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: July, 2005

2nd Marine Division - 2nd Marine Division

Florida Marine leans forward for the Black Knights

Some Marines are drawn to service by a strong military heritage, while others are drawn to it by a small unexplainable call to duty. For Lance Cpl. Matt Aronson, a CH-46 crew chief with Marine Medium Helicopter Squadron 264 it seemed like joining the Corps was the way to begin his career. While attending Florida Atlantic University in 2002, Aronson

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AL ASAD, Iraq - Corporal Eric Hilker, a loadmaster with Marine Aerial Refueler Transport Squadron 252 and Ithaca, N.Y., native, directs a vehicle onto the KC-130J here July 28. The KC-130J is used to transport cargo and passengers throughout Iraq, along with mid-air refueling. - AL ASAD, Iraq - Corporal Eric Hilker, a loadmaster with Marine Aerial Refueler Transport Squadron 252 and Ithaca, N.Y., native, directs a vehicle onto the KC-130J here July 28. The KC-130J is used to transport cargo and passengers throughout Iraq, along with mid-air refueling.

‘Otis’ provides logistics support for Marines in Iraq

The Marines of Marine Aerial Refueler Transport Squadron 252 are known for their ability to refuel aircraft and extend the time fighter jets and some helicopters can stay in the fight. But that is not their only mission. Almost nightly, the squadron provides vital logistic support to Marines throughout Iraq. From shipping cargo to helping Marines

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AL ASAD, Iraq ? Marines from Marine Tactical Electronic Warfare Squadron 1 conduct daily and turnaround inspections on an EA-6B Prowler July 28. The ?Banshees? of VMAQ-1 arrived here recently to support the mission of Multi-National Forces Iraq by using the cutting edge technology in their aircraft. - AL ASAD, Iraq ? Marines from Marine Tactical Electronic Warfare Squadron 1 conduct daily and turnaround inspections on an EA-6B Prowler July 28. The ?Banshees? of VMAQ-1 arrived here recently to support the mission of Multi-National Forces Iraq by using the cutting edge technology in their aircraft.

Prowling Banshees arrive in Al Asad ready for action

The “Banshees” of Marine Tactical Electronic Warfare Squadron 1 arrived here recently to help protect service members on the battlefield with the cutting edge technology in their EA-6B Prowlers. They replace the “Seahawks” of VMAQ-4, who returned to Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point, N.C., after spending six months here in support of the

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AL ASAD, Iraq?Gunnery Sgt. Michael R. Montoya, security guard commander, and Virginia Beach, Va., native, is in charge of security for the Tactical Air Command Center of the forward deployed 2nd Marine Aircraft Wing. Montoya is also the drum major for the 2nd Marine Aircraft Wing Band, in Cherry Point, N.C. - AL ASAD, Iraq?Gunnery Sgt. Michael R. Montoya, security guard commander, and Virginia Beach, Va., native, is in charge of security for the Tactical Air Command Center of the forward deployed 2nd Marine Aircraft Wing. Montoya is also the drum major for the 2nd Marine Aircraft Wing Band, in Cherry Point, N.C.

Drum major plays a new 'gig' for Iraqi Freedom

The tap of the drum sounds as the different platoons move into position. Muskets loaded, the platoon commander orders his men forward, they move in step without hesitation; the drummer sets the pace. The responsibilities of military bands have changed over the years, but their combat mission is still required today. Most Americans see military

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AL ASAD, Iraq ? Corporal Thomas A. Baroody, Marine Light/Attack Helicopter Squadron 269 helicopter mechanic and plane captain from Bath, N.Y., inspects and cleans the transmission on an AH-1W Super Cobra during daily and turnaround inspections July 20. The mechanics have been conducting an average of four to five daily and turnaround inspections per day since arriving here to support Operation Iraqi Freedom. - AL ASAD, Iraq ? Corporal Thomas A. Baroody, Marine Light/Attack Helicopter Squadron 269 helicopter mechanic and plane captain from Bath, N.Y., inspects and cleans the transmission on an AH-1W Super Cobra during daily and turnaround inspections July 20. The mechanics have been conducting an average of four to five daily and turnaround inspections per day since arriving here to support Operation Iraqi Freedom.

Flightline Marines keep Gunrunner helos rocking steady

Every flying squadron, whether it has helicopters or jets, is composed of several sections instrumental in its ability to get the job done. One such section is flightline, often thought of as a squadron’s backbone. Here since February, Marine Light/Attack Helicopter Squadron 269 is a squadron with two types of aircraft in its inventory.

