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

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Somerton native sets standard for Marines in Iraq

At age 12 Miguel A. Arballo saw something on television that would become a life goal for him.The image of a Marine in a dress blue uniform stood out in his mind as he told himself, “That’s what I want to do.”Arballo is a native of Mexico. In 1989, his family came to the United States, and in 1996, he became a citizen.“In the recruiter’s office,

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AL ASAD, Iraq ? Pfc. Gerald L. Gruber and Cpl. Jennifer N. Lonas, intelligence analysts assigned to Marine Wing Headquarters Squadron 2, plot possible convoy routes for Marines in the 2nd Marine Aircraft Wing (Forward) on May 29. Intelligence analysts in the wing?s intel department work around the clock to contribute to the safety of aircrews and personnel in convoys. - AL ASAD, Iraq ? Pfc. Gerald L. Gruber and Cpl. Jennifer N. Lonas, intelligence analysts assigned to Marine Wing Headquarters Squadron 2, plot possible convoy routes for Marines in the 2nd Marine Aircraft Wing (Forward) on May 29. Intelligence analysts in the wing?s intel department work around the clock to contribute to the safety of aircrews and personnel in convoys.

Intelligence analysts' work leads to insurgents’ capture near Al Asad

Recently, intelligence analysts with the headquarters squadron of the 2nd Marine Aircraft Wing (Forward), provided information on suspected insurgent activity in the vicinity of this air base that led to the detainment of 15 insurgents during a raid conducted by Marines from the 2nd Marine Division’s 1st Force Reconnaissance unit. Five of the

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Aviation ground support in remote western Iraq

The Marine Wing Support Squadron 371 detachment here may seem like your normal support squadron, but a deeper look shows a small group of Marines going above and beyond their normal role of aviation support. While providing top-notch aviation ground support to airfield and base camp operations is their primary mission, the Korean Village Sand

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AL TAQADDUM, Iraq ? The Al Taqaddum air boss shop, (back row L-R) Capt. Donald Meek, assistant air boss; Staff Sgt. Dick Maxie, the flight clearance staff noncommissioned officer; Sgt. Nicholas Breidenger, the air boss chief. (front row L-R) Cpl. Anthony Riley, air boss clerk and Lt. Col. Allan Jarvis, air boss; are responsible for all flight operations in and out of Al Taqaddum. The air boss Marines have coordinated 167 CASEVAC missions, transferring more than 270 patients in their three months here. - AL TAQADDUM, Iraq ? The Al Taqaddum air boss shop, (back row L-R) Capt. Donald Meek, assistant air boss; Staff Sgt. Dick Maxie, the flight clearance staff noncommissioned officer; Sgt. Nicholas Breidenger, the air boss chief. (front row L-R) Cpl. Anthony Riley, air boss clerk and Lt. Col. Allan Jarvis, air boss; are responsible for all flight operations in and out of Al Taqaddum. The air boss Marines have coordinated 167 CASEVAC missions, transferring more than 270 patients in their three months here.

Air boss coordinates Marine air missions in Iraq

For the past three months, six Marines here have worked tirelessly in the base’s air boss shop as the link to the Tactical Air Command Center in Al Asad, Iraq. The Marines all lend a hand in the day to day operations of the airfield and mission coordination for all types of scenarios. “Our primary mission here is casualty evacuation,” said Lt. Col.

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AL TAQADDUM, Iraq - Corporal Anthony Riley, an air boss chief here recently is being meritoriously promoted to sergeant for his performance in the 2nd Marine Aircraft Wing (Forward) combat meritorious promotion board. Riley is an augment to Marine Wing Headquarters Squadron 2. He is originally based in Marine Corps Air Station, Beaufort, S.C. where we serves as a micro/mini repair technician with Marine Aviation Logistics Squadron 31. - AL TAQADDUM, Iraq - Corporal Anthony Riley, an air boss chief here recently is being meritoriously promoted to sergeant for his performance in the 2nd Marine Aircraft Wing (Forward) combat meritorious promotion board. Riley is an augment to Marine Wing Headquarters Squadron 2. He is originally based in Marine Corps Air Station, Beaufort, S.C. where we serves as a micro/mini repair technician with Marine Aviation Logistics Squadron 31.

St. Louis native takes combat meritorious sergeant promotion

A Marine attached to the air boss section here was nominated and took top honors on the 2nd Marine Aircraft Wing (Forward) combat meritorious sergeant board, May 27. Anthony Riley, air boss chief and St. Louis, Mo., native, was one of two Marines promoted to sergeant after the results were announced. “In my 21 years in the Marine Corps, I never

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AL ASAD, Iraq - Two Marines show their final respects to a great Marine, First Sgt. Michael S. Barnhill of 6th Engineer Support Battalion. Barnhill was honored with a memorial service held on Memorial Day here. - AL ASAD, Iraq - Two Marines show their final respects to a great Marine, First Sgt. Michael S. Barnhill of 6th Engineer Support Battalion. Barnhill was honored with a memorial service held on Memorial Day here.

First sergeant remembered on Memorial Day in Iraq

Memorial Day took on special meaning for Marines of 6th Engineer Support Battalion May 30. A memorial service was held here in honor of First Sgt. Michael S. Barnhill who was killed in the line of duty when his vehicle was struck by an improvised explosive device in the Al Anbar province late May. Marines and sailors in the unit reflected on the

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AL ASAD, Iraq - Members of the Al Asad joint service color guard post the colors during the Memorial Day services here, May 30. The Memorial Day service also included guest speakers from representing every service aboard the base. - AL ASAD, Iraq - Members of the Al Asad joint service color guard post the colors during the Memorial Day services here, May 30. The Memorial Day service also included guest speakers from representing every service aboard the base.

Memorial Day remembered in Iraq

Memorial Day may be known as a time when Americans have an opportunity to enjoy a day off and spend time with friends and family around the barbecue. But, the real meaning of the holiday was celebrated by service members here who took part in a ceremony to commemorate this day of remembrance: to honor all service members who have paid the ultimate

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Sand Sharks bite into mileage

The role of the Marine Wing Support Squadron is to help keep the aircraft of the wing in fighting form, so they, in turn, can advance the Marines on the ground. The Marine Wing Support Squadron 371 detachment here, known as the Sand Sharks, has taken their role one-step further — providing assistance to the 2nd Light Armored Reconnaissance

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AL ASAD, Iraq ? Lance Cpl. Jesus M. Haro, an embarkation and logistics specialist assigned to Marine Wing Headquarters Squadron 2, uses the experience gained serving with ground and aviation units to help make things run smooth in the arrival and departure airfield control group here. Haro, from San Antonio, joined the Marine Corps in August 2002 and is here on his first deployment in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom. - AL ASAD, Iraq ? Lance Cpl. Jesus M. Haro, an embarkation and logistics specialist assigned to Marine Wing Headquarters Squadron 2, uses the experience gained serving with ground and aviation units to help make things run smooth in the arrival and departure airfield control group here. Haro, from San Antonio, joined the Marine Corps in August 2002 and is here on his first deployment in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom.