Marine Aircraft Group 13

Last updated

Marine Aircraft Group 13
MAG-13 insignia.png
MAG-13 insignia
Active1 March 1942 –present
AllegianceFlag of the United States.svg  United States of America
BranchFlag of the United States Marine Corps.svg United States Marine Corps
TypeMarine Aircraft Group
Role Offensive Air Support
Aerial Reconnaissance
Part of 3d Marine Aircraft Wing
I Marine Expeditionary Force
Garrison/HQ Marine Corps Air Station Yuma
Engagements World War II
Korean War
Vietnam War
Operation Desert Storm
Operation Enduring Freedom
Operation Iraqi Freedom
Commanders
Commanding OfficerCol Chad A. Vaughn
Executive OfficerLtCol Anthony M. Koehl
Sergeant MajorSgtMaj Ryan K. Hampton

Marine Aircraft Group 13 is a United States Marine Corps aviation unit based at Marine Corps Air Station Yuma that is currently composed of one McDonnell Douglas AV-8B Harrier II squadron, three Lockheed Martin F-35B Lightning II squadrons, an unmanned aerial vehicle squadron, a maintenance and logistics squadron, and a wing support squadron. The group falls under the command of the 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing and the I Marine Expeditionary Force.

Contents

Mission

Provide air support to Marine Air-Ground Task Force commanders.

Organization 2024

As of March 2024 the Marine Aircraft Group 13 consists of: [1]

F-35B Lightning II squadrons:

MQ-9A Reaper squadron:

Support squadron:

History

World War II

Marine Aircraft Group 13 was activated 1 March 1942, in San Diego, California. A week later the group's forward echelon was en route to Samoa. The first planes from MAG-13 arrived at Tutuila on 2 April 1942 at which point they assumed responsibility for the air defense of American Samoa. In these early days of the war, before the victories at Midway and Guadalcanal, Samoa was seen as very vulnerable and open to attack by the Japanese. MAG-13 pilots were mostly untrained and each MAG-13 squadron was also instructed to organize as an infantry company should the need to defend the islands ever arise. [2] By 27 May part of the group was based out of Funafuti and on 15 December another element moved to Nanumea. Squadrons from the group operated out of Wallis, Nukufetau, Tarawa and Makin Atoll before the entire group was consolidated on Majuro in April 1944. From there they participated in the campaign to neutralize by-passed Japanese bases in the Marshall Islands. The group remained on Majuro until the end of the war. [3] MAG-13 returned to the west coast in October 1945 and were deactivated shortly thereafter. [4]

Post World War II years

Reformed in March 1951, the MAG moved to Marine Corps Air Station Kaneohe Bay, Hawaii, in early 1952 with two fighter squadrons and Marine Air Control Squadron 2. [5] Aviation units based at Marine Corps Air Station El Toro were rotated to MCAS Kaneohe Bay every six months for training until April 1954. On 1 May 1956, the 1st Marine Brigade assumed its title in lieu of the 1st Provisional Marine Air Ground Task Force designation, and MAG-13 provided the air support for the unique organization. It gained the distinction of being the only composite Marine Aircraft Group, composed of fighter, attack and helicopter squadrons, supporting the ground arm of the brigade.

Vietnam War

In June 1965, MAG-13 became a unit of the 1st Marine Aircraft Wing at Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni, Japan, where it operated until September 1966 when it deployed to South Vietnam. Based out of Chu Lai Air Base, MAG-13 supported the III Marine Amphibious Force and other forces in I Corps and II Corps tactical zones, Laos, North Vietnam and Cambodia. Initially the Group consisted of VMFA-314, VMFA-323 and VMFA-542 all operating F-4B Phantoms. In December 1965, VMFA-542 was replaced with VMFA-115 while VMFA-232 and VMFA-334 arrived in early 1969 with the new F-4J's. This was the structure that remained through most of 1969.

MAG-13 headquarters left South Vietnam in September 1970 and returned to MCAS El Toro in October of that same year.

A TA-4F Skyhawk of H&MS-13 in 1975 TA-4F H-MS-13 1975.JPG
A TA-4F Skyhawk of H&MS-13 in 1975

1980s to present

The Group moved to Marine Corps Air Station Yuma on 1 October 1987.

