Marine Aviation Training Support Group 21

Marine Aviation and Training Support Group 21
MATSG-21 insignia
Active	-August 1922 - May 1947 -unknown - present
Country	United States
Branch	United States Marine Corps
Role	Training
Size	725 Marines
Garrison/HQ	Naval Air Station Pensacola
Nickname(s)	Gateway to Marine Aviation
Engagements	'World War II'
Commanders
Current commander	Colonel Eric F. Buer
Notable commanders	Col. William L. "Spider" Nyland

Marine Aviation and Training Support Group 21 (MATSG-21) is a United States Marine Corps aviation training group that was originally established in 1922 as the 2nd Aviation Group. During World War II the unit was known as Marine Aircraft Group 21 (MAG-21). Squadrons from MAG-21 fought in many of the opening battles of the war to include the Battle of Wake Island, Battle of Midway and as part of the Cactus Air Force during the Battle of Guadalcanal The group was deactivated following the end of the war and was not reactivated until 2000 when the Marine Aviation Detachment at Naval Air Station Pensacola, Florida was renamed MATSG-21. The core of the MATSG personnel is derived from 175 officer instructors and 550 student naval aviators/naval flight officers.

Provide administration and training support to all Marines aboard NAS Pensacola, NAS Whiting Field and CID Corry Station. They also provide ceremonial support for base and local events in the form of color guards and special detail advisors. While the MATSG's mission is administrative in nature, the command monitors the flow of students through the Naval Air Training Command, provides Marine Corps discipline and Marine Corps peculiar training.

The 2nd Aviation Group was formed at Naval Air Station San Diego in August 1922. They were redesignated Aircraft Squadrons, West Coast Expeditionary Force in July 1926. January 8, 1934 saw another name change, this time to Aircraft Two, Fleet Marine Force. On May 1, 1939 they were redesignated again to the 2nd Marine Aircraft Group. The group was sent overseas to Marine Corps Air Station Ewa, Hawaii in January 1941. There they consolidated with the headquarters of the 2nd Marine Aircraft Wing July 10, 1941 and less than a month later they were redesignated Marine Aircraft Group 21.