| Marine Aircraft Group 40 | |
|---|---|
 MAG-40's insignia | |
| Active | 1990 2009 – present |
| Country | United States |
| Allegiance | United States of America |
| Branch | United States Marine Corps |
| Type | Aviation Combat Element |
| Role | Assault Support Close-in Fire Support |
| Part of | 2nd Marine Expeditionary Brigade |
| Garrison/HQ | Camp Leatherneck |
| Motto(s) | Assault, Attack, Control |
| Engagements | Operation Desert Storm Operation Enduring Freedom *Operation Moshtarak |
Marine Aircraft Group 40 is a compositeUnited States Marine Corps aviation unit that is based inMarine Corps Air Station Cherry Point and was deployed toAfghanistan in 2009. They served as theaviation combat element for2nd Marine Expeditionary Brigade which was supportingOperation Enduring Freedom from spring 2009 through 4 April 2010 when they were relieved by the3rd Marine Aircraft Wing (Fwd).[1][2] The group is currently composed of twoCH-53 squadrons, one light attack helicopter squadron, oneAV-8B Harrier II squadron, oneMV-22 Osprey squadron, oneKC-130 tactical aerial refueling squadron, one unmanned aerial vehicle squadron and an aviation logistics squadron.
Provide air support toMarine Air Ground Task Force commanders.
MALS-40 Smoking Aces (Bastion Bastards)
HMLA-169 Vipers
MAG-40 was originally stood up to support Exercise Teamwork and Exercise Bold Guard inNorway andWest Germany in September/October 1990. WhenIraq invadedKuwait in August 1990 the MAG was designated as the aviation combat element of the4th Marine Expeditionary Brigade. They began immediately deploying to thePersian Gulf. The group remained in the Persian Gulf as part of the Amphibious Task Force. During this time the group aviation assets included 20 AV-8Bs, 24 CH-46s, 14 CH-53s, 6 UH-1Ns, and 15 AH-1s.[4]
MAG-40 was reactivated as a composite aircraft group which serves as the headquarters for all Marine aviation units in Afghanistan beginning in the spring/summer of 2009. The group was located at an airfield in southern Afghanistan and is made up of 50 to 100 aircraft.[5] During their time in Afghanistan, aircraft from the group flew just under 38,000 flight hours and moved over 141,000 passengers. They were relieved on 4 April 2010 by the3rd Marine Aircraft Wing (Fwd) and will return to MCAS Cherry Point.[citation needed]
This article incorporatespublic domain material from websites or documents of theUnited States Marine Corps.| Leadership |
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