1st Marine Aircraft Wing

1st Marine Aircraft Wing is a United States Marine Corps aviation unit that provides air support to III Marine Expeditionary Force and is headquartered at Camp Foster in Okinawa, Japan. The wing is composed of approximately 12,000 personnel and operates a variety of aircraft, including the F-35 Lightning II, F/A-18 Hornet, and KC-130 Hercules. The 1st Marine Aircraft Wing has a long history of service, dating back to World War II, and has participated in numerous conflicts, including the Korean War and the Vietnam War. The wing has also provided support to United Nations peacekeeping operations, such as the United Nations Command in Korea.

● History

The 1st Marine Aircraft Wing was activated on July 7, 1941, at Quantico, Virginia, and initially consisted of two marine aircraft groups, the 1st Marine Aircraft Group and the 2nd Marine Aircraft Group. During World War II, the wing participated in numerous battles, including the Battle of Guadalcanal, the Battle of Tarawa, and the Battle of Iwo Jima, and was supported by units such as the United States Navy's Pacific Fleet and the Royal New Zealand Air Force. The wing was also involved in the Aleutian Islands Campaign and provided air support to the 11th Airborne Division during the Liberation of the Philippines. After the war, the wing was deactivated and reactivated several times, with its personnel and aircraft being reassigned to other units, such as the 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing and the 4th Marine Aircraft Wing.

● Organization

The 1st Marine Aircraft Wing is organized into several groups, including the 1st Marine Aircraft Group, the 12th Marine Aircraft Group, and the 36th Airlift Squadron. The wing is also supported by various units, such as the 1st Intelligence Battalion, the 9th Communication Battalion, and the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit. The wing's aircraft are maintained by personnel from the 1st Maintenance Battalion and the Marine Aviation Logistics Squadron 12. The wing is commanded by a major general and has a staff that includes officers from the United States Navy, the United States Air Force, and the United States Army, as well as personnel from the Australian Defence Force and the Royal Air Force.

● Operations

The 1st Marine Aircraft Wing has participated in numerous operations, including the Vietnam War, the Gulf War, and the War in Afghanistan. The wing has also provided support to humanitarian assistance operations, such as the 1991 Bangladesh cyclone and the 2011 Tōhoku earthquake and tsunami. The wing's aircraft have been deployed to various locations, including Al Asad Airbase in Iraq, Kandahar Airfield in Afghanistan, and Osan Air Base in South Korea. The wing has also worked with other units, such as the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit, the 11th Marine Expeditionary Unit, and the 15th Marine Expeditionary Unit, to provide air support to amphibious assault operations.

● Notable Commanders

The 1st Marine Aircraft Wing has had several notable commanders, including General James Amos, who later became the Commandant of the Marine Corps, and General John Kelly, who later became the Secretary of Homeland Security. Other notable commanders include Lieutenant General Robert Neller, who later became the Commandant of the Marine Corps, and Major General Thomas Conant, who later became the Deputy Commandant for Aviation. The wing has also been commanded by officers who have gone on to serve in other senior positions, such as General Joseph Dunford, who later became the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, and General Robert B. Neller, who later became the Commandant of the Marine Corps.

● Awards and Decorations

The 1st Marine Aircraft Wing has received numerous awards and decorations, including the Presidential Unit Citation, the Navy Unit Commendation, and the Meritorious Unit Commendation. The wing has also been awarded the Vietnam Gallantry Cross and the Korean Presidential Unit Citation. The wing's personnel have also received individual awards, such as the Medal of Honor, the Navy Cross, and the Distinguished Flying Cross, for their service in combat operations, including the Battle of Fallujah and the Battle of Helmand Province.

● Equipment

The 1st Marine Aircraft Wing operates a variety of aircraft, including the F-35 Lightning II, the F/A-18 Hornet, and the KC-130 Hercules. The wing also operates the UH-1Y Venom and the AH-1Z Viper helicopters, as well as the MV-22 Osprey tiltrotor aircraft. The wing's aircraft are equipped with a range of systems, including the AN/APG-79 radar system and the AN/AAQ-30 targeting pod. The wing's personnel are also trained to operate and maintain the M142 HIMARS rocket artillery system and the M109 Paladin howitzer. The wing has also worked with other units, such as the United States Air Force's 355th Fighter Wing and the Royal Air Force's No. 1 Squadron RAF, to develop and operate new aircraft and systems, including the F-35 Lightning II and the P-8 Poseidon.

Category:Military units and formations of the United States Marine Corps