# Marine Aircraft Group 12 > Mediated Wiki article. Canonical URL: https://mediated.wiki/source/Marine_Aircraft_Group_12 > Markdown URL: https://mediated.wiki/source/Marine_Aircraft_Group_12.md > Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Marine_Aircraft_Group_12 > Source revision: 1341636358 > License: Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/) Marine Aircraft Group 12 Active 1 March 1942 – present Country United States Branch United States Marine Corps Type Fixed Wing Aircraft Group Role Offensive Air Support Antiair Warfare Aerial Reconnaissance Electronic Warfare Assault Support Part of 1st Marine Aircraft Wing III Marine Expeditionary Force Garrison/HQ Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni Nickname The Ready Group Engagements World War II * Philippines campaign (1944–45) Korean War * Attack on the Sui-ho Dam Vietnam War Operation Enduring Freedom Commanders Commanding Officer Col Kyle B. Shoop Sergeant Major SgtMaj R. Carlos Lopez Executive Officer LtCol Daniel V. Jernigan Notable commanders Mark R. Wise William O. Brice Vernon M. Guymon Robert E. Galer Edward C. Dyer John P. Condon Ralph K. Rottet George S. Bowman Jr. Military unit **Marine Aircraft Group 12** (MAG-12) is an active air group of the [United States Marine Corps](/source/United_States_Marine_Corps), tasked with providing [fighter](/source/Fighter_aircraft) and assault support aircraft. It is currently part of the [1st Marine Aircraft Wing](/source/1st_Marine_Aircraft_Wing) (1st MAW), itself an integral part of the [III Marine Expeditionary Force](/source/3rd_Marine_Expeditionary_Force), and based at [MCAS Iwakuni](/source/MCAS_Iwakuni) in Japan. ## Mission The mission of Marine Aircraft Group 12, as the tactical air arm of the 1st Marine Aircraft Wing, is to conduct air reconnaissance, electronic warfare, antiair warfare, offensive air support, control of aircraft and missiles, and assault support from advanced bases, expeditionary bases or the sea base supported by organic aviation logistics and aviation ground support logistics as required by III MEF and [United States Pacific Command](/source/United_States_Pacific_Command) and be prepared to conduct such support and engagement operations as may be directed. ## Subordinate units **[F-35B Lightning II](/source/F-35_Lightning_II) squadrons:** - [VMFA-121](/source/VMFA-121) - [VMFA-242](/source/VMFA-242) **[Unit Deployment Program](/source/Unit_Deployment_Program) squadrons**, one stateside-based squadron on a six-month rotational deployment as a part of MAG-12. - One VMFA F/A-18 Hornet squadron **KC-130J Aerial Refueler Transport squadrons:** - [VMGR-152](/source/VMGR-152) **Marine Aviation Logistics squadrons:** - [MALS-12](/source/MALS-12) **Marine Wing Support squadrons:** - [MWSS-171](/source/MWSS-171) ## History ### WW II Marine Aircraft Group 12 was activated at [Camp Kearny](/source/Camp_Kearny), [San Diego](/source/San_Diego), California, on 1 March 1942. Shortly thereafter, deployed to the [Pacific Theater](/source/Pacific_Ocean_theater_of_World_War_II). From December 1942 until cessation of hostilities in late 1945, the Group participated in numerous operations in the [Solomon](/source/Solomon_Islands) and [Philippine Islands](/source/Philippines_campaign_(1944%E2%80%9345)) supporting the [Army](/source/United_States_Army), [Navy](/source/United_States_Navy) and Marine Corps as well as Philippine guerrilla forces. MAG 12 was brought to the Philippines by the request of [Admiral "Bull" Halsey](/source/William_Halsey%2C_Jr.) when he said, I had had under my command in the South Pacific a Marine Air Group which had proved its versatility in everything from fighting to blasting enemy vessels. I knew that the group was now under MacArthur's command, and I knew, too, without understanding why, that when Kenney was not keeping it idle, he was assigning it to missions far below its capacity. Kinkaid's complaint of insