Aviation Support Element Kaneohe

• Strategic Location: Aviation Support Element (ASE) Kaneohe is based at Marine Corps Base Hawaii (MCBH), Kaneohe Bay, offering vital logistical and aviation support in the Pacific region. • Pearl Harbor Attack: The Kaneohe Bay area was attacked by Japanese forces on December 7, 1941, just before the strike on Pearl Harbor, making it one of the first U.S. military installations hit during World War II. • Historical Roots: The base where ASE Kaneohe operates was originally commissioned as Naval Air Station Kaneohe Bay in 1939, playing a key role in Pacific defense. • Mission Scope: ASE Kaneohe provides essential aviation ground support, including aircraft fueling, maintenance, supply, and coordination for Marine and Navy aviation units. • Joint Operations: The unit often collaborates with multiple branches, including the U.S. Navy, Marine Corps, Air Force, and partner nations during exercises and humanitarian missions. • Modernization: In recent years, ASE Kaneohe has integrated advanced maintenance and logistics technologies, supporting new platforms like the MV-22 Osprey and UH-1Y Venom helicopters. • Disaster Relief: ASE Kaneohe has participated in humanitarian and disaster relief missions throughout the Pacific, including responses to typhoons, tsunamis, and other natural events. • Environmental Stewardship: The unit is involved in various conservation programs to protect the unique Hawaiian ecosystem around Kaneohe Bay, balancing military readiness with environmental responsibility. • Training Hub: The base supports major military exercises such as RIMPAC (Rim of the Pacific), the world's largest international maritime exercise, by providing aviation logistics and support. • Cultural Heritage: The area around ASE Kaneohe is rich in Hawaiian history, and the unit often partners with local communities to honor and preserve cultural sites and traditions.