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 Sgt. David Ornelas, left, from Texas and a combat videographer and Lance Cpl. Perri Wood, from Tennessee and a combat photographer both with 2nd Marine Aircraft Wing, capture photos and videos of AV-8B Harrier II aircraft with Marine Attack Squadron (VMA) 223, Marine Aircraft Group 14, 2nd MAW, off the coast of eastern North Carolina, May 15, 2026. The “sundown” of the AV-8B Harrier II, an iconic aircraft that has supported joint and Marine Corps operations for 40 years, also represents the dawn of a new era; it paves the way for 2nd MAW’s full transition to the F-35B and C Lightning II. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Chief Warrant Officer 2 Akeel Austin)
U.S. Marines with Marine Attack Squadron (VMA) 223, Marine Aircraft Group 14, 2nd Marine Aircraft Wing, fly AV-8B Harrier II aircraft over the coast of Eastern North Carolina, May 15, 2026. The flight took place ahead of the conclusion of the Harrier’s decades of service with the U.S. Marine Corps. (U.S. Marine Corps video by Sgt. David Ornelas Baeza)
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
