Marine Aircraft Group 14
Marine Aircraft Group 14 is a United States Marine Corps aviation group based at Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point, North Carolina.
Last updated August 26, 2026
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Overview
Marine Aircraft Group 14, commonly abbreviated MAG-14, is a United States Marine Corps aviation unit headquartered at Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point, North Carolina. It is not a commercial brand, but a military organizational identity used to coordinate aviation squadrons and aviation-support functions within the Marine Corps. The group supports Marine Air-Ground Task Force operations as well as joint and coalition missions. MAG-14's stated mission encompasses offensive air support, anti-air warfare, electronic warfare, assault support, air reconnaissance, and fleet replacement training. Its composition has evolved with Marine Corps aviation requirements. The group is currently described as including an AV-8B Harrier squadron transitioning toward the F-35B Lightning II, two F-35B squadrons, an F-35C squadron, an unmanned-aircraft training squadron, a KC-130 squadron, and an aviation logistics squadron. These elements give MAG-14 responsibility across tactical fighter attack, carrier-capable fighter operations, unmanned-aircraft training, aerial refueling and transport, and aircraft maintenance and logistics. The group was established at Camp Kearny, California, on 1 March 1942 under Lieutenant Colonel Albert D. Cooley. Its initial personnel came largely from Marine Aircraft Group 11, which had moved from Marine Corps Air Station Quantico after the attack on Pearl Harbor. After a training period in the United States, MAG-14 deployed to the Pacific in October 1942. It reached Guadalcanal on 16 October and joined the Cactus Air Force, participating in major operations around the Solomon Islands, including the Battle of the Santa Cruz Islands and the Naval Battle of Guadalcanal. During 1943 and 1944, MAG-14 moved through a series of forward Pacific bases, including Seagrove Aerodrome in New Zealand, Munda, Ondonga, Vella Lavella, and the Green Islands. From these locations its squadrons supported Allied ground forces in New Georgia and Bougainville and helped maintain pressure on Japanese positions at Rabaul and Kavieng. In the Philippines campaign, the group operated from Guiuan in Eastern Samar and provided convoy cover and air support for United States, Philippine, and guerrilla forces on several islands. After World War II, MAG-14 returned to the United States and eventually established its long-term association with MCAS Cherry Point, although it temporarily operated from Marine Corps Outlying Field Oak Grove during parts of 1946 and 1947. Its later operational history includes a major contribution to Operation Desert Storm, when its AV-8B squadrons conducted night combat missions over Iraq and Kuwait, attacked Iraqi artillery and Republican Guard forces, and delivered close air support and offensive air support. The group's units reportedly flew more than 2,000 offensive sorties and delivered nearly 4.5 million pounds of ordnance during January and February 1991. The organization has also changed through force-structure decisions. Marine Unmanned Aerial Vehicle Squadron 2 moved from MAG-14 to Marine Air Control Group 28 in 1999 and returned to MAG-14 in 2013. Marine Wing Support Squadron 271 joined MAG-14 in 2012 after the deactivation of Marine Wing Support Group 27, then transferred back in 2018 when that parent support group was reactivated. These changes illustrate MAG-14's continuing role as a flexible aviation command rather than a fixed product or commercial operating brand.
