Marine Aircraft Group 16
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
| Marine Aircraft Group 16 | |
|---|---|
 MAG-16 Insignia |
|
| Active | March 1, 1952 - present |
| Country | United States |
| Branch | USMC |
| Type | Helicopter group |
| Role | Assault support |
| Part of | 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing I Marine Expeditionary Force |
| Garrison/HQ | Marine Corps Air Station Miramar |
| Engagements | Vietnam War * Operation Starlite Operation Desert Storm Operation Enduring Freedom Operation Iraqi Freedom * 2003 Invasion of Iraq * Operation Vigilant Resolve * Operation Phantom Fury |
| Commanders | |
| Current commander |
Col Michael Belding |
Marine Aircraft Group 16 is a United States Marine Corps aviation unit based at Marine Corps Air Station Miramar that is currently composed of four CH-46 Sea Knight squadrons, four CH-53 Super Stallion squadrons, one Personnel Support Detachment and a maintenance and logistics squadron.
Contents |
[edit] Mission
Provide air support to Marine Air-Ground Task Force commanders.
[edit] Subordinate units
CH-46 Sea Knight Squadrons
CH-53E Super Stallion Squadrons
Maintenance Squadron
[edit] History
Marine Aircraft Group 16 was formed March 1, 1952 at Marine Corps Air Station Santa Ana, California. Colonel Mitchner was MAG-16's first commanding officer. Eight units made up the newly formed MAG: Headquarters and Maintenance Squadron 16, Marine Airbase 16, Marine Medium Helicopter Squadrons 161, 163 and 164, Marine Heavy Helicopter Squadron 361 and 363, and Marine Helicopter Training Squadron 301.
[edit] Vietnam War
On the evening of August 12-13 helicopters from MAG-16 participated in the first night helicopter assault of the Vietnam War. They debarked 245 Marines and returned to Da Nang with out incident.[1]
Through the years, many other helicopter squadrons have made MAG-16 their home. Units of MAG-16 have participated in Operation Desert Punch, Operation Seahorse Wind, Operations Desert Shield/Desert Storm and many other missions, including Operation Iraqi Freedom.
MAG-16 has provided support in Somalia to include rescue operations in many other locations. MAG-16 deploys its units aboard the fleet of the United States Navy to maintain a high state of awareness overseas and abroad. MAG-16 and its units have provided aircraft support and transportation for visiting U.S. dignitaries and celebrities from the President of the United States, Secretary of Defense, Secretary of the Navy, Commandant of the Marine Corps and movie legend Audrey Hepburn. MAG-16 also provides aircraft and personnel for the MCAS Miramar Air Show.
[edit] See also
- United States Marine Corps Aviation
- List of United States Marine Corps aircraft groups
- List of active United States Marine Corps aircraft squadrons
[edit] Notes
- ^ Lehrack The First Battle, p. 30.
[edit] References
This article incorporates text in the public domain from the United States Marine Corps.
- Bibliography
- Lehrack, Otto (2004). The First Battle - Operation Starlite and the Beginning of the Blood Debt in Vietnam. Havertown, Pennsylvania: Casemate. ISBN 1-93203-327-0.
- Web
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