4th Marine Aircraft Wing

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Aviation combat element of the U.S. Marine Corps Forces Reserve

4th Marine Aircraft Wing

4th Marine Aircraft Wing Insignia

Active|

* 22 August 1942 - unknown
* 25 February 1946 - present

Country| United States
Allegiance| United States of America
Branch| United States Marine Corps
Type| Marine Aircraft Wing
Role| Conduct air operations in support of the Fleet Marine Forces
Part of| Marine Forces Reserve
Garrison/HQ| New Orleans, Louisiana
Engagements| World War II
Commanders
Current
commander| MajGen John F. Kelliher III[1]
Notable
commanders| Lawson H. M. Sanderson
Robert P. Keller
Hugh M. Elwood
Jack Bergman

Military unit

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.

## Mission[edit]

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[edit]

4th MAW consists of a wing headquarters, two aircraft groups, an air control group, and an aviation training support group:

* 4th Marine Aircraft Wing Headquarters (MAW HQ)
* Marine Aircraft Group 41 \- Naval Air Station Joint Reserve Base Fort Worth
* Marine Air Control Group 48 \- Naval Station Great Lakes
* Marine Aircraft Group 49 \- Joint Base McGuire–Dix–Lakehurst
* Marine Aviation Training Support Group 42 \- Naval Air Station Pensacola

## History[edit]

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[edit]

The 4th Marine Base Defense Aircraft Wing was commissioned 22 August 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[edit]

4th MAW was deactivated shortly after the war. On 25 February 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, 23 July 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[edit]

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[edit]

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[edit]

### Fixed-wing aircraft[edit]

* F/A-18 Hornet
* F-5 Tiger II
* KC-130J Super Hurcules
* UC-35D Citation
* UC-12F/W Huron
* C-40A Clipper

### Rotary wing aircraft[edit]

* AH-1Z Viper
* Bell UH-1Y Venom
* CH-53E Super Stallion
* MV-22 Osprey

## See also[edit]

* United States Marine Corps Aviation
* Organization of the United States Marine Corps
* List of United States Marine Corps aircraft groups
* List of United States Marine Corps aircraft squadrons

## References[edit]

1. ^ Commanding General, 4th Marine Aircraft Wing

This article incorporates public domain material from websites or documents of the United States Marine Corps.

* Official History

## External links[edit]

* 4th MAW's official website

* v
* t
* e

United States Marine Corps

Leadership|

* Secretary of the Navy
* Under Secretary of the Navy
* Commandant of the Marine Corps
* Assistant Commandant of the Marine Corps
* Sergeant Major of the Marine Corps
* Military Secretary to the Commandant of the Marine Corps
* Marine Corps four-star generals
* Marine Corps three-star generals
* 1942–1959
* 2000–2009
* 2010–present

| US Congress|

* House Armed Services Committee
* Seapower and Projection Forces subcommittee
* Senate Armed Services Committee
* Seapower subcommittee

|

Major
commands|

* Organization of the Marine Corps
* Headquarters Marine Corps
* Marine Forces Command
* II Marine Expeditionary Force
* Marine Forces Pacific
* I Marine Expeditionary Force
* III Marine Expeditionary Force
* Marine Forces Reserve
* Fleet Marine Force
* Atlantic
* Pacific
* Marine Corps Combat Development Command
* Training & Education Command (TECOM)
* United States Marine Corps Warfighting Laboratory
* Marine Corps Systems Command

Auxiliary|

* Marine Corps Cyber Auxiliary

Structure|

* Marine Air-Ground Task Force
* Bases
* Battalions
* Regiments
* Brigades
* Divisions
* MEF/Corps
* Marine aviation
* Marine expeditionary unit
* Marine Security Guard
* Special Operations
* Marine Raiders
* Marine Raider Regiment
* Recon
* Force
* Division

Personnel
and training|

| Personnel|

Rank insignia
MOS
Notable Marines
Historical Marines
Marine Astronauts
Criminal Investigation Division
Judge Advocate Division
Chaplain of the Marine Corps
Associated organizations

|

Training|

Recruit Training
School of Infantry
Officer Candidates School
The Basic School
Martial Arts Program

Uniforms
and equipment|

* Uniforms
* Awards
* Badges
* Weapons
* Vehicles and aircraft
* Individual equipment

History
and traditions|

* History
* Culture
* Acronyms and terms
* Birthday
* Color Sergeant of the Marine Corps
* Eagle, Globe, and Anchor
* Flag
* Marine Band
* Drum and Bugle Corps
* Horse Marines
* Marine One
* Color Guard
* Silent Drill Platoon
* White House Sentries
* Service Numbers
* Marine Corps War Memorial
* Marine Detachments
* "Marines' Hymn"
* Oorah
* National Museum
* Raising the Flag on Iwo Jima
* Rifleman's Creed
* Semper Fidelis
* march
* History of Hispanics in the USMC
* History of women in the USMC
* Women's Reserve
* Honorary Marine
* Toys for Tots
* Gung ho

* Category

* v
* t
* e

Major Commands of the United States Marine Corps

Headquarters Marine Corps

Operating Forces

Fleet Marine Force, Atlantic|

|  Marine Forces, Command
and Marine Forces, North|

|  II Marine Expeditionary Force|

• 2nd Marine Division
• 2nd Marine Aircraft Wing
• 2nd Marine Logistics Group
• 2nd Marine Expeditionary Brigade
• 22nd Marine Expeditionary Unit
• 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit
• 26th Marine Expeditionary Unit

|

•  Marine Forces, Europe and Africa
•  Marine Forces, South
• Marine Forces, Strategic Command
•  Marine Forces, Space Command

Fleet Marine Force, Pacific|

|  Marine Forces, Pacific|

|  I Marine Expeditionary Force|

• 1st Marine Division
• 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing
• 1st Marine Logistics Group
• 1st Marine Expeditionary Brigade
• 11th Marine Expeditionary Unit
• 13th Marine Expeditionary Unit
• 15th Marine Expeditionary Unit

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III Marine Expeditionary Force|

• 3rd Marine Division
• 1st Marine Aircraft Wing
• 3rd Marine Logistics Group
• 3rd Marine Expeditionary Brigade
• 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit

•  Marine Forces, Central Command
•  Marine Forces, Korea

Operating Contingent Forces|

|  Marine Forces Reserve|

• 4th Marine Division
• 4th Marine Aircraft Wing
• 4th Marine Logistics Group
• Force Headquarters Group

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others|

• Marine Corps Security Force Regiment
• Marine Corps Embassy Security Group
• Marine Helicopter Squadron One (HMX-1)
• Marine Forces Special Operations Command (MARSOC)

Support Establishment

Support Establishment|

• Combat Development Command • Marine Corps Recruit Depots • Marine Corps Logistics Command • Marine Corps Recruiting Command • Marine Band

Marine Corps Installations Command|

• Marine Corps Installations East • Marine Corps Installations West • Marine Corps Installations Pacific

* v
* t
* e

4th Marine Aircraft Wing

Marine Wing Headquarters Squadron 4

MATSG-42|

* Site Support Miramar
* VMR Andrews
* VMR Belle Chasse

MAG-41|

* MALS-41
* MWSS-471
* MWSS-473
* VMU-4
* VMFA-112
* VMGR-234
* VMFT-401
* VMM-764
* HMLA-775

MAG-49|

* MALS-49
* MWSS-472
* VMGR-452
* HMH-772
* HMLA-773
* VMM-774

MACG-48|

* MTACS-48
* MWCS-48
* MACS-24
* MASS-6

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