a vehicle onto the KC-130J here July 28. The KC-130J is used to transport cargo and passengers throughout Iraq, along with mid-air refueling.

‘Otis’ provides logistics support for Marines in Iraq

The Marines of Marine Aerial Refueler Transport Squadron 252 are known for their ability to refuel aircraft and extend the time fighter jets and some helicopters can stay in the fight. But that is not their only mission. Almost nightly, the squadron provides vital logistic support to Marines throughout Iraq. From shipping cargo to helping Marines

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AL ASAD, Iraq ? Marines from Marine Tactical Electronic Warfare Squadron 1 conduct daily and turnaround inspections on an EA-6B Prowler July 28. The ?Banshees? of VMAQ-1 arrived here recently to support the mission of Multi-National Forces Iraq by using the cutting edge technology in their aircraft. - AL ASAD, Iraq ? Marines from Marine Tactical Electronic Warfare Squadron 1 conduct daily and turnaround inspections on an EA-6B Prowler July 28. The ?Banshees? of VMAQ-1 arrived here recently to support the mission of Multi-National Forces Iraq by using the cutting edge technology in their aircraft.

Prowling Banshees arrive in Al Asad ready for action

The “Banshees” of Marine Tactical Electronic Warfare Squadron 1 arrived here recently to help protect service members on the battlefield with the cutting edge technology in their EA-6B Prowlers. They replace the “Seahawks” of VMAQ-4, who returned to Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point, N.C., after spending six months here in support of the

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AL ASAD, Iraq?Gunnery Sgt. Michael R. Montoya, security guard commander, and Virginia Beach, Va., native, is in charge of security for the Tactical Air Command Center of the forward deployed 2nd Marine Aircraft Wing. Montoya is also the drum major for the 2nd Marine Aircraft Wing Band, in Cherry Point, N.C. - AL ASAD, Iraq?Gunnery Sgt. Michael R. Montoya, security guard commander, and Virginia Beach, Va., native, is in charge of security for the Tactical Air Command Center of the forward deployed 2nd Marine Aircraft Wing. Montoya is also the drum major for the 2nd Marine Aircraft Wing Band, in Cherry Point, N.C.