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

(From left to right) Lance Cpls. Anthony Kondziella, Josh M. Nalley (bottom,) Christopher W. Smith and Justin R. Graff (top,) serving with Marine Wing Support Squadron 271's Immediate Reaction Team, stand ready every hour of the day to complete the IRT mission. The platoon of Marines has been conducting security escorts for the squadron's Explosive Ordnance Disposal team as they respond to calls on and around Al Asad air base, Iraq. - (From left to right) Lance Cpls. Anthony Kondziella, Josh M. Nalley (bottom,) Christopher W. Smith and Justin R. Graff (top,) serving with Marine Wing Support Squadron 271's Immediate Reaction Team, stand ready every hour of the day to complete the IRT mission. The platoon of Marines has been conducting security escorts for the squadron's Explosive Ordnance Disposal team as they respond to calls on and around Al Asad air base, Iraq.

IRT Marines are on guard

When the explosive ordnance disposal team gets a call to investigate or remove an improvised explosive device, they aren't the only ones who roll out in the face of danger to eliminate the threat. The Immediate Reaction Team from Marine Wing Support Squadron 271's is right in the mix, providing security for the EOD technicians as they respond to

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Lieutenant Colonel Robert Kuckuk, commanding officer, Marine Attack Squadron 311 speaks at his change of command ceremony, Feb. 28. Kuckuk takes command of a squadron who is three months into a six month deployment in Iraq. - Lieutenant Colonel Robert Kuckuk, commanding officer, Marine Attack Squadron 311 speaks at his change of command ceremony, Feb. 28. Kuckuk takes command of a squadron who is three months into a six month deployment in Iraq.

'Tomcats' change commanders amidst combat operations

Colonel Clyde M. Woltman relinquished command of Marine Attack Squadron 311 to Lt. Col. Robert C. Kuckuk during a change of command ceremony here Feb. 28. Kuckuk assumed command halfway through the squadron’s six-month deployment and takes over a squadron that has flown more than 4,000 flight hours in the first 100 days of their deployment in

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Lance Cpl. Lucas Rusch, flightline mechanic, Marine Medium Helicopter Squadron 264 checks some of the hoses in the front engine of Black Knight CH-46E during a 100-hour inspection. - Lance Cpl. Lucas Rusch, flightline mechanic, Marine Medium Helicopter Squadron 264 checks some of the hoses in the front engine of Black Knight CH-46E during a 100-hour inspection.

Crew chief lets experience, knowledge do all the talking

Sergeant Timothy G. Stickel a crew chief assigned to Marine Medium Helicopter Squadron 264 goes through his pre-flight checklist aboard a CH-46E Sea Knight in preperation for another mission. Once airborne, flying over hostile territory, the Chester, Va. native mans the .50 caliber machine gun and scans the earth looking for the slightest bit of

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AL ASAD, Iraq -- Sergeant Michael C. Steele, Marine Aviation Logistics Squadron 26 (Reinforced) dynamic components mechanic and Poteet, Texas, native, checks the pressure in a CH-53E rotor blade as he inspects it for leaks Feb . 28. The 1994 graduate of Poteet High is here on his second tour in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom. - AL ASAD, Iraq -- Sergeant Michael C. Steele, Marine Aviation Logistics Squadron 26 (Reinforced) dynamic components mechanic and Poteet, Texas, native, checks the pressure in a CH-53E rotor blade as he inspects it for leaks Feb . 28. The 1994 graduate of Poteet High is here on his second tour in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom.

Poteet native returns to Iraq, shares knowledge, experience

Thousands of Marines have kissed their families’ good-bye and traveled across the world to support the Global War on Terrorism. Some, who’ve answered the call of duty multiple times, remain away from their loved ones for months at a time and endure the sacrifice because of the firm belief that their involvement is necessary to accomplish the

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AL ASAD, Iraq -- Marines and sailors from Marine Aviation Logistics Squadron 26 (Reinforced) stand in front of Lt. Col. Carmine J. Borrelli, squadron commander from Yonkers, N.Y.; Staff Sgt. Michael H. Murrell, aircraft structure mechanic from Coeur d'Alene, Idaho; and Sgt. Maj. Leroy Williams, squadron sergeant major from Columbia, S.C., during the unveiling of the 'Patriots' logo here March 1. The unveiling ceremony celebrated the first turnover of a Marine aviation logistics squadron since Marine aviation units began operating out of this former Iraqi air base. - AL ASAD, Iraq -- Marines and sailors from Marine Aviation Logistics Squadron 26 (Reinforced) stand in front of Lt. Col. Carmine J. Borrelli, squadron commander from Yonkers, N.Y.; Staff Sgt. Michael H. Murrell, aircraft structure mechanic from Coeur d'Alene, Idaho; and Sgt. Maj. Leroy Williams, squadron sergeant major from Columbia, S.C., during the unveiling of the 'Patriots' logo here March 1. The unveiling ceremony celebrated the first turnover of a Marine aviation logistics squadron since Marine aviation units began operating out of this former Iraqi air base.

