Marine Aircraft Group 11
Marine Aircraft Group 11 is a United States Marine Corps aviation group that provides fixed-wing and aerial-refueling support to Marine Air-Ground Task Forces.
Last updated November 4, 2026
AI crawler reads
No AI crawler has read this profile since Oct 28, 2026.
Overview
Marine Aircraft Group 11, commonly abbreviated MAG-11, is a United States Marine Corps aviation unit based at Marine Corps Air Station Miramar in California. It operates within 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing and I Marine Expeditionary Force, supporting Marine Air-Ground Task Force commanders through tactical aviation, air support, aerial refueling, logistics, and aircraft maintenance. Unlike a commercial brand, MAG-11 is an operational military formation whose identity is expressed through its unit designation, subordinate squadrons, mission history, and service traditions. The group was commissioned at Marine Corps Base Quantico, Virginia, on 1 August 1941, although its institutional lineage reaches back to aviation organizations established in 1921. Before the United States entered the Second World War, MAG-11 included several tactical squadrons located at Quantico and Marine Corps Air Station Parris Island. It took part in large-scale training with the 1st Marine Division before moving to the West Coast after the attack on Pearl Harbor. At Camp Kearny near San Diego, the group initially supported local air defense and served as a nucleus from which additional Marine aircraft groups were formed for Pacific combat. MAG-11 deployed to the South Pacific in October 1942. Its squadrons participated in the Guadalcanal campaign and subsequent operations in the Solomon Islands, New Britain, the Palau Islands, the Central Pacific, and the Philippines. During this period, the group employed and supported several generations of Marine aircraft and performed offensive, defensive, reconnaissance, and logistical missions. It remained on Peleliu until early 1946, after the conclusion of the war. After returning to the United States, the group became associated with 2nd Marine Aircraft Wing and later relocated to Japan in 1953. Its aircraft and personnel supported operations connected with the Korean conflict and participated in regional deployments to Taiwan in support of Nationalist Chinese air defenses and military exercises. In April 1965, MAG-11 deployed to Da Nang Air Base in South Vietnam. During the Vietnam War it operated or supported F-8 Crusader, F-4 Phantom II, A-6 Intruder, and A-4 Skyhawk aircraft, carrying out close air support, air defense, reconnaissance, electronic warfare, tactical air control, illumination, and combat logistics missions. The group returned from Vietnam in 1971 and reported to 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing at Marine Corps Air Station El Toro. Its fighter squadrons later transitioned from the F-4 Phantom II to the F/A-18 Hornet. MAG-11 units also deployed aboard the USS Coral Sea, including a notable 1979 deployment in which two Marine fighter squadrons provided the carrier's complete fighter support. In 1986, MAG-11 F/A-18 squadrons participated in United States air strikes against Libya. During Operation Desert Shield and Operation Desert Storm, MAG-11 expanded into a large composite fixed-wing organization with squadrons drawn from all four Marine aircraft wings. Operating from Bahrain and supporting the Marine aviation effort in Southwest Asia, it controlled F/A-18, A-6, EA-6B, and KC-130 aircraft. Its forces flew more than 7,500 combat sorties and approximately 16,400 flight hours, expending more than 17 million pounds of ordnance without loss of life or aircraft as reported in Marine Corps historical material. In 2003, the group deployed in support of Operation Southern Watch and the Iraq War. From Ahmed Al Jaber Air Base in Kuwait, it controlled Marine F/A-18 and C-130 aircraft operating across Southwest Asia. The group reported more than 4,000 combat sorties and 10,000 flight hours, with aircraft supporting Marine, United States Army, and British ground forces. In its current organization, MAG-11 includes F/A-18C squadrons, F-35B and F-35C squadrons, a KC-130J aerial-refueling squadron, a fleet replacement squadron, and maintenance and logistics support. Its enduring role is to provide deployable aviation capability for Marine expeditionary forces rather than to sell products or services in a commercial market.
