4th Marine Aircraft Wing

The 4th Marine Aircraft Wing is the reserve airwing of the United States Marine Corps. It is headquartered in New Orleans, Louisiana but its subordinate units are scattered throughout the United States.

4th Marine Aircraft Wing
4th Marine Aircraft Wing Insignia
Active
  • August 22, 1942 - unknown
  • February 25, 1946 - present
CountryUnited States
AllegianceUnited States of America
BranchUnited States Marine Corps
TypeMarine Aircraft Wing
RoleConduct air operations in support of the Fleet Marine Forces
Part ofMarine Forces Reserve
Garrison/HQNew Orleans, Louisiana
EngagementsWorld War II
Commanders
Current
commander		Maj.Gen. Bradley S. James[1]
Notable
commanders		Lawson H. M. Sanderson
Robert P. Keller
Hugh M. Elwood

Mission

Conduct air operations in support of the Fleet Marine Forces to include anti-air warfare, offensive air support, assault support, electronic warfare, aerial reconnaissance, control of aircraft and missiles, and as a collateral function, to participate as an integral component of Naval Aviation in the execution of such other Navy functions as directed.

Subordinate units

4th MAW consists of a wing headquarters, a wing headquarters squadron, four aviation groups, a wing support site unit, and two separate (i.e., not organic to a group) transport squadrons:

Structure 4th Marine Aircraft Wing

History

Prior to World War II, Marine Reserve aviation consisted of a few personnel operating obsolete aircraft under severe budgetary limitations. With the threat of war in Europe, a few reservists were activated, and by October 1940, many had been called to active duty. This handful of dedicated men helped build the Marine aviation force which cleared the skies and supported ground operations during World War II.

World War II

The 4th Marine Base Defense Aircraft Wing was commissioned August 22, 1942, at Marine Corps Air Station Ewa (MCAS Ewa), Hawaii. The Wing's three squadrons were located at Midway, Ewa and Samoa with the headquarters at MCAS Ewa. In the fall of 1944, the 4th Marine Base Defense Aircraft Wing became the 4th Marine Aircraft Wing (4th MAW). As the war progressed across the Pacific, 4th MAW pilots refined fighter bombing and low-altitude flying techniques that helped pave the way for today's MAGTF concept.

Post-WW II and Korea

4th MAW was deactivated shortly after the war. On February 25, 1946, the Marine Air Reserve Training Command (MARTC) was established to preserve the skill of those Marines returning to civilian life. Headquarters for MARTC was located at Naval Air Station Glenview, Illinois. Post World War II foresight paid off in 1950 when the Korean War broke out. Having grown to a force of 6,035 men who trained at 25 Marine Air Detachments from coast to coast, the Marine Air Reserve was prepared for mobilization.

Less than two weeks after mobilization day, July 23, 1950, three reserve fighter squadrons were on duty in Korea. Within the first seven weeks, the Marine Air Reserve furnished enough men to increase Marine fighter squadron strength in the Far East from two to six squadrons. Seven months later, more than 50 percent of the officers and 36 percent of the enlisted Marines in the 1st MAW were Reservists.

The lessons and experiences of Korea helped expand and improve the entire reserve aviation program. In September 1953, Marine Air Detachments were redesignated as Marine Air Reserve Training Detachments (MARTDS). Most MARTDS were located aboard Naval Air Stations across the nation.

1960s - 1980s

The MARTC was reorganized in 1962 to include a Marine Aircraft Wing. This reorganization coincided with similar moves in the ground reserve, resulting in the division-wing concept for the entire Marine Corps reserve Program. The 4th MAW was brought back into being and the MARTC-4th MAW became a dual command.

As turmoil developed in the Dominican Republic and U.S. involvement in Southeast Asia increased during the mid-1960s, the necessity of having a ready force in reserve became more apparent. Emphasis was shifted to the 4th MAW and in July 1966, a reorganization was undertaken to ensure that all units were prepared to execute the same missions and tasks as assigned in the regular Fleet Marine Force.

In June 1974, 4th MAW/MARTC headquarters relocated to New Orleans. In October 1979, the MARTC was disbanded to organize the 4th MAW along the same lines as its active duty counterparts.

The Gulf War & the 1990s

During Operation Desert Shield and Operation Desert Storm, numerous units were mobilized and deployed to the Persian Gulf region. These units provided air support which contributed to the victory of allied forces.

Current aircraft in use

Fixed-wing aircraft

Rotary wing aircraft

Unmanned aerial vehicles

See also

References
  1. Commanding General, 4th Marine Aircraft Wing
 This article incorporates public domain material from websites or documents of the United States Marine Corps.
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