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, 2007

Lance Cpl. Seth Crawford, a plane captain for Marine All-Weather Fighter Attack Squadron 121, conducts a turnaround inspection on one of the squadron?s aircraft, May 16. Marines like Crawford work 12-hour shifts to ensure that the squadron aircraft are ready for flight. - Lance Cpl. Seth Crawford, a plane captain for Marine All-Weather Fighter Attack Squadron 121, conducts a turnaround inspection on one of the squadron?s aircraft, May 16. Marines like Crawford work 12-hour shifts to ensure that the squadron aircraft are ready for flight.

Supporting Marines on ground not just job for Green Knights

The Marine Corps’ aviation is geared to help the Marines on the ground. Whether it’s dropping bombs on the enemy, transporting supplies or extracting wounded warriors, Marines can always count on support from the Aircraft Wing. One of those squadrons providing that support is the “Green Knights” of Marine All-Weather Fighter Attack Squadron 121.

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AL ASAD, Iraq - Lt. Gen. James Mattis, the commander of U.S. Marine Corps Forces Central Command, talks to Marines from Marine Wing Support Group 27, May 6. Mattis spoke to members of Marine Wing Support Squadron 271's Incident Response Platoon and 2nd Low Altitude Air Defense Battalion and told them how their work impacted the Marine Corps' mission in Iraq. - AL ASAD, Iraq - Lt. Gen. James Mattis, the commander of U.S. Marine Corps Forces Central Command, talks to Marines from Marine Wing Support Group 27, May 6. Mattis spoke to members of Marine Wing Support Squadron 271's Incident Response Platoon and 2nd Low Altitude Air Defense Battalion and told them how their work impacted the Marine Corps' mission in Iraq.

MARCENT commander motivates Al Asad Marines

Marines on the flightline of Al Asad do not often get to hear how much their work helps their fellow warriors on the ground. They know their bombs are dropped on target and that the cargo makes it there in time, but they rarely get face to face with the Marines they support. One Marine recently came to Al Asad to tell the Marines just how much

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MAG-29 ‘War Eagles’ celebrate 35 years of service

In 1972 Marine Aircraft Group 29 was commissioned, 35 years later the group celebrated its birthday while serving in Iraq. The “War Eagles” of MAG-29 held a celebration to honor the Marines of the past and present, May 1. “This is a great opportunity to reflect on what we have done over the years,” said Col. Christopher Owens, the MAG-29

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Lance Cpl. Matthew Clayton Roberts, a CH-53E ?Super Stallion? crew chief with Marine Heavy Helicopter Squadron 465, is very proud of being a crew chief and the aircraft that he maintains, March 10. - Lance Cpl. Matthew Clayton Roberts, a CH-53E ?Super Stallion? crew chief with Marine Heavy Helicopter Squadron 465, is very proud of being a crew chief and the aircraft that he maintains, March 10.

Marine proves experience isn’t rank exclusive

Throughout the Marine Corps it is known that rank usually equates to experience, but on one combat flight one Marine proved that experience is not exclusive to senior ranking Marines. Lance Cpl. Matthew Clayton Roberts, a CH-53E “Super Stallion” crew chief with Marine Heavy Helicopter Squadron 465, was the most experienced section crew chief

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AL ASAD, Iraq- Brig. Gen. Timothy Hanifen, commanding officer 2nd Marine Aircraft Wing (Forward), pins chevrons on Master Chief Petty Officer Douglas Sprague, command master chief petty officer of 2nd MAW (Fwd.), during a promotion ceremony, April 30. Sprague was frocked to his current rank. - AL ASAD, Iraq- Brig. Gen. Timothy Hanifen, commanding officer 2nd Marine Aircraft Wing (Forward), pins chevrons on Master Chief Petty Officer Douglas Sprague, command master chief petty officer of 2nd MAW (Fwd.), during a promotion ceremony, April 30. Sprague was frocked to his current rank.

