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. Marine Corps Maj. Phillip Cortellucci, from New York, an AV-8B Harrier II pilot with Marine Attack Squadron (VMA) 223, Marine Aircraft Group 14, 2nd Marine Aircraft Wing, is welcomed home by family and friends at Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point, North Carolina, May 20, 2026. VMA-223 returned home after a deployment with the 22nd Marine Expeditionary Unit (Special Operations Capable) in support of the U.S. Southern Command mission, Department of War-directed operations, and the president’s priorities to disrupt illicit drug trafficking and protect the homeland. Their return home marks the final deployment of VMA-223 as the last U.S. Marine Corps AV-8B Harrier II squadron.
(U.S. Marine Corps photo by Pfc. Keani Guthmueller)
In the summer of 2026, the U.S. Marine Corps will sundown the AV-8B Harrier II+ as part of the Tactical Aircraft transition plan as the Marine Corps progresses toward an all-5th generation TACAIR fleet. This video celebrates the conclusion of Marine Attack Squadron (VMA) 223's nearly 40 years of flight operations with the Harrier platform. VMA-223 is the U.S. Marine Corps' last operational Harrier squadron. (U.S. Marine Corps video by Sgt. David Ornelas Baeza) This video contains music from a USMC licensed asset from Adobe Stock.
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