History
Marine Aircraft Group 11 traces its organizational lineage to Marine aviation formations established in the early 1920s and was formally commissioned at Quantico on 1 August 1941. Before World War II, it trained with the 1st Marine Division and operated from Quantico and Parris Island. After moving to the San Diego area in December 1941, it performed air-defense duties and helped provide the organizational foundation for additional Marine aircraft groups preparing for Pacific combat. MAG-11 deployed to the South Pacific aboard SS Lurline in October 1942. Its squadrons entered combat around Guadalcanal and later supported operations across the Solomon Islands, New Britain, the Palau Islands, the Central Pacific, and the Philippines. The group remained on Peleliu after the war until January 1946. It subsequently returned to the United States, joined 2nd Marine Aircraft Wing, and moved to Japan in 1953. Elements supported operations related to the Korean War and later deployments to Taiwan in 1958, 1961, and 1963. In April 1965, MAG-11 deployed to Da Nang, South Vietnam. Its combat aviation included the F-8 Crusader, F-4 Phantom II, A-6 Intruder, and A-4 Skyhawk. Missions ranged from close air support and air-defense interception to reconnaissance, electronic countermeasures, airborne tactical air control, illumination, and combat logistics. The group relocated from Vietnam in 1971 and joined 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing at Marine Corps Air Station El Toro. During the late 1970s and 1980s, MAG-11 expanded its carrier and tactical aviation role. In 1979, VMFA-323 and VMFA-531 deployed aboard USS Coral Sea, providing the carrier's complete fighter support with two Marine fighter squadrons. The group then transitioned from the F-4 to the F/A-18 Hornet. In 1986, VMFA-314 and VMFA-323 participated in air strikes against Libya while deployed aboard USS Coral Sea. The group became a major composite Marine aviation formation during Operation Desert Shield and Desert Storm. Based in Bahrain and reinforced by squadrons from across the Marine aircraft wings, it controlled F/A-18, A-6, EA-6B, and KC-130 aircraft. Marine Corps accounts credit it with more than 7,500 combat sorties and 16,400 flight hours during the conflict, without loss of life or aircraft. In 2003, MAG-11 again deployed to Southwest Asia for Operation Southern Watch and the Iraq War, operating from Kuwait and conducting thousands of combat sorties in support of coalition ground forces. As of March 2024, the group is based at Marine Corps Air Station Miramar and includes VMFA-232, VMFA-323, VMGR-352, VMFAT-502, VMFA-311, VMFA-314, and Marine Aviation Logistics Squadron 11. Its modern structure combines F/A-18C, F-35B, F-35C, and KC-130J capabilities with fleet replacement, maintenance, and logistics functions. MAG-11 remains subordinate to 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing and I Marine Expeditionary Force.
- 2024
Current organization documented
[1]The group was documented as comprising F/A-18C, F-35B, F-35C, KC-130J, fleet replacement, maintenance, and logistics squadrons.
- 2003
Operations in Iraq
[1]MAG-11 deployed to Kuwait and conducted combat operations during Operation Southern Watch and the Iraq War.
- 1990
Deployment for Operation Desert Shield
[1]The group began providing squadrons for the Marine air combat element deploying to the Middle East.
- 1982
F/A-18 transition begins
[1]MAG-11 fighter squadrons began transitioning from the F-4 Phantom II to the F/A-18 Hornet.
- 1971
Return from Vietnam
[1]The group relocated from Vietnam in May and reported to 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing at El Toro on 10 June.
- 1965
Deployment to Vietnam
[1]MAG-11 deployed to Da Nang Air Base in April and began combat operations supporting counter-insurgency missions in South Vietnam.
- 1953
Relocation to Japan
[1]MAG-11 moved from the United States to Naval Air Facility Atsugi and participated in regional air operations.
- 1942
South Pacific deployment
[1]The group embarked for the South Pacific on 15 October and entered the Guadalcanal and Solomon Islands air campaign soon afterward.
- 1941
MAG-11 is commissioned
[1]Marine Aircraft Group 11 was formally commissioned at Marine Corps Base Quantico on 1 August 1941.
- 1921
Institutional lineage begins
[1]Ancestral Marine aviation organizations associated with the future group existed by 1 December 1921.