Global War on Terror

In early January 2003 Marine Aircraft Group 13 deployed to the Persian Gulf in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom. With 60 Harriers operating from the USS Bonhomme Richard (LHD-6) and 16 from Al Jaber Air Base in Kuwait, Harriers of Marine Aircraft Group 13 flew over 2,000 sorties, over 3,000 flight hours and expended over 750,000 pounds of ordnance in support of I Marine Expeditionary Force. [6]

Between 2003 and 2007 all four VMA squadrons of Marine Aircraft Group 13 made multiple deployments to Al Asad Air Base to support coalition combat operations in Iraq. During this period, MAG-13 squadrons also deployed to Japan to support the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit, and provided Harrier detachments in support the 11th, 13th, and 15th Marine Expeditionary Units (MEU). In 2005, Marine Aircraft Group 13 squadrons upgraded the avionics and software systems of the AV-8B, enabling all weather precision strike capability. These warfighting enhancements were demonstrated in early 2006, when VMA-513 became the first Marine Harrier squadron to employ the Joint Direct Attack Munition (JDAM) in combat.

Since September 2001, MAG-13 has amassed over 15,000 combat flight hours in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation Enduring Freedom.

Unit awards

Since the beginning of World War II, the United States military has honored various units for extraordinary heroism or outstanding non-combat service. This information comes from the official Marine Aircraft Group 13 webpage and is certified by the Commandant of the Marine Corps. [7]

StreamerAwardYear(s)Additional Info
Streamer PUC Navy.PNG Presidential Unit Citation Streamer with one Bronze Star 1966–1967, 2003 Vietnam War, Iraq War
Navy Unit Commendation streamer.svg Navy Unit Commendation Streamer with three Bronze Stars1967–68, 1968, 1969–70, 1990–1991 Vietnam War, Desert Storm,
Meritorious Unit Commendation (Navy-Marine) Streamer.jpg Meritorious Unit Commendation Streamer with two Bronze Stars1994-5, 1999–2000, 2006 [8]
Asiatic-Pacific Streamer.png Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Streamer with one Bronze Star
Streamer WWII V.PNG World War II Victory Streamer 1942–1945 Pacific War
Streamer NDS.PNG National Defense Service Streamer with three Bronze Stars1950–1954, 1961–1974, 1990–1995, 2001–present Korean War, Vietnam War, Gulf War, War on Terrorism
Streamer VS.PNG Vietnam Service Streamer with two Silver Stars 1965, 1966–1967
Streamer SAS.PNG Southwest Asia Service Streamer with two Bronze Stars1990–1991 Desert Shield, Desert Storm
Iraq Campaign streamer (USMC).svg Iraq Campaign Streamer 2006, 2007–2008, 2009
Streamer gwotE.PNG Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Streamer 2001–present
Streamer gwotS.PNG Global War on Terrorism Service Streamer 2001–present
VGCP Streamer.jpg Vietnam Gallantry Cross with Palm Streamer
Streamer RVMUCCA.PNG Vietnam Meritorious Unit Citation Civil Actions Streamer

See also

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">VMFA-232</span> Military unit

Marine Fighter Attack Squadron 232 (VMFA-232) is a United States Marine Corps F/A-18 Hornet squadron. Nicknamed the "Red Devils", the squadron is based at Marine Corps Air Station Miramar, California and falls under the command of Marine Aircraft Group 11 (MAG-11) and the 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing. The Red Devils are the oldest and most decorated fighter squadron in the Marine Corps.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">VMFA-112</span> Military unit

Marine Fighter Attack Squadron 112 (VMFA-112) is a reserve United States Marine Corps McDonnell-Douglas F/A-18 Hornet squadron. The squadron is based at NASJRB Fort Worth, Texas and falls under the command of Marine Aircraft Group 41 (MAG-41), 4th Marine Aircraft Wing. Their tail code is MA. During World War II the squadron saw extensive action throughout the Pacific Theater of Operations especially at the Battle of Guadalcanal as part of the Cactus Air Force. By the end of the war, its 140 air-to-air kills ranked it third among Marine Corps squadrons.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">VMFA-122</span> United States military unit

Marine Fighter Attack Squadron 122 (VMFA-122) is a United States Marine Corps fighter attack squadron flying the F-35B Lightning II. The squadron is based out of Marine Corps Air Station Yuma, AZ and falls under the command of Marine Aircraft Group 13 (MAG-13) and the 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing. The squadron nickname is the "Flying Leathernecks," and their traditional radio call sign is "Nikel". On 14 November 2017, VMFA-122 opened a new chapter of their history, transitioning from the McDonnell Douglas F/A-18C Hornet to the Lockheed Martin F-35B Lightning II and moving from MCAS Beaufort and MAG-31, 2nd MAW to MCAS Yuma and MAG-13, 3rd MAW.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">VMFA-211</span> United States Marine Corps fighter attack squadron

