Marine Aircraft Group 13
Marine Aircraft Group 13 is a United States Marine Corps aviation group that provides aviation support to Marine Air-Ground Task Force commanders.
Last updated August 26, 2026
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Overview
Marine Aircraft Group 13, commonly designated MAG-13, is a United States Marine Corps aviation unit headquartered at Marine Corps Air Station Yuma, Arizona. It operates under 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing and I Marine Expeditionary Force and is organized to provide aviation capabilities in support of Marine Air-Ground Task Force commanders. Unlike a commercial brand, MAG-13 is an institutional military identity: its name represents an operational command, its subordinate squadrons, and the personnel and aircraft assigned to the group. The group was activated in San Diego on 1 March 1942, shortly after the United States entered the Second World War. Its forward echelon reached American Samoa in April 1942, where the group assumed responsibility for air defense during a period when Japanese attacks on Pacific island positions were considered a serious threat. During the war, elements of MAG-13 operated from a number of Pacific bases, including Tutuila, Funafuti, Nanumea, Wallis, Nukufetau, Tarawa, Makin Atoll, and Majuro. At Majuro, the group supported operations intended to neutralize Japanese positions that had been bypassed during the Allied advance. MAG-13 returned to the United States in October 1945 and was deactivated soon afterward. MAG-13 was reactivated in March 1951. It moved to Marine Corps Air Station Kaneohe Bay, Hawaii, in early 1952 and supported the 1st Marine Brigade after that formation adopted its permanent designation in 1956. During this period it was notable as a composite Marine Aircraft Group, combining fighter, attack, and helicopter units to support the brigade's ground mission. In the 1960s the group became associated with Marine Corps jet aviation and the Vietnam War. It joined 1st Marine Aircraft Wing at Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni in June 1965 and deployed to South Vietnam in September 1966. From Chu Lai Air Base, its F-4 Phantom squadrons supported Marine and other allied forces in the I Corps and II Corps tactical zones, as well as operations connected with Laos, North Vietnam, and Cambodia. MAG-13 headquarters returned from South Vietnam in September 1970 and reached Marine Corps Air Station El Toro the following month. During its four years in the theater, subordinate squadrons flew 87,027 sorties in support of combat operations. The group moved to Marine Corps Air Station Yuma on 1 October 1987. In the early twenty-first century, MAG-13 deployed AV-8B Harrier units in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom and other expeditionary commitments. In 2003, Harriers operating from USS Bonhomme Richard and Al Jaber Air Base conducted more than 2,000 sorties and over 3,000 flight hours while supporting I Marine Expeditionary Force. Between 2003 and 2007, the group's VMA squadrons repeatedly deployed to Al Asad Air Base and also supplied detachments for Marine Expeditionary Units and Japan-based commitments. In 2005, its Harrier units received avionics and software improvements that enabled all-weather precision strike capabilities; in early 2006, VMA-513 became the first Marine Harrier squadron to use Joint Direct Attack Munition in combat. As of March 2024, the group consisted of four F-35B Lightning II fighter-attack squadrons—VMFA-122, VMFA-211, VMFA-214, and VMFA-225—along with VMU-1, an MQ-9A Reaper unmanned aerial vehicle squadron, and Marine Aviation Logistics Squadron 13. This structure reflects the Marine Corps' transition from legacy Harrier formations toward fifth-generation short-takeoff-and-vertical-landing aircraft, unmanned aviation, and integrated expeditionary maintenance and logistics.