Products and positioning
A deployable Marine Corps aviation group combining fighter, strike, fifth-generation, aerial-refueling, training, maintenance, and logistics capabilities in support of expeditionary Marine forces.
Tactical fighter and attack aircraft
F/A-18C Hornet
The F/A-18C is a multirole carrier-capable fighter and attack aircraft historically used by MAG-11 squadrons for air support, strike, and air-defense missions. VMFA-232 and VMFA-323 are listed among the group's F/A-18C squadrons in the March 2024 organization.
Short-takeoff-and-vertical-landing multirole fighter
F-35B Lightning II
The F-35B provides fifth-generation multirole aviation with short-takeoff-and-vertical-landing capability, supporting expeditionary Marine aviation operations. VMFAT-502 is identified as the group's F-35B fleet replacement squadron.
Carrier-capable multirole fighter
F-35C Lightning II
The F-35C is a carrier-capable fifth-generation aircraft used for long-range strike, sensing, and air-combat missions. MAG-11's listed F-35C squadrons are VMFA-311 and VMFA-314.
Tactical airlift and aerial-refueling aircraft
KC-130J Super Hercules
The KC-130J supports tactical transport, aerial refueling, and combat logistics for Marine expeditionary forces. VMGR-352, known as the Raiders, is MAG-11's listed KC-130J squadron.
Military aviation support
Marine aviation maintenance and logistics support
Marine Aviation Logistics Squadron 11 provides the maintenance, supply, and logistics functions needed to keep MAG-11 aircraft and subordinate squadrons operational in garrison and during deployment.
Marketing campaigns
- 2003Operation Southern Watch and Iraq War
Iraq · Kuwait · Southwest Asia
MAG-11 deployed to Ahmed Al Jaber Air Base and directed Marine F/A-18 and C-130 combat operations in support of coalition ground forces.
Outcome. The group reported more than 4,000 combat sorties and 10,000 flight hours during the operation.
- 1990Operation Desert Shield and Operation Desert Storm
Southwest Asia · Iraq · Bahrain
MAG-11 formed and controlled a large composite Marine fixed-wing force supporting the defense of Saudi Arabia and subsequent coalition combat operations against Iraq.
Outcome. The group reported more than 7,500 combat sorties and 16,400 flight hours during the conflict.
- 1986Air strikes against Libya
Mediterranean · Libya
Two MAG-11 F/A-18 squadrons deployed aboard USS Coral Sea and participated in the 15 April United States air strikes against Libya.
Outcome. The deployment demonstrated Marine fighter support for a Pacific Fleet carrier in an expeditionary setting.
- 1965Vietnam War
South Vietnam
MAG-11 deployed to Da Nang and conducted close air support, air defense, reconnaissance, electronic warfare, tactical control, illumination, and logistics missions.
Outcome. The group operated in Vietnam until its relocation in 1971.
- 1953Korean War-era air operations
Korean Peninsula · Japan
After relocating to Japan, elements of MAG-11 participated in air operations directed against North Korean and Chinese forces.
Outcome. The group continued regional aviation deployments after the Korean conflict.
- 1942Solomon Islands campaign
Solomon Islands · South Pacific
MAG-11 elements entered combat around Guadalcanal and supported offensive operations against Japanese positions, aircraft, and shipping in the Solomon Islands.
Outcome. The group continued through later Pacific operations and remained on Peleliu after the war.
Brand decisions
1982
Transition from the F-4 Phantom II to the F/A-18 HornetGeneration changeBackground
Marine aviation was modernizing its tactical fighter fleet as the F-4 reached the end of its active-service role.
Action taken
MAG-11 fighter squadrons began transitioning to the F/A-18, with VMFA-314 receiving its first fleet F/A-18A in December 1982.
Aftermath
The transition established the Hornet as a central aircraft type in the group's subsequent carrier, expeditionary, and combat operations.
Sources2 sources
Cite this profile: Cite the canonical profile. /brand-wiki/marine-aircraft-group-11 · Editorial policy · How profiles are compiled