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

Marines from Marine Aerial Refueler Transport Squadron 252 prepare more than 22,000 pounds of cargo for an air drop April 16. This was the first successful aerial delivery of cargo since the KC-130J arrived here in February. This also marked the first combat aerial delivery for the J model aircraft. The airdrop measured six truck loads worth of supplies, which means more than 12 Marines did not have to risk convoy operations. - Marines from Marine Aerial Refueler Transport Squadron 252 prepare more than 22,000 pounds of cargo for an air drop April 16. This was the first successful aerial delivery of cargo since the KC-130J arrived here in February. This also marked the first combat aerial delivery for the J model aircraft. The airdrop measured six truck loads worth of supplies, which means more than 12 Marines did not have to risk convoy operations.

KC-130J aircraft makes first combat aerial delivery

Marine Aerial Refueler Transport Squadron 252 has performed yet another first with their new KC-130J during its combat theater debut. In the early morning hours of April 16, a single KC-130J cargo plane delivered needed supplies to Forward Operating Base Korean Village, a remote outpost in the Iraqi desert. However, the aircraft did not land to

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AL ASAD, Iraq - Sgt. Christopher Orange, flight medic, 571st Medical Company (Air Ambulance) watches the left side of his UH-60A Blackhawk enroute to another medical evacuation April 14. - AL ASAD, Iraq - Sgt. Christopher Orange, flight medic, 571st Medical Company (Air Ambulance) watches the left side of his UH-60A Blackhawk enroute to another medical evacuation April 14.

Army helicopters transport injured Marines in Al Anbar Province

When service members in the Al Anbar Province receive injuries that require treatment only given at a hospital, they are transported in one of the helicopters of the 571st Medical Company (Air Ambulance). As soon as the call for a medical evacuation comes in, the soldiers spring into action. While the crew chief and co-pilot prepare the aircraft,

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AL ASAD, Iraq (Feb 24, 2005) ? As the Iraqi sun rises, a Marine from Marine Tactical Electronic Warfare Squadron 4 renders the proper salute as one of the squadron?s EA-6B Prowlers taxis to the flightline to begin a mission. - AL ASAD, Iraq (Feb 24, 2005) ? As the Iraqi sun rises, a Marine from Marine Tactical Electronic Warfare Squadron 4 renders the proper salute as one of the squadron?s EA-6B Prowlers taxis to the flightline to begin a mission.

Seahawk maintainers keep Q-4 on the prowl

When an EA-6B Prowler flies overhead, the unique resonance of the air ripping apart drowns out all other ambient sounds. The amazing capability and attention-drawing spectacle of a Prowler in flight tends to draw attention away from the truly amazing accomplishments of the Marines who ensure the aircraft can accomplish its electronic warfare

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AL ASAD, Iraq ? Corporal Travis Toborg, plane captain, Marine All-Weather Fighter Attack Squadron 224 stands with his father Sgt. Timothy Toborg, electrician, Marine Fighter Attack Squadron 142 in front of a F/A-18 Hornet. Timothy rejoined the Marine Corps after a 14-year hiatus when he joined the reserves after his son joined the active duty ranks in 2002. - AL ASAD, Iraq ? Corporal Travis Toborg, plane captain, Marine All-Weather Fighter Attack Squadron 224 stands with his father Sgt. Timothy Toborg, electrician, Marine Fighter Attack Squadron 142 in front of a F/A-18 Hornet. Timothy rejoined the Marine Corps after a 14-year hiatus when he joined the reserves after his son joined the active duty ranks in 2002.

Father, son Hornet mechanics work in Iraq together

Some children have dreams of becoming successful like their parents. Many children take a path in life similar to that of their parents. As boys and girls grow older there eventually comes a time when they must make life changing decisions to set them on the path to success. Some choose college, some choose work and some just don’t choose at all.

