Marine Aircraft Group 36
An active United States Marine Corps aviation group providing expeditionary assault-support aircraft and aviation command capability in the Indo-Pacific.
Last updated October 14, 2026
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Overview
Marine Aircraft Group 36, commonly abbreviated MAG-36, is an active aviation group of the United States Marine Corps. It forms part of the 1st Marine Aircraft Wing, which is assigned to III Marine Expeditionary Force, and is based at Marine Corps Air Station Futenma in Okinawa, Japan. Unlike a commercial brand, MAG-36 is an operational military formation rather than a company or consumer-facing product line. Its identity is associated with Marine aviation, expeditionary mobility, assault support, logistics, disaster response, and the ability to assemble aviation forces for Marine Air-Ground Task Force operations. The group’s principal mission is to provide combat-ready expeditionary assault-support aircraft to a Marine Air-Ground Task Force. When directed, it can also plan and conduct aviation operations as the aviation combat element of a Marine Expeditionary Brigade. Its subordinate structure has included medium and heavy transport helicopter squadrons, maintenance and logistics organizations, and aviation-support units. The current organizational listing identifies Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron 262, Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron 265, Marine Aviation Logistics Squadron 36, and Marine Wing Support Squadron 172 as principal subordinate units. Unit Deployment Program squadrons, particularly light-attack helicopter and heavy-lift helicopter units, may also be attached for rotating deployments. MAG-36 was established at Marine Corps Air Station El Toro in California on 2 June 1952 as Marine Air Group (Helicopter Transport) 36. Its initial role centered on helicopter transport and amphibious assault support. During its early years, the group operated HRS-1 helicopters and trained to move Marines and equipment from ships to shore. The designation was shortened to Marine Air Group 36 in 1959. By 1962, the organization had expanded to include maintenance, base-support, light-transport, and medium-transport elements and operated more than 100 helicopters. The Vietnam War was a defining period in the group’s history. In 1965, MAG-36 was attached to the 1st Marine Aircraft Wing and deployed to South Vietnam aboard USS Princeton. It flew its first missions after coming ashore at Kỳ Hà in September 1965. The group supported a succession of Marine and allied operations, including Blue Marlin, Harvest Moon, Double Eagle, Utah, Texas, Kansas, Colorado, and Taylor Common. In 1967 and 1968, its headquarters and squadrons shifted northward among bases including Phu Bai, Quảng Trị, and Khe Sanh. Group elements provided troop transport, resupply, casualty evacuation, close support, and aviation-control functions during the Battle of Khe Sanh and the Battle of Huế. In 1969, MAG-36 withdrew from South Vietnam and returned to Okinawa. Its later history has been closely connected to the Western Pacific, the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit, and the Marine Corps Unit Deployment Program. During the 1970s and 1980s, the group hosted rotating squadrons from the continental United States and supported exercises across the Pacific. Its forces also participated in the evacuation of Phnom Penh during Operation Eagle Pull and the evacuation of Saigon during Operation Frequent Wind in 1975. Since the 1990s, MAG-36 units have combined combat deployments with humanitarian assistance and disaster-relief missions. They supported earthquake relief in Kobe, the withdrawal of United Nations forces from Somalia, Operation Desert Fox, peacekeeping in East Timor, and combat operations connected with Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation Enduring Freedom. The group has also conducted disaster-response missions in Bangladesh, Thailand and Burma, the Philippines, and Japan. During Operation Tomodachi in 2011, MAG-36 elements deployed to mainland Japan after the earthquake, tsunami, and nuclear emergency to support relief operations. Its continuing role is to maintain ready aviation forces for deterrence, crisis response, combat, mobility, and humanitarian assistance throughout the Indo-Pacific.
