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 Lance Cpl. Christopher James, from Illinois, a drone operator with Marine Cryptologic Support Battalion, Company B, Marine Corps Information Command, operates a first-person view drone aboard a UH-1Y Venom during Technology Operational Experimentation Event 26.1 near Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point, North Carolina, Aug. 10, 2026. Technology Operational Experimentation Event 26.1, conducted by the Office of Naval Research in partnership with HMLA-269, is designed to investigate and identify technology requirements and solutions to improve Counter Unmanned Systems Swarm capabilities. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Donovan Pimentel)
U.S. Marines with Marine Light Attack Helicopter Squadron (HMLA) 269, Marine Aircraft Group 29, 2nd Marine Aircraft Wing, conduct drone experimentation while aboard a UH-1Y Venom, during Technology Operational Experimentation Event 26.1 near Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point, North Carolina, Aug. 10, 2026. Technology Operational Experimentation Event 26.1, conducted by the Office of Naval Research in partnership with HMLA-269, is designed to investigate and identify technology requirements and solutions to improve Counter Unmanned Systems Swarm capabilities. (U.S. Marine Corps video by Lance Cpl. Donovan Pimentel)
MARINE CORPS AIR STATION CHERRY POINT, N.C. – Marine Unmanned Maintenance Squadron (MUMS) 14 was officially activated during a ceremony held at Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point, North Carolina, Tuesday. As the first of its kind in the Marine Corps, MUMS-14 now serves as the principal provider of organic-level maintenance support for U.S. Marine Corps Group-5 Unmanned Aerial Systems (UAS). MUMS-14 is the only Marine Corps aviation unit specifically organized, trained and equipped to deliver organic aviation maintenance capability to UAS at forward deployed locations.
“Standing up this squadron marks a major step forward for Marine Corps aviation,” said Lt. Col. Jeffrey F. Carben, commanding officer of MUMS-14. “Our unit...
06.16.2026 | MARINE CORPS AIR STATION CHERRY POINT, NORTH CAROLINA, US |
Story by Maj. Joseph Leitner