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AL ASAD, Iraq (April 14, 2005) - During a training session on pressure points, Chris asks an Iraqi Border Patrol student if his partner is doing the technique right. Chris serves an interpreter for the Marine and civilian law enforcement instructors at the Regional Iraqi Police and Border Patrol Academy here. - AL ASAD, Iraq (April 14, 2005) - During a training session on pressure points, Chris asks an Iraqi Border Patrol student if his partner is doing the technique right. Chris serves an interpreter for the Marine and civilian law enforcement instructors at the Regional Iraqi Police and Border Patrol Academy here.

Freedom is found in translation

When the American led coalition force liberated the country of Kuwait from the Iraqi invasion during Operation Desert Storm in 1991, Salih Farhan Rhem found himself between a rock and hard place. As a Bedoun, a race of people from Kuwait, but not Kuwaiti citizens, Rhem found his own country turn its back on his people. Forced to leave the country

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Combat logistics battalion Marines earn Purple Hearts

Three Marines assigned to Combat Logistics Battalion 2 were presented with Purple Hearts on April 12 for wounds received in action in the Al Anbar Province in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom. Colonel William S. Aitken, battalion commanding officer, presented Lance Cpls. Aaron B. Alejo-Havens, Matthew A. Lawrence and Craig T. Gulley with the

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AL ASAD, Iraq -- Corporal Michael A. Rivera, small computers specialist with Marine Wing Headquarters Squadron 2, enlisted in the Marine Corps after being left without a job as a result of the terrorist attacks in the United States on Sept. 11. He?s now on his second tour here and serves as the data and video teleconference noncommissioned officer for the communications and data operations department of the 2nd Marine Aircraft Wing (Forward). - AL ASAD, Iraq -- Corporal Michael A. Rivera, small computers specialist with Marine Wing Headquarters Squadron 2, enlisted in the Marine Corps after being left without a job as a result of the terrorist attacks in the United States on Sept. 11. He?s now on his second tour here and serves as the data and video teleconference noncommissioned officer for the communications and data operations department of the 2nd Marine Aircraft Wing (Forward).

Brooklyn Marine takes a mega ‘byte’ out of insurgency

When Michael A. Rivera graduated from high school in June 2001 he started working for a company that made burners for residential heating systems. A few months later, when the attacks on America occurred, the company began losing business and Rivera, 17 years old at the time, lost his job. Many of the companies in New York City were not hiring and

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AL ASAD, Iraq - Private First Class Mathew Shaw, Lima Co. 3rd Battalion, 25th Marines takes aim through the secondary fighting position at his tower here, April 12. - AL ASAD, Iraq - Private First Class Mathew Shaw, Lima Co. 3rd Battalion, 25th Marines takes aim through the secondary fighting position at his tower here, April 12.

Marines on towers keep a keen eye on the desert plain

For all service members, and civilians’ here, their first line of defense for approaching enemy is the tower Marines on duty 24-hours a day. The Marines keep their eyes peeled for any suspicious activity from a few feet in the air that could be considered a threat to the aircraft and personnel of Al Asad. A group of more than 200 Marines from

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AL ASAD, Iraq (April 14, 2005) - Serving as translator for the Marine and civilian law enforcement instructors at the Regional Iraqi Police and Border Patrol Academy here, Chris, as his coworkers call him, has overcome years of trials and tribulations to be at the point he is today. Fleeing the persecution of his homeland, he then struggled under the oppressive regime of Saddam Hussein for a decade before seeking refuge in Jordan. Now he has returned to help ensure the freedom of the Iraqi people. - AL ASAD, Iraq (April 14, 2005) - Serving as translator for the Marine and civilian law enforcement instructors at the Regional Iraqi Police and Border Patrol Academy here, Chris, as his coworkers call him, has overcome years of trials and tribulations to be at the point he is today. Fleeing the persecution of his homeland, he then struggled under the oppressive regime of Saddam Hussein for a decade before seeking refuge in Jordan. Now he has returned to help ensure the freedom of the Iraqi people.