History
Marine Aircraft Group 14 was formed on 1 March 1942 at Camp Kearny, California, under Lieutenant Colonel Albert D. Cooley. Its initial cadre was drawn from Marine Aircraft Group 11, which had arrived from Quantico after the Pearl Harbor attack. Following training, the group deployed to the Pacific in October 1942 and reached Guadalcanal on 16 October, where it relieved Marine Aircraft Group 23 and became part of the Cactus Air Force. It participated in the Battle of the Santa Cruz Islands and the Naval Battle of Guadalcanal before leaving Guadalcanal in April 1943 for rest and refitting at Seagrove Aerodrome near Auckland, New Zealand. MAG-14 returned to the Solomon Islands in August 1943 and established fighter command at Munda. Elements later operated from Ondonga and Vella Lavella, supporting the Allied campaigns in New Georgia and Bougainville. After New Zealand forces captured the Green Islands in February 1944, MAG-14 aircraft began operating from Lagoon Field there. The group used the position to conduct operations against isolated Japanese garrisons, particularly around Rabaul and Kavieng. By January 1945, four MAG-14 fighter squadrons were operating from Guiuan in Eastern Samar in the Philippines. During the campaign, the group covered convoys and supported United States Army, Philippine, and guerrilla forces on Negros, Mindanao, Cebu, and Leyte. It returned to the United States in February 1946 and settled at Marine Corps Outlying Field Oak Grove in March. The group moved to MCAS Cherry Point in July 1946, temporarily returned to Oak Grove in December, supported combined Caribbean maneuvers in February and March 1947, and permanently returned to Cherry Point on 6 June 1947. During Operation Desert Storm in 1991, MAG-14 units flew night combat missions deep into Iraq and Kuwait. VMA-231 and VMA-542 conducted more than 2,000 offensive sorties and delivered almost 4.5 million pounds of ordnance during January and February. In the post-Cold War period, the group's structure was repeatedly adjusted. VMU-2 transferred to Marine Air Control Group 28 in November 1999 and returned to MAG-14 on 13 May 2013. MWSS-271 transferred to MAG-14 on 14 May 2012 after the deactivation of Marine Wing Support Group 27, then returned to that support organization on 22 May 2018 after its reactivation at Cherry Point. The modern group is centered on the transition and operation of Marine Corps aviation capabilities including the AV-8B Harrier, F-35B and F-35C Lightning II, unmanned-aircraft training, KC-130J airlift and tanker operations, and aviation logistics. Its continuing mission is to provide combat-capable aircrews and aviation support for Marine Air-Ground Task Forces and broader joint or coalition operations.
- 2018
MWSS-271 transferred back
[1]Marine Wing Support Squadron 271 left MAG-14 on 22 May after Marine Wing Support Group 27 was reactivated.
- 2013
VMU-2 returned
[1]VMU-2 was officially reassigned from Marine Air Control Group 28 back to MAG-14 on 13 May.
- 1999
VMU-2 reassigned
[1]Marine Unmanned Aerial Vehicle Squadron 2 was transferred from MAG-14 to Marine Air Control Group 28.
- 1991
Operation Desert Storm
[1]MAG-14 units conducted night combat operations over Iraq and Kuwait and delivered close to 4.5 million pounds of ordnance.
- 1947
Return to Cherry Point
[1]After temporary periods at Oak Grove and participation in Caribbean maneuvers, MAG-14 returned to MCAS Cherry Point on 6 June.
- 1945
Philippines campaign
[1]Four group fighter squadrons operated from Guiuan and supported convoy protection and ground operations across several Philippine islands.
- 1944
Operations from the Green Islands
[1]MAG-14 aircraft began operating from Lagoon Field after the capture of the Green Islands, supporting pressure against Japanese positions at Rabaul and Kavieng.
- 1943
Return to the Solomon Islands
[1]MAG-14 established fighter command at Munda and later operated from Ondonga and Vella Lavella in support of Allied operations.
- 1942
MAG-14 established
[1]Marine Aircraft Group 14 was formed at Camp Kearny, California, on 1 March under Lieutenant Colonel Albert D. Cooley.
- 1942
Deployment to Guadalcanal
[1]The group reached Guadalcanal on 16 October and joined the Cactus Air Force during the Solomon Islands campaign.
Products and positioning
A Marine Corps aviation group organized to combine operational aircraft squadrons, training capacity, and aviation logistics in support of Marine Air-Ground Task Forces and joint or coalition forces.
