2nd MAW News

Cpl. Ajunelle Simmons performs a weighted squat at Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point, Sept. 27, 2015. The Hancock gym and Devil Dog gym’s hours will increase by more than 40 hours per week beginning Oct. 1, 2015, collectively between the two fitness facilities. The change in hours comes from the concerns of Marines on the air station being heard by their senior leadership. Simmons is a food service specialist with Marine Wing Support Squadron 274. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Jason Jimenez/Released) - Cpl. Ajunelle Simmons performs a weighted squat at Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point, Sept. 27, 2015. The Hancock gym and Devil Dog gym’s hours will increase by more than 40 hours per week beginning Oct. 1, 2015, collectively between the two fitness facilities. The change in hours comes from the concerns of Marines on the air station being heard by their senior leadership. Simmons is a food service specialist with Marine Wing Support Squadron 274. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Jason Jimenez/Released)

A Marine fires an FIM-92 Stinger Missile at a target during a stinger simulation training range at Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point, N.C., Sept. 24, 2015. Marines with 2nd Low Altitude Air Defense Battalion sharpened their proficiency skills by simulating the weight transfer felt when firing the 34.2 pound missile. The weapon is a personal and portable infrared, homing, surface-to-air missile capable of tracking and engaging aircraft up to an altitude of 10,000 feet and covering distances up to eight kilometers. 2nd LAAD utilizes the stinger missile to provide ground-to-air defense to the 2nd Marine Aircraft Wing and Marine Air-Ground Task Force elements. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. N.W. Huertas/ Released) - A Marine fires an FIM-92 Stinger Missile at a target during a stinger simulation training range at Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point, N.C., Sept. 24, 2015. Marines with 2nd Low Altitude Air Defense Battalion sharpened their proficiency skills by simulating the weight transfer felt when firing the 34.2 pound missile. The weapon is a personal and portable infrared, homing, surface-to-air missile capable of tracking and engaging aircraft up to an altitude of 10,000 feet and covering distances up to eight kilometers. 2nd LAAD utilizes the stinger missile to provide ground-to-air defense to the 2nd Marine Aircraft Wing and Marine Air-Ground Task Force elements. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. N.W. Huertas/ Released)

Pedro helicopter “02” lifts off to join Marine Transport Squadron 1’s other two HH-46 helicopters on their final flight at Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point, N.C., Sept. 25, 2015. The three search and rescue aircraft have been the last flying “phrogs” in the Department of Defense since Aug. 1. Today’s final flight marks the end of an era in combat aviation. These aircraft will be turned over to the U.S. Navy by Oct. 1. They leave behind a legacy of Cherry Point’s support to the local community in eastern North Carolina, which began in 1957. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Jason Jimenez/Released) - Pedro helicopter “02” lifts off to join Marine Transport Squadron 1’s other two HH-46 helicopters on their final flight at Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point, N.C., Sept. 25, 2015. The three search and rescue aircraft have been the last flying “phrogs” in the Department of Defense since Aug. 1. Today’s final flight marks the end of an era in combat aviation. These aircraft will be turned over to the U.S. Navy by Oct. 1. They leave behind a legacy of Cherry Point’s support to the local community in eastern North Carolina, which began in 1957. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Jason Jimenez/Released)

Lt. Col. Jeremy L. Gettings expresses his gratitude to the community and Marines with Headquarters and Headquarters Squadron and Marine Transportation Squadron 1 for the hard work and service they provided at a bi-annual Pig Picking at Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point, N.C., Sept. 22, 2015. The event was sponsored by the Havelock Military Affairs Committee. Gettings is the commanding officer of H&HS. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Pfc. Nicholas P. Baird/ Released) - Lt. Col. Jeremy L. Gettings expresses his gratitude to the community and Marines with Headquarters and Headquarters Squadron and Marine Transportation Squadron 1 for the hard work and service they provided at a bi-annual Pig Picking at Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point, N.C., Sept. 22, 2015. The event was sponsored by the Havelock Military Affairs Committee. Gettings is the commanding officer of H&HS. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Pfc. Nicholas P. Baird/ Released)

Cpl. Mitchell Teusch sights down his crossbow during archery hunting season at Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point, N.C., Sept. 22, 2015. Hunters can use a variety of weapons from appropriate firearms to bow and arrows that meet state regulations. Hunting on Cherry Point is open to active duty personnel, their dependents, retirees, DOD employees and sponsored guests. Teusch is a quality assurance hydraulic mechanic with Marine Aircraft Group 14. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Jason Jimenez/Released) - Cpl. Mitchell Teusch sights down his crossbow during archery hunting season at Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point, N.C., Sept. 22, 2015. Hunters can use a variety of weapons from appropriate firearms to bow and arrows that meet state regulations. Hunting on Cherry Point is open to active duty personnel, their dependents, retirees, DOD employees and sponsored guests. Teusch is a quality assurance hydraulic mechanic with Marine Aircraft Group 14. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Jason Jimenez/Released)

