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

Archive: April, 2005

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.

Chemical brothers unite

Marines have always been known for their ingenuity and ability to adapt and overcome to accomplish any mission they face. The Marines of the 2nd Marine Aircraft Wing (Forward) Nuclear, Biological and Chemical section stand as a testament to this reputation, tackling the important task of ensuring the readiness of the service members here.

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Markham assumes command of security battalion's company in Iraq

In a small ceremony held outside the Base Defense Operations Center here April 12, Capt. Scott E. Cobb relinquished command of Alpha Company, Provisional Security Battalion, to Capt. William J. Markham. Cobb, from Cross Lanes, W.V., assumed command of the company in June 2003. “They’re motivated and dedicated and they’re a fine bunch of men to

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AL ASAD, Iraq (April 8, 2005) - Cpl. Michael A. Morton, border patrol instructor and native of Brownville Junction, Maine, helps an Iraqi Border Patrolman load a magazine during marksmanship training here. Morton and his fellow instructors trained 45 patrolmen, who graduated the three-week course April 9. - AL ASAD, Iraq (April 8, 2005) - Cpl. Michael A. Morton, border patrol instructor and native of Brownville Junction, Maine, helps an Iraqi Border Patrolman load a magazine during marksmanship training here. Morton and his fellow instructors trained 45 patrolmen, who graduated the three-week course April 9.

Iraqi border patrolmen ready, prepared

“It is written, ‘God will raise up strong men in difficult times.’ This is a difficult time and I believe that you are the strong men who will be the heroes of Iraq,” said Col. Kent W. Bradford to the graduating class of Iraqi Border Patrolmen. After completing a three-week advanced course in tactics, techniques and procedures, 45 Iraqi Border

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MAG-13 units demonstrate flexibility in a combat zone

With operations in Iraq, Afghanistan and other locations around the globe the Marine Corps’ operational tempo is at an all time high. Proof is in the deployment schedule of Marine Aircraft Group 13 based at Marine Corps Air Station, Yuma, Ariz. Every squadron in MAG-13 has deployed to Iraq at least one detachment in the past year to support the

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AL ASAD, Iraq -- Airman 1st Class Kristian Dela Cruz, an air cargo specialist from Sunnyvale, Calif., loads ordnance onto a logistics vehicle after offloading a C-5 Galaxy cargo plane April 2. A detachment of 19 airmen from the 332nd Expeditionary Logistics Readiness Squadron is here helping units in western Iraq accomplish their mission in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom. - AL ASAD, Iraq -- Airman 1st Class Kristian Dela Cruz, an air cargo specialist from Sunnyvale, Calif., loads ordnance onto a logistics vehicle after offloading a C-5 Galaxy cargo plane April 2. A detachment of 19 airmen from the 332nd Expeditionary Logistics Readiness Squadron is here helping units in western Iraq accomplish their mission in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom.

Air Force cargo specialists make a thing go right

Among the thousands of Marines, soldiers and sailors here are a few airmen who could almost go unnoticed. Though their job is done behind the scenes, this tiny part of the combined services team makes a gigantic difference through their daily efforts. Nineteen airmen with the 332nd Expeditionary Logistics Readiness Squadron (Operational Location A)

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AL ASAD,Iraq-Lance Cpl. Michael Hahn, machine gunner, 3/2 keeps an eye on his fellow Lima Company Marines while they question an Iraqi civilian during their patrol, April 4. - AL ASAD,Iraq-Lance Cpl. Michael Hahn, machine gunner, 3/2 keeps an eye on his fellow Lima Company Marines while they question an Iraqi civilian during their patrol, April 4.

Lima 3/2 aids 2nd MAW security with exterior patrols

Installation plays a vital security plays a vital role in repelling enemy attacks. Regardless of the threat level security Marines serve as a deterrent for the possible terrorist attacks, however the volatile environment of Iraq can place these Marines in harms way at any moment. Putting pressure on the enemy and maintaining the initiative is the

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AL ASAD, Iraq -- Charles D. Sexton, a CH-53E mechanic and Jacksonville, N.C. native, and Justin M. Fera, a CH-53E mechanic from Shelton, Conn., pressure wash the fuselage of a CH-53E Super Stallion before inspecting the aircraft for structural fatigue April 5. Fifteen Marine veterans with Sikorsky Support Services, Inc. are here assisting the squadrons keep the CH-53E helicopters from having structural problems. - AL ASAD, Iraq -- Charles D. Sexton, a CH-53E mechanic and Jacksonville, N.C. native, and Justin M. Fera, a CH-53E mechanic from Shelton, Conn., pressure wash the fuselage of a CH-53E Super Stallion before inspecting the aircraft for structural fatigue April 5. Fifteen Marine veterans with Sikorsky Support Services, Inc. are here assisting the squadrons keep the CH-53E helicopters from having structural problems.

Sikorsky mechs pony up, keep Super Stallions trotting

The saying ‘Once a Marine, always a Marine’ means whoever earns the title United States Marine retains it for life. True to that motto are the men of Sikorsky Support Services, Inc., and although they`ve left the Corps, they deployed here to help get the mission accomplished. Day after day, the Sikorsky representatives work on keeping the CH-53E

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AL ASAD, Iraq- Corporal Will Knies, electrician, Marine All-Weather Fighter Attack Squadron 224 stands next to his father, Chief Warrant Officer Bart Knies, product control officer, 571st Medical Company (Air Ambulance) here. Father and son are serving here with their respective units at the same time. - AL ASAD, Iraq- Corporal Will Knies, electrician, Marine All-Weather Fighter Attack Squadron 224 stands next to his father, Chief Warrant Officer Bart Knies, product control officer, 571st Medical Company (Air Ambulance) here. Father and son are serving here with their respective units at the same time.