MCAS CAMP PEMDLETON

• Establishment: Marine Corps Air Station (MCAS) Camp Pendleton was officially commissioned on September 25, 1942, during World War II to support Marine Corps aviation on the West Coast. • Location: MCAS Camp Pendleton is located within the larger Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton in Southern California, strategically positioned between Los Angeles and San Diego. • WWII Role: The air station played a crucial role in training and deploying Marine aviation units for operations in the Pacific Theater during World War II. • Aviation Units: MCAS Camp Pendleton is home to several aviation units, including helicopter, tiltrotor, and fixed-wing squadrons, notably supporting the 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing (3rd MAW). • Support to Amphibious Operations: The air station provides essential air support for amphibious operations conducted by the I Marine Expeditionary Force (I MEF). • Modernization: MCAS Camp Pendleton has undergone extensive upgrades, including new hangars and runways, to accommodate state-of-the-art aircraft like the MV-22 Osprey and the F-35B Lightning II. • Disaster Response: Units from MCAS Camp Pendleton have assisted in disaster relief operations, including wildfires in California and humanitarian missions both domestically and internationally. • Historic Aircraft: Over the decades, the air station has operated a variety of historic aircraft, from the F4U Corsair in WWII to the CH-46 Sea Knight and the AH-1 Cobra attack helicopter. • Community Engagement: MCAS Camp Pendleton regularly hosts public air shows, community outreach events, and joint training exercises with allied and partner nations. • Namesake: The installation is named after Major General Joseph H. Pendleton, a pioneering Marine Corps officer who advocated for a permanent Marine base on the West Coast in the early 20th century.