Air Wings

Marine Air Wings. References show that the Wings " were not Table of Organization units of a standard size. The number of personnel and type of aircraft assigned depended on the mission of that wing at that time. The basic organization consisted of a Group which had two or more tactical squadrons and a service squadron. A Wing consisted of at least two groups." By 1944 more than 36,000 Marines were assigned to aviation duty within Air FMF PAC, in theater.

 

	Marine Aircraft Wings, Pacific Activated on 15 Aug. 1942, and redesigned Aircraft Fleet Marine Force Pacific 16 Sept. 1944. Arrived Ewa Hawaii Sept. 1942. Assumed command of all Marine aviation assets in the pacific, with few exceptions. This unit was responsible for administration, supply and control of Pac. Marine Air. The stars are for the rank of the Commanding General, and the crown represents southern California where the unit was originally stood up.
	Aircraft Fleet Marine Force Pacific Activated 16 Sept. 1944. This unit was responsible for training, personnel, control and administration of all Marine Air assets from the west coats of America throughout the Pacific theater. Head quartered at Ewa Hawaii the Headquarters Squadron with only 156 officers and men remained there until 1949.
	First Marine Air Wing 1st Marine Air Wing. Organized 7 Jul. 1941 at Quantico Va. Composed of the 1st Marine Aircraft Group and a Headquarters Squadron. Moved to Guadalcanal 20 Aug. 1942. 13 Mar. 1943 elements were the first to operate in the Russell Islands. Also saw service at New Georgia, Vella Lavella, Choiseul, Bougainville, Rabaul, and Leyte in the Philippines. 1st style, unofficial patch.
First Marine Air Wing, Later Patch Design Performed many Marine aviation firsts, the first major evacuation of wounded by air and the first air delivery of supplies in quantity. After the surrender, moved to Tientsin, China until May of 1947.
	Second Marine Air Wing Activated 10 Jul. 1941. Composed of the 2nd Marine Air group and Headquarters Squadron. At the time of the attack on Pearl Harbor, the Wing HQ was in California but 2 squadrons were at Ewa Hawaii, and one was on the USS Lexington and one at Wake Island. The 2nd MAW served on Guadalcanal, New Georgia, Green Island Group, and Palaus Islands, Pelieliu, Western Carolinas and the Marinas. Finally Okinawa then occupation duty at several site in Japan.
Second Marine Air Wing, Later Patch Design 2nd Marine Air Wing, first design or Fuselage patch
	Third Marine Air Wing Activated 10 Nov. 1942 at Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point NC. this units primary responsibility was the training and organizing personnel and Squadrons for service overseas. It also was responsible for the standup of the first night fighter squadron, VMF(N)-531 which was operational and combat ready in July of 1943. During its tenure, this Wing organized 10 groups, 37 tactical squadrons and one air warning squadron. By 1944 the Wing was at Ewa Hawaii responsible for advanced and specialized training of all AirFMFPAC units.
Third Marine Air Wing, Later Patch Design 3rd Marine Air Wing, Fuselage patch.
	Fourth Marine Air Wing Activated 10 Nov. 1944 when the 4th Marine Base Defense Aircraft Wing was redesignated. Inherited command of three Marine Air Groups at Midway, Ewa, & Samoa. Originally tasked with defense missions such as protecting shipping, bases, and territory, plus air-sea rescue, search, and patrol missions. The Wing had elements stationed at Tutuila, Funafuti, Tarawa and Majuro when it was redesigned as 4th MAW. This unit helped to perfect Napalm and delivery methods and developed techniques which were used in the defense of the fleet from kamikaze attacks.  It also became very proficient at pin point bombing.
Fourth Marine Air Wing, Later Patch Design 4th Marine Air Wing, Fuselage Patch.
	Fourth Base Defense Air W