History
Marine Aircraft Group 13 was activated in San Diego on 1 March 1942. Its first wartime forward echelon departed for Samoa within a week, and the group's first aircraft arrived at Tutuila on 2 April. MAG-13 was assigned responsibility for the air defense of American Samoa, an important Pacific position that Allied planners considered vulnerable to Japanese attack during the early defensive phase of the war. The group's personnel were not exclusively trained as pilots and maintainers; subordinate squadrons were also expected to organize as infantry companies if island defense became necessary. During 1942 and 1943, MAG-13 dispersed elements across the Pacific. Units operated from Funafuti, Nanumea, Wallis, Nukufetau, Tarawa, and Makin Atoll. The organization was consolidated at Majuro in April 1944, from which it supported the campaign to neutralize Japanese bases that had been bypassed by the Allied advance. MAG-13 stayed at Majuro until the end of the war, returned to the United States in October 1945, and was deactivated soon afterward. The group was reformed in March 1951 and moved to Marine Corps Air Station Kaneohe Bay, Hawaii, in early 1952. It initially included two fighter squadrons and Marine Air Control Squadron 2. Aircraft units from Marine Corps Air Station El Toro rotated through Kaneohe Bay for training until April 1954. When the 1st Marine Brigade adopted its permanent designation in May 1956, MAG-13 provided aviation support for the brigade. Its composition at that time was unusual because it combined fighter, attack, and helicopter squadrons in a single composite group. In June 1965, MAG-13 became part of 1st Marine Aircraft Wing at Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni, Japan. The group deployed to South Vietnam in September 1966 and operated from Chu Lai Air Base in support of III Marine Amphibious Force and other forces in the I Corps and II Corps tactical zones. Its responsibilities also extended to operations connected with Laos, North Vietnam, and Cambodia. The group initially included VMFA-314, VMFA-323, and VMFA-542, all flying F-4B Phantom aircraft. VMFA-542 was replaced by VMFA-115 in December 1965, while VMFA-232 and VMFA-334 joined in early 1969 with F-4J aircraft. MAG-13 headquarters left South Vietnam in September 1970 and returned to MCAS El Toro in October. The group's subordinate squadrons flew 87,027 combat-support sorties during its four years in the theater. MAG-13 moved from El Toro to Marine Corps Air Station Yuma on 1 October 1987. Its later operational history included extensive AV-8B Harrier deployments. In January 2003, the group deployed to the Persian Gulf in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom. Approximately 60 Harriers operated from USS Bonhomme Richard and another 16 from Al Jaber Air Base in Kuwait. The aircraft flew more than 2,000 sorties and over 3,000 flight hours and expended more than 750,000 pounds of ordnance in support of I Marine Expeditionary Force. From 2003 through 2007, all four VMA squadrons associated with MAG-13 made repeated deployments to Al Asad Air Base for coalition combat operations in Iraq. The group also supported the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit from Japan and provided Harrier detachments for the 11th, 13th, and 15th Marine Expeditionary Units. During 2005, its AV-8B units received avionics and software upgrades that enabled all-weather precision strike. In early 2006, VMA-513 became the first Marine Harrier squadron to employ JDAM in combat. Since September 2001, the group is reported to have accumulated more than 15,000 combat flight hours in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation Enduring Freedom. By March 2024, MAG-13 had transitioned to a modern structure centered on four F-35B Lightning II squadrons: VMFA-122, VMFA-211, VMFA-214, and VMFA-225. It also included VMU-1, an MQ-9A Reaper unmanned aerial vehicle squadron, and Marine Aviation Logistics Squadron 13. The group remains under 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing and I Marine Expeditionary Force and continues to provide aviation support to Marine Air-Ground Task Force commanders.
- 2024
F-35B and MQ-9A organizational structure
[1]The March 2024 organization included four F-35B squadrons, VMU-1 with MQ-9A Reapers, and MALS-13.
- 2005
AV-8B precision-strike upgrades
[1]MAG-13 Harrier squadrons upgraded avionics and software to enable all-weather precision strike.
- 2003
Persian Gulf deployment
[1]MAG-13 deployed Harriers to support Operation Iraqi Freedom and I Marine Expeditionary Force.
- 1987
Move to Marine Corps Air Station Yuma
[1]The group moved to its present home at MCAS Yuma on 1 October 1987.
- 1970
Return from Vietnam
[1]MAG-13 headquarters left South Vietnam in September and returned to MCAS El Toro in October.
- 1966
Deployment to South Vietnam
[1]The group deployed to South Vietnam in September and operated from Chu Lai Air Base.
- 1965
Assignment to 1st Marine Aircraft Wing
[1]MAG-13 became part of 1st Marine Aircraft Wing at Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni in June.
- 1956
Support for the 1st Marine Brigade
[1]After the 1st Marine Brigade adopted its permanent title, MAG-13 provided aviation support and operated as a composite fighter, attack, and helicopter group.
- 1951
Reactivation
[1]MAG-13 was reactivated in March 1951.
- 1945
Postwar deactivation
[1]The group returned to the United States in October and was deactivated shortly afterward.
Products and positioning
A Marine Corps aviation group positioned as an expeditionary, multi-squadron provider of fixed-wing, unmanned, maintenance, and logistics capabilities for Marine Air-Ground Task Force operations.
Fixed-wing fighter-attack aviation
F-35B Lightning II squadrons
As of March 2024, MAG-13 included VMFA-122 Werewolves, VMFA-211 Wake Island Avengers, VMFA-214 Black Sheep, and VMFA-225 Vikings. These squadrons operate the F-35B, the short-takeoff-and-vertical-landing variant of the Joint Strike Fighter, providing expeditionary fighter, attack, sensor, and air-support capabilities for Marine forces.
Unmanned aerial vehicle aviation
MQ-9A Reaper operations
VMU-1 forms MAG-13's unmanned aviation component and operates the MQ-9A Reaper. Its role provides persistent airborne surveillance and other unmanned aviation support within Marine Corps expeditionary operations.