An electrical worker demonstrates the damage an active power line can cause during a demonstration drill at Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point, N.C., June 4, 2015. September is National Preparedness Month, a time where emergency safety is highlighted across the air station. The Cherry Point Fire and Emergency Services and the Public Works Departments are among the many that go out to local communities to educate them on safety procedures and protocols that can prevent and potentially aid them during emergency situations. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by N.W. Huertas/Released) - An electrical worker demonstrates the damage an active power line can cause during a demonstration drill at Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point, N.C., June 4, 2015. September is National Preparedness Month, a time where emergency safety is highlighted across the air station. The Cherry Point Fire and Emergency Services and the Public Works Departments are among the many that go out to local communities to educate them on safety procedures and protocols that can prevent and potentially aid them during emergency situations. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by N.W. Huertas/Released)

Members of a construction crew lay stabilizing mesh along the serpentine sides of a newly dug streambed during the initial construction stage of a stream restoration project at Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point. The mesh will help control erosion of the stream’s banks until appropriate plant life is introduced to the stream’s riparian zone in later stages of the project. The Cherry Point Environmental Affairs Department tackled this project in effort to clean up a formerly dysfunctional concrete drainage system between an air station housing area and the Neuse River. (Photo by Jessica Guilianelli) - Members of a construction crew lay stabilizing mesh along the serpentine sides of a newly dug streambed during the initial construction stage of a stream restoration project at Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point. The mesh will help control erosion of the stream’s banks until appropriate plant life is introduced to the stream’s riparian zone in later stages of the project. The Cherry Point Environmental Affairs Department tackled this project in effort to clean up a formerly dysfunctional concrete drainage system between an air station housing area and the Neuse River. (Photo by Jessica Guilianelli)

Gunnery Sgt. Ronald Strzalkowski briefs senior leaders from the naval aviation community on improvements that can be made to the maintenance training of CH-53E Super Stallions during a “Boots on the Ground” event at Marine Corps Air Station New River, N.C., Sept. 17, 2015. The deputy commandant of Marine Corps Aviation visited the air station to discuss the future of naval aviation. Maintainers were given the opportunity to share suggestions for improvement on their training and aircraft. Strzalkowski is a maintainer with Marine Heavy Helicopter Squadron 464. (U.S.M.C. photo by Cpl. N.W. Huertas/ Released) - Gunnery Sgt. Ronald Strzalkowski briefs senior leaders from the naval aviation community on improvements that can be made to the maintenance training of CH-53E Super Stallions during a “Boots on the Ground” event at Marine Corps Air Station New River, N.C., Sept. 17, 2015. The deputy commandant of Marine Corps Aviation visited the air station to discuss the future of naval aviation. Maintainers were given the opportunity to share suggestions for improvement on their training and aircraft. Strzalkowski is a maintainer with Marine Heavy Helicopter Squadron 464. (U.S.M.C. photo by Cpl. N.W. Huertas/ Released)

Couples watch a slideshow of the previous night’s outing during a Marriage Enrichment Retreat, hosted by 2nd Marine Aircraft Wing Chaplains in New Bern, N.C., Sept. 19, 2015. Forty couples took part in the two-day retreat to rekindle their bond with one another. Each couple participated in prescribed ice-breaking conversation techniques, seminars on communication and other couple-related cohesion-building activities. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Jason Jimenez/Released) - Couples watch a slideshow of the previous night’s outing during a Marriage Enrichment Retreat, hosted by 2nd Marine Aircraft Wing Chaplains in New Bern, N.C., Sept. 19, 2015. Forty couples took part in the two-day retreat to rekindle their bond with one another. Each couple participated in prescribed ice-breaking conversation techniques, seminars on communication and other couple-related cohesion-building activities. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Jason Jimenez/Released)

Lance Cpl. Matthew Ford scans a passageway during military operations on urban terrain training at Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point, N.C., Sept. 16, 2015. MOUT training is utilized to prepare Marines for urban warfare in areas such as towns and cities. 2nd Low Altitude Air Defense Battalion, Bravo Battery Marines conducted the training to sharpen combat skills and ensure the knowledge required for MOUT operations is equal across the entire platoon. Ford is a low altitude air defense gunner with 2nd LAAD. - Lance Cpl. Matthew Ford scans a passageway during military operations on urban terrain training at Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point, N.C., Sept. 16, 2015. MOUT training is utilized to prepare Marines for urban warfare in areas such as towns and cities. 2nd Low Altitude Air Defense Battalion, Bravo Battery Marines conducted the training to sharpen combat skills and ensure the knowledge required for MOUT operations is equal across the entire platoon. Ford is a low altitude air defense gunner with 2nd LAAD.