VMFA-542 pilots conducted routine flight operations to maintain proficiency and achieve training objectives in support of 2nd Marine Aircraft Wing missions. The F-35B Lightning II is designed to meet an advanced threat while improving lethality, survivability, and supportability. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Warrant Officer Akeel Austin) - Two U.S. Marine Corps F-35B Lightning II jets with Marine Fighter Attack Squadron (VMFA) 542 taxi at Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point, North Carolina, Dec. 28, 2023. VMFA-542 pilots conducted routine flight operations to maintain proficiency and achieve training objectives in support of 2nd Marine Aircraft Wing missions. The F-35B Lightning II is designed to meet an advanced threat while improving lethality, survivability, and supportability. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Warrant Officer Akeel Austin)

This graphic illustration was created in Adobe Photoshop Oct. 16, 2023, to recognize the accomplishments of 2nd Lt. Robert Kiffs. (U.S. Marine Corps layout and design by Lance Cpl. Anakin Smith) - This graphic illustration was created in Adobe Photoshop Oct. 16, 2023, to recognize the accomplishments of 2nd Lt. Robert Kiffs. (U.S. Marine Corps layout and design by Lance Cpl. Anakin Smith)

Alrushdawi, an Orlando, Florida and Bagdad, Iraq native, joined the Marine Corps after being inspired by the work his father did as an interpreter alongside U.S. forces in Iraq during Operation Iraqi Freedom. MWSS 273 is a subordinate command of 2d MAW, the aviation combat element of II Marine Expeditionary Force. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Warrant Officer Akeel Austin) - U.S. Marine Corps Lance Cpl. Hasanein Alrushdawi a motor transport operator with Marine Wing Support Squadron (MWSS) 273, 2d Marine Aircraft Wing (MAW), looks on at Marine Corps Air Station Beaufort, South Carolina, Aug. 17, 2023. Alrushdawi, an Orlando, Florida and Bagdad, Iraq native, joined the Marine Corps after being inspired by the work his father did as an interpreter alongside U.S. forces in Iraq during Operation Iraqi Freedom. MWSS 273 is a subordinate command of 2d MAW, the aviation combat element of II Marine Expeditionary Force. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Warrant Officer Akeel Austin)

Fowle was selected for the Commandant’s Retention Program and reenlisted in the Marine Corps to give back to his Marines. MALS-14 is a subordinate unit of 2nd Marine Aircraft Wing, the aviation combat element of II Marine Expeditionary Force. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Christian Cortez) - U.S. Marine Corps Sgt. Jarid Fowle, an aviation precision-measurement equipment technician with Marine Aviation Logistics Squadron (MALS) 14, poses for a photo at Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point, North Carolina, July 26, 2023. Fowle was selected for the Commandant’s Retention Program and reenlisted in the Marine Corps to give back to his Marines. MALS-14 is a subordinate unit of 2nd Marine Aircraft Wing, the aviation combat element of II Marine Expeditionary Force. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Christian Cortez)

Gilmore discussed why he thinks Marines should reenlist and get the most out of their Marine Corps experience. MALS-14 is a subordinate unit of 2nd Marine Aircraft Wing, the aviation combat element of II Marine Expeditionary Force. (U.S. Marine Corps still image extracted from video by Cpl. Christian Cortez) - U.S. Marine Corps Sgt. Jacob Gilmore, an aviation-logistics information management systems specialist with Marine Aviation Logistics Squadron (MALS) 14, speaks during an interview at Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point, North Carolina, March 15, 2023. Gilmore discussed why he thinks Marines should reenlist and get the most out of their Marine Corps experience. MALS-14 is a subordinate unit of 2nd Marine Aircraft Wing, the aviation combat element of II Marine Expeditionary Force. (U.S. Marine Corps still image extracted from video by Cpl. Christian Cortez)

