San Diego, California is located on the West Coast of the United States and home to the headquarters of 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing (3rd MAW) at Marine Corps Air Station (MCAS) Miramar. Formerly a Naval Air Station (NAS), Miramar is probably the most famous NAS in the world after shooting to fame in 1986 with the release of “Top Gun”. Both Miramar and the United States Navy (USN) pilots of the Top Gun fighter school featured heavily in the hit film staring Tom Cruise. Previously known as “Fightertown USA”, today Miramar is under the command of the United States Marines Corps (USMC) with the USN departing in the late 1990s.
The 3rd MAW is the aviation combat element of I Marine Expeditionary Force (I MEF) and is responsible for the command of almost all Marine aviation on the west coast. Consisting of four Marine Aircraft Groups (MAGS) each MAG brings its own unique mission capabilities from assault support, close air support, light attack, transport, fighter-attack and aerial refuelling. A total of twenty-nine squadrons based over three air stations form these MAGS. The ability of combined combat aviation elements, ground and logistics forces that can deploy rapidly around the world is known as a Marine Air Ground Task Force (MAGTF).
In early February 2014 elements of the 3rd MAW deployed to Afghanistan for an 8-12 month rotation, with the 2nd MAW returning back after their 2013 deployment.
Marine Aicraft Group 11 – MCAS Miramar, California
Squadron |
Squadron Type |
Known As |
Aircraft Type |
Tailcode |
VMGR-352 | Marine Aerial Refueler/Transport Squadron | Raiders | KC-130J | QB |
VMFAT-101 | Marine Fighter Attack Training Squadron | Sharpshooters | F/A-18 & T-34C | SH |
VMFA(AW)-225 | Marine All-Weather Fighter Attack Squadron | Vikings | F/A-18D | CE |
VMFA-232 | Marine Fighter Attack Squadron | Red devils | F/A-18C/D | WT |
VMFA-314 | Marine Fighter Attack Squadron | Black knights | F/A-18A+ | VW |
VMFA-323 | Marine Fighter Attack Squadron | Death Rattles | F/A-18C | WS/NH |
MAG-11 has a long combat history seeing action in multiple conflicts. The units first combat participation took place during World War II on the Solomon Islands in the Pacific and was later assigned to NAF Atsugi, Japan to support the air operations over North Korea during the Korean War. In Vietnam the unit was deployed to Da Nang to perform close air support, air defence, and photographic reconnaissance. In 1986 MAG-11 was called upon to perform airstrikes against Libya with VMFA-314 and VMFA-323 flying missions off the USS Coral Sea. During the 1990’s MAG-11 deployed to Bahrain in the Persian Gulf for “Operation Desert Shield” performing patrols over Iraqi airspace leading in to combat during “Operation Desert Storm” with 7,500 combat sorties being flown against Iraqi forces.
During January to March 2003 in excess of 4,000 combat operations were flown in support of “Operation Southern Watch” and “Operation Iraqi Freedom”. Today MAG-11 supports MAGTF missions around the globe, providing combat air support for commanders on the ground, bringing over 100 F/A-18 fighter/trainers and 15 KC-130J aerial refuelling transports to the group. The F/A-18 “Hornet” entered service in the early 1980’s, with single and twin seat variants. The aircraft can fly at speeds up to Mach 1.8 (1,190 mph) with all weather multirole capabilities and has a proven combat record around the world. The “Hornet” is due to be replaced by the end of the decade by the 5th generation F-35B “Lightning II”. The KC-130J “Hercules” was introduced to replace the aging KC-130F tanker fleet and provides a vast improvement on the “F” model including greater range, speed, fully integrated digital avionics, head-up (HUD) displays, improved air-to-air refuelling systems and six-bladed composite propellers.
