Armando Rodriguez

The **III Marine Amphibious Force (III MAF)**, part of the Fleet Marine Force, Pacific (FMFPAC), was activated in 1965 during the Vietnam War to coordinate and command all Marine Corps operations in Vietnam. Headquartered in Da Nang, III MAF oversaw major combat units including the 1st and 3rd Marine Divisions, and the 1st Marine Aircraft Wing, playing a crucial role in counterinsurgency, amphibious operations, and large-scale offensives such as Operation Starlite and the defense of Khe Sanh. The unit worked closely with Army, Navy, and South Vietnamese forces, adapting to complex guerrilla warfare and challenging terrain. III MAF was deactivated in 1971 following the drawdown of U.S. forces, but its legacy continued as a cornerstone of Marine Corps operational doctrine in expeditionary warfare.

The 3rd Marine Amphibious Force (3rd MAF) was a major United States Marine Corps command during the Vietnam War, established in 1965. Headquartered in Da Nang, South Vietnam, 3rd MAF was responsible for all Marine operations in the I Corps Tactical Zone, the northernmost region of South Vietnam. The unit comprised the 1st and 3rd Marine Divisions, the 1st Marine Aircraft Wing, and supporting elements, conducting combat operations, base defense, and civil affairs missions. 3rd MAF played a critical role in major campaigns such as the Battle of Khe Sanh and the defense of the Demilitarized Zone (DMZ) until its deactivation in 1971.