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| 4th Marine Aircraft Wing | |
|---|---|
 4th Marine Aircraft Wing Insignia | |
| Active |
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| Country | United States |
| Allegiance | United States of America |
| Branch | United States Marine Corps |
| Type | Marine Aircraft Wing |
| Role | Conduct air operations in support of theFleet 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 |
The4th Marine Aircraft Wing is thereserve airwing of theUnited States Marine Corps. It is headquartered inNew Orleans, Louisiana but its subordinate units are scattered throughout theUnited States.
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.
4th MAW consists of a wing headquarters, two aircraft groups, an air control group, and an aviation training support group:
Prior toWorld War II,Marine Reserveaviation consisted of a few personnel operating obsolete aircraft under severe budgetary limitations. With the threat of war inEurope, 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.
The 4th Marine Base Defense Aircraft Wing was commissioned 22 August 1942, atMarine Corps Air Station Ewa (MCAS Ewa),Hawaii. The Wing's three squadrons were located atMidway,Ewa andSamoa 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 thePacific, 4th MAW pilots refined fighter bombing and low-altitude flying techniques that helped pave the way for today'sMAGTF concept.
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 atNaval Air Station Glenview,Illinois. Post World War II foresight paid off in 1950 when theKorean 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 the1st 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.
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 theDominican 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 toNew Orleans. In October 1979, the MARTC was disbanded to organize the 4th MAW along the same lines as its active duty counterparts.
DuringOperation Desert Shield andOperation Desert Storm, numerous units were mobilized and deployed to thePersian Gulf region. These units provided air support which contributed to the victory of allied forces.
This article incorporatespublic domain material from websites or documents of theUnited States Marine Corps.| Leadership |
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