MAG-22

MAG-22
Unit name	Marine Aircraft Group 22
Caption	Emblem of Marine Aircraft Group 22
Dates	1942–present
Country	United States
Branch	United States Marine Corps
Type	Aviation group
Role	Aviation command and control
Garrison	Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point
Nickname	Golden Eagles
Notable commanders	Major General James E. Livingston

MAG-22 is a United States Marine Corps aviation group based at Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point, North Carolina. It provides aviation support to Marine Expeditionary Units, II Marine Expeditionary Force, and joint task forces, integrating rotary-wing, tiltrotor, and fixed-wing capabilities across expeditionary operations. The group traces lineage through World War II, the Cold War, the Gulf War, and post-9/11 conflicts, partnering with United States Naval Forces Europe–Africa, United States European Command, and United States Northern Command components.

History

Activated during World War II, the group deployed in support of Pacific campaigns alongside units of the United States Marine Corps Aviation and United States Navy task forces. Postwar realignments placed the group at major Atlantic Fleet aviation hubs, where it supported NATO exercises with Commander, Fleet Marine Force Atlantic commands. During the Cold War the group rotated assets in response to crises including the Cuban Missile Crisis and supported contingency operations linked to the Berlin Crisis of 1961. Elements participated in Operation Desert Shield and Operation Desert Storm in 1990–1991, providing assault support, CASEVAC, and command-and-control functions. After 2001, the group deployed squadrons to Operation Enduring Freedom and Operation Iraqi Freedom, integrating with Marine Aircraft Wing 2 and coordinating with United States Central Command air elements. In the 2010s and 2020s MAG-22 modernized to field tiltrotor squadrons and multi-role helicopters for humanitarian assistance during responses to Hurricane Katrina and Hurricane Maria.

Organization and Structure

The group is subordinate to 2nd Marine Aircraft Wing and typically comprises multiple squadrons, a headquarters squadron, and an aviation logistics element. Squadrons under its command have included rotary-wing assault squadrons, logistics squadrons, and unmanned aerial vehicle detachments drawn from Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron and Marine Aviation Logistics Squadron designations. The headquarters squadron provides operations, intelligence, logistics, and medical support and interfaces with Marine Air Control Group 28 and Marine Wing Support Group. Command relationships expand during expeditionary deployments to include cross-attached units from 1st Marine Aircraft Wing, 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing, and allied aviation formations such as Royal Air Force and French Navy squadrons during multinational exercises.

Roles and Missions

Primary missions include assault support, air reconnaissance, aerial refueling, CASEVAC, and aviation command and control in support of Marine ground forces like 1st Marine Division and 2nd Marine Division. The group provides aviation combat element capabilities for Marine Expeditionary Units embarking aboard United States Navy amphibious ships including Wasp-class amphibious assault ship and America-class amphibious assault ship. It supports crisis response, noncombatant evacuation operations linked to United States European Command and United States Southern Command, and humanitarian assistance with partners such as Federal Emergency Management Agency during domestic disasters. MAG-22 conducts integration with joint assets including Air Mobility Command tankers and Navy Carrier Strike Group aviation for combined operations.

Equipment and Aircraft

Assets historically and currently associated with the group include the Bell UH-1Y Venom, Boeing AH-1Z Viper, Bell Boeing V-22 Osprey, and variants of the CH-53E Super Stallion and CH-53K King Stallion for heavy lift. Support aircraft and unmanned systems include rotary-wing logistics platforms and tactical unmanned aerial systems interoperable with Joint Surveillance Target Attack Radar System concepts. Maintenance and logistics are provided by Marine Aviation Logistics Squadron elements using calibrated tooling and depot-level partnerships with Naval Air Systems Command and industry partners such as Sikorsky Aircraft and Bell Textron.

Operations and Deployments

MAG-22 units have deployed aboard amphibious readiness groups for Mediterranean and Caribbean rotations, operated from expeditionary airfields in the Middle East during Operation Iraqi Freedom, and supported counterinsurgency operations in Afghanistan. The group has provided disaster relief during Atlantic hurricane seasons, working alongside United States Coast Guard cutters and United States Northern Command task forces. Forward-deployed detachments have participated in multinational exercises such as Exercise Trident Juncture, Operation Atlantic Resolve, and Exercise Bold Alligator, enhancing interoperability with NATO partners including German Air Force and Italian Navy aviation elements.

Training and Exercises

Training includes carrier qualifications on USS Wasp (LHD-1), expeditionary landing zone rehearsals, and combined arms exercises with units like 3rd Battalion, 8th Marines and 2nd Marine Regiment. The group participates in Marine Corps and joint exercises such as Combat Hunter, Large Scale Exercise events, and aviation readiness drills coordinated with Marine Forces Reserve and Naval Aviation Warfighting Development Center. Flight simulators, night-vision device training, aerial gunnery ranges, and cold-weather exercises at Marine Corps Mountain Warfare Training Center maintain readiness for global contingencies.

Honors and Unit Awards

Squadrons and the headquarters have received campaign streamers and unit citations for service in World War II, Southwest Asia operations, and Global War on Terrorism deployments. Individual squadrons have been awarded Navy Unit Commendation, Meritorious Unit Commendation, and campaign medals associated with Afghanistan and Iraq theaters. The group’s units also receive commendations from joint commanders and NATO recognition for excellence during multinational exercises.

Category:United States Marine Corps aviation groups