History
Marine Aircraft Group 36 was activated on 2 June 1952 at Marine Corps Air Station El Toro, California, as Marine Air Group (Helicopter Transport) 36. The group was created to support the Marine Corps’ developing helicopter-borne assault doctrine and initially trained for amphibious operations involving the movement of troops and equipment from ships to shore. Its early squadrons operated HRS-1 helicopters. In 1959, the formation adopted the shorter designation Marine Air Group 36. By 1962, it contained headquarters and maintenance, marine air base, several light-transport, and a medium-transport squadron, with a total inventory of approximately 105 helicopters. The Vietnam War transformed MAG-36 into a major operational formation. In 1965, it was attached to the 1st Marine Aircraft Wing and transported to South Vietnam aboard USS Princeton. Aircraft flew ashore at Kỳ Hà on 1 September, and the group began missions on 12 September. Its early Vietnam operations included support to Blue Marlin, operations in the Hiệp Đức area, and Harvest Moon. During 1966, its squadrons supported Double Eagle, Utah, Texas, Kansas, and Colorado. As Marine operations expanded northward, MAG-36 elements moved among bases in the I Corps area. In October 1967, the group headquarters became operational at Phu Bai. The organization assumed control of several squadrons and aviation-control units previously associated with Marine Aircraft Group 16, while other units were reassigned in the opposite direction. By early 1968, MAG-36 aircraft operated from Quảng Trị and Phu Bai and were heavily involved in the Battle of Khe Sanh and the Battle of Huế. Helicopter units sustained isolated positions, moved combat troops and supplies, evacuated casualties, and supported Marine and Army of the Republic of Vietnam forces. A ground-controlled-approach radar detachment helped guide aircraft at Khe Sanh until it was disabled by enemy fire in February 1968. In April, several units were detached to form Provisional Marine Aircraft Group 39, while additional helicopter squadrons subsequently joined MAG-36. The group also supported Operation Taylor Common from December 1968 into March 1969. By 1969, MAG-36 included heavy-, medium-, and light-helicopter capabilities. It withdrew from South Vietnam in November and returned to Marine Corps Air Station Futenma, Okinawa. During the 1970s and 1980s, Futenma became the group’s base for Western Pacific operations. MAG-36 served as a key Unit Deployment Program organization, receiving rotating helicopter squadrons from California and North Carolina for exercises and forward deployments across the region. Its units also supported the 31st Marine Amphibious Unit, often assembling composite aviation squadrons from medium-lift, heavy-lift, utility, and attack helicopters. In 1973, group squadrons participated in Operation End Sweep, the clearance of mines from Haiphong harbor. From 1974 through 1975, MAG-36 detachments regularly deployed with the 31st Marine Amphibious Unit. In April 1975, its aviation elements supported Operation Eagle Pull, the evacuation of Phnom Penh, and Operation Frequent Wind, the evacuation of Saigon. The latter included air support, rescue, and air-cover tasks; a Marine CH-46 associated with the operation evacuated the final Marine security guards from the U.S. Embassy roof on 30 April. The group continued its Pacific role after the Vietnam era. Its forces supported earthquake relief in Kobe in 1995, Operation United Shield in Somalia, Operation Desert Fox in the Persian Gulf, and peacekeeping in East Timor during Operation Stabilise. In the 2000s, subordinate units deployed for combat operations in Iraq and Afghanistan while the group also maintained a substantial humanitarian-assistance profile. Its disaster-relief missions included Operation Sea Angel II in Bangladesh after Cyclone Sidr, Operation Caring Response after Cyclone Nargis, and relief operations in the Philippines after typhoons in 2004, 2009, and 2010. During Operation Tomodachi in 2011, MAG-36 supported Japanese relief efforts after the earthquake, tsunami, and associated nuclear emergency. In 2014, Marine Aerial Refueler Transport Squadron 152 left MAG-36 for Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni and became part of Marine Aircraft Group 12. MAG-36 remains an active Okinawa-based formation focused on expeditionary assault support, aviation readiness, regional exercises, contingency response, and humanitarian assistance.
- 2014
VMGR-152 transferred to MAG-12
[1]Marine Aerial Refueler Transport Squadron 152 moved from MAG-36 to Marine Aircraft Group 12 at Iwakuni.
- 2011
Operation Tomodachi
[1]MAG-36 deployed aviation elements to assist Japan after the earthquake, tsunami, and nuclear emergency.
- 1975
Evacuation operations in Cambodia and South Vietnam
[1]MAG-36 elements supported Operation Eagle Pull and Operation Frequent Wind.
- 1969
Return to Okinawa
[1]MAG-36 withdrew from South Vietnam and was re-based at MCAS Futenma.
- 1968
Operations around Khe Sanh and Huế
[1]The group provided extensive aviation support during the battles of Khe Sanh and Huế.
- 1965
Deployment to South Vietnam
[1]MAG-36 joined the 1st Marine Aircraft Wing and deployed aboard USS Princeton, beginning combat operations from Kỳ Hà.
- 1959
Designation shortened to Marine Air Group 36
[1]The group adopted the shorter Marine Air Group 36 designation.
