Marine Aircraft Group 39
Encyclopedia
Marine Aircraft Group 39 (MAG-39) is a United States Marine Corps
aviation unit based at Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton
, California
that is currently composed of six AH-1W Super Cobra
and UH-1N Huey light attack squadrons, three CH-46 Sea Knight
squadrons and one logistics squadron. The group falls under the command of the 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing
(3rd MAW) and the 1st Marine Expeditionary Force
(I MEF).
, Republic of Vietnam, amongst the chaos of war
. Originally assigned to the 1st Marine Aircraft Wing
, MAG-39 participated in the Vietnam war
until October 1969 when it was deactivated.
Temporarily reactivated to participate in the Operation Frequent Wind
from April 1975, until the operation was complete in May 1975.
In September 1976 at Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton
, California
, MAG-39 was reactivated for the last time under the command of the 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing
.
Elements have participated in: Operation Desert Shield and Desert Storm from August 1990 til April 1991, Operation Restore Hope, Somalia
from December 1992-April 1993, Operation Enduring Freedom, Afghanistan
from December 2001-June 2002, Operation Iraqi Freedom, Kuwait
from January 2003-October 2003.
United States Marine Corps
The United States Marine Corps is a branch of the United States Armed Forces responsible for providing power projection from the sea, using the mobility of the United States Navy to deliver combined-arms task forces rapidly. It is one of seven uniformed services of the United States...
aviation unit based at Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton
Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton
Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton is the major West Coast base of the United States Marine Corps and serves as its prime amphibious training base...
, California
California
California is a state located on the West Coast of the United States. It is by far the most populous U.S. state, and the third-largest by land area...
that is currently composed of six AH-1W Super Cobra
AH-1 Cobra
The Bell AH-1 Cobra is a two-bladed, single engine attack helicopter manufactured by Bell Helicopter. It shares a common engine, transmission and rotor system with the older UH-1 Iroquois...
and UH-1N Huey light attack squadrons, three CH-46 Sea Knight
CH-46 Sea Knight
The Boeing Vertol CH-46 Sea Knight is a medium-lift tandem rotor transport helicopter, used by the United States Marine Corps to provide all-weather, day-or-night assault transport of combat troops, supplies and equipment. Assault Support is its primary function, and the movement of supplies and...
squadrons and one logistics squadron. The group falls under the command of the 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing
3rd Marine Aircraft Wing
The 3d Marine Aircraft Wing is the major west coast aviation unit of the United States Marine Corps. It is headquartered at Marine Corps Air Station Miramar, California and provides the aviation combat element for I Marine Expeditionary Force...
(3rd MAW) and the 1st Marine Expeditionary Force
1st Marine Expeditionary Force
The I Marine Expeditionary Force is a Marine Air Ground Task Force of the United States Marine Corps primarily composed of the 1st Marine Division, 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing, and 1st Marine Logistics Group...
(I MEF).
Subordinate units
- HMLA-169HMLA-169Marine Light Attack Helicopter Squadron 169 is a United States Marine Corps helicopter squadron consisting of AH-1W SuperCobra attack helicopters and UH-1Y Huey utility helicopters...
- HMLA-267HMLA-267Marine Light Attack Helicopter Squadron 267 is a United States Marine Corps helicopter squadron consisting of AH-1W SuperCobra attack helicopters and UH-1Y Huey utility helicopters...
- HMLA-367HMLA-367Marine Light Attack Helicopter Squadron 367 is a United States Marine Corps helicopter squadron consisting of AH-1W SuperCobra attack helicopters, AH-1Z Viper attack helicopters and UH-1Y Venom utility helicopters...
- HMLA-369HMLA-369Marine Light Attack Helicopter Squadron 369 is a United States Marine Corps helicopter squadron consisting of AH-1W SuperCobra attack helicopters and UH-1Y Huey utility helicopters...
- HMLA-469HMLA-469Marine Light Attack Helicopter Squadron 469 is a United States Marine Corps helicopter squadron consisting of AH-1W Cobra attack helicopters and UH-1Y Venom utility helicopters. The squadron is based at Marine Corps Air Station Camp Pendleton, California and falls under the command of Marine...
- HMLAT-303HMLAT-303Marine Light Attack Training Squadron 303 , is a United States Marine Corps helicopter training squadron stationed at Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton, California. Known as the "Atlas", HMT-303 trains newly commissioned Naval Aviators, conversion pilots, refresher pilots, and enlisted aircrew on...