Aviation maintenance and logistics
Marine Aviation Logistics Squadron 13
MALS-13 supplies the maintenance, logistics, and technical support needed to keep MAG-13 aircraft and subordinate aviation units operational. It is an enabling formation rather than a separately marketed aircraft product.
Legacy fixed-wing fighter-attack aviation
AV-8B Harrier operations
During the 2000s, MAG-13 was strongly associated with multiple VMA squadrons operating AV-8B Harriers. These aircraft supported expeditionary combat operations, including missions in Iraq and deployments with Marine Expeditionary Units. The group later transitioned toward its current F-35B-centered structure.
Marketing campaigns
- 2003Operation Iraqi Freedom
Persian Gulf · Iraq · Kuwait
MAG-13 deployed Harrier aircraft to the Persian Gulf, with aircraft operating from USS Bonhomme Richard and Al Jaber Air Base. The deployment supported I Marine Expeditionary Force combat operations.
Outcome. The aircraft flew more than 2,000 sorties and over 3,000 flight hours and expended more than 750,000 pounds of ordnance, according to the cited historical account.
- 2003Iraq and Marine Expeditionary Unit deployments
Iraq · Japan · Western Pacific
Between 2003 and 2007, MAG-13's VMA squadrons made repeated deployments to Al Asad Air Base and also supported the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit and detachments associated with the 11th, 13th, and 15th Marine Expeditionary Units.
Outcome. The deployments extended the group's expeditionary aviation role across both Iraq and the Indo-Pacific.
- 1966Vietnam War air support
South Vietnam · Laos · North Vietnam · Cambodia
From Chu Lai Air Base, MAG-13 supported III Marine Amphibious Force and other forces across the I Corps and II Corps tactical zones. Its squadrons flew F-4 Phantom variants and conducted combat-support missions across the wider regional theater.
Outcome. MAG-13 headquarters returned from South Vietnam in 1970; subordinate squadrons had flown 87,027 sorties during the group's four years in the theater.
- 1942Pacific defense and Marshall Islands operations
American Samoa · Central Pacific · Marshall Islands
During the Second World War, MAG-13 defended American Samoa and dispersed aircraft and personnel among multiple Pacific bases. After consolidation at Majuro, the group supported efforts to neutralize Japanese bases that had been bypassed by the Allied advance.
Outcome. The group remained at Majuro until the end of the war and returned to the United States in October 1945.
Brand decisions
2024
Transition to an F-35B-centered organizationGeneration changeBackground
By March 2024, the group's published organization reflected the Marine Corps transition from legacy Harrier aviation toward fifth-generation and unmanned aircraft.
Action taken
MAG-13 was organized around four F-35B squadrons, VMU-1 with MQ-9A Reaper aircraft, and MALS-13 for aviation logistics and maintenance.
Aftermath
The structure positioned the group to provide integrated expeditionary fighter, unmanned, maintenance, and logistics support to Marine Air-Ground Task Force commanders.
2005
Upgrade of AV-8B precision-strike systemsGeneration changeBackground
MAG-13's Harrier squadrons required improved systems for expeditionary combat operations and all-weather precision attack.
Action taken
The squadrons upgraded AV-8B avionics and software to enable all-weather precision-strike capability.
Aftermath
The improvements were demonstrated in combat in early 2006 when VMA-513 became the first Marine Harrier squadron to employ JDAM in combat.
Recent events
- 2024
MAG-13 organization includes F-35B and MQ-9A squadrons[1]
Product generation
The group's March 2024 organization comprised four F-35B squadrons, VMU-1 operating MQ-9A Reaper aircraft, and Marine Aviation Logistics Squadron 13.
- 2006
Marine Harrier unit employs JDAM in combat[1]
Product generation · Other
VMA-513, a MAG-13 subordinate unit, became the first Marine Harrier squadron to employ Joint Direct Attack Munition in combat after earlier avionics and software improvements.
- 2003
MAG-13 supports Operation Iraqi Freedom[1]
Other
MAG-13 deployed Harrier aircraft to the Persian Gulf, including operations from USS Bonhomme Richard and Al Jaber Air Base, supporting I Marine Expeditionary Force.
- 1942
Marine Aircraft Group 13 activated in San Diego[1]
Other
MAG-13 was activated on 1 March 1942 as a United States Marine Corps aviation group and soon began moving elements toward the Pacific.
- 1942
MAG-13 assumes American Samoa air-defense responsibility[1]
Other
The group's first aircraft reached Tutuila on 2 April 1942, after which MAG-13 assumed responsibility for the air defense of American Samoa.
Sources2 sources
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