1st Marine Air Wing MARS Unit

• Formation and Role: The 1st Marine Aircraft Wing (1st MAW) was activated in July 1941 at Quantico, Virginia, and serves as the aviation combat element of the III Marine Expeditionary Force. • MARS Unit: The term "MARS" within the US military commonly refers to the Military Auxiliary Radio System, which supported communications including for the 1st MAW, especially during the Vietnam War. • Pearl Harbor Response: Elements of 1st MAW responded immediately after the attack on Pearl Harbor, providing crucial air defense for Hawaii. • Guadalcanal Campaign: 1st MAW played a critical role in the Battle of Guadalcanal, providing air support and resupply to embattled Marines on the ground. • Korean War Contributions: During the Korean War, 1st MAW provided close air support, interdiction, and reconnaissance missions, earning two Presidential Unit Citations. • Vietnam War Operations: 1st MAW was heavily involved in Vietnam, flying thousands of combat sorties and supporting Marine and allied ground forces. • MARS Radio Stories: Military Auxiliary Radio System (MARS) volunteers assisted 1st MAW Marines in Vietnam by enabling “MARSgrams” and morale-boosting phone calls home. • Global Presence: Today, 1st MAW is headquartered at Marine Corps Air Station Futenma in Okinawa, Japan, and maintains a forward-deployed presence throughout the Pacific. • Aircraft Diversity: 1st MAW operates a wide range of aircraft, including the F/A-18 Hornet, MV-22 Osprey, CH-53E Super Stallion, and AH-1Z Viper. • Humanitarian Missions: 1st MAW has taken part in numerous humanitarian missions, such as Operation Tomodachi in response to the 2011 Japan earthquake and tsunami, delivering aid and relief.