2nd MAW Stands Ready, Reliable, and Safe, Says Commanding Officer

The 2nd Marine Aircraft Wing celebrated its 80th anniversary this year, closing out 2021 with a look back on the unit's many journeys and missions. The MAW is based out of MCAS Cherry Point, North Carolina, but can often be found anywhere in the world. The wing was officially born in 1941, and is now home to a full suite of Marine Corps fixed wing and rotary aircraft, including the stalwart AH-1Z Viper, the increasingly rare AV-8B Harrier, and its replacement, the F-35B Lightning II. 

Recent missions include hurricane relief efforts in Haiti, where the marines deployed in 96 hours to dispatch humanitarian assistance. Their other missions have taken them to to fly and operate in Japan, Canada, Finland, Spain, Italy and Peru. The MAW also provided air support to multiple Marine Expeditionary Units’ global deployments. 

The unit's commanding General, Michael Cederholm, congratulated them on their work in the last year, when they flew more than 80,000 flight hours. That sum beat expectations of fiscal year totals by a handy margin, as well as passing by their 2020 totals by more than 25%. The unit's overall mishap rate fell by 16%, with ground mishap rates improving even more, with a reduction of 41%. 

“Sgt. Maj. Reiff and I want to thank our Marines, Sailors and families for an incredible performance this year. We are proud of the 2nd MAW team and all it’s accomplished. 2nd MAW is the most combat-ready air wing, and we are ready to fight and win, right now. We are America’s air wing and have accomplished great things this year. It is truly a testament to the leadership, hard work, dedication, and commitment of the Marines, Sailors and civilians of 2nd MAW,” said Cederholm.

“We pushed the limits in training to prepare for the next challenge and the future fight, carrying our Commandant’s vision, all the while focusing on operational excellence in warfighting as we have for the 80 years of our MAW’s existence,” said Sgt. Maj. Jacob Reiff, sergeant major of 2nd MAW.

FMI: www.marines.mil