Marine Aircraft Group 16 – MCAS Miramar, California
Nine rotary and tiltrotor squadrons form this assault support group:
Squadron |
Squadron Type |
Known As |
Aircraft Type |
Tailcode |
HMH-361 | Marine Heavy Helicopter Squadron | Flying Tigers | CH-53E | YN |
HMH-462 | Marine Heavy Helicopter Squadron | Heavy Haulers | CH-53E | YF |
HMH-465 | Marine Heavy Helicopter Squadron | Warhorses | CH-53E | YJ |
HMH-466 | Marine Heavy Helicopter Squadron | Wolfpack | CH-53E | YK |
VMM-161 | Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron | Grey Hawks | MV-22B | YR |
VMM-163 | Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron | Ridgerunners | MV-22B | YP |
VMM-165 | Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron | White Knights | MV-22B | YW |
VMM-166 | Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron | Sea Elks | MV-22B | YX |
VMM-636 | Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron | Red Lions | MV-22B | YZ |
Established on the 1st March 1952, MAG-16 was the first helicopter group formed in the Marine Corps and comprised at that time of seven units. During the Vietnam War MAG-16 was one of the units to participate in the first night helicopter assault, landing 245 Marines without incident. Through the 1980’s & 1990’s units have participated in “Operation Desert Punch”, “Operation Sea Horse Wind”, “Operation Desert Shield”, “Operation Desert Storm” and “Operation Iraqi Freedom” with over 80,000 flight hours being recorded in support of Multi-National Forces in the region. Rescue support missions have also been provided in Somalia. Until a few years ago MAG-16 flew the CH-46E “Sea Knight”, a medium-lift tandem rotor transport helicopter used for all weather combat assaults, however thesehave now been replaced by the Bell Boeing MV-22B “Osprey” withthe the remaining CH-46Es either going to MAG-39 at MCAS Camp Pendleton, California, or for storage at the 309th Aerospace Maintenance and Regeneration Group (AMARG) at Davis Monthan AFB, AZ.
The MV-22B “Osprey” can carry 25 armed troops whilst flying over 800 nautical miles at a maximum speed of over 300 mph. The aircraft can utilise its unique tiltrotor providing vertical take-off and landing (VTOL) in addition to short take-off and landing capabilities (STOL). The VTOL and STOL capabilities provide the features of a helicopter with the performance of a turboprop and to date over 190,000 flight hours have been recorded in the type. The CH-53 “Super Stallion” entered service with the USMC in 1981 and currently operates with 11 squadrons across the USA. It provides a stable platform for carrying up to 55 armed troops, field guns, vehicles, light tanks and even other helicopters. This is the only heavy lift helicopter in service with the Marine Corps and has the capacity to lift up to 14.5 metric tons of cargo.
Marine Aircraft Group 13 – MCAS Yuma, Arizona
Home to the Marines Corps first operational F-35B Marine Fighter Attack squadron and four AV-8B/B+ Marine Attack squadrons.
Squadron |
Squadron Type |
Known As |
Aircraft Type |
Tailcode |
VMFA-121 | Marine Fighter Attack Squadron | Green Knights | F-35B | VE |
VMA-211 | Marine Attack Squadron | Avengers | AV-8B/B+ | CF |
VMA-214 | Marine Attack Squadron | Black Sheep | AV-8B/B+ | WE |
VMA-311 | Marine Attack Squadron | Tomcats | AV-8B/B+ | WL |
VMA-513 | Marine Attack Squadron | Nightmares | AV-8B/B+ | WF |
Formed in March 1942 as a response to the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor in Hawaii, MAG-13 engaged in combat operations against Japan on the Pacific islands of Ellice and Tutuila along with the Marshall Islands. During the 1950’s the MAG was based MCAS Kaneohe Bay, Hawaii, with aviation elements rotating from MCAS El Toro, California every six months. During the Vietnam War MAG-13 was based at MCAS Iwakuni, Japan, before being forward deployed to Chu Lai in the Republic of Vietnam where they flew the F-4B “Phantom” which was replaced in early 1969 by the F-4J “Phantom”.
Missions over Vietnam consisted of combat aerial support for Marine Amphibious forces in Cambodia and Laos, North Vietnam. On the 1st October 1987 MAG-13 was transferred to MCAS Yuma, Arizona. Close air support was provided to ground forces in “Operation Enduring Freedom” with missions being flown from Bagram Air Base (AB) in Afghanistan. In early 2003 during “Operation Iraqi Freedom” 16 AV-8Bs were forward deployed to Al Jaber AB in Kuwait and 60 AV-8Bs stationed aboard the USS Bonhomme Richard in the Persian Gulf.
During the deployment Republican Guard positions throughout Iraq were destroyed and close air support provided for advancing ground forces. On the 20th November 2012 the first three operational F-35Bs arrived at a ceremony at MCAS Yuma, AZ, marking the beginning of the Short Take-Off Vertical Landing (STOVL) tactical operational training program with VMFA-121 and fourteen months on, the “Green Knights” have 16 F-35Bs assigned to their squadron. The AV-8B “Harrier” entered service in January 1985 with the first squadron, VMAT-203, being based at MCAS Cherry Point, North Carolina.
