Marine Aircraft Group 39
A United States Marine Corps aviation group based at Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton and assigned to the 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing.
Last updated August 26, 2026
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Overview
Marine Aircraft Group 39, commonly abbreviated MAG-39, is a United States Marine Corps aviation unit headquartered at Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton, California. It is subordinate to the 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing and forms part of I Marine Expeditionary Force. Rather than being a commercial brand, MAG-39 is an operational military formation whose identity is associated with expeditionary aviation, rotary-wing and tiltrotor support, aviation logistics, and the ability to organize its subordinate units for changing mission requirements. The group’s stated mission is to provide combat-ready naval expeditionary forces capable of delivering combat aviation support, aviation ground support, and aviation logistics. Its organization is designed to combine aircraft squadrons, maintenance and logistics capabilities, headquarters functions, and aviation ground-support resources within a single command structure. This allows MAG-39 to support Marine air-ground task forces and other expeditionary formations across a range of operating environments. As described for March 2024, MAG-39 included three AH-1Z Viper and UH-1Y Venom light-attack helicopter squadrons—HMLA-169, HMLA-267, and HMLA-367—as well as HMLA-369 and the H-1 Fleet Replacement Squadron, HMLAT-303. Its tiltrotor component consisted of VMM-164 and VMM-364, both associated with the MV-22B Osprey. Supporting elements included Headquarters Squadron 39 and Marine Aviation Logistics Squadron 39. The group’s structure therefore covers attack and utility helicopters, medium-lift tiltrotor aviation, pilot and aircrew replacement training, command-and-control functions, and aircraft maintenance and supply support. MAG-39 has roots in the Vietnam War. In 1968, Marine aviation commanders sought to reduce the span of control of Marine Aircraft Group 36 while meeting increased operational demands in northern Quang Tri Province. A provisional group was established at Quang Tri Combat Base on 15 April 1968 under Colonel John E. Hansen. It initially brought together Marine Observation Squadron 6, Marine Medium Helicopter Squadron 163, and Marine Medium Helicopter Squadron 262. The provisional group supported the 3rd Marine Division during operations including Scotland II, Lancaster, Kentucky, Mameluke Thrust, and Jeb Stuart II. In early 1969 it also supported Operation Dewey Canyon. As Marine forces withdrew from South Vietnam later that year, the provisional group’s role declined; its headquarters moved to Phu Bai Combat Base in October and the organization was subsequently merged into MAG-36. A provisional MAG-39 was activated again in April 1975 for Operation Frequent Wind, the evacuation from Saigon. The group included heavy-lift, light-attack, and medium-lift helicopter units and operated in support of the evacuation of American citizens, South Vietnamese, and other foreign nationals. The airlift began on 29 April and ended on the morning of 30 April, evacuating approximately 7,000 people. The provisional organization remained with the fleet until its departure for the Philippines on 2 May, after which its personnel returned to their parent units. MAG-39 was reactivated as a permanent Marine Aircraft Group at Camp Pendleton on 1 September 1978 and assigned to the 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing. Since then, elements of the group have supported or participated in operations including Desert Shield and Desert Storm, Restore Hope in Somalia, Operation Enduring Freedom in Afghanistan, and Operation Iraqi Freedom. Its present role continues the Marine Corps model of integrating aviation combat power with logistics and ground-support capabilities for deployable expeditionary operations.
History
Marine Aircraft Group 39 emerged from the Marine Corps’ effort to adapt aviation command arrangements to the demands of the Vietnam War. In early 1968, the 1st Marine Aircraft Wing faced increased operational requirements in northern Quang Tri Province. Marine commanders concluded that the existing command structure, particularly the span of control exercised by Marine Aircraft Group 36, needed to be reduced. A forward headquarters and three helicopter squadrons—VMO-6, HMM-163, and HMM-262—were already operating from Quang Tri Combat Base under Colonel John E. Hansen, the deputy commander of MAG-36. After approval from Fleet Marine Force, Pacific and Marine Corps headquarters, Major General Norman J. Anderson ordered the creation of Provisional Marine Aircraft Group 39 on 15 April 1968. Colonel Hansen became its commander. The provisional group supported the 3rd Marine Division in a series of operations, including Scotland II, Lancaster, Kentucky, Mameluke Thrust, and Jeb Stuart II. Its aviation functions included helicopter support for maneuver, resupply, casualty evacuation, observation, and other expeditionary requirements. The group also supported Operation Dewey Canyon in early 1969. The organization’s first incarnation diminished as the 3rd Marine Division redeployed from South Vietnam. In October 1969, the headquarters moved to Phu Bai Combat Base, and on 15 October the provisional group was merged back into MAG-36. MAG-39 was therefore initially a wartime command solution rather than a continuously maintained permanent group. The designation returned in 1975 during Operation Frequent Wind, the final evacuation from Saigon. Provisional MAG-39 was activated on 19 April and commanded by Colonel Frank G. McLenon. Its component units included HMH-462, HMH-463, HML-367, HML-369, and HMM-165. Helicopters operated from ships offshore and other locations to evacuate people from Saigon during 29–30 April. The operation removed approximately 7,000 American citizens, South Vietnamese, and other foreign nationals. The provisional group remained embarked with the fleet until it departed for the Philippines on 2 May, after which personnel returned to their regular parent organizations. The permanent organization was reactivated at Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton on 1 September 1978 and assigned to the 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing, Fleet Marine Force, Pacific. Its post-1978 history reflects the Marine Corps’ expeditionary model, in which aviation groups provide aircraft, aircrew, maintenance, logistics, and ground-support capabilities to Marine air-ground task forces. Elements of MAG-39 supported Operation Desert Shield and Desert Storm between August 1990 and April 1991, Operation Restore Hope in Somalia from December 1992 through April 1993, Operation Enduring Freedom in Afghanistan from December 2001 through June 2002, and Operation Iraqi Freedom in Kuwait from January through October 2003. By March 2024, the group’s organization combined AH-1Z Viper and UH-1Y Venom light-attack helicopter squadrons with MV-22B Osprey tiltrotor squadrons. HMLA-169, HMLA-267, HMLA-367, and HMLA-369 represented the H-1 light-attack and utility helicopter community, while HMLAT-303 provided fleet replacement training for H-1 aircrews. VMM-164 and VMM-364 operated the Osprey component. Headquarters Squadron 39 and Marine Aviation Logistics Squadron 39 supplied command, maintenance, supply, and aviation-support functions. This integrated structure enables MAG-39 to generate combat-ready aviation forces and to tailor those forces for naval expeditionary missions.
