MAG-13
| Marine Aircraft Group 13 | |
|---|---|
MAG-13 insignia
|
|
| Active | 1 March 1942 – present |
| Allegiance |
 United States of America
|
| Branch |
 United States Marine Corps
|
| Type | Fixed Wing Aircraft Group |
| Role |
Offensive Air Support Aerial Reconnaissance |
| Part of |
3rd 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 Officer | Col. William R. Sauerland, Jr. |
| Executive Officer | LtCol Kyle B. Shoop |
| Sergeant Major | SgtMaj. Jerry J. Gomes |
Marine Aircraft Group 13 is a United States Marine Corps aviation unit based at Marine Corps Air Station Yuma that is currently composed of two McDonnell Douglas AV-8B Harrier II squadrons, one Lockheed Martin F-35B Lightning II squadron, 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.
Provide air support to Marine Air-Ground Task Force commanders.
AV-8B Harrier II Squadrons
F-35B Lightning II Squadrons
Aviation Logistics Squadron
Wing Support Squadron
Unmanned Aerial Vehicle Squadron
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. 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. MAG-13 returned to the west coast in October 1945 and were deactivated shortly thereafter.
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Wikipedia