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 - Sgt. Seth Thornton, a CH-53E Super Stallion crewchief assigned to Marine Heavy Helicopter Squadron 465, talks with the helicopter aircraft commander after shutting down the aircraft after a mission May 19. Thornton, from Abilene, Texas, is on his third deployment to Iraq in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom. - AL ASAD, Iraq - Sgt. Seth Thornton, a CH-53E Super Stallion crewchief assigned to Marine Heavy Helicopter Squadron 465, talks with the helicopter aircraft commander after shutting down the aircraft after a mission May 19. Thornton, from Abilene, Texas, is on his third deployment to Iraq in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom.

What is it about Iraq? Abilene Marine keeps coming back

Sgt. Seth Thornton, a CH-53E Super Stallion crewchief assigned to Marine Heavy Helicopter Squadron 465 and Abilene, Texas, native, never imagined he’d be serving his country in Iraq. Since January 2003, he’s deployed here on three different occasions.Recently, Thornton had the opportunity to soar the Iraqi skies with a fellow Texan who also calls

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Muxsters keep communications flowing throughout Iraq

In today’s Marine Corps, communication between the separate entities is essential for planning and executing operations. The ability of units to communicate across the vast expanses of Iraq becomes crucial to operations throughout the country. The Marines of Marine Wing Communication Squadron 28’s multi-channel radio operators platoon ensure the

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AL ASAD, Iraq ? Petty Officer 1st Class Jennifer Vann, a steel worker with Naval Mobile Construction Battalion 24, uses a concrete saw to cut a section of the runway here out so that it may be replaced. Vann is one of the Seabees who works the day shift for the runway reconstruction project scheduled to take the duration of their deployment here. - AL ASAD, Iraq ? Petty Officer 1st Class Jennifer Vann, a steel worker with Naval Mobile Construction Battalion 24, uses a concrete saw to cut a section of the runway here out so that it may be replaced. Vann is one of the Seabees who works the day shift for the runway reconstruction project scheduled to take the duration of their deployment here.

Seabees aid Marines, start runway project to ease takeoffs, landings

Almost 40 sailors with Naval Mobile Construction Battalion 24 began a runway reconstruction project here May 16. The project includes excavating the old joints in the runway that are cracking, chipping and separating after years of wear and tear. Pouring new concrete will give jet aircraft a smooth surface for landings and take-offs and could

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AL QAIM, Iraq - Lance Cpl. Daniel Nance, crash crewman with Marine Wing Support Squadron 271's Aircraft, Rescue and Fire Fighting section comes from a family of first responders. His mother, stepfather, cousin and uncle have all been emergency response personnel at some point in their lives. - AL QAIM, Iraq - Lance Cpl. Daniel Nance, crash crewman with Marine Wing Support Squadron 271's Aircraft, Rescue and Fire Fighting section comes from a family of first responders. His mother, stepfather, cousin and uncle have all been emergency response personnel at some point in their lives.

Marine follows in family's footsteps, becomes first responder

Lance Cpl. Daniel Nance, crash crewman, Marine Wing Support Squadron 271 and Lebanon, Tenn., native has been fighting fires for the Marine Corps for more than a year and a half. He has followed in his family's footsteps as an emergency responder. Nance’s family has deep roots in firefighting and emergency services. He has a cousin who is a

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U.S. Army task force teams up with Marines in Kalsu

Task Force 1/151st Aviation Attack Battalion, a U.S. Army unit comprised of a flight company and elements of a maintenance company and a headquarters company, arrived here in April to support the 2nd Marine Aircraft Wing (Forward). After spending the better half of their one-year deployment in Mosul, where the task force served for five months, the

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AL ASAD, Iraq ? Private first class David Ivins an aviation logistics technician prepares to pull a piece of gear for an aircraft in the MALS-26 supply warehouse here, May 17. Marine Aviation Logistics Squadron 26 have achieved a high level of readiness only previously reached when the unit was at home at Marine Corps Air Station New River, N.C. - AL ASAD, Iraq ? Private first class David Ivins an aviation logistics technician prepares to pull a piece of gear for an aircraft in the MALS-26 supply warehouse here, May 17. Marine Aviation Logistics Squadron 26 have achieved a high level of readiness only previously reached when the unit was at home at Marine Corps Air Station New River, N.C.

'Patriots' set record highs for readiness in a combat zone

The ‘Patriots’ of Marine Aviation Logistics Squadron 26 have recently achieved a remarkable readiness rate of almost 90 percent for the 11 flying squadrons they support throughout Iraq. Their mission is to provide aviation logistics support, guidance and direction to the flying squadrons of the 2nd Marine Aircraft Wing (Fwd) and provide

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'Tomcats' finish deployment, return home to Yuma

Two hundred Marines with Marine Attack Squadron 311 are returning to their home base, Marine Corps Air Station Yuma, Ariz., May 17 after completing a six-month tour. The ‘Tomcats’ were on the prowl within eight hours after their AV-8B Harriers touched down here, Nov. 13. As they return home VMA-311 now boasts a record for flying the most combat

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Enlisted Fleet Marine Force Warfare Specialists HM1(FMF) Dennis Self, HN(FMF) Joseph Tibbits, and HM3(FMF) Dale Wolkenhauer proudly display the new Fleet Marine Force pin they were awarded May 15. The sailors endured more than 100 hours of intense written and practical application to qualify for the pin that was adopted into the U.S. Navy enlisted ranks in July 2000. The sailors were required to master 14 core subjects ranging from Marine Corps history and weapons systems to a Marine Air Ground Task Force. - Enlisted Fleet Marine Force Warfare Specialists HM1(FMF) Dennis Self, HN(FMF) Joseph Tibbits, and HM3(FMF) Dale Wolkenhauer proudly display the new Fleet Marine Force pin they were awarded May 15. The sailors endured more than 100 hours of intense written and practical application to qualify for the pin that was adopted into the U.S. Navy enlisted ranks in July 2000. The sailors were required to master 14 core subjects ranging from Marine Corps history and weapons systems to a Marine Air Ground Task Force.

Fleet Marine Warfare Specialists: Marine Corps knowledge for a combat Navy

Three sailors from Marine Wing Support Squadron 271, 2nd Marine Aircraft Wing, are now Enlisted Fleet Marine Force Warfare Specialists. The sailors were decorated with the Fleet Marine Force Warfare pin May 15.Petty Officer 1st Class Dennis Self, from Birmingham, Ala., Petty Officer 3rd Class Dale Wolkenhauer, a native of Clearlake, Calif., and

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Believe it or not: Superman thanks service members for their hard work

The Marines and soldiers here never forget where they are. Every waking moment they are reminded that a serious threat to life exists in their small piece of Iraqi desert. In this remote outpost of Iraq, a small group of camouflage clad service members got a rare glimpse of some familiar faces. Two Hollywood personalities were here May 13 to

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KALSU, Iraq ? Lance Cpl. Alexander Kramer, an air traffic controller assigned to Marine Air Control Squadron 2 and Gig Harbor, Wash., native, stands vigilant in the air traffic control tower where he was injured March 18 during a mortar attack. Kramer suffered several cuts on his face and after receiving medical attentiond and facing his inner fears returned to the tower to continue supporting Operation Iraqi Freedom. - KALSU, Iraq ? Lance Cpl. Alexander Kramer, an air traffic controller assigned to Marine Air Control Squadron 2 and Gig Harbor, Wash., native, stands vigilant in the air traffic control tower where he was injured March 18 during a mortar attack. Kramer suffered several cuts on his face and after receiving medical attentiond and facing his inner fears returned to the tower to continue supporting Operation Iraqi Freedom.