- HMM-268HMM-268Marine Medium Helicopter Squadron 268 is a United States Marine Corps helicopter squadron consisting of CH-46E Sea Knight transport helicopters...
- HMM-364HMM-364Marine Medium Helicopter Squadron 364 is a United States Marine Corps helicopter squadron consisting of CH-46E Sea Knight transport helicopters...
- HMMT-164HMMT-164Marine Medium Helicopter Training Squadron 164 , is a United States Marine Corps Fleet Replacement Squadron that is based at Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton...
- MALS-39Marine Aviation Logistics Squadron 39Marine Aviation Logistics Squadron 39 is an aviation logistics support unit of the United States Marine Corps. Known as the "Hellhounds", they fall under the command of Marine Aircraft Group 39 and the 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing and are currently based at Marine Corps Air Station Camp Pendleton,...
History
MAG-39 was activated at Quang Tri AirfieldQuang Tri
Quảng Trị is a town district of Quang Tri province in the North Central Coastal region of Vietnam. Significantly, it was the only South Vietnamese provincial capital to be captured by the North Vietnamese forces for a limited period in the 1972 offensive....
, Republic of Vietnam, amongst the chaos of war
War
War is a state of organized, armed, and often prolonged conflict carried on between states, nations, or other parties typified by extreme aggression, social disruption, and usually high mortality. War should be understood as an actual, intentional and widespread armed conflict between political...
. Originally assigned to the 1st Marine Aircraft Wing
1st Marine Aircraft Wing
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...
, MAG-39 participated in the Vietnam war
Vietnam War
The Vietnam War was a Cold War-era military conflict that occurred in Vietnam, Laos, and Cambodia from 1 November 1955 to the fall of Saigon on 30 April 1975. This war followed the First Indochina War and was fought between North Vietnam, supported by its communist allies, and the government of...
until October 1969 when it was deactivated.
Temporarily reactivated to participate in the Operation Frequent Wind
Operation Frequent Wind
Operation Frequent Wind was the evacuation by helicopter of American civilians and 'at-risk' Vietnamese from Saigon, South Vietnam, on 29–30 April 1975 during the last days of the Vietnam War...
from April 1975, until the operation was complete in May 1975.
In September 1976 at Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton
Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton
Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton is the major West Coast base of the United States Marine Corps and serves as its prime amphibious training base...
, California
California
California is a state located on the West Coast of the United States. It is by far the most populous U.S. state, and the third-largest by land area...
, MAG-39 was reactivated for the last time under the command of the 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing
3rd Marine Aircraft Wing
The 3d Marine Aircraft Wing is the major west coast aviation unit of the United States Marine Corps. It is headquartered at Marine Corps Air Station Miramar, California and provides the aviation combat element for I Marine Expeditionary Force...
.
Elements have participated in: Operation Desert Shield and Desert Storm from August 1990 til April 1991, Operation Restore Hope, Somalia
Somalia
Somalia , officially the Somali Republic and formerly known as the Somali Democratic Republic under Socialist rule, is a country located in the Horn of Africa. Since the outbreak of the Somali Civil War in 1991 there has been no central government control over most of the country's territory...
from December 1992-April 1993, Operation Enduring Freedom, Afghanistan
Afghanistan
Afghanistan , officially the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan, is a landlocked country located in the centre of Asia, forming South Asia, Central Asia and the Middle East. With a population of about 29 million, it has an area of , making it the 42nd most populous and 41st largest nation in the world...
from December 2001-June 2002, Operation Iraqi Freedom, Kuwait
Kuwait
The State of Kuwait is a sovereign Arab state situated in the north-east of the Arabian Peninsula in Western Asia. It is bordered by Saudi Arabia to the south at Khafji, and Iraq to the north at Basra. It lies on the north-western shore of the Persian Gulf. The name Kuwait is derived from the...
from January 2003-October 2003.
See also
- United States Marine Corps AviationUnited States Marine Corps AviationUnited States Marine Corps Aviation is the air component of the United States Marine Corps. Marine aviation has a very different mission and operation than its ground counterpart, and thus, has many of its own histories, traditions, terms, and procedures....
- Organization of the United States Marine CorpsOrganization of the United States Marine CorpsThe United States Marine Corps is organized within the Department of the Navy, which is led by the Secretary of the Navy . The most senior Marine officer is the Commandant of the Marine Corps, responsible for organizing, recruiting, training, and equipping the Marine Corps so that it is ready for...
- List of United States Marine Corps aircraft groups
- List of United States Marine Corps aircraft squadrons