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. Jose RuizGomez, left, from Texas, and Cpl. Braxton Roberts, from Wisconsin, both low altitude air defense gunner with 2nd Low Altitude Air Defense Battalion, Marine Aircraft Group 28, 2nd Marine Aircraft Wing, operate an Ultra Light Tactical Vehicle at Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point, North Carolina, April 7, 2026. The arrival of the ULTVs and Light Marine Air Defense Integrated Systems provides improvised ground-based air defense weapon systems to 2nd LAAD, further enhancing 2nd MAW’s ability to degrade the threat of enemy small unmanned aerial systems. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Gavin Kulczewski)
U.S. Marine Corps Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron (VMM) 261 celebrates 75 years of honorable service at Marine Corps Air Station New River, North Carolina, April 2, 2026. Marine Helicopter Transport Squadron (HMR) 261, the "Raging Bulls", was activated on April 5, 1951, and in August 2008, the squadron transitioned to VMM-261 and the MV-22 Osprey. (U.S. Marine Corps video 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
