U.S. Marine Corps Lt. Col. John B. Cumbie, left, from Texas, commanding officer, Marine Attack Squadron (VMA) 223, Marine Aircraft Group 14, 2nd Marine Aircraft Wing (MAW), and Lt. Gen. Eric Austin, from Oregon, deputy commandant of Combat Development and Integration (CD&I), pose for a photo at Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point, North Carolina, Aug. 28, 2025. Austin visited Marines and Sailors from VMA-223 to gain insight on the internal workings of the squadron and observe maintainer and pilot proficiency and expertise with the AV-8B Harrier II. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Orlanys Diaz Figueroa)
U.S. Marines with Marine Attack Squadron (VMA) 223 and Lt. Gen. Eric Austin, from Oregon, deputy commandant of Combat Development and Integration (CD&I), conduct a flight operation with an AV-8B Harrier II at Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point, North Carolina, Aug. 28, 2025. Austin visited Marines and Sailors from VMA-223 to gain insight on the internal workings of the squadron and observe maintainer and pilot proficiency and expertise with the Harrier. (U.S. Marine Corps video by Sgt. Rowdy Vanskike)
Maj. Gen. William H. Swan relinquished command of 2nd Marine Aircraft Wing (MAW) to Maj. Gen. Ryan S. Rideout during a change of command ceremony held at Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point, North Carolina, Thursday.  
The ceremony represented the formal transfer of responsibility and authority from Swan to Rideout. Lt. Gen. Calvert Worth, commanding general, II Marine Expeditionary Force, presided over the ceremony.
“I have been extremely blessed, humbled and honored to serve 2nd MAW these past fifteen months,” said Swan. “I witnessed firsthand a commitment to mission excellence that I could not be more proud of. Early on, I tasked my commanders to be ready, to take care of their Marines, Sailors and families, and...
08.28.2025 | MARINE CORPS AIR STATION CHERRY POINT, US |
Story by 1st Lt. John Graham
