Stories

The “sundown” of the AV-8B Harrier II, an iconic aircraft that has supported joint and Marine Corps operations for over 40 years, also represents the dawn of a new era; it paves the way for 2nd MAW’s full transition to the F-35B and C Lightning II. VMA-223 is the U.S. Marine Corps' last operational Harrier squadron. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Bryan Giraldo) - A U.S. Marine Corps AV-8B Harrier II with Marine Attack Squadron (VMA) 223, Marine Aircraft Group 14, 2nd Marine Aircraft Wing, sits in front of a crowd at Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point, June 3, 2026. The “sundown” of the AV-8B Harrier II, an iconic aircraft that has supported joint and Marine Corps operations for over 40 years, also represents the dawn of a new era; it paves the way for 2nd MAW’s full transition to the F-35B and C Lightning II. VMA-223 is the U.S. Marine Corps' last operational Harrier squadron. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Bryan Giraldo)

U.S. Marines with MWHS-2 took part in a 250-mile relay run in celebration of the Marine Corps' 250th birthday. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Anakin Smith) - U.S. Marine Corps Sgt. Matthew Holder, from Alabama, a network administrator with Marine Wing Headquarters Squadron (MWHS) 2, 2nd Marine Aircraft Wing, runs with the squadron colors at Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point, North Carolina, Nov. 5, 2025. U.S. Marines with MWHS-2 took part in a 250-mile relay run in celebration of the Marine Corps' 250th birthday. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Anakin Smith)

VMM-264’s reactivation adds an additional MV-22B Osprey squadron to 2nd MAW and II Marine Expeditionary Force, providing additional assault support capability. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. David Ornelas Baeza) - U.S. Marines with Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron (VMM) 264, Marine Aircraft Group 26, 2nd Marine Aircraft Wing, take part in a reactivation ceremony at Marine Corps Air Station New River, North Carolina, Dec. 11, 2025. VMM-264’s reactivation adds an additional MV-22B Osprey squadron to 2nd MAW and II Marine Expeditionary Force, providing additional assault support capability. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. David Ornelas Baeza)

The ceremony represented the squadron's transition from an all-weather F/A-18D Hornet squadron to an F-35B Lightning II squadron and signified the transfer of responsibility, authority, and accountability from Allen to Lt. Col John P. Stuart. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Gavin K. Kulczewski) - U.S. Marine Corps Sgt. Maj. Steven E. Buckom, from North Carolina, command senior enlisted leader, Marine All-Weather Fighter Attack Squadron (VMFA(AW)) 224, passes the Marine Corps colors to Lt. Col. Jarrod Allen, from California, the outgoing commanding officer of VMFA(AW)-224, during a squadron redesignation and change of command ceremony at Marine Corps Air Station Beaufort, South Carolina, June 26, 2025. The ceremony represented the squadron's transition from an all-weather F/A-18D Hornet squadron to an F-35B Lightning II squadron and signified the transfer of responsibility, authority, and accountability from Allen to Lt. Col John P. Stuart. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Gavin K. Kulczewski)

Stewart received the Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal for providing lifesaving immediate medical treatment and coordinating emergency medical care for a driver after a vehicle crash on Interstate 95 in Virginia on May 17, 2025. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Bryan Giraldo) - U.S. Marine Corps Col. Everett Good, left, from Missouri, commanding officer, Marine Aircraft Group (MAG) 29, and 1st Lt. Willie Stewart, from Colorado, a CH-53E Super Stallion student pilot with Marine Heavy Helicopter Training Squadron (HMHT) 302, shake hands during an award ceremony at Marine Corps Air Station New River, North Carolina, June 17, 2025. Stewart received the Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal for providing lifesaving immediate medical treatment and coordinating emergency medical care for a driver after a vehicle crash on Interstate 95 in Virginia on May 17, 2025. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Bryan Giraldo)

VMA-231 conducted a ceremony to celebrate its last Harrier flight before its deactivation in September. In 2026, the squadron will reactivate as Marine Fighter Attack Squadron 231 and prepare to operate the F-35B Lightning II Joint Strike Fighter. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Bryan Giraldo) - U.S. Marine Corps AV-8B Harrier II's with Marine Attack Squadron (VMA) 231 fly in formation during the squadron’s final flight ceremony at Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point, North Carolina, May 29, 2025. VMA-231 conducted a ceremony to celebrate its last Harrier flight before its deactivation in September. In 2026, the squadron will reactivate as Marine Fighter Attack Squadron 231 and prepare to operate the F-35B Lightning II Joint Strike Fighter. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Bryan Giraldo)

The April 2025 SLC brought together 2nd MAW O-6 and O-5 commanders, station commanders, their senior enlisted leaders, and 2nd MAW staff to enhance their understanding of key topics impacting 2nd MAW and improve mission effectiveness at each level of command. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Chief Warrant Officer 2 Akeel Austin) - U.S. Marine Corps Maj. Gen. William H. Swan, center, from Wisconsin, commanding general, 2nd Marine Aircraft Wing, poses for a photo with senior leaders and staff from across 2nd MAW during the April 2025 Senior Leaders Conference at Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point, North Carolina, April 1, 2025. The April 2025 SLC brought together 2nd MAW O-6 and O-5 commanders, station commanders, their senior enlisted leaders, and 2nd MAW staff to enhance their understanding of key topics impacting 2nd MAW and improve mission effectiveness at each level of command. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Chief Warrant Officer 2 Akeel Austin)

U.S. Navy Hospital Corpsman First Class Robert Zaruba, from Florida, an aeromedical safety corpsman with 2nd Marine Aircraft Wing, poses for a portrait at Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point, North Carolina, March. 28, 2025. Zaruba was named the Robert Graham Senior Enlisted Aerospace and Operational Physiology Professional of the Year for outstanding performance as an aeromedical safety corpsman. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. David Ornelas Baeza) - U.S. Navy Hospital Corpsman First Class Robert Zaruba, from Florida, an aeromedical safety corpsman with 2nd Marine Aircraft Wing, poses for a portrait at Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point, North Carolina, March. 28, 2025. Zaruba was named the Robert Graham Senior Enlisted Aerospace and Operational Physiology Professional of the Year for outstanding performance as an aeromedical safety corpsman. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. David Ornelas Baeza)

MWSS-272 deployed to the Bahamas to conduct aviation ground support rehearsals and refine distributed aviation operations for 2nd Marine Aircraft Wing. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Mya Seymour - U.S Marines with Marine Wing Support Squadron (MWSS) 272 refuel an MV-22B Osprey assigned to Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron (VMM) 162 at an expeditionary landing zone near the U.S. Navy's Atlantic Undersea Test and Evaluation Center on Andros Island, Bahamas, Mar. 2, 2025. MWSS-272 deployed to the Bahamas to conduct aviation ground support rehearsals and refine distributed aviation operations for 2nd Marine Aircraft Wing. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Mya Seymour)

VMFA-251 is the first East Coast-based Marine Corps squadron to employ the F-35C Lightning II, which is designed to operate from conventional aircraft carriers or land bases and provides operational flexibility and persistence to II Marine Expeditionary Force. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Orlanys Diaz Figueroa) - U.S. Marines with Marine Fighter Attack Squadron (VMFA) 251 march in formation during the reactivation ceremony for VMFA-251 at Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point, North Carolina, Dec. 5, 2024. VMFA-251 is the first East Coast-based Marine Corps squadron to employ the F-35C Lightning II, which is designed to operate from conventional aircraft carriers or land bases and provides operational flexibility and persistence to II Marine Expeditionary Force. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Orlanys Diaz Figueroa)