Marine Fighter Attack Squadron 211 (VMFA-211) is a United States Marine Corps fighter attack squadron, currently consisting of F-35B Lightning II stealth STOVL strike fighter jets. Known as the "Wake Island Avengers" and the "Bastion Defenders", the squadron is based at Marine Corps Air Station Yuma, Arizona and falls under the command of Marine Aircraft Group 13 (MAG-13) and the 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">VMFA-311</span> Military unit

Marine Fighter Attack Squadron 311 (VMFA-311) is a United States Marine Corps fighter attack squadron consisting of F-35C Lightning II. Known as the "Tomcats", the squadron is based at Marine Corps Air Station Miramar, California and falls under the command of Marine Aircraft Group 11 (MAG-11) and the 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">VMFAT-502</span> USMC fighter attack training squadron

Marine Fighter Attack Training Squadron 502 (VMFAT-502) is a United States Marine Corps fighter attack training squadron flying the Lockheed Martin F-35 Lightning II. Known as the "Flying Nightmares", the squadron maintains the history of Marine Attack Squadron 513 (VMA-513) which dates back to World War II and was decommissioned on 12 July 2013. The squadron is based at Marine Corps Air Station Miramar and falls under the command of Marine Aircraft Group 11 and the 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing

<span class="mw-page-title-main">3rd Marine Aircraft Wing</span> United States military unit

The 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing is the major west coast aviation unit of the United States Marine Corps. It is headquartered at Marine Corps Air Station Miramar, in San Diego, California and provides the aviation combat element for I Marine Expeditionary Force. The wing is made up of a headquarters squadron, four flying groups, an aviation command and control group and an aviation engineering group.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2nd Marine Aircraft Wing</span> Military unit

The 2nd Marine Aircraft Wing is the major east coast aviation unit of the United States Marine Corps and is headquartered in Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point, North Carolina. The Wing provides the aviation combat element for the II Marine Expeditionary Force.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Marine Aircraft Group 11</span> Military unit

Marine Aircraft Group 11 is a United States Marine Corps aviation unit based at Marine Corps Air Station Miramar that is currently composed of two F-35C squadrons, one F-35B squadron, two F/A-18C squadrons, one fleet replacement squadron, one KC-130J tactical aerial refueling squadron, a maintenance and logistics squadron, and a wing support squadron. They fall under the command of the 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing and the I Marine Expeditionary Force.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">VMFA-115</span> Military unit

Marine Fighter Attack Squadron 115 (VMFA-115) was a United States Marine Corps F/A-18 Hornet squadron. Officially nicknamed the "Silver Eagles" and on occasion Joe's Jokers after their first commanding officer Major Joe Foss, the squadron was last based at Marine Corps Air Station Beaufort, South Carolina and fell under the command of Marine Aircraft Group 31 (MAG-31) and the 2nd Marine Aircraft Wing. The squadron participated in combat operations during World War II, the Korean and Vietnam Wars and has deployed in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom with a final deployment in 2008 to Al Asad Airbase in western Iraq. The Squadron radio callsign was "Blade".

<span class="mw-page-title-main">VMFA-542</span> Military unit

Marine Fighter Attack Squadron 542 (VMFA-542) is a United States Marine Corps Aviation fighter attack squadron flying the F-35B Lightning II. VMFA-542 is based at Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point, North Carolina and falls under the command of Marine Aircraft Group 14 (MAG-14) and the 2nd Marine Aircraft Wing.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">VMFA-314</span> Military unit

Marine Fighter Attack Squadron 314 (VMFA-314) is a United States Marine Corps F-35C Lightning II squadron. The squadron, known as the "Black Knights", is based at Marine Corps Air Station Miramar, California and falls under the command of Marine Aircraft Group 11 (MAG-11) and the 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing, but deploys with the US Navy's Carrier Air Wing Nine (NG).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">VMFA-225</span> Military unit

Marine Fighter Attack Squadron 225 (VMFA-225) is a United States Marine Corps fighter attack squadron flying the F-35B Lightning II. The squadron, known as the "Vikings", is based at Marine Corps Air Station Yuma in Arizona and falls under the command of Marine Aircraft Group 13 (MAG-13) and the 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">VMFA(AW)-224</span> Military unit

Marine All Weather Fighter Attack Squadron 224 is a United States Marine Corps F/A-18 Hornet squadron. Also known as the "Fighting Bengals", the squadron is based at Marine Corps Air Station Beaufort, South Carolina and falls under the command of Marine Aircraft Group 31 (MAG-31) and the 2nd Marine Aircraft Wing. The Bengals are the only Marine F/A-18D Hornet Squadron currently operating out of MCAS Beaufort.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Marine Aircraft Group 14</span> Military unit

