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: May, 2005

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VMGR-252 pilots "J" model to continued success

In the skies over Western Iraq, 18,000 feet above troops in contact with the enemy, an F/A-18C Hornet pilot comes on the radio during an aerial refueling. “Sorry guys, I have to go, they need me down there,” he says to the pilots of a KC-130J Hercules, and he is gone, over the horizon to support the Marines on the ground. The above

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AL ASAD, Iraq (May 9, 2005) - Cpl. Brandon C. Hall, airframes mechanic and native of Houston, prepares to replace and service the hydraulic fluid on one of Marine All Weather Fighter Attack Squadron 224's F/A-18D Hornets. Hall and the Marines of VMFA(AW)-224 have recently surpassed 3,000 combat flight hours since their arrival here in January. - AL ASAD, Iraq (May 9, 2005) - Cpl. Brandon C. Hall, airframes mechanic and native of Houston, prepares to replace and service the hydraulic fluid on one of Marine All Weather Fighter Attack Squadron 224's F/A-18D Hornets. Hall and the Marines of VMFA(AW)-224 have recently surpassed 3,000 combat flight hours since their arrival here in January.

Bengals continue fight in Iraqi skies

The Fighting Bengals of Marine All Weather Fighter Attack Squadron 224 have achieved a milestone by logging more than 3,000 combat flight hours and 1,400 combat sorties in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom. Well on their way to 4,000 hours, the hard work and dedication of the Marines and sailors of VMFA(AW)-224 have enabled the squadron to

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CAMP BLUE DIAMOND, RAMADI, Iraq (May 7, 2005) - Marine tactical vehicles and tractor trailer trucks pull into Camp Blue Diamond in the early morning hours after making the trip from Al Asad. The Marines of 2nd Low Altitude Air Defense Battalion, Bravo Co., 2nd Platoon have been providing security for convoys during the last three months. - CAMP BLUE DIAMOND, RAMADI, Iraq (May 7, 2005) - Marine tactical vehicles and tractor trailer trucks pull into Camp Blue Diamond in the early morning hours after making the trip from Al Asad. The Marines of 2nd Low Altitude Air Defense Battalion, Bravo Co., 2nd Platoon have been providing security for convoys during the last three months.

Air-defense gunners set standard for convoy security

Practice makes perfect. The more you sweat in peace, the less you bleed in war. Train like you fight. These sayings have rung true for the Marines of 2nd Low Altitude Air Defense Battalion, Bravo Company as they completed three months of convoy security in the eastern Al Anbar province safe and sound. A unique mission for Marines formally trained

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AL ASAD, Iraq ? Radio personalities Tony and Kris, from US 95.7 in San Diego, chat with Cpl. Kelly K. Potts, maintenance administration clerk with Marine Medium Heavy Helicopter Squadron 465 and Hallsville, Texas, native, after recording her sending a message to her husband and her best friend in San Diego on May 4. The disc jockeys were embedded aboard this former Iraqi air base to personally thank service members for their service in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom and the Global War on Terrorism. - AL ASAD, Iraq ? Radio personalities Tony and Kris, from US 95.7 in San Diego, chat with Cpl. Kelly K. Potts, maintenance administration clerk with Marine Medium Heavy Helicopter Squadron 465 and Hallsville, Texas, native, after recording her sending a message to her husband and her best friend in San Diego on May 4. The disc jockeys were embedded aboard this former Iraqi air base to personally thank service members for their service in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom and the Global War on Terrorism.

San Diego radio personalities make waves in Al Asad

Flying from San Diego to this former Iraqi air base has become almost an annual event for some of the Marines and sailors here. For others, not in the armed forces, it’s a new and unforgettable experience. The jet lag, jam-packed transient tents, uncomfortable cots, cold showers (or no showers at all) and other details of traveling around military

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Marine explosive ordnance disposal technicians from Marine Wing Support Squadron 271 prepare to investigate an improvised explosive device along the road. The MWSS-271 team is responsible for the safe and proper disposal of explosive ordnance throughout the air base and surrounding area. - Marine explosive ordnance disposal technicians from Marine Wing Support Squadron 271 prepare to investigate an improvised explosive device along the road. The MWSS-271 team is responsible for the safe and proper disposal of explosive ordnance throughout the air base and surrounding area.

Wing EOD team serves Al Asad

One of the greatest and most dangerous obstacles Marines face while supporting struggle for freedom and the security of the people of Iraq is the improvised explosive device. One of the most persistent obstacles insurgents who employ these devices face is the Marines and sailors of Explosive Ordnance Disposal. The Marine Wing Support Squadron 271

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AL ASAD, Iraq ? Lt. Col. Jeffery A. Baumert, incoming commanding officer, Marine Fighter Attack Squadron 142, receives the squadron colors from Lt. Col. Charles B. Sagebiel, outgoing commander, May 6. Baumert served as the squadron's executive officer and takes command from Sagebiel, who led the Gators to Iraq in the first deployment to combat in 50 years for a reserve fixed wing fighter squadron. - AL ASAD, Iraq ? Lt. Col. Jeffery A. Baumert, incoming commanding officer, Marine Fighter Attack Squadron 142, receives the squadron colors from Lt. Col. Charles B. Sagebiel, outgoing commander, May 6. Baumert served as the squadron's executive officer and takes command from Sagebiel, who led the Gators to Iraq in the first deployment to combat in 50 years for a reserve fixed wing fighter squadron.

