HISTORY
2nd Marine Aircraft Wing Band was formed for service in 1941 when the Wing itself was commissioned in response to the United States’ entry into World War II. For eight decades, the band has distinguished itself as a musical ambassador of the Marine Corps by performing at over 300 events annually. 2nd Marine Aircraft Wing Band performs at both military and civilian ceremonies, formal concerts, community celebrations, parades, festivals, and public relations tours. Marine Corps Band heritage dates back to the whistling fifes and rolling drums of the first Marines when the Corps was established in 1775 and upholds the tradition of excellence and service to Corps and country, which is a proud legacy to all Marines.
Past highlights include appearances at the Cotton Bowl, the New York International Auto Show, the Kentucky Derby, the Indy 500, the Coca-Cola 600, the Miss America Pageant Parade, Mardi Gras Parades, the International Marine Tattoo, the Fergus Scottish Festival and Parade in Ontario, Fleet Week in New York City, the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade, Marine Weeks in Nashville and Atlanta, the Columbus Day Parade in New York City, the Cleveland International Tattoo, and the Fortissimo Sunset Ceremony in Ottawa. In addition to performances along the Eastern United States, the Band has also appeared internationally in Bermuda, Canada, Caribbean, Denmark, France, Germany, Great Britain, Haiti, Iceland, Italy, Mexico, Norway, and Scotland. On one of these tours, the Band had the distinct honor of performing for the Queen of Denmark and Price Edward of Great Britain.
In addition to its musical mission, 2nd Marine Aircraft Wing Band has supported combat operations throughout its history; most recently deploying to Afghanistan, in 2009, as a security augmentation force in support of OPERATION ENDURING FREEDOM. The band has received Certificates of Commendation from the Commandant of the Marine Corps in 1973 and 1985 and Meritorious Unit Citations in 1972 and 1984 for excellence in the performance of duty. The Band continues their legacy by serving and inspiring the thousands of Marines, Sailors, civilians, and families for who call Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point and the surrounding communities “home.”