| 2nd Marine Aircraft Wing |
Article Index for 2nd Marine |
Website Links For 2nd |
Information About2nd Marine Aircraft Wing |
| CATEGORIES ABOUT 2ND MARINE AIRCRAFT WING | |
| united states marine corps aircraft wings | |
| 1b | |
The 2nd Marine Aircraft Wing is an aviation unit of the United States Marine Corps based at Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point , North Carolina . MISSION The mission of the MAW is to 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. CURRENT FORCE Locations Units of 1st MAW are located in the Pacific Region at the following bases:
Subordinate Units
HISTORY 2nd MAW was commissioned in July 1941 just prior to America's entry into World War II . It was headquartered in San Diego and consisted of six squadrons, two in San Diego and four in Hawaii . Although the Hawaii based squadrons sustained extensive damage during the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor December 7 1941 , 2nd MAW contributed to 83 South Pacific combat operations. Marines and aircraft from 2nd MAW participated in major battles or campaigns at Wake Island , Guadalcanal , Midway , Saipan , Tinian , Guam and Okinawa . In April 1946, 2nd MAW relocated to its present home at MCAS Cherry Point , NC. During the Vietnam War , 2d MAW supplied combat-ready units and personnel to operations in the Asian Theater. In the 1980’s, 2d MAW units were active participants in exercises and operations around the globe, to include those in Lebanon , Cuba , Grenada , Panama , and the Dominican Republic . The decade of the 90’s began with Operations Desert Shield and Desert Storm . The millennium closed with 2d MAW squadrons prosecuting and supporting NATO air strikes in Kosovo and Serbia during Operation Allied Force , and flying support during Operation Northern Watch from Incirlik, Turkey . The beginning of the new millennium brought continued active participation in exercises and operations around the United States and around the world. From 2000 through 2002: Prowler squadrons deployed in support of Operation Southern Watch , Operation Northern Watch and UDP rotations to Japan; Harrier and helicopter squadrons deployed in support of the 22d, 24th and 26th Marine Expeditionary Units; Hornet squadrons deployed aboard the USS Harry S. Truman with Carrier Wing 3; and MWSG-27 and MACG-28 deployed personnel in support of all exercises and operations in which 2d MAW flying squadrons were participating. In early 2001 VMFA-312 and VMAQ-3 participated in a joint combined strike against Iraq. This marked the first Marine Corps combat use of the Joint Standoff Weapon (JSOW) . VMA-542 and HMM-261 flew combat missions over Afghanistan and conducted humanitarian missions in Djibouti . The Marines of VMA-542 were among the first to employ the LITENING 2 targeting pod in combat. In 2003, 2d MAW deployed more than 7,700 Marines and Sailors in support of the Global War On Terrorism , operations Iraqi Freedom , Enduring Freedom , and Joint Task Force Horn Of Africa . More than 200 tactical combat aircraft flew in support of Global War On Terrorism operations. They supported combat and contingency operations around the globe, with greater than 70 percent command and control, support group, and aircraft deployed simultaneously. On September 8 2003 , Marines from VMU-2 returned to Cherry Point from Iraq. VMU-2 had deployed to the Middle East in January 2003 and they were the last 2d MAW squadron to leave Iraq . During Operation Iraqi Freedom , 2d MAW units flew over 7,800 combat sorties, expended over 3.9 million pounds of ordnance, carried over 10,000 troops and 6.2 million pounds of cargo, built five base camps, two Expeditionary Airfields, ten Forward Area Arming and Refueling Points and three Forward Operating Bases. CURRENT AIRCRAFT Fixed wing aircraft Rotary wing aircraft Tilt rotor aircraft UAVs SEE ALSO REFERENCES EXTERNAL LINKS |
|
|