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 -- Service members carry a cross and walk to one of the various stations to meditate on a different scene from the Passion of Christ on March 25. Hundreds took time out of their busy schedules and celebrated Good Friday and Easter while here in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom. - AL ASAD, Iraq -- Service members carry a cross and walk to one of the various stations to meditate on a different scene from the Passion of Christ on March 25. Hundreds took time out of their busy schedules and celebrated Good Friday and Easter while here in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom.

Service members in Al Asad participate in Easter celebrations

Joy and hope inundated the streets of this former Iraqi air base as dozens gathered March 25 and 27 to celebrate Good Friday and Easter. The services offered on Good Friday were Stations of the Cross, Liturgy of the Passion and Way of the Cross, which are devotions used to meditate on different scenes from the Passion and death of Christ. On

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Lance Cpl. Lorenzo Oliver provides security as a departing CH-53E Super Stallion leaves forward arming refueling point, Al Qaim, Iraq. Oliver and three other Marines or part of the provisional rifle platoon for Marine Wing Support Squadron 271, 2nd Marine Aircraft Wing, from Cherry Point, N.C. They support the daily arrival and departure of rotor wing aircraft as Operation Iraqi Freedom and the Global War on Terrorism continues. - Lance Cpl. Lorenzo Oliver provides security as a departing CH-53E Super Stallion leaves forward arming refueling point, Al Qaim, Iraq. Oliver and three other Marines or part of the provisional rifle platoon for Marine Wing Support Squadron 271, 2nd Marine Aircraft Wing, from Cherry Point, N.C. They support the daily arrival and departure of rotor wing aircraft as Operation Iraqi Freedom and the Global War on Terrorism continues.

Workhorses secure refueling point in western Iraq

Marine Wing Support Squadron 271, 2nd Marine Aircraft Wing, arrived here in early February. Known as a forward arming refueling point, 11 miles from the Syrian border, the Marines of the support squadron ensure their aircraft are prepared to launch or arrive in any situation. More than 50 Marines here ensure the mission is accomplished 24-hours a

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Al Asad Police Academy continue success, graduate another class

With the goal mind of turning over responsibility to the Iraqis, a small detachment led by Marines is here doing their part. The Al Asad Regional Police and Department of Border Enforcement Academy graduated 69 Iraqis from their police academy today. The graduates will return to their hometowns and join their local police forces after the intense

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The Marine Corps' only Bengal stripped F/A-18D Hornet, from Marine Fighter Attack Squadron 224, screeches to a halt after hooking on to expeditionary arresting gear. Sgt. James S. Happley, MWSS-271 expeditionary airfield technician, runs to check that both sides of the gear are pulling at the same rate seconds after the Hornet touches down. - The Marine Corps' only Bengal stripped F/A-18D Hornet, from Marine Fighter Attack Squadron 224, screeches to a halt after hooking on to expeditionary arresting gear. Sgt. James S. Happley, MWSS-271 expeditionary airfield technician, runs to check that both sides of the gear are pulling at the same rate seconds after the Hornet touches down.

MWSS-271 techs make it happen on the tarmac

Just over the horizon, the pilot can see the welcoming blue lights of the runway. He is trying to stay calm as he guides his disabled jet toward the lights and the safety of the ground. Drowning out the drones of the safety system that is constantly reminding him he has complete hydraulic failure, he focuses on the yellow light where he knows the

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On the wings of the Warhorse; Lima 3/2 swoops in

A wall of dust erupts from the desert as a CH-53E Super Stallion touches down, and Marines quickly jump out and set up a defensive perimeter.While attack helicopters, commonly referred to as 'skids,' circle the landing zone around a two lane road in the desert between cities, the Marines setup an expedient road-side check point, and begin searching

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Petty Officer 1st class William White, builder, and Petty Officer 2nd class Chris Roberts, steel worker, load a bench Seabees built for the Post Exchange barber shop March 23. The Sailors of Naval Mobile Construction Battalion 24 took over the mission in a small ceremony earlier that day. - Petty Officer 1st class William White, builder, and Petty Officer 2nd class Chris Roberts, steel worker, load a bench Seabees built for the Post Exchange barber shop March 23. The Sailors of Naval Mobile Construction Battalion 24 took over the mission in a small ceremony earlier that day.

Battalion 'Can Do': Seabees continue role aboard Al Asad

Building, welding and carpentry are just some of the skills the more than 400 reserve sailors of Naval Mobile Construction Battalion 24 use to support the units of the 2nd Marine Aircraft Wing (Forward). The Seabees Naval Mobile Construction Battalion 24, from Huntsville, Ala. are activated sailors who came from more than 30 different reserve units

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AL ASAD, Iraq -- Lieutenant Col. Carmine J. Borrelli, Marine Aviation Logistics Squadron 26 (Reinforced) commanding officer, discusses the flow of parts and supplies from the United States to Iraq with Lt. Col. Seth Hathaway, aviation supply readiness officer for Commander, Naval Air Force on March 15. Hathaway and other Marines and sailors from CNAF were here recently to assess the readiness of the squadrons participating in Operation Iraqi Freedom. - AL ASAD, Iraq -- Lieutenant Col. Carmine J. Borrelli, Marine Aviation Logistics Squadron 26 (Reinforced) commanding officer, discusses the flow of parts and supplies from the United States to Iraq with Lt. Col. Seth Hathaway, aviation supply readiness officer for Commander, Naval Air Force on March 15. Hathaway and other Marines and sailors from CNAF were here recently to assess the readiness of the squadrons participating in Operation Iraqi Freedom.

Naval Air Force representatives visit Al Asad

A team of aircraft maintenance and aviation supply experts was here recently to assess the readiness of the squadrons participating in Operation Iraqi Freedom after the turnover between 3rd and 2nd Marine Aircraft Wing (Forward). Sponsored by the 2nd MAW (Fwd) Aviation Logistics Department, Marines and sailors from Commander, Naval Air Force out of

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AL TAQADDUM, Iraq -- Commander William Hood (center), chaplain for the flying squadrons here, poses for a photograph with members of Marine Medium Helicopter Squadron 268 on the flightline here. The chaplain flew in casualty evacuation missions to have a better understanding of the stress Marines and sailors in the squadrons were being exposed to. - AL TAQADDUM, Iraq -- Commander William Hood (center), chaplain for the flying squadrons here, poses for a photograph with members of Marine Medium Helicopter Squadron 268 on the flightline here. The chaplain flew in casualty evacuation missions to have a better understanding of the stress Marines and sailors in the squadrons were being exposed to.

‘Soul Plane’ commander praises aircrew, corpsmen team

Commander William Hood isn’t your average Episcopal chaplain. He’s spent the lasts six months here flying in casualty evacuation missions and has seen more than what he bargained for. Shortly after arriving here, Hood requested permission to fly to have a better understanding of the stress the Marines and sailors are being exposed to when

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Al Asad, Iraq- Marine Medium Helicopter Squadron 774 and HMM-764 pose for a photo during the second time they have replaced one another in Iraq. The two squadrons will swap places one more time when the Wild Geese of HMM-774 replace the Moonlighters of HMM-764 later this year. - Al Asad, Iraq- Marine Medium Helicopter Squadron 774 and HMM-764 pose for a photo during the second time they have replaced one another in Iraq. The two squadrons will swap places one more time when the Wild Geese of HMM-774 replace the Moonlighters of HMM-764 later this year.