MALS-26 (Rein) commander: ‘How can we make this place better?’

The “Patriots” of Marine Aviation Logistics Squadron 26 (Reinforced) have hit the ground running, and after less than two weeks here, have assumed the responsibilities of MALS-16 in the first turnover of an aviation logistics squadron since Marine aviation units began operating out of this former Iraqi air base.“We’re starting operations ahead of

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Cpl. Aaron M. Whyde, VMGR-252 electrician and native of Tucson, Ariz. (right,) and Cpl. Adam L. Brunner, VMGR-252 ordnance and native of Pittsburgh, adjust the lighting on the wing of one of the squadron's KC-130Js. This deployment marks the first time the "J" has operated in a combat zone. - Cpl. Aaron M. Whyde, VMGR-252 electrician and native of Tucson, Ariz. (right,) and Cpl. Adam L. Brunner, VMGR-252 ordnance and native of Pittsburgh, adjust the lighting on the wing of one of the squadron's KC-130Js. This deployment marks the first time the "J" has operated in a combat zone.

VMGR-252 soars high in the Iraqi skies

America's military has the reputation of being the most technologically advanced fighting force in the world. The Marine Corps' ability to stay at the forefront of innovations in aircraft, weaponry and fighting vehicles has allowed it to dominate the field of battle. Keeping with that tradition are the Marines and sailors of Marine Aerial Refueler

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Cpl. David E. Booth, a D'Lo, Miss. native, stands proudly in front of one of Marine Aerial Transport Refueler Squadron 252s' KC-130J Hercules. The communications and navigations technician has been working on defensive electronic countermeasures equipment since his arrival here at Al Asad air base, Iraq, on Feb. 10. - Cpl. David E. Booth, a D'Lo, Miss. native, stands proudly in front of one of Marine Aerial Transport Refueler Squadron 252s' KC-130J Hercules. The communications and navigations technician has been working on defensive electronic countermeasures equipment since his arrival here at Al Asad air base, Iraq, on Feb. 10.

Mississippi native lends shoulder to the push

On a daily basis, Cpl. David E. Booth, a D'Lo, Miss. native, protects the lives of the pilots and aircrews of Marine Aerial Transport Refueler Squadron 252 as they transport troops and cargo throughout Iraq and the area of operations. The KC-130J Hercules communications and navigations technician has been working on defensive electronic

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Newly promoted Brig. Gen. Robert E. Milstead Jr., commanding general of the 2nd Marine Aircraft Wing (Forward,) poses for a photo with Maj. Gen. Thomas L. Moore Jr., commanding general of the 2nd MAW, after his promotion ceremony here at Al Asad air base, Iraq, Feb. 23, 2005. - Newly promoted Brig. Gen. Robert E. Milstead Jr., commanding general of the 2nd Marine Aircraft Wing (Forward,) poses for a photo with Maj. Gen. Thomas L. Moore Jr., commanding general of the 2nd MAW, after his promotion ceremony here at Al Asad air base, Iraq, Feb. 23, 2005.

Commander earns star in combat zone

"No one dreams of a day such as this," said Brig. Gen. Robert E. Milstead Jr., commanding general of the 2nd Marine Aircraft Wing (Forward) as he stood in front of his Marines and sailors during his promotion ceremony here at Al Asad air base, Iraq, Feb. 23.Milstead, a Fort Sam Houston, Texas, native, became the first Marine officer in recent

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Lance Cpl. Miguel Agudo, airframer, VMFA(AW)-224 a New York native repairs a horizontal stab on one of the Bengal F/A-18 Hornets in between missions aboard Al Asad air base, Iraq, Feb. 24. - Lance Cpl. Miguel Agudo, airframer, VMFA(AW)-224 a New York native repairs a horizontal stab on one of the Bengal F/A-18 Hornets in between missions aboard Al Asad air base, Iraq, Feb. 24.

'Bengals' aid the war on the ground throughout Iraq

A platoon of Marines is on patrol in northern Iraq. When they begin taking enemy fire they call for an air strike on the building that enemy forces are using for cover. A few moments later a tiger striped F/A-18 Hornet screeches across the sky dropping ordnance on the insurgent position and allowing the Marines to continue their patrol. The F/A-18

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Sgt. Wayne A. Switzer, EA-6B plane captain renders a salute as one of Marine Tactical Electronic Warfare Squadron 4's Prowlers taxies out to take off. - Sgt. Wayne A. Switzer, EA-6B plane captain renders a salute as one of Marine Tactical Electronic Warfare Squadron 4's Prowlers taxies out to take off.