Short takeoff and vertical landing fighter aircraft
F-35B Lightning II
The F-35B is the Marine Corps variant of the Lightning II, designed for short takeoff and vertical landing operations. MAG-14 includes F-35B fighter-attack squadrons and is part of the Marine Corps transition from legacy tactical aircraft to fifth-generation aviation.
Carrier-capable fighter aircraft
F-35C Lightning II
The F-35C is the carrier-suitable Lightning II variant. Its inclusion in MAG-14 extends the group's fighter-attack portfolio to aircraft configured for catapult launches and arrested landings from aircraft carriers.
V/STOL attack aircraft
AV-8B Harrier
The AV-8B Harrier provides vertical and short takeoff and landing attack capability. MAG-14 has operated Harrier squadrons, including units associated with the transition toward the F-35B.
Tanker and transport aircraft
KC-130J Super Hercules
The KC-130J supports Marine aviation through tactical airlift, aerial refueling, logistics movement, and related assault-support missions. MAG-14's VMGR-252 operates this capability.
Marketing campaigns
- 1991Operation Desert Storm
Iraq · Kuwait
MAG-14 flew night combat missions and conducted offensive air-support operations against Iraqi forces. VMA-231 and VMA-542 flew more than 2,000 offensive sorties and delivered nearly 4.5 million pounds of ordnance.
Outcome. The group supported coalition air operations during the Gulf War.
- 1945Philippines campaign
Eastern Samar · Leyte · Negros · Mindanao · Cebu
MAG-14 fighter squadrons based at Guiuan protected convoys and supported United States, Philippine, and guerrilla forces.
Outcome. The group contributed aviation support to Allied operations across the Philippines.
- 1944Green Islands and Rabaul operations
Green Islands · Rabaul · Kavieng
Aircraft operating from Lagoon Field maintained pressure on isolated Japanese garrisons around Rabaul and Kavieng.
Outcome. MAG-14 sustained forward aviation operations from newly captured island bases.
- 1943New Georgia and Bougainville operations
Solomon Islands · Papua New Guinea
From Munda, Ondonga, and Vella Lavella, MAG-14 supported Marine, Army, and Allied forces during operations in New Georgia and Bougainville.
Outcome. The group helped provide air support as Allied forces advanced through the Solomon Islands.
- 1942Guadalcanal campaign
Solomon Islands
MAG-14 joined the Cactus Air Force at Guadalcanal and participated in air operations during the campaign, including the Battle of the Santa Cruz Islands and the Naval Battle of Guadalcanal.
Outcome. The group continued operations until April 1943 before withdrawing for rest and refit.
Brand decisions
2018
MWSS-271 transferred back to MWSG-27StrategyBackground
Marine Wing Support Group 27 was reactivated at MCAS Cherry Point.
Action taken
MWSS-271 transferred from MAG-14 back to MWSG-27 on 22 May.
Aftermath
The move returned the support squadron to its reactivated parent organization.
2013
VMU-2 returned to MAG-14StrategyBackground
Following a prior reassignment to Marine Air Control Group 28, the Marine Corps restored VMU-2 to MAG-14.
Action taken
VMU-2 was officially reassigned to MAG-14 on 13 May.
Aftermath
The reassignment restored an unmanned-aircraft element to the group's organizational structure.
2012
MWSS-271 assigned to MAG-14StrategyBackground
Marine Wing Support Group 27 was deactivated, requiring an organizational reassignment for Marine Wing Support Squadron 271.
Action taken
MWSS-271 transferred to MAG-14 on 14 May.
Aftermath
The squadron returned to Marine Wing Support Group 27 in 2018 after that group was reactivated.
1999
VMU-2 transferred to Marine Air Control Group 28StrategyBackground
The Marine Corps Force Structure Planning Group reassigned Marine Unmanned Aerial Vehicle Squadron 2 from MAG-14.
Action taken
VMU-2 moved from MAG-14 to Marine Air Control Group 28.
Aftermath
The squadron later returned to MAG-14 in 2013.
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