Sgts. Maj. William O. Mayo, right, and Robert P. Palechek, left, stand ready for the transfer of the sword during the 2nd Low Altitude Air Defense Battalion relief and appointment ceremony held at Marine Aerial Refueler Transport Squadron 252’s hangar Jan. 21. Mayo relinquished his post as the sergeant major of 2nd LAAD to Palechek during the ceremony. - Sgts. Maj. William O. Mayo, right, and Robert P. Palechek, left, stand ready for the transfer of the sword during the 2nd Low Altitude Air Defense Battalion relief and appointment ceremony held at Marine Aerial Refueler Transport Squadron 252’s hangar Jan. 21. Mayo relinquished his post as the sergeant major of 2nd LAAD to Palechek during the ceremony.

Three couples reunite after a bus dropped off the 19 Marine Heavy Helicopter Squadron 366 Marines who returned home after a seven-month deployment to Afghanistan Jan. 16. The remaining Hammerheads are scheduled to return home in February. - Three couples reunite after a bus dropped off the 19 Marine Heavy Helicopter Squadron 366 Marines who returned home after a seven-month deployment to Afghanistan Jan. 16. The remaining Hammerheads are scheduled to return home in February.

Capt. Michael R. Donlin, an AV-8B Harrier pilot with Marine Attack Squadron 542, greets his daughter Bailey and his wife Lexi upon his return to Cherry Point Jan. 21, after a six-month deployment with the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit. Donlin, along with three additional pilots were among the last VMA-542 Marines to return from deployment with the 31st MEU. “It’s a great feeling to have everyone in one place,” said Lt. Col. Joshua L. Luck, the commanding officer of VMA-542. “We overcame a lot of obstacles and supported a fair share of exercises over the past six and a half months.” The Marines of the 31st MEU supported exercises in Iwakuni, Japan, the Philippines, Singapore and Hong Kong. - Capt. Michael R. Donlin, an AV-8B Harrier pilot with Marine Attack Squadron 542, greets his daughter Bailey and his wife Lexi upon his return to Cherry Point Jan. 21, after a six-month deployment with the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit. Donlin, along with three additional pilots were among the last VMA-542 Marines to return from deployment with the 31st MEU. “It’s a great feeling to have everyone in one place,” said Lt. Col. Joshua L. Luck, the commanding officer of VMA-542. “We overcame a lot of obstacles and supported a fair share of exercises over the past six and a half months.” The Marines of the 31st MEU supported exercises in Iwakuni, Japan, the Philippines, Singapore and Hong Kong.

Maj. Gen. Jon M. Davis, the commanding general of the 2nd Marine Aircraft Wing, speaks to approximately 25 of the current or future operations officers of squadrons within 2nd MAW on the third day of the 2nd MAW Operations Officer Course at Millers Landing Jan. 20. The information taught in the course is what operations officers need to know in order to prepare their squadrons not only for deployments but also for daily, weekly, monthly and annual requirements they have to meet. - Maj. Gen. Jon M. Davis, the commanding general of the 2nd Marine Aircraft Wing, speaks to approximately 25 of the current or future operations officers of squadrons within 2nd MAW on the third day of the 2nd MAW Operations Officer Course at Millers Landing Jan. 20. The information taught in the course is what operations officers need to know in order to prepare their squadrons not only for deployments but also for daily, weekly, monthly and annual requirements they have to meet.

Chef Rick Tarantino, right, offers a serving of white asparagus to Carol Davis, spouse of 2nd Marine Aircraft Wing commanding general, Maj. Gen. Jon M. Davis Jan. 18, during a dinner Davis hosted in his home for eight 2nd MAW Marines, who demonstrated acts of courage in 2010. Tarantino, who regularly appears on the Home Shopping Network, said, “giving back and cooking for the men and women that protect our country is my privilege.” - Chef Rick Tarantino, right, offers a serving of white asparagus to Carol Davis, spouse of 2nd Marine Aircraft Wing commanding general, Maj. Gen. Jon M. Davis Jan. 18, during a dinner Davis hosted in his home for eight 2nd MAW Marines, who demonstrated acts of courage in 2010. Tarantino, who regularly appears on the Home Shopping Network, said, “giving back and cooking for the men and women that protect our country is my privilege.”