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AL ASAD, Iraq ? Corporals James Majors, a native of Salem, Ore., and Joshua Drummond, a Watson, La., native, both avionics technicians with Marine Heavy Helicopter Squadron 465, inspect the wiring connected to the clutch bottle on a CH-53E here July 29. The avionics division is the first shop called to troubleshoot most malfunctions with the aircraft. - AL ASAD, Iraq ? Corporals James Majors, a native of Salem, Ore., and Joshua Drummond, a Watson, La., native, both avionics technicians with Marine Heavy Helicopter Squadron 465, inspect the wiring connected to the clutch bottle on a CH-53E here July 29. The avionics division is the first shop called to troubleshoot most malfunctions with the aircraft.

Warhorse avionics keeps wires hot through continuous education

Flying more than 700 hours a month can take a toll on any squadron. The Warhorses of Marine Heavy Helicopter Squadron 465 take it in stride, thanks to their outstanding maintenance crew, to include their avionics shop The avionics shop consists of Marines responsible for the multiple miles of wiring in each of the squadron’s CH-53E Super Stallions.

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AL ASAD, Iraq ? Corporal Jennifer Massana, an F/A-18 airframe mechanic with Marine All-Weather Fighter Attack Squadron 224 and Miami, native, services the nose landing gear of a fighter jet here July 25. The airframes division is responsible for helping conduct scheduled maintenance inspections on every Bengal aircraft every 200 hours it is flown. - AL ASAD, Iraq ? Corporal Jennifer Massana, an F/A-18 airframe mechanic with Marine All-Weather Fighter Attack Squadron 224 and Miami, native, services the nose landing gear of a fighter jet here July 25. The airframes division is responsible for helping conduct scheduled maintenance inspections on every Bengal aircraft every 200 hours it is flown.

Fighting Bengal airframes division keeps Hornets buzzing

As the Fighting Bengals of Marine All-Weather Fighter Attack Squadron 224 prepare to return stateside, their Marines can reflect on the great work they accomplished while deployed in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom. The different maintenance shops can take pride in the fact that they contributed to their unit’s success by providing quality

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AL TAQADDUM, Iraq ? Lance Cpl. Rusty Young, a mechanic with Marine Wing Support Squadron 371 and Redding, Calif., native, repairs a universal joint on a rear drive shaft on a self-loading trailer here. The maintenance platoon is made up of welders and mechanics who work together to repair vehicles for here. - AL TAQADDUM, Iraq ? Lance Cpl. Rusty Young, a mechanic with Marine Wing Support Squadron 371 and Redding, Calif., native, repairs a universal joint on a rear drive shaft on a self-loading trailer here. The maintenance platoon is made up of welders and mechanics who work together to repair vehicles for here.

Sand Shark mechanics keep Al Taqaddum’s engines running

From providing rescue and firefighting to fuel delivery services, the Sand Sharks of Marine Wing Support Squadron 371 have multiple tasks while deployed in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom. One of the most important ones is vehicle maintenance. Without the efforts of the motor transportation maintenance platoon many vehicles would sit unusable

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AL ASAD, Iraq ? General Michael W. Hagee, commandant of the Marine Corps, addresses Marines and sailors with Combat Logistics Battalion 2 before presenting them with his challenge coin July 25. Some of the service members here were presented with the commandant?s coin for their outstanding contributions in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom. - AL ASAD, Iraq ? General Michael W. Hagee, commandant of the Marine Corps, addresses Marines and sailors with Combat Logistics Battalion 2 before presenting them with his challenge coin July 25. Some of the service members here were presented with the commandant?s coin for their outstanding contributions in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom.

Commandant, Sergeant Major of the Marine Corps visit Al Asad

The Commandant of the Marine Corps Gen. Michael W. Hagee, visited Marines and sailors here July 25 accompanied by Sgt. Maj. John L. Estrada, sergeant major of the Marine Corps. “I’m here for two reasons,” said Hagee. “I want to talk to the Marines and sailors and see how they’re doing and I want to ensure they’re maintaining operational situational

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AL TAQADDUM, Iraq - Lance Cpl. Devin Walker, an expeditionary crewmember with Marine Wing Support Squadron 371 and Tulare, Calif., native, programs a light on the flightline here. - AL TAQADDUM, Iraq - Lance Cpl. Devin Walker, an expeditionary crewmember with Marine Wing Support Squadron 371 and Tulare, Calif., native, programs a light on the flightline here.