Marine Aircraft Group 15
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
| Marine Aircraft Group 15 | |
|---|---|
 MAG-15 insignia |
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| Active | March 1, 1942 - December 1989 |
| Country | United States |
| Branch | USMC |
| Engagements | World War II |
| Commanders | |
| Notable commanders |
Peter Pace, now Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff served as XO |
Marine Aircraft Group 15 (MAG-15) was s United States Marine Corps aviation group established during World War II. MAG-15, a transport and photo-reconnaissance training group, was commissioned on March 1, 1942, headquartered at Camp Kearny, San Diego. In addition to radio and photographic training, the Group also conducted a navigation school. Additional roles included West Coast aircraft acceptance and transport service for the Marine Corps.
Contents |
[edit] History
[edit] World War II
Marine Aircraft Group 15 was commissioned on March 1, 1942 at Camp Kearney, San Diego, California[1]. For the next two years the group remained there as the transportation, observation and photo reconnaissance training group. They trained pilots and crews to serve in the South Pacific Combat Air Transport Command (SCAT)[2]. From its commission in 1942 until 1944, MAG-15 trained and dispatched the following unit for overseas deployment: VMD-154 and VMD-254; VMO-151 and VMO-155; and VMJ-152, VMJ-153, VMJ-353, VMJ-952, and VMJ-953[3].
MAG-15 shipped out from Camp Kearney to the South Pacific on March 2, 1944. They arrived in Apamama on April 1 and operated from there as part of the Transport Air Group until Ocotober of 1944. In October they were ordered to establish the Air Transport Group (ATG) in order to in order to provide transportation services to units in the Marshall and Gilbert Islands[4]. ATG was redesignated the Troop Carrier Group (TCG) in November of 1944. MAG-15 then became part of Task Unit 96.1 which was disbanded shortly thereafter on March 25, 1945 as its responsibilities were assumed by the NATS[5][6].
Headquarters Squadron 15 was sent to Marine Corps Air Station Ewa, Hawaii in April 1945 and was quickly joined by VMR-953 and VMR-352[7]. They stayed there through the end of the war becoming part of the TAG again and controlling the transportation units for the Marines throughout the Pacific[8].
In January 1947 the group became dual roled when they also had fighter squadrons attach and in May of 1947 they became all fighter squadrons. In March of 1949 they returned to the United States and were based at Marine Corps Air Station Edenton, North Carolina[9].
[edit] Vietnam War
MAG-15 moved to Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni in July 1966 and included VMA(AW)-533, VMFA-334 and VMFA-232.
[edit] Stand down
In December 1989, MAG-15 stood down after 46 years of service. [10]
[edit] Notable commanders
- Peter Pace, current Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff served as executive officer, 1972-1973.
[edit] See also
[edit] Notes
[edit] References
[edit] Books
- Rottman, Gordon L. (2002). U.S. Marine Corps World War II Order of Battle - Ground and Air Units in the Pacific War, 1939 - 1945.’’. Greenwood Press. ISBN 0-313-31906-5.
- Sherrod, Robert (1952). History of Marine Corps Aviation in World War II. Washington, D.C.: Combat Forces Press.
- Shettle Jr., M. L. (2001). United States Marine Corps Air Stations of World War II. Bowersville, Georgia: Schaertel Publishing Co.. ISBN 0-964-33882-3.
[edit] Web
- Historic California Posts: Marine Corps Air Station, Miramar, at militarymuseum.org. (URL accessed May 26, 2006)
- Vietnam War Bibliography: U.S. Marine Corps Publications and Documents, Clemson University. (URL accessed May 27, 2006).
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