2nd MAW is the Marine Corps’ service-retained ACE. Headquartered at Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point, North Carolina, 2nd MAW is permanently based at three Marine Corps Air Stations in North Carolina and South Carolina and serves as the ACE for II MEF. 2nd MAW is operationally focused and consists of professional and dedicated Marines, Sailors and civilians that provide combat-ready aviation forces to II MEF and the MAGTF commander. 2nd MAW generates and maintains combat readiness, increases lethality through modernization, generates operationally excellent aviation units, continuously refines warfighting concepts, and stands ready to forward deploy to meet any challenge around the globe.
U.S. Marines with Marine Aerial Refueler Transport Squadron (VMGR) 252 and Marine Wing Support Squadron (MWSS) 273 load a Tactical Air-Ground Refueling System at Rygge Air Base, Norway, March 5, 2026. The Marines loaded the TAGRS into a KC-130J Super Hercules aircraft during training for exercise Cold Response 26. A key component of NATO's enhanced vigilance activity Arctic Sentry, exercise Cold Response 26 is a Norwegian-led winter military exercise designed to enhance collective defense capabilities and ensure U.S. readiness to rapidly deploy and seamlessly operate alongside NATO Allies in challenging arctic conditions. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Mya Seymour)
U.S. Marines with Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron (VMM) 261, Marine Aircraft Group 26, 2nd Marine Aircraft Wing, conduct aerial gunnery near Jacksonville, Florida, Feb. 25, 2026. MAG-29 Distributed Aviation Operations Exercise is a multi-week exercise designed to distribute command and control of aviation forces, pushing authorities to the lowest levels while keeping forces moving between airfields and air sites. MAG-29 DAO Exercise is scheduled to take place across the southeastern U.S. and the Caribbean, including North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia, Florida, and The Bahamas. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Orlanys Diaz Figueroa)
Leaders from across 2nd Marine Aircraft Wing and Marine Corps Installations East came together for two days at Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point, North Carolina to take part in 2nd MAW’s January 2026 Senior Leaders’ Conference, Jan. 14-15. Conference attendees included 2nd MAW’s O-6 and O-5 commanders, senior enlisted leaders, air station commanders who support 2nd MAW units, and 2nd MAW’s staff, who participated in a series of discussions about leadership, mentorship, and topics affecting both the Wing and the Marine Corps.
“Overall, I’m impressed with the work your teams are doing” said Maj. Gen. Ryan S. Rideout, 2nd MAW’s commanding general, during his remarks to conference participants. “This is a highly...
01.15.2026 | MARINE CORPS AIR STATION CHERRY POINT, NORTH CAROLINA, US |
Story by Maj. Joseph Leitner