VMFA-542 received its first F-35B Lightning II jets and is the Marine Corps’ first East Coast operational F-35B Lightning II Joint Strike Fighter squadron. The arrival of the aircraft marks the beginning of F-35 deliveries to MCAS Cherry Point, continuing 2nd MAW’s operational transition from legacy fixed-wing tactical aircraft to the F-35. VMFA-542 is a subordinate unit of 2nd Marine Aircraft Wing, the aviation combat element of II Marine Expeditionary Force. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Anakin Smith) - Marine Fighter Attack Squadron (VMFA) 542 launches an F-35B Lightning II at Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point, North Carolina, May 31, 2023. VMFA-542 received its first F-35B Lightning II jets and is the Marine Corps’ first East Coast operational F-35B Lightning II Joint Strike Fighter squadron. The arrival of the aircraft marks the beginning of F-35 deliveries to MCAS Cherry Point, continuing 2nd MAW’s operational transition from legacy fixed-wing tactical aircraft to the F-35. VMFA-542 is a subordinate unit of 2nd Marine Aircraft Wing, the aviation combat element of II Marine Expeditionary Force. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Anakin Smith)

U.S. Marine Corps Cpl. Jose Arispe and Cpl. John Graham, both unmanned aerial vehicle avionics technicians with VMU-2, were awarded certificates of commendation for their actions in response to a vehicle crash while off duty. VMU-2 is a subordinate unit of 2nd Marine Aircraft Wing, the aviation combat element of II Marine Expeditionary Force. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Elias E. Pimentel III) - U.S. Marine Corps Sgt. Maj. Thomas Smith, the sergeant major of Marine Unmanned Aerial Vehicle Squadron (VMU) 2, reads an award citation at Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point, North Carolina, May 22, 2023. U.S. Marine Corps Cpl. Jose Arispe and Cpl. John Graham, both unmanned aerial vehicle avionics technicians with VMU-2, were awarded certificates of commendation for their actions in response to a vehicle crash while off duty. VMU-2 is a subordinate unit of 2nd Marine Aircraft Wing, the aviation combat element of II Marine Expeditionary Force. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Elias E. Pimentel III)

The L-MADIS is an electronic-attack system that counters unmanned-aircraft system by nonkinetic capabilities to destroy or negate aerial threats. 2nd LAAD is a subordinate unit of 2nd Marine Aircraft Wing, the aviation combat element of II Marine Expeditionary Force. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Sgt. Servante R. Coba) - U.S. Marine Corps Pfc. Clayton Hilemon (left) and Sgt. Alexander Locconielsen (right), a low-altitude air-defense gunners with 2nd Low Altitude Air Defense Battalion (LAAD), points to a drone during a demonstration with the Light Marine Air Defense Integrated System, or L-MADIS, at Marine Corps Outlying Landing Field Atlantic, North Carolina, Oct. 18, 2022. The L-MADIS is an electronic-attack system that counters unmanned-aircraft system by nonkinetic capabilities to destroy or negate aerial threats. 2nd LAAD is a subordinate unit of 2nd Marine Aircraft Wing, the aviation combat element of II Marine Expeditionary Force. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Sgt. Servante R. Coba)

VMFAT-501 deployed to NAS JRB New Orleans to increase entry-level pilots' proficiency in offensive-air support, electronic warfare, and routine flight operations for their future fleet assignments. VMFAT-501 is a subordinate unit of 2nd Marine Aircraft Wing, the aviation combat element of II Marine Expeditionary Force. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Elias E. Pimentel III) - U.S. Marines with Marine Fighter Attack Training Squadron (VMFAT) 501 fly four F-35B Lightning II fighter jets over Naval Air Station Joint Reserve Base New Orleans, Louisiana, Oct. 24, 2022. VMFAT-501 deployed to NAS JRB New Orleans to increase entry-level pilots' proficiency in offensive-air support, electronic warfare, and routine flight operations for their future fleet assignments. VMFAT-501 is a subordinate unit of 2nd Marine Aircraft Wing, the aviation combat element of II Marine Expeditionary Force. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Elias E. Pimentel III)