Marine Aircraft Group 14 (MAG-14) is a United States Marine Corps aviation unit based at Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point, North Carolina that is currently composed of two AV-8B Harrier squadrons, one F-35B squadron, one UAV training squadron, one KC-130 squadron, and an aviation logistics squadron.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Marine Aircraft Group 31</span> Military unit

Marine Aircraft Group 31 (MAG-31) is a United States Marine Corps aviation group based at Marine Corps Air Station Beaufort, South Carolina that is currently composed of two F/A-18C Hornet squadrons, one F/A-18A++ Hornet squadron, two F/A-18D Hornet squadrons, one F-35B Lightning II training squadron, and an aviation logistics squadron. It falls under the command of the 2nd Marine Aircraft Wing.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">VMFA-312</span> United States Marine Corps aircraft unit

Marine Fighter Attack Squadron 312 (VMFA-312) is a United States Marine Corps F/A-18C Hornet squadron. Also known as the "Checkerboards", the squadron is based at Marine Corps Air Station Beaufort, South Carolina and falls under the command of Marine Aircraft Group 31 (MAG-31) and the 2nd Marine Aircraft Wing. The Radio Callsign is "Check."

<span class="mw-page-title-main">VMGR-252</span> Military unit

Marine Aerial Refueler Transport Squadron 252 (VMGR-252) is a United States Marine Corps KC-130J squadron. They are a part of Marine Aircraft Group 14 (MAG-14), 2nd Marine Aircraft Wing and provide both fixed-wing and rotary-wing aerial refueling capabilities to support Fleet Marine Force air operations in addition to assault air transport of personnel, equipment, and supplies. The squadron, known as "Otis" is stationed at Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point, North Carolina. It also has the distinction of being the oldest continually active squadron in the Marine Corps.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">VMFA-242</span> Military unit

Marine Fighter Attack Squadron 242 (VMFA-242) is a United States Marine Corps squadron flying F-35B Lightning II STOVL Stealth Fighter. The squadron, known as the "Bats", is based at Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni, Japan and falls under the command of Marine Aircraft Group 12 (MAG-12) and the 1st Marine Aircraft Wing. The radio callsign is "Profane".

<span class="mw-page-title-main">VMFAT-501</span> Military unit

Marine Fighter Attack Training Squadron 501 (VMFAT-501) is a training squadron in the United States Marine Corps, consisting of 27 F-35B Lightning II aircraft and serves as the Fleet Replacement Squadron. Known as the "Warlords," the squadron is based at Marine Corps Air Station Beaufort, South Carolina and falls administratively under Marine Aircraft Group 31 and the 2nd Marine Aircraft Wing. The squadron has assumed the lineage of VMFA-451 which was originally known as the "Blue Devils" and saw action during World War II and Operation Desert Storm. They were decommissioned on 31 January 1997.

References

Citations

PD-icon.svg This article incorporates public domain material from websites or documents of the United States Marine Corps .
  1. ↑ "3rd Marine Aircraft Wing". 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing. Retrieved 8 March 2024.
  2. ↑ Sherrod (1952), pp. 216–217.
  3. ↑ Sherrod (1952), p. 444.
  4. ↑ Rottman (2002), p. 435.
  5. ↑ "Air Station Salutes". Hawaii Marine. Vol. 11, no. 2. Marine Corps Base Hawaii. 13 January 1982. p. 4. Retrieved 13 January 2021.
  6. ↑ Visconage & Harris: 73.
  7. ↑ "MAG-13 Honors Awarded" (PDF). United States Marine Corps. Retrieved 23 April 2009.[ permanent dead link ]
  8. ↑ While the MUC for 2006 has not been officially certified on MAG-13's website, it has been listed in an official Marine Corps Awards Document MARADMIN 0250/09 Awards Update from April 2009 (Retrieved 23 April 2009).

Bibliography

  • Rottman, Gordon L. (2002). U.S. Marine Corps World War II Order of Battle – Ground and Air Units in the Pacific War, 1939–1945. Greenwood Press. ISBN   0-313-31906-5.
  • Sherrod, Robert (1952). History of Marine Corps Aviation in World War II. Washington, D.C.: Combat Forces Press.
  • Visconage, Michael D. & Harris, Carroll N. "Third Marine Aircraft Wing – Operation Iraqi Freedom". Marine Corps Association, 2004.
Web
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.