1st Marine Aircraft Wing
The 1st Marine Aircraft Wing is an aviation unit of the United States Marine Corps that serves as the Aviation Combat Element of the III Marine Expeditionary Force. The wing is headquartered at Camp Foster on the island of Okinawa, Japan. Activated in 1940, the wing has seen heavy combat operations during World War II, the Korean War, and the Vietnam War. Mission Conduct air operations in support of the Fleet Marine Forces to include offensive air support, antiair warfare, assault support, aerial reconnaissance including active and passive electronic countermeasures (ECM), and control of aircraft and missiles. As a collateral function, the Wing may participate as an integral component of Naval Aviation in the execution of such other Navy functions as the Fleet Commander may direct. Subordinate units 1st MAW consists of four subordinate groups, a headquarters squadron and a liaison unit: Marine Wing Headquarters Squadron 1 (MWHS-1) Marine Wing Liaison Kadena (MWLK) Marine Aircraft Group 12 (MAG-12) Marine Aircraft Group 24 (MAG-24) Marine Aircraft Group 36 (MAG-36) Marine Air Control Group 18 (MACG-18) Locations Units of 1st MAW are located in the Pacific Region at the following bases: Marine Corps Air Station Futenma Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni Marine