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U.S. Marine Corps AV-8B Harrier II's with Marine Attack Squadron (VMA) 231 fly in formation during the squadron’s final flight ceremony at Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point, North Carolina, May 29, 2025. VMA-231 conducted a ceremony to celebrate its last Harrier flight before its deactivation in September. In 2026, the squadron will reactivate as Marine Fighter Attack Squadron 231 and prepare to operate the F-35B Lightning II Joint Strike Fighter. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Bryan Giraldo)

U.S. Marines Corps AV-8B Harrier II with Marine Attack Squadron (VMA) 231 taxis during the squadron’s final flight ceremony at Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point, North Carolina, May 29, 2025. VMA-231 conducted a ceremony to celebrate its last Harrier flight before its deactivation in September. In 2026, the squadron will reactivate as Marine Fighter Attack Squadron 231 and prepare to operate the F-35B Lightning II Joint Strike Fighter. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Bryan Giraldo)

U.S. Marines with Marine Aerial Refueler Transport Squadron (VMGR) 252 arrive in a KC-130J Super Hercules to reunite with friends and family following a deployment at Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point, North Carolina, April 8, 2025. VMGR-252 returned home from a five-month deployment in support of Combined Joint Task Force - Horn of Africa. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Pfc. Gavin Kulczewski)

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)

U.S. Marines with Marine Unmanned Aerial Vehicle Training Squadron (VMUT) 2 conduct aircraft familiarization on an MQ-9A Reaper at Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point, North Carolina, Nov. 4, 2024. VMUT-2 conducts familiarization training as part of its regularly scheduled training to reinforce and refine basic skills for its Marines and to instruct students in operating the MQ-9A Reaper. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Anakin Smith)

A U.S. Marine Corps KC-130J Super Hercules assigned to Marine Aerial Refueler Transport Squadron (VMGR) 252 taxis the flight line before takeoff from Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point, North Carolina, Feb. 2, 2025. At the direction of the President of the United States to the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and the Department of Defense, U.S. military service members are supporting holding operations led by DHS at Naval Station Guantanamo Bay. (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)

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 Chief Warrant Officer 2 Akeel Austin)

A KC-130J Hercules assigned to Marine Aerial Refueler Transport Squadron 252, 2nd Marine Aircraft Wing is loaded with cargo during aerial resupply training at Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point, North Carolina, Feb. 28, 2024. 2nd Distribution Support Battalion, 2nd Marine Logistics Group and VMGR-252, 2nd MAW, utilized MCAS Cherry Point and Marine Corps Outlying Field Oak Grove for aerial resupply and combat skills training to reinforce job skill sets and continue to improve combat proficiency. (U.S. Marine Corps Photo by Lance Cpl. Lauralle Gavilanes)

A KC-130J Hercules assigned to Marine Aerial Refueler Transport Squadron 252, 2nd Marine Aircraft Wing, circles over Marine Corps Outlying Field Oak Grove, North Carolina, during aerial resupply training, Feb. 28, 2024. 2nd Distribution Support Battalion, 2nd Marine Logistics Group and VMGR-252, 2nd MAW, utilized MCAS Cherry Point and Marine Corps Outlying Field Oak Grove for aerial resupply and combat skills training to reinforce job skill sets and continue to improve combat proficiency. (U.S. Marine Corps Photo by Lance Cpl. Lauralle Gavilanes)

U.S. Marines assigned to Marine Wing Support Squadron 272, 2nd Marine Aircraft Wing, perform mechanical cratering in preparation for Exercise Winter Pioneer 24, at Marine Corps Outlying Field Oak Grove, North Carolina, Feb. 6, 2024. MWSS-272 facilitated this training to assist 8th Engineer Support Battalion in preparation for Winter Pioneer 24, a tactical level field exercise that enables Marines to rehearse establishing and sustaining advanced naval and expeditionary bases that contribute to maritime domain awareness. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Lauralle Walker)

