2nd MAW News

2nd Marine Aircraft Wing releases command investigation into F-35B Lightning II mishap in South Carolina on Sept. 17, 2023

The command investigation into the F-35B Lightning II mishap in South Carolina Sept. 17, 2023, has been completed by the 2nd Marine Aircraft Wing (MAW) investigating officer and endorsed by the commanding general of 2nd MAW.

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Lt. Col. Steele accepted the Von Steuben Superior Unit Performance Award on behalf of 2nd MAW for their outstanding performance during their Comprehensive Command Inspection, demonstrating high levels of efficiency, integrity, and institutional readiness and setting the standard for other units to emulate through their performance during an IGMC inspection. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Darien Wright) - U.S. Marine Corps Brig. Gen. Adam Chalkley the inspector general of the Marine Corps, left, pose for photo with Lt. Col. Robert Steele a command inspector general with 2nd Marine Aircraft Wing at the Alfred M. Gray Marine Corps Research Center on Marine Corps Base Quantico, Virginia, Oct. 22, 2024. Lt. Col. Steele accepted the Von Steuben Superior Unit Performance Award on behalf of 2nd MAW for their outstanding performance during their Comprehensive Command Inspection, demonstrating high levels of efficiency, integrity, and institutional readiness and setting the standard for other units to emulate through their performance during an IGMC inspection. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Darien Wright)

2nd Marine Aircraft Wing recognized for superior inspection performance with the General Friedrich von Steuben Superior Unit Performance Award

2nd Marine Aircraft Wing (MAW) was recognized with the inaugural General Friedrich von Steuben Superior Unit Performance Award for superior performance during the Comprehensive Command Inspection (CCI), conducted earlier this year by the Inspector General of the Marine Corps (IGMC).

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VMFA-533 received their first F-35B Lightning II jet, marking their transition from the F/A-18 Hornet to the F-35B. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Bryan Giraldo) - U.S. Marine Corps Lt. Col. Zachary Hartnett, from Illinois and the commanding officer of Marine Fighter Attack Squadron (VMFA) 533, taxis an F-35B Lightning II jet at Marine Corps Air Station Beaufort, South Carolina, Oct. 11, 2024. VMFA-533 received their first F-35B Lightning II jet, marking their transition from the F/A-18 Hornet to the F-35B. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Bryan Giraldo)

VMFA-533 becomes first operational F-35 squadron aboard MCAS Beaufort to receive aircraft

Marine Fighter Attack Squadron (VMFA) 533, Marine Aircraft Group (MAG) 31, 2nd Marine Aircraft Wing (MAW), received its first F-35B Lightning II jet today aboard Marine Corps Air Station (MCAS) Beaufort, South Carolina.

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VMFA-251 became the first East Coast-based Marine Corps squadron to receive the F-35C, designed to operate from conventional aircraft carriers or land bases and provides operational flexibility and persistence to II Marine Expeditionary Force. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Orlanys Diaz Figueroa) - U.S. Marine Corps Lt. Col. Evan Shockley, from Virginia and commanding officer, Marine Fighter Attack Squadron (VMFA) 251, taxis an F-35C Lightning Il at Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point, North Carolina, Sept. 17, 2024. VMFA-251 became the first East Coast-based Marine Corps squadron to receive the F-35C, designed to operate from conventional aircraft carriers or land bases and provides operational flexibility and persistence to II Marine Expeditionary Force. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Orlanys Diaz Figueroa)

VMFA-251 receives first F-35, the first East Coast-based Marine Corps F-35C to arrive

Marine Fighter Attack Squadron (VMFA) 251, Marine Aircraft Group (MAG) 14, 2nd Marine Aircraft Wing (MAW), received its first F-35C Lightning II jet aboard Marine Corps Air Station (MCAS) Cherry Point, North Carolina, Sept. 17, 2024.