Gunnery Sgt. Timothy Murray from Camp Lejeune’s Wounded Warrior Battalion keeps his eyes open and shotgun ready for ducks flying overhead Jan. 22. Murray said he thinks hunts like this have a therapeutic effect. - Gunnery Sgt. Timothy Murray from Camp Lejeune’s Wounded Warrior Battalion keeps his eyes open and shotgun ready for ducks flying overhead Jan. 22. Murray said he thinks hunts like this have a therapeutic effect.

Col. Russell A. C. Sanborn gives Maj. Gen. John A. Toolan Jr. a pep talk about the functions of the AV-8B Harrier at Marine Attack Training Squadron 203, Jan. 13. Toolan, commanding general of II Marine Expeditionary Force (Forward), visited the air station to meet with leaders of 2nd Marine Aircraft Wing regarding its upcoming deployment to serve as the aviation combat element for II MEF (Fwd.). In addition to flying with Sanborn, the assistant wing commander for 2nd MAW (Fwd.), Toolan arrived at the air station in an AH-1W Super Cobra and was greeted on the flight line by Maj. Gen. Jon M. Davis, commanding general of 2nd MAW. - Col. Russell A. C. Sanborn gives Maj. Gen. John A. Toolan Jr. a pep talk about the functions of the AV-8B Harrier at Marine Attack Training Squadron 203, Jan. 13. Toolan, commanding general of II Marine Expeditionary Force (Forward), visited the air station to meet with leaders of 2nd Marine Aircraft Wing regarding its upcoming deployment to serve as the aviation combat element for II MEF (Fwd.). In addition to flying with Sanborn, the assistant wing commander for 2nd MAW (Fwd.), Toolan arrived at the air station in an AH-1W Super Cobra and was greeted on the flight line by Maj. Gen. Jon M. Davis, commanding general of 2nd MAW.

Lance Cpl. Steven Smiley hugs his wife, Katie, and daughter, Elyse, during the Marine Attack Squadron 542 homecoming in the VMA-542 hangar, Jan. 11. Smiley and more than 100 Marines returned from a six-month deployment to Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni, Japan. “All I could think of coming off that bus was in just a few moments I’ll be holding my world in my arms once again,” said Smiley. - Lance Cpl. Steven Smiley hugs his wife, Katie, and daughter, Elyse, during the Marine Attack Squadron 542 homecoming in the VMA-542 hangar, Jan. 11. Smiley and more than 100 Marines returned from a six-month deployment to Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni, Japan. “All I could think of coming off that bus was in just a few moments I’ll be holding my world in my arms once again,” said Smiley.

Sgt. Tyler R. King, a heavy equipment mechanic with Marine Wing Support Squadron 271, embraces his daughter Bree at the MWSS-271 barracks prior to deploying to Central and South America, Jan. 13. Approximately 300 Marines and Sailors from MWSS-271, 2nd Tanks Battalion, 2nd Assault Amphibian Battalion and individual augments from II Marine Expeditionary Force departed Morehead City for a three-month deployment in support of Security Cooperation Task Force Southern Partnership Station 2011. The troops will participate in military-to-military information-sharing missions throughout Central and South America, including Marine Corps Martial Arts Program training, jungle survival and maritime exchanges. The partnership program is designed to enhance security cooperation and relationships between theaters. - Sgt. Tyler R. King, a heavy equipment mechanic with Marine Wing Support Squadron 271, embraces his daughter Bree at the MWSS-271 barracks prior to deploying to Central and South America, Jan. 13. Approximately 300 Marines and Sailors from MWSS-271, 2nd Tanks Battalion, 2nd Assault Amphibian Battalion and individual augments from II Marine Expeditionary Force departed Morehead City for a three-month deployment in support of Security Cooperation Task Force Southern Partnership Station 2011. The troops will participate in military-to-military information-sharing missions throughout Central and South America, including Marine Corps Martial Arts Program training, jungle survival and maritime exchanges. The partnership program is designed to enhance security cooperation and relationships between theaters.