- 2003
Support for Operation Iraqi Freedom
[1]Elements participated in Operation Iraqi Freedom and operated in Kuwait between January and October 2003.
- 2001
Support for Operation Enduring Freedom
[1]Elements of the group participated in Operation Enduring Freedom in Afghanistan from December 2001 through June 2002.
- 1992
Participation in Operation Restore Hope
[1]Elements supported the Somalia intervention known as Operation Restore Hope from December 1992 through April 1993.
- 1990
Participation in Desert Shield and Desert Storm
[1]Elements of MAG-39 participated in U.S.-led operations in the Persian Gulf from August 1990 through April 1991.
- 1978
Permanent reactivation at Camp Pendleton
[1]MAG-39 was reactivated on 1 September at Camp Pendleton and assigned to the 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing.
- 1975
Reactivated for Operation Frequent Wind
[1]A provisional MAG-39 supported the evacuation from Saigon, helping remove approximately 7,000 people during the operation.
- 1969
Support for Operation Dewey Canyon and subsequent merger
[1]The provisional group supported Operation Dewey Canyon before its headquarters moved to Phu Bai and the organization was merged into MAG-36 in October.
- 1968
Provisional MAG-39 established in Quang Tri
[1]Provisional Marine Aircraft Group 39 was established at Quang Tri Combat Base on 15 April to consolidate three helicopter squadrons and support the 3rd Marine Division.
Products and positioning
A deployable Marine Corps aviation formation integrating attack and utility helicopters, MV-22 tiltrotors, aviation logistics, training, headquarters, and ground-support functions.
Marketing campaigns
- 2003Operation Iraqi Freedom
Kuwait · Iraq theater
Elements of MAG-39 supported Operation Iraqi Freedom from Kuwait.
Outcome. The cited participation period was January through October 2003.
- 2001Operation Enduring Freedom
Afghanistan
MAG-39 elements supported Marine Corps operations in Afghanistan under Operation Enduring Freedom.
Outcome. The cited participation period was December 2001 through June 2002.
- 1992Operation Restore Hope
Somalia
Elements of MAG-39 supported the multinational humanitarian and security operation in Somalia.
Outcome. The cited period of participation ran from December 1992 through April 1993.
- 1990Operations Desert Shield and Desert Storm
Persian Gulf
Elements of MAG-39 supported U.S. Marine Corps operations associated with the defense and liberation of Kuwait.
Outcome. Participation continued from August 1990 through April 1991.
- 1975Operation Frequent Wind
Saigon · South China Sea · Philippines
A provisional MAG-39 helicopter force supported the final evacuation from Saigon on 29–30 April 1975.
Outcome. Approximately 7,000 people were evacuated. The provisional group remained with the fleet until its departure for the Philippines on 2 May.
- 1969Operation Dewey Canyon
South Vietnam · Laos border region
MAG-39 provided aviation support during Operation Dewey Canyon in early 1969.
Outcome. The operation was followed by the reduction of the group’s role as Marine forces redeployed from South Vietnam.
- 1968Vietnam War operations in northern Quang Tri Province
South Vietnam
The provisional group supported the 3rd Marine Division during Operations Scotland II, Lancaster, Kentucky, Mameluke Thrust, and Jeb Stuart II.
Outcome. MAG-39 continued operating into 1969 before its headquarters relocated and the provisional organization was merged into MAG-36.
Recent events
- 1978
MAG-39 reactivated at Camp Pendleton[1]
Other
Marine Aircraft Group 39 was reactivated as a permanent organization at Camp Pendleton and assigned to the 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing.
- 1975
Provisional MAG-39 supports Operation Frequent Wind[1]
Other
A second provisional MAG-39 was activated for the evacuation from Saigon. Its helicopter units helped evacuate approximately 7,000 American citizens, South Vietnamese, and other foreign nationals during the final phase of the operation.
- 1968
Provisional Marine Aircraft Group 39 established at Quang Tri[1]
Other
A provisional MAG-39 was organized at Quang Tri Combat Base to consolidate three Marine helicopter squadrons and reduce the command burden on MAG-36 during intensified operations in northern South Vietnam.
Sources2 sources
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