- 1952
Activation at MCAS El Toro
[1]The formation was activated as Marine Air Group (Helicopter Transport) 36 at Marine Corps Air Station El Toro in California.
Products and positioning
A forward-based Marine Corps aviation formation positioned as an expeditionary assault-support and aviation-command hub for the Western Pacific and broader Indo-Pacific.
Marketing campaigns
- 2011Operation Tomodachi
Japan
MAG-36 deployed to mainland Japan after the earthquake, tsunami, and damaged nuclear reactor.
Outcome. The group supported relief and recovery activities for Japan, a U.S. host nation and ally.
- 2008Operation Caring Response
Thailand · Burma
From Thailand, group elements supported relief efforts following Tropical Cyclone Nargis.
Outcome. The mission provided regional humanitarian assistance after the cyclone.
- 2007Operation Sea Angel II
Bangladesh
MAG-36 elements delivered humanitarian assistance after Tropical Cyclone Sidr.
Outcome. The deployment supported disaster-relief activities in affected areas.
- 1975Operation Eagle Pull
Cambodia
A MAG-36 composite squadron supported the evacuation of Phnom Penh.
Outcome. The evacuation was completed before the fall of Phnom Penh.
- 1975Operation Frequent Wind
South Vietnam
MAG-36 aviation elements provided air support, rescue, and air cover during the evacuation of Saigon.
Outcome. The operation evacuated U.S. civilians and at-risk South Vietnamese personnel as South Vietnam collapsed.
- 1973Operation End Sweep
Vietnam
Group squadrons helped clear mines from Haiphong harbor.
Outcome. The participating units returned to Okinawa after the clearance mission.
- 1965Vietnam War operations
South Vietnam
MAG-36 conducted assault-support, transport, resupply, evacuation, and aviation-control missions after deploying to South Vietnam.
Outcome. The group became a major Marine helicopter formation in the conflict and operated from multiple bases in I Corps.
Brand decisions
2014
Transfer of VMGR-152 to Marine Aircraft Group 12StrategyBackground
Marine Aerial Refueler Transport Squadron 152 had provided an enduring aviation detachment from MAG-36, including support to Afghanistan operations.
Action taken
The squadron moved to Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni and was reassigned to Marine Aircraft Group 12.
Aftermath
MAG-36 continued as an Okinawa-based assault-support formation without VMGR-152 as one of its assigned units.
Recent events
- 2011
MAG-36 supported Operation Tomodachi[1]
Other
The group deployed aviation assets to mainland Japan after the earthquake, tsunami, and nuclear emergency, providing relief support to the host nation.
- 2008
MAG-36 supported disaster relief after Cyclone Nargis[1]
Other
From Thailand, MAG-36 elements participated in Operation Caring Response after Tropical Cyclone Nargis affected Burma.
- 2007
MAG-36 supported Operation Sea Angel II[1]
Other
Following Tropical Cyclone Sidr in Bangladesh, MAG-36 elements deployed for humanitarian assistance and disaster relief.
- 1999
MAG-36 units deployed for Operation Desert Fox and Operation Stabilise[1]
Other
The group responded to a short-notice deployment to the Persian Gulf for Operation Desert Fox and supported peacekeeping operations in East Timor under Operation Stabilise.
- 1995
MAG-36 units conducted earthquake-relief and regional contingency operations[1]
Other
Group units supported relief operations in Kobe, Japan, after the major earthquake and also participated in the withdrawal of United Nations forces from Somalia during Operation United Shield.
- 1975
MAG-36 elements participated in Operation Eagle Pull and Operation Frequent Wind[1]
Other
Composite aviation elements associated with the group supported the evacuation of Phnom Penh and the evacuation of Saigon, including air support, rescue, and security missions.
- 1969
MAG-36 returned to Okinawa[1]
Other
The group withdrew from South Vietnam in November and was re-established at Marine Corps Air Station Futenma, where it became a major Western Pacific aviation formation.
- 1968
MAG-36 supported major operations in northern South Vietnam[1]
Other
Group squadrons operated from Quảng Trị, Phu Bai, and associated locations during the Battle of Khe Sanh and the Battle of Huế, providing transport, resupply, evacuation, and aviation-control support.
- 1965
MAG-36 deployed to South Vietnam as a complete Marine helicopter group[1]
Other
After joining the 1st Marine Aircraft Wing, MAG-36 moved to South Vietnam aboard USS Princeton and began flying missions from Kỳ Hà. The deployment marked an important early use of a complete Marine helicopter group in the conflict.
Sources1 sources
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