Dedication, superior performance help earn promotion

After filling the billet as the senior enlisted Sailor for 2nd Marine Aircraft Wing (Forward) as a senior chief petty officer since February, Master Chief Petty Officer Douglas Sprague, command master chief petty officer of 2nd MAW (Fwd.), was ready to accept a promotion. Sprague, who had filled similar billets before, was frocked to his present

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AL ASAD, Iraq - Cpl. Brian Morgan, a loadmaster with Marine Aerial Refueler Transport Squadron 252 Detachment Alpha, watches out the window of a C-130J "Hercules" as it takes off from the Al Asad flight line, April 25. Loadmasters act as a lookout in a combat zone, watching areas that the pilots can not. - AL ASAD, Iraq - Cpl. Brian Morgan, a loadmaster with Marine Aerial Refueler Transport Squadron 252 Detachment Alpha, watches out the window of a C-130J "Hercules" as it takes off from the Al Asad flight line, April 25. Loadmasters act as a lookout in a combat zone, watching areas that the pilots can not.

Herculean effort: loadmasters make C-130J a versatile aircraft

The C-130J “Hercules” is a versatile aircraft. In a combat environment, it can perform a wide variety of missions ranging from nighttime cargo drops to troop transport. All it takes is a simple reconfiguration of the cargo space in the belly of the aircraft.The Marines in charge of that space are known as loadmasters, and they are responsible for

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Lt. Col. Brian W. Cavanaugh, the Marine Heavy Helicopter Squadron 362 commanding officer speaks to the Marines and special guest of the squadron about the ?Ugly Angels? history during their birthday celebration, April. 30. The Ugly Angels celebrated 55 years of service. - Lt. Col. Brian W. Cavanaugh, the Marine Heavy Helicopter Squadron 362 commanding officer speaks to the Marines and special guest of the squadron about the ?Ugly Angels? history during their birthday celebration, April. 30. The Ugly Angels celebrated 55 years of service.

Ugly Angels: 55-years-old, still turning

History is about being the first at something. Lewis and Clark were first at completing a United States overland expedition to the Pacific coast and back, the Wright brothers were the first in flight, and the Marine Corps is known as the first to fight.Although the Marine Corps as a whole holds an illustrious history, individual units also have

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AL ASAD, Iraq- Adel Khalil Abdulla wipes the tears off his daughter Nehad's face, May 2. Nehad was injured by shrapnel during a terrorist attack while playing soccer outside of her house on April 25. - AL ASAD, Iraq- Adel Khalil Abdulla wipes the tears off his daughter Nehad's face, May 2. Nehad was injured by shrapnel during a terrorist attack while playing soccer outside of her house on April 25.

Iraqi children, policeman injured by insurgent attack recover with aid from American forces

A group of children were enjoying a game of soccer on a sunny Iraq afternoon, when suddenly several explosions changed their lives. A recent insurgent attack in Bobaly, a small village near Habinyah, left several families devastated. Four insurgents threw grenades at the group of playing children, April 25, killing two and injuring the rest.

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Sgt. James J. Creel, an infantryman currently assigned as the Anti-Terrorism Force Protection and ground training chief for Marine Aircraft Group 29 teaches a class for the Marine All-Weather Fighter Attack Squadron 121 quick reaction force, April 26. - Sgt. James J. Creel, an infantryman currently assigned as the Anti-Terrorism Force Protection and ground training chief for Marine Aircraft Group 29 teaches a class for the Marine All-Weather Fighter Attack Squadron 121 quick reaction force, April 26.

Grunt uses experience to ensure MAG-29, squadrons are secure

While deployed to Al Asad, Iraq, some Marines are working outside of their military occupational specialties doing anything from security to detaining suspicious personnel. One sergeant is using his experience to help ensure that those Marines are trained and ready for almost anything. Sgt. James J. Creel, an infantryman currently assigned as the

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AL TAQADDUM, Iraq- Cpl. Matthew Grimm, a Marine Medium Helicopter Squadron 262 CH-46E crew chief, fires test rounds, April 8. At the beginning of each flight the crew chiefs and aerial observers test fire each weapon on board. - AL TAQADDUM, Iraq- Cpl. Matthew Grimm, a Marine Medium Helicopter Squadron 262 CH-46E crew chief, fires test rounds, April 8. At the beginning of each flight the crew chiefs and aerial observers test fire each weapon on board.