II MEF News

VMFA-251 is the first East Coast-based Marine Corps squadron to employ the F-35C Lightning II, which is designed to operate from conventional aircraft carriers or land bases and provides operational flexibility and persistence to II Marine Expeditionary Force. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Orlanys Diaz Figueroa) - U.S. Marines with Marine Fighter Attack Squadron (VMFA) 251 march in formation during the reactivation ceremony for VMFA-251 at Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point, North Carolina, Dec. 5, 2024. VMFA-251 is the first East Coast-based Marine Corps squadron to employ the F-35C Lightning II, which is designed to operate from conventional aircraft carriers or land bases and provides operational flexibility and persistence to II Marine Expeditionary Force. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Orlanys Diaz Figueroa)

VMUT-2 serves as the Marine Corps' MQ-9A Reaper Fleet Replacement Squadron, whose primary mission is to train MQ-9 pilots and sensor operators in their respective military occupational specialties. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Chief Warrant Officer 2 Akeel Austin) - A U.S. Marine Corps MQ-9A Reaper unmanned aircraft system with Marine Unmanned Aerial Vehicle Training Squadron (VMUT) 2 taxis at Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point, North Carolina, Nov. 21, 2024. VMUT-2 serves as the Marine Corps' MQ-9A Reaper Fleet Replacement Squadron, whose primary mission is to train MQ-9 pilots and sensor operators in their respective military occupational specialties. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Chief Warrant Officer 2 Akeel Austin)

Lt. Col. Steele accepted the Von Steuben Superior Unit Performance Award on behalf of 2nd MAW for their outstanding performance during their Comprehensive Command Inspection, demonstrating high levels of efficiency, integrity, and institutional readiness and setting the standard for other units to emulate through their performance during an IGMC inspection. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Darien Wright) - U.S. Marine Corps Brig. Gen. Adam Chalkley the inspector general of the Marine Corps, left, pose for photo with Lt. Col. Robert Steele a command inspector general with 2nd Marine Aircraft Wing at the Alfred M. Gray Marine Corps Research Center on Marine Corps Base Quantico, Virginia, Oct. 22, 2024. Lt. Col. Steele accepted the Von Steuben Superior Unit Performance Award on behalf of 2nd MAW for their outstanding performance during their Comprehensive Command Inspection, demonstrating high levels of efficiency, integrity, and institutional readiness and setting the standard for other units to emulate through their performance during an IGMC inspection. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Darien Wright)

VMFA-533 received their first F-35B Lightning II jet, marking their transition from the F/A-18 Hornet to the F-35B. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Bryan Giraldo) - U.S. Marine Corps Lt. Col. Zachary Hartnett, from Illinois and the commanding officer of Marine Fighter Attack Squadron (VMFA) 533, taxis an F-35B Lightning II jet at Marine Corps Air Station Beaufort, South Carolina, Oct. 11, 2024. VMFA-533 received their first F-35B Lightning II jet, marking their transition from the F/A-18 Hornet to the F-35B. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Bryan Giraldo)

VMFA-251 became the first East Coast-based Marine Corps squadron to receive the F-35C, designed to operate from conventional aircraft carriers or land bases and provides operational flexibility and persistence to II Marine Expeditionary Force. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Orlanys Diaz Figueroa) - U.S. Marine Corps Lt. Col. Evan Shockley, from Virginia and commanding officer, Marine Fighter Attack Squadron (VMFA) 251, taxis an F-35C Lightning Il at Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point, North Carolina, Sept. 17, 2024. VMFA-251 became the first East Coast-based Marine Corps squadron to receive the F-35C, designed to operate from conventional aircraft carriers or land bases and provides operational flexibility and persistence to II Marine Expeditionary Force. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Orlanys Diaz Figueroa)

Anderton recently won a 2nd Marine Aircraft Wing (MAW) cowbell award, which recognizes and encourages members of 2nd MAW to actively seek out and implement innovations, improvements, and best practices that enhance collective performance and readiness. The cowbell award helps 2nd MAW foster a culture of continuous improvement driven by individual and shared excellence. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Staff. Sgt. Theodore Bergan) - U.S. Marine Corps Lance Cpl. Parker Anderton, from Maine, a heavy equipment mechanic with Marine Wing Support Squadron (MWSS) 271, poses for a photo at Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point, North Carolina Aug. 22, 2024. Anderton recently won a 2nd Marine Aircraft Wing (MAW) cowbell award, which recognizes and encourages members of 2nd MAW to actively seek out and implement innovations, improvements, and best practices that enhance collective performance and readiness. The cowbell award helps 2nd MAW foster a culture of continuous improvement driven by individual and shared excellence. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Staff. Sgt. Theodore Bergan)

An AH-1Z Viper helicopter and two UH-1Y Venom helicopters assigned to Marine Light Attack Helicopter Squadron 269 fly over Lamar, Colorado, Nov. 12, 2021. Marines with HMLA-269 trained in a cold-weather, high-altitude environment to increase proficiency in expeditionary advanced basing operations. HMLA-269 is a subordinate unit of 2nd Marine Aircraft Wing, the aviation combat element of II Marine Expeditionary Force. - An AH-1Z Viper helicopter and two UH-1Y Venom helicopters assigned to Marine Light Attack Helicopter Squadron 269 fly over Lamar, Colorado, Nov. 12, 2021. Marines with HMLA-269 trained in a cold-weather, high-altitude environment to increase proficiency in expeditionary advanced basing operations. HMLA-269 is a subordinate unit of 2nd Marine Aircraft Wing, the aviation combat element of II Marine Expeditionary Force.

Marines establish communications during Trident Juncture 18 on Alvund Beach, Oct. 29, 2018 after being delivered ashore from USS Iwo Jima (LHD-7). The Marines and vehicles were transported via the U.S. Navy’s landing craft air cushion which rapidly brought Marine Corps combat power from the ship to the shore. Trident Juncture exercises tactics and procedures in different environments which enables forces to remain ready and improve interoperability. The amphibious landing prepares the 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit to work effectively, swiftly and collectively to respond to threats in any location. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Margaret Gale) - Marines establish communications during Trident Juncture 18 on Alvund Beach, Oct. 29, 2018 after being delivered ashore from USS Iwo Jima (LHD-7). The Marines and vehicles were transported via the U.S. Navy’s landing craft air cushion which rapidly brought Marine Corps combat power from the ship to the shore. Trident Juncture exercises tactics and procedures in different environments which enables forces to remain ready and improve interoperability. The amphibious landing prepares the 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit to work effectively, swiftly and collectively to respond to threats in any location. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Margaret Gale)