U.S. Marines with Marine Wing Support Squadron 271, and Marine Attack Squadron 223 (VMA-223), 2nd Marine Aircraft Wing, and B Company, 6th Engineer Support Battalion (6ESB), fuel an AV-8B Harrier II from VMA-223 during a training exercise at Marine Corps Auxiliary Landing Field Bogue, July 19, 2023. 6ESB held its annual two-week training at MCALF Bogue to provide an opportunity for its Marines to integrate in an expeditionary environment to fuel active aircraft, increasing proficiency and readiness. (U.S. Marine Corps by Lance Cpl. Lauralle Walker)

Two KC-130J Hercules assigned to Marine Aerial Refueler Transport Squadron (VMGR) 252 fly over Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point, North Carolina, June 1, 2023. Marines of VMGR-252 celebrated 95 years as a Marine Corps aviation squadron. VMGR-252 is a subordinate unit of 2nd MAW, the aviation combat element of II Marine Expeditionary Force (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Orlanys Diaz Figueroa)

Two KC-130J Hercules assigned to Marine Aerial Refueler Transport Squadron (VMGR) 252 fly over Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point, North Carolina, June 1, 2023. Marines of VMGR-252 celebrated 95 years as a Marine Corps aviation squadron. VMGR-252 is a subordinate unit of 2nd MAW, the aviation combat element of II Marine Expeditionary Force (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Orlanys Diaz Figueroa)

U.S. Marines with Marine Attack Squadron (VMA) 231, 2nd Marine Aircraft Wing, conduct pre-flight checks during a simulated harrier strike in support of Marine Expeditionary Unit Exercise III on Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point, North Carolina, March 7, 2023. The strike was conducted as part of a training scenario aimed at sharpening the 26th MEU Marine Air-Ground Task Force's coordination during multidimensional missions in preparation for an upcoming deployment. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Aziza Kamuhanda)

Marines with Bulk Fuel Company, 8th Engineer Support Battalion, 2nd Marine Logistics Group use Twin Agent Units to extinguish a blaze during a live fire training exercise aboard Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point, Aug. 28, 2013. TAUs combine dry chemicals with water to create a foam that chokes the oxygen from a fire, stunting its growth and effectively ending it. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Shawn Valosin)

U.S. Marine Corps Lt. Gen. Mark R. Wise, deputy commandant for aviation, co-pilots a CH-53K King Stallion at Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point, North Carolina, Feb. 8, 2022. Wise visited MCAS Cherry Point to conduct the Executive Marine Air Board, tour facilities and new construction for aviation operations, fly the CH-53K King Stallion, and meet with Marines of the 2nd Marine Aircraft Wing. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Caleb Stelter)

U.S. Marines with Marine Attack Training Squadron (VMAT) 203 stand in formation during a deactivation ceremony for the squadron at Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point, North Carolina, Oct. 29, 2021. VMAT-203 was established in 1983 and was tasked with the mission of training Marine Corps AV-8B Harrier pilots. In accordance with the Commandant’s Force Design 2030, VMAT-203 will transition to a Fleet Replacement Detachment assigned to Marine Attack Squadron (VMA) 223 and will continue training Marines until the Harrier is fully decommissioned. VMAT-203 was a subordinate unit of 2nd Marine Aircraft Wing, the aviation combat element of II Marine Expeditionary Force. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Adam Henke)

An UH-1Y and AH-1Z with Marine Light Attack Helicopter Squadron 167 do a fly over during the 2021 Marine Corp Air Station (MCAS) Cherry Point Air Show and 80th Anniversary celebration on MCAS Cherry Point, North Carolina, Sept. 25, 2021. The air show is MCAS Cherry Point and 2nd Marine Aircraft Wing's immense, community outreach event that is a show of appreciation to its regional neighbors and community partners for their enduring support in mission success. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Sgt. Damaris Arias)

The 19th Sergeant Major of the Marine Corps, Sgt. Maj. Troy E. Black, speaks at a town hall at Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point, Nc, Feb. 17, 2021. The Sergeant Major of the Marine Corps conducted the visit to speak to Marines that are currently attending their initial aviation trraining. The Center for Naval Aviation Technical Training (CNATT) mission is to develop, deliver, and support aviation training necessary to meet validated fleet requirements through a continuum of professional and personal growth for Sailors and Marines. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Sgt. Victoria Ross)