Marine Aircraft Group 12
| Marine Aircraft Group 12 | |
|---|---|
Philippines campaign (1944–45) Korean War * Attack on the Sui-ho Dam Vietnam War Operation Enduring Freedom | |
| Commanders | |
| Commanding Officer | Col Kyle B. Shoop |
| Sergeant Major | SgtMaj R. Carlos Lopez |
| Executive Officer | LtCol Daniel V. Jernigan |
| Notable commanders | Mark R. Wise William O. Brice Vernon M. Guymon Robert E. Galer Edward C. Dyer John P. Condon Ralph K. Rottet George S. Bowman Jr. |
Marine Aircraft Group 12 (MAG-12) is an active air group of the
Mission
The mission of Marine Aircraft Group 12, as the tactical air arm of the 1st Marine Aircraft Wing, is to conduct air reconnaissance, electronic warfare, antiair warfare, offensive air support, control of aircraft and missiles, and assault support from advanced bases, expeditionary bases or the sea base supported by organic aviation logistics and aviation ground support logistics as required by III MEF and
Subordinate units
Unit Deployment Program squadrons, one stateside-based squadron on a six-month rotational deployment as a part of MAG-12.
- One VMFA F/A-18 Hornet squadron
KC-130J Aerial Refueler Transport squadrons:
Marine Aviation Logistics squadrons:
- MALS-12
Marine Wing Support squadrons:
- MWSS-171
History
WW II
Marine Aircraft Group 12 was activated at
I had had under my command in the South Pacific a Marine Air Group which had proved its versatility in everything from fighting to blasting enemy vessels. I knew that the group was now under MacArthur's command, and I knew, too, without understanding why, that when Kenney was not keeping it idle, he was assigning it to missions far below its capacity. Kinkaid's complaint of insufficient air cover prompted me to take a step which was more than a liberty; to a man of meaner spirit than MacArthur's it would have seemed an impertinence. I called these Marines to his attention. He ordered them forward, and within 24 hours of their arrival, they had justified my recommendation.[1]
For such service, the Group earned the Army Distinguished Unit Award and the Navy Unit Citation.
Korean War
On 20 April 1952, MAG-12 made its home at
Post Korea and Vietnam War
During 1956, after nearly 6 years in Korea, MAG-12 was withdrawn to
In May 1965, MAG-12 deployed to
MAG-12's stay in Japan, though, was short. In May 1972, MAG-12 again deployed to Vietnam and conducted combat operations from Bien Hoa Air Base until finally withdrawing from the war on 29 January 1973 where they were the last American combat aviation unit still in country.[4] MAG-12 then returned to MCAS Iwakuni, where it remains today.
Post Vietnam
From this base, MAG-12 has conducted numerous operations throughout the WESTPAC area and participated in hundreds of joint service training exercises, continually honing its combat skills.
See also
- United States Marine Corps Aviation
- List of United States Marine Corps aircraft groups
- List of United States Marine Corps aircraft squadrons
Notes
References
This article incorporates public domain material from websites or documents of the United States Marine Corps.
- Bibliography
- Ballenger, Lee (2000). The Outpost War – U.S. Marines in Korea, Vol.1:1952. Washington D.C.: Potomac Books. ISBN 1-57488-373-9.
- Mersky, Peter B. (1983). U.S. Marine Corps Aviation – 1912 to the present. Annapolis Maryland: The Nautical and Aviation Publishing Company of America. ISBN 0-933852-39-8.
- Web
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