The AV-8B has a maximum speed of Mach 1.0, range of 1,200 nautical miles, is powered by a single Rolls-Royce F402 vectored-thrust turbofan engine and can carry (on six under-wing pylons) 4,200 Kg of bombs, missiles, rockets, drop tanks, or single electronic jammer. Over the coming years the “Harrier” fleet is due to be replaced by the F-35B.
Marine Aircraft Group 39 – MCAS Camp Pendleton, California
Home to four Marine Light Attack Helicopter Squadrons (plus a training squadron), two Marine Medium Helicopter Squadrons (plus a training squadron)
Squadron |
Squadron Type |
Known As |
Aircraft Type |
Tailcode |
HMLA-169 | Marine Light Attack Squadron | Vipers | AH-1W/UH-1Y | SN |
HMLA-267 | Marine Light Attack Squadron | Stingers | AH-1W/UH-1Y | UV |
HMLA/T-303 | Marine Light Attack Training Squadron | Atlas | AH-1W/Z, UH-1Y | QT |
HMLA-369 | Marine Light Attack Squadron | Gunfighters | AH-1W/Z, UH-1Y | SM |
HMLA-469 | Marine Light Attack Squadron | Vengeance | AH-1W/UH-1Y | SE |
HMM/T-164 | Marine Medium Helicopter Training Squadron | Knightriders | CH-46E | YT |
HMM-268 | Marine Medium Helicopter Squadron | Red Dragons | CH-46E | YQ |
HMM-364 | Marine Medium Helicopter Squadron | Purple Foxes | CH-46E | PF |
Activated in 1968 during the Vietnam War at Marine Quang Tri airfield, Republic of Vietnam, MAG-39 originally came under the control of the 1st MAW and at that time provided logistics support for combat elements and tactical elements including ground forces stationed at Dong Ha, Khe Sanh and Quang Tri. In October 1969 this MAG was de-activated. MAG-39 was re-activated at MCAS Camp Pendleton, California during September 1976 and under the control of the 3rd MAW.
This rotary wing aircraft group has provided assault support and close air support in many conflicts including “Operation Desert Shield”, “Desert Storm”, “Restore Hope”, “Enduring Freedom” and “Operation Iraqi Freedom” in Kuwait. Their motto is “Mission First, People Always”.
Over the last few years the HMLA squadrons have transitioned from the UH-1N ”Huey” to the UH-1Y “Venom”. The Bell UH-1Y provides a fully upgraded version of the legendary “Huey” airframe with features including 125% greater payload, almost 50% increase in range and cruise speed, fully integrated, night vision goggle (NVG) compatible glass cockpit, advanced electronic warfare self protection (EWSP) suite, composite four bladed rotor and more powerful General Electric (GE) T700-GE401 engines.
The AH-1W “Cobra” is in the process of transitioning to the AH-1Z “Zulu” with HMLA/T-303 and HMLA-369 already flying the “Zulu” model. The AH-1Z also uses the composite four bladed rotor, fully integrated weapons, avionics and communications systems and is powered by the T700-GE401 engines. The CH-46E “Sea Knight” is coming towards the end of its service life with the USMC, with the MV-22B taking over its role within the Marine Aircraft Wings.
Almost fifty years ago in November 1964 the Boeing Vertol entered service and since this date provided the US military with a reliable medium lift helicopter. The CH-46 is capable of carrying 24 troops, two door mounted and one rear mounted machine gun (all optional). With a maximum speed of 166 mph and range of 550 nautical miles it can operate at a height up to 17,000 feet and uses tandem rotors powered by 2 General Electric T58 turbo shafts.
The USMC and especially the 3rd MAW are beginning to welcome many new types in to its service and over the coming few years will see a full transition to “state of the art”, fully integrated fighter attack aircraft and combat assault helicopters.
AeroResource would like thank Lt Miller from VMM-163, Cpt Harrison from HMH-361, 1st Lt Roder, Lt Kerzie and Cpt Kuhnmunchi from HMLAT-303, Major Price from VMFA-121, Cpt Philips from VMA-311, and especially Lt Negrete and Lt Murdock from the Miramar media team whose co-ordination for all the visits was most welcomed.
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