2nd Marine Aircraft Wing
| 2nd Marine Aircraft Wing | |
|---|---|
2nd MAW Insignia
|
|
| Active | July 10, 1941–present |
| Country | United States |
| Branch | United States Marine Corps |
| Type | Marine Aircraft Wing |
| Role | Conduct air operations in support of the Fleet Marine Forces |
| Part of | II Marine Expeditionary Force |
| Garrison/HQ | Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point |
| Nickname(s) | 2nd MAW |
| Engagements |
World War II *Wake Island *Battle of Guadalcanal *Battle of Midway *Battle of Saipan *Battle of Tinian *Battle of Guam *Battle of Okinawa Operation Desert Storm Operation Enduring Freedom Operation Iraqi Freedom |
| Commanders | |
| Commanding General | Brig.Gen. Matthew G. Glavy |
| Assistant Wing Commander | Col. John A. Rahe |
| Sergeant Major | Sgt.Maj. Richard D. Thresher |
| Command Master Chief | CMDCM(FMF/CAC) Beth A. Nilson |
| Notable commanders |
Lt.Gen. Francis P. Mulcahy Lt.Gen. George C. Axtell |
The 2nd Marine Aircraft Wing (2nd MAW) is the major east coast aviation unit of the United States Marine Corps and is based at Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point, North Carolina. They provide the aviation combat element for the II Marine Expeditionary Force.
Conduct air operations in support of the Marine forces 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.
Due to a re-organization within Marine aviation, 2nd MAW expanded between 2007–2010. In 2008, HMH-366 and HMLA-467 were activated in September and October, respectively. In 2010, VMFA-451 was reactivated and re-designated as VMFAT-501 as the Fleet Replacement Squadron for the F-35 Lightning II.
In late 1940, Congress authorized a naval air fleet of fifteen thousand aircraft. The Marine Corps was allotted a percentage of these planes to be formed into 2 air wings with 32 operational squadrons. On the advice of Navy and Marine advisors returning from observing the war in Europe these numbers were doubled very soon after. It was under this expansion program that the 2nd Marine Aircraft Wing was activated in San Diego, California on 10 July 1941. Its first component was Marine Air Group Two which was based at Marine Corps Air Station Ewa, Hawaii. This gave 2nd MAW some of the oldest squadrons in Marine aviation
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