Gators welcome new commander

Lt. Col. Charles B. Sagebiel relinquished command of Marine Fighter Attack Squadron 142, passing the squadron’s colors to Lt. Col. Jeffery A. Baumert during a change of command ceremony here May 6. In a brief ceremony Sagebiel said good-bye as Baumert took the helm two months into the squadron’s deployment in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom.

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102921_2741 -- NICK & JESSICA'S TOUR OF DUTY - America's favorite young married couple, Nick Lachey and Jessica Simpson, multi-platinum artists known from their hit MTV series "Newlyweds," take their variety show on the road to star in "Nick & Jessica's Tour of Duty." In the vein of the popular Bob Hope classics, Nick and Jessica will travel overseas to bring a touch of home to our men and women in uniform. Like their previous specials, the duo will showcase their singing and comedic talents in musical performances with such guests as Willie Nelson, Big & Rich, Brian McKnight, Jimmy Kimmel and Drew Lachey, plus they'll be delivering some emotional surprises from home. "Nick & Jessica's Tour of Duty" airs MONDAY, MAY 23 (9:00-11:00 p.m., ET), on the ABC Television Network. (ABC/CRAIG SJODIN)::n::SGT. ACERO AND FAMILY - 102921_2741 -- NICK & JESSICA'S TOUR OF DUTY - America's favorite young married couple, Nick Lachey and Jessica Simpson, multi-platinum artists known from their hit MTV series "Newlyweds," take their variety show on the road to star in "Nick & Jessica's Tour of Duty." In the vein of the popular Bob Hope classics, Nick and Jessica will travel overseas to bring a touch of home to our men and women in uniform. Like their previous specials, the duo will showcase their singing and comedic talents in musical performances with such guests as Willie Nelson, Big & Rich, Brian McKnight, Jimmy Kimmel and Drew Lachey, plus they'll be delivering some emotional surprises from home. "Nick & Jessica's Tour of Duty" airs MONDAY, MAY 23 (9:00-11:00 p.m., ET), on the ABC Television Network. (ABC/CRAIG SJODIN)::n::SGT. ACERO AND FAMILY

Harrier mechanic reunites with parents on national television

An AV-8B Harrier mechanic with Marine Attack Squadron 311 was reunited with his parents at a United Service Organizations concert special in Ramstein Air Base, Germany, recently. Sgt. Doug Acero, an avionics technician with VMA-311 has been deployed to Al Asad, Iraq, since November 2004. He served with the ‘Tomcats’ of VMA-311 and augmented

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Service members pause for National Day of Prayer

Service members gathered this morning for food, fellowship and prayer as Marines, sailors and soldiers here observed the National Day of Prayer. The National Day of Prayer was established as an annual event in 1952 by a joint resolution of the United States Congress and signed into law by President Harry S. Truman. The observance of the National

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AL ASAD, Iraq ? Sgt. James W. Battisti (right), from Little Falls, N.Y., reviews equipment-receiving forms with Staff Sgt. Eric P. Baker, supply chief assigned to Marine Wing Support Group 27 and Burnsville, N.C., native, April 30. Battisti fills in 10 positions in Marine Air Control Squadron 1, Air Traffic Control Detachment Alpha. - AL ASAD, Iraq ? Sgt. James W. Battisti (right), from Little Falls, N.Y., reviews equipment-receiving forms with Staff Sgt. Eric P. Baker, supply chief assigned to Marine Wing Support Group 27 and Burnsville, N.C., native, April 30. Battisti fills in 10 positions in Marine Air Control Squadron 1, Air Traffic Control Detachment Alpha.

Little Falls native helps detachment stay afloat

The Marines from Marine Air Control Squadron 1, Air Traffic Control Detachment Alpha don’t have to look for many of the personnel in the unit. Whenever they want to locate their maintenance management officer, supply officer, supply chief, logistics chief, embarkation chief, ammunition chief, headquarters section leader, supply clerk, barracks

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AL ASAD, Iraq ? A CH-53E Super Stallion from Marine Heavy Helicopter Squadron 465 approaches a hulk as Marines from a Combat Logistics Battalion 2 helicopter support team wait to hook the vehicle to the helicopter May 2. One Super Stallion from HMH-465 moved six hulks of Russian armored vehicles and avoided risking Marines? lives and damages to ground transportation equipment. - AL ASAD, Iraq ? A CH-53E Super Stallion from Marine Heavy Helicopter Squadron 465 approaches a hulk as Marines from a Combat Logistics Battalion 2 helicopter support team wait to hook the vehicle to the helicopter May 2. One Super Stallion from HMH-465 moved six hulks of Russian armored vehicles and avoided risking Marines? lives and damages to ground transportation equipment.