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Anderton recently won a 2nd Marine Aircraft Wing (MAW) cowbell award, which recognizes and encourages members of 2nd MAW to actively seek out and implement innovations, improvements, and best practices that enhance collective performance and readiness. The cowbell award helps 2nd MAW foster a culture of continuous improvement driven by individual and shared excellence. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Staff. Sgt. Theodore Bergan) - U.S. Marine Corps Lance Cpl. Parker Anderton, from Maine, a heavy equipment mechanic with Marine Wing Support Squadron (MWSS) 271, poses for a photo at Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point, North Carolina Aug. 22, 2024. Anderton recently won a 2nd Marine Aircraft Wing (MAW) cowbell award, which recognizes and encourages members of 2nd MAW to actively seek out and implement innovations, improvements, and best practices that enhance collective performance and readiness. The cowbell award helps 2nd MAW foster a culture of continuous improvement driven by individual and shared excellence. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Staff. Sgt. Theodore Bergan)

Lance Cpl. Parker Anderton wins 2nd MAW Cowbell Award

Recognizing inefficiencies in existing processes, Lance Cpl. Parker Anderton, from Maine, a 1341 Heavy Equipment Mechanic with Marine Wing Support Squadron (MWSS) 271, 2nd Marine Aircraft Wing (MAW), took it upon himself to develop a more effective troubleshooting system to mitigate those inefficiencies in MWSS-271’s maintenance and repair process.

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Captain Jason Kellam's three Marine Corps lives: Service as an enlisted Marine, warrant officer and limited duty officer

U.S. Marine Corps Capt. Jason Kellam serves in the 2nd Marine Aircraft Wing (MAW) as the assistant operations officer in the G-6 communications section. Throughout his twenty-year career he served first as an enlisted Marine, earning the rank of staff sergeant, then commissioned into the warrant officer program, earning the rank of Chief Warrant Officer 3. He now serves as a limited duty officer (LDO) at the rank of Captain. For Kellam, leading within each rank structure came not only with different expectations, but also provided different opportunities. Kellam initially considered joining the Marine Corps during his senior year in high school. Unsure of which jobs were available, at first he decided against joining. Later, faced with a growing family, he decided to enlist with a signing bonus into the 2841 military occupational specialty (MOS), ground radio repairer, now called ground electronics transmission systems maintainer. His early enlisted years included a deployment to Iraq as a member of a provisional rifle company, which in part inspired him to reenlist. "Other reasons that helped [me] to make the decision was that it was 2008, the housing market and economy had crashed, unemployment was high, and the Marine Corps was offering me a sizeable bonus, a decent duty station, and four years of employment," said Kellum. After achieving the rank of staff sergeant during his second enlistment and deploying twice to Okinawa with 3rd Battalion, 3rd Marine Regiment as an electronics maintenance chief, Kellam began considering the Marine Corps warrant officer program. “These were the people in my MOS community that were able to make things happen,” Kellam said. “I enjoy solving complex problems and projects and that’s what warrant officers in my community do.” The warrant officer program is designed to provide the Marine Corps with technical specialists who perform duties that require extensive knowledge of a particular military occupational specialty, and can be assigned successive tours of duty in their primary MOS. After his appointment to Warrant Officer, Kellam was assigned to Communications Company, 4th Marine Division, and served as site support staff. After seeing the positive impacts made on the local community by the Marine Corps, Kellam then decided to request a commission as a limited duty officer (LDO). “Senior chief warrant officers in my MOS tend to stay more technically engaged with equipment specifics,” said Kellam. “LDOs tend to become more engaged with policies and procedures and also have opportunities to be company commanders.” Kellam decided to go the LDO route because he enjoyed working on large scale projects and leading Marines. The Marine Corps LDO program is designed to provide technically oriented officers to perform duties that are limited to specific occupational specialties, require authority and responsibility greater than that normally expected of a warrant officer, require strong managerial skills, and are outside the normal development pattern for unrestricted officers or for which no unrestricted officers are available. “It was rewarding to help young Marines develop new skills and mentor them in as many areas as I could,” Kellam said. “I realized that the scope of impact would be much larger as a limited duty officer and it is one of the things I’ve tremendously enjoyed, influencing Marines and having an impact on what we do and how we do it.” Since becoming an LDO and serving as a Captain, Kellam has been able to provide an even wider influence both within 2nd MAW and across his occupational field. Twice each year, Kellam participates in the ground electronics maintenance advisory group, a Marine Corps-wide event in which senior leaders and available ranks from the community gather to deliver updates, discuss issues, and work on projects regarding topics of interest to the community. Through this venue, Kellam is able to collaborate with representatives from 1st and 3rd MAWs on topics that affect communication systems maintenance across the Marine Corps. After twenty years of service, each day Capt. Kellam uses the lessons learned and skillsets he gained within three unique rank communities to support 2nd MAW's mission.

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The reactivation of HMLA-269 provides 2nd Marine Aircraft Wing and II Marine Expeditionary Force with additional offensive air support, utility support, armed escort, and airborne supporting arms capability. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Staff Sgt. Theodore Bergan) - U.S. Marine Corps Lt. Col. Jens Gilbertson, left, from Washington, the commanding officer, and Sgt. Maj. Perry Bessant, from South Carolina, the command senior enlisted leader, both with Marine Light Attack Helicopter Squadron (HMLA) 269, uncase the organizational colors during a reactivation ceremony at Marine Corps Air Station New River, North Carolina, July 1, 2024. The reactivation of HMLA-269 provides 2nd Marine Aircraft Wing and II Marine Expeditionary Force with additional offensive air support, utility support, armed escort, and airborne supporting arms capability. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Staff Sgt. Theodore Bergan)

HMLA-269 reactivates after 18-month hiatus

Marine Light Attack Helicopter Squadron (HMLA) 269, 2nd Marine Aircraft Wing (MAW), reactivated during a ceremony aboard Marine Corps Air Station (MCAS) New River, North Carolina, July 1. HMLA-269, known as “The Gunrunners,” previously deactivated on Dec. 9, 2022, in accordance with Force Design initiatives. Throughout the course of the squadron’s brief deactivation, the Marine Corps conducted analysis on force management in order to ensure that no operational commitments were left unfulfilled. This analysis identified the need for an additional HMLA squadron on the East Coast to provide sustained operational support to II Marine Expeditionary Force (MEF). This change within 2nd MAW represents incremental change to Force Design to meet the conditions described in recent national security and defense strategies. The reactivation ceremony featured remarks from Col. David Fitzsimmons, commanding officer, Marine Aircraft Group 29, who thanked the various advocates at 2nd MAW, II MEF, and Headquarters, U.S. Marine Corps, that made HMLA-269's reactivation possible. “It was a decidedly somber day when HMLA-269 deactivated,” said Fitzsimmons. “That was certainly reversed today.” Also present was Lt. Col. Jens Gilbertson, commanding officer, HMLA-269, who highlighted Marine Attack Helicopter Squadron (HMA) 269’s legacy as the Marine Corps’ first attack helicopter squadron and recounted the multiple pilots and aircrew within HMA and HMLA-269's history who received the Distinguished Flying Cross. He noted that HMA and HMLA-269 was recognized eight times by the Marine Corps Aviation Association as the Marine Corps’ Light Attack Helicopter Squadron of the Year, more so than any other Marine Corps light attack helicopter squadron in history. Gilbertson also recognized the Marines of HMLA-269 who enabled the squadron’s reactivation. “Ultimately, it was up to these Marines to get it done,” said Gilbertson. “They have discipline, and they have precision, and that’s the same discipline and precision they’re going to bring when they maintain and fly our aircraft.” The squadron will resume operating the AH-1Z “Viper” attack helicopter and the UH-1Y “Venom” utility helicopter. Both aircraft are manned, trained, and equipped to fight from the sea into austere environments and confined littoral spaces, and support the Marine Air-Ground Task Force by providing offensive air support, utility support, armed escort, and airborne supporting arms coordination.

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Conter was the last known survivor of the USS Arizona during the attack on Pearl Harbor in 1941 and passed away April 1, 2024. Hower flew U.S. flags and Conter's naval aviator wing insignia during the flight. Conter served in the U.S. Navy from 1939 to 1967. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Orlanys Diaz Figueroa) - U.S. Marine Corps Capt. Raymond Hower, a native of California and an AV-8B Harrier II jet pilot with Marine Attack Squadron (VMA) 223, poses for a photo holding his great-uncle Louis A. Conter's naval aviator wing insignia at Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point, North Carolina, April 18, 2024. Conter was the last known survivor of the USS Arizona during the attack on Pearl Harbor in 1941 and passed away April 1, 2024. Hower flew U.S. flags and Conter's naval aviator wing insignia during the flight. Conter served in the U.S. Navy from 1939 to 1967. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Orlanys Diaz Figueroa)

Legacy of service: U.S. Marine Corps Capt. Raymond Hower honors great-uncle Louis A. Conter, last known survivor of the USS Arizona

U.S. Marine Corps Capt. Raymond Hower, an AV-8B Harrier II pilot with Marine Attack Squadron (VMA) 223, Marine Aircraft Group (MAG) 14, 2nd Marine Aircraft Wing (MAW), conducted a flight in honor of his great-uncle, U.S. Navy Lt. Cmdr. Louis Conter, at Marine Corps Air Station (MCAS) Cherry Point, North Carolina, April 18, 2024.

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Marines with VMUT-2 worked alongside civilian contractors to conduct familiarization training with VMUT-2’s first delivered and assembled MQ-9A Reaper unmanned aircraft. VMUT-2 will serve as the Marine Corps MQ-9A Reaper Fleet Replacement Squadron, whose primary mission is to train 7318 unmanned aerial systems officers and 8022 enlisted sensor operators. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Orlanys Diaz Figueroa) - U.S. Marines with Marine Unmanned Aerial Vehicle Training Squadron (VMUT) 2 conduct familiarization training with an MQ-9A Reaper unmanned aircraft at Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point, North Carolina, April 11, 2024. Marines with VMUT-2 worked alongside civilian contractors to conduct familiarization training with VMUT-2’s first delivered and assembled MQ-9A Reaper unmanned aircraft. VMUT-2 will serve as the Marine Corps MQ-9A Reaper Fleet Replacement Squadron, whose primary mission is to train 7318 unmanned aerial systems officers and 8022 enlisted sensor operators. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Orlanys Diaz Figueroa)

Building the eye in the sky: VMUT-2 begins assembly of the first 2nd MAW MQ-9A Reaper

Marine Unmanned Aerial Vehicle Training Squadron (VMUT) 2, 2nd Marine Aircraft Wing (MAW), began the assembly of 2nd MAW’s first MQ-9A Reaper, April 10, as part of the U.S. Marine Corps’ continued transition from the legacy RQ-21A Blackjack in accordance with Force Design initiatives.

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VMFA-542 is scheduled to deploy to Norway for Exercise Nordic Response 24. Exercise Nordic Response, formerly known as Cold Response, is a NATO training event conducted every two years to promote military competency in arctic environments and to foster interoperability between the U.S. Marine Corps and allied nations. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Madison Blackstock) - A U.S. Marine Corps F-35B Lightning II with Marine Fighter Attack Squadron (VMFA) 542, 2nd Marine Aircraft Wing, prepares to taxi at Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point, North Carolina, Feb. 13, 2024. VMFA-542 is scheduled to deploy to Norway for Exercise Nordic Response 24. Exercise Nordic Response, formerly known as Cold Response, is a NATO training event conducted every two years to promote military competency in arctic environments and to foster interoperability between the U.S. Marine Corps and allied nations. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Madison Blackstock)