1st Marine Aircraft Wing
| 1st Marine Aircraft Wing | |
|---|---|
1st MAW insignia
|
|
| Active | July 7, 1941 - present |
| Country | United States |
| Branch | United States Marine Corps |
| Type | Marine Aircraft Wing |
| Role | Conduct air operations in support of the Fleet Marine Forces |
| Part of | III Marine Expeditionary Force |
| Garrison/HQ | Camp Foster |
| Nickname(s) | 1st MAW |
| Engagements |
World War II * Battle of Guadalcanal * Philippines campaign (1944–45) Korean War Vietnam War |
| Commanders | |
| Commanding General | MajGen. Russell A. Sanborn |
| Assistant Wing Commander | Col. Christopher J. Papaj |
| Sergeant Major | SgtMaj. Trevor V. Jackson (2012-2015) |
| Command Master Chief | CMDCM(SW/AW/FMF) Alfredo Chavez (2013-2015) |
| Notable commanders |
LtGen. Louis E. Woods Gen. Roy S. Geiger LtGen. John F. Goodman |
The 1st Marine Aircraft Wing is an aviation unit of the United States Marine Corps that serves as the Aviation Combat Element of the III Marine Expeditionary Force. The wing is headquartered at Camp Foster on the island of Okinawa, Japan. Activated in 1940, the wing has seen heavy combat operations during World War II, the Korean War and the Vietnam War.
Conduct air operations in support of the Fleet Marine Forces to include offensive air support, antiair warfare, assault support, aerial reconnaissance including active and passive electronic countermeasures (ECM), and control of aircraft and missiles. As a collateral function, the Wing may participate as an integral component of Naval Aviation in the execution of such other Navy functions as the Fleet Commander may direct.
1st MAW consists of 5 subordinate groups, a headquarters squadron and a liaison group:
Units of 1st MAW are located in the Pacific Region at the following bases:
In late 1940, Congress authorized a naval air fleet of fifteen thousand aircraft. The Marine Corps was allotted a percentage of these planes to be formed into 2 air wings with 32 operational squadrons. On the advice of Navy and Marine advisors returning from observing the war in Europe these numbers were doubled very soon after. It was under this expansion program that the 1st Marine Aircraft Wing was activated at Marine Corps Base Quantico, Virginia, on July 7, 1941. The First Marine Aircraft Group which was the largest east coast aviation unit in the Marines at the time, became its first component. Although a new wing, it is considered an unofficial descendant of the Northern Bombing Group of World War I.
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