The 2nd Marine Aircraft Wing, or 2nd MAW, is the aviation arm of II MEF, the Marine Corps' east coast warfighting organization. The mission of 2nd MAW is to conduct air operations in support of the Fleet Marine Force to include offensive air support, anti-air warfare, assault support, aerial reconnaissance, electronic warfare, and control of aircraft and missiles. As a collateral function, the MAW may participate as an integral component of naval aviation in the execution of such other Navy functions as the Fleet Commander may direct. Since its founding in 1941, units under 2nd MAW have fought in every major conflict across the world.
The early stages of 2nd MAW occurred in San Diego, California and Pearl Harbor, Hawaii with the establishment of six squadrons (units of aircraft). These units engaged Japanese forces in key battles at Midway, Guam, Okinawa, and many more. After successfully winning the war in the Pacific, 2nd MAW found its new home at Marine Corps Air Station (MCAS) Cherry Point, North Carolina, where it currently still resides. The next large-scale mobilization of 2nd MAW units came with the Vietnam War in Southeast Asia. In Vietnam, Marines and aircraft from the wing provided close-air support, medevac, and assault support for troops throughout the country. The MAW would then find itself participating in operations in Grenada, Cuba, Panama, and Lebanon before another large-scale mobilization for Operation DESERT SHIELD and Operation DESERT STORM to liberate Kuwait from the invading Iraqi forces. Since the September 11th attacks in 2001, 2nd MAW has been integral to the Global War on Terror. Its units have conducted operations throughout the Middle East, Africa, and other locations to stem terrorist activities.
Today, 2nd MAW is led by a Major General who is responsible for manning, training, and deploying his units from their hub at MCAS Cherry Point. This General officer also maintains units at MCAS New River, North Carolina and MCAS Beaufort, South Carolina. The wing employs the full arsenal of Marine Corps fixed-wing, rotary-wing, and drone aircraft spread across each base. Marines and Sailors assigned to 2nd MAW can find themselves conducting a variety of operations with forward task forces, aboard Navy ships, assigned to partner-nation bases, and so much more. In addition to their warfighting functions, these servicemembers are also trained to conduct humanitarian and non-combatant evacuation operations after disasters such as hurricanes and earthquakes.
2nd MAW will continue to provide the Marine Corps, the United States, and partner nations with a combat-ready naval aviation force. Marines and Sailors assigned to the wing will join a legacy steeped in history, and they will propel their units to success in future operations.
2nd Marine Aircraft Wing Units
MCAS Cherry Point
Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point is the headquarters of the 2d Marine Aircraft Wing (MAW). It is home to squadrons of AV-8B Harriers, C-130's, and UAV's. It also provides command and control for the airspace in support of the 2nd MAW.
Units at the air station include:
Headquarters and Headquarters Squadron
Marine Wing Headquarters Squadron 2
Marine Aircraft Group 14
Marine Attack Squadron 223
Marine Attack Squadron 231
Marine Attack Squadron 542
Marine Attack Training Squadron 203
Marine Aerial Refueler Transport Squadron 252
KC-130J Fleet Replacement Detachment
Marine Unmanned Aerial Vehicle Squadron 2
Marine Aviation Logistics Squadron 14
Marine Air Control Group 28 Center for Naval Aviation
Technical Training Combat Logistics Company 21
MCAS New River
Marine Corps Air Station New River is a helicopter and tilt-rotor air station. There are MV-22 Ospreys, CH-53E Super Stallions, UH-1Y Venoms, and AH-1W Supercobras flown from this air station.
Units at the air station include:
Headquarters and Headquarters Squadron
Marine Aircraft Group 26
Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron 162
Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron 261
Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron 263
Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron 264
Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron 266
Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron 365
Marine Medium Tiltrotor Training Squadron 204
Marine Wing Support Squadron 272
Marine Aviation Logistics Squadron 26
Marine Aircraft Group 29
Marine Light Attack Helicopter Squadron 167
Marine Light Attack Helicopter Squadron 269
Marine Heavy Helicopter Squadron 366
Marine Heavy Helicopter Squadron 461
Marine Heavy Helicopter Squadron 464
Marine Heavy Helicopter Training Squadron 302
Marine Aviation Logistics Squadron 29
Marine Operational Test and Evaluation Squadron One
Center for Naval Aviation Technical Training
Marine Air Control Squadron 2, Detachment B
MCAS Beaufort
Marine Corps Air Station Beaufort is a fighter jet and maintenance repair station. There are F-18's and F-35's flown from this air station.
Units at the air station include:
Headquarters and Headquarters Squadron
Marine Aircraft Group 31
Marine Fighter Attack Squadron 115
Marine All Weather Fighter Attack Squadron 224
Marine Fighter Attack Squadron 312
Marine All-Weather Fighter Attack Squadron 533
Marine Fighter Attack Training Squadron 501
Marine Wing Support Detachment 273
Marine Aviation Logistics Squadron 31
Marine Air Control Squadron 2, Detachment A
Combat Logistics Company 23
