3rd Marine Aircraft Wing

3rd Marine Aircraft Wing
United States Marine Corps · Public domain · source
Unit name	3rd Marine Aircraft Wing
Caption	Emblem of the 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing
Dates	1942–present
Country	United States
Branch	United States Marine Corps
Type	Aviation combat element
Role	Aviation command and control
Size	Wing
Garrison	Marine Corps Air Station Miramar
Decorations	Presidential Unit Citation (United States), Navy Unit Commendation

3rd Marine Aircraft Wing is the primary fixed-wing and rotary-wing aviation command of the I Marine Expeditionary Force on the United States West Coast. It provides air support to Marine Expeditionary Force operations, coordinating with United States Pacific Command, United States Indo-Pacific Command, and joint partners to deliver close air support, aerial reconnaissance, and logistics. Formed during World War II, the wing has supported operations from the Pacific Theater of World War II to the Global War on Terrorism and remains headquartered at Marine Corps Air Station Miramar.

History

Activated in 1942 during World War II, the unit supported combat operations in the Pacific Theater of World War II and participated in campaigns against Imperial Japanese forces such as the Guadalcanal Campaign and the Battle of Okinawa. During the Korean War, elements of the wing provided aviation support through deployments to Korea and adjacent bases, working alongside units from United States Seventh Fleet and United Nations Command (Korea). In the Vietnam War, squadrons from the wing deployed to Republic of Vietnam and operated from Da Nang Air Base and Chu Lai Air Base in support of III Marine Amphibious Force operations. Following the Cold War, the wing supported operations in Operation Desert Storm, Operation Restore Hope, and humanitarian missions coordinated with United States Central Command and United States Southern Command. In the 21st century, the wing provided aviation combat elements for Operation Enduring Freedom in Afghanistan and Operation Iraqi Freedom in Iraq, integrating with NATO and coalition partners.

Organization and Units

The wing is organized under the I Marine Expeditionary Force aviation combat element and comprises multiple groups and squadrons, including Marine Aircraft Group 11, Marine Aircraft Group 16, Marine Aircraft Group 39, and Marine Aircraft Group 41 (Reserve). Units include fixed-wing squadrons such as Marine Fighter Attack Squadron 232 and rotary-wing squadrons such as Marine Heavy Helicopter Squadron 361. The wing also incorporates aviation support units like Marine Air Control Group 38, Marine Aviation Logistics Squadron 11, and Marine Wing Support Group 37 to provide maintenance, logistics, and command-and-control functions. Personnel rotate through assignments with allied organizations such as Royal Australian Air Force, Japan Air Self-Defense Force, and Republic of Korea Air Force during exercises.

Mission and Role

The wing's primary mission is to organize, train, and equip aviation forces in support of I Marine Expeditionary Force and joint operations, delivering offensive air support, assault support, aerial reconnaissance, electronic warfare, and control of aircraft. It provides close air support to Marine Corps ground forces, integrates with naval aviation from the United States Navy carrier strike groups, and supports expeditionary operations with assets interoperable with United States Air Force and allied air forces. The wing also contributes to contingency response for crises in the Indo-Pacific, supports deterrence activities with United States Indo-Pacific Command, and participates in multinational exercises such as RIMPAC and Foal Eagle.

Aircraft and Equipment

The wing operates a mix of fixed-wing and rotary-wing aircraft, including the Lockheed Martin F-35 Lightning II variants operated by Marine squadrons, legacy platforms such as the Boeing F/A-18 Hornet, the McDonnell Douglas AV-8B Harrier II, and transport and tiltrotor aircraft like the Bell Boeing V-22 Osprey and Lockheed C-130 Hercules. Rotary-wing platforms include the Sikorsky CH-53E Super Stallion, the Bell UH-1Y Venom, and the Boeing AH-1Z Viper. The wing fields aerial refueling, electronic warfare, and unmanned systems interoperable with systems from United States Air Force units, Navy squadrons, and allied platforms used by Royal Air Force and Australian Defence Force.

Deployments and Operations

Units from the wing have deployed to campaign theaters including the Pacific Theater of World War II, Korean War, Vietnam War, Operation Desert Storm, Operation Enduring Freedom, and Operation Iraqi Freedom. The wing has participated in disaster relief operations after events such as the 2004 Indian Ocean earthquake and tsunami and Hurricane Katrina relief, partnering with United States Northern Command and United States Agency for International Development. The wing routinely supports rotational deployments to Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton training events, Camp Lemonnier in Djibouti, and forward basing arrangements with Joint Base Pearl Harbor–Hickam and Andersen Air Force Base.

Training and Bases

Headquartered at Marine Corps Air Station Miramar, the wing trains at ranges and facilities including the Combat Center (California) at Marine Corps Air Ground Combat Center Twentynine Palms, Marine Corps Air Station Yuma, and Marine Corps Base Hawaii. Training includes carrier qualifications coordinated with Naval Air Station North Island, close air support integration with Marine Corps ground units at Camp Pendleton, and combined-arms exercises with United States Pacific Fleet and allied forces during Talisman Sabre and Keen Sword. Aviation maintenance and logistics training is provided through partnerships with Naval Air Systems Command and Defense Logistics Agency depots.

Honors and Awards

The wing and its subordinate units have received commendations including the Presidential Unit Citation (United States), multiple Navy Unit Commendation awards, and campaign streamers for actions in World War II, Korea, Vietnam, and the Global War on Terrorism. Individual squadrons have earned battalion and squadron-level honors such as the Meritorious Unit Commendation while supporting joint operations with United States Central Command and multinational coalitions.

Category:United States Marine Corps aviation units and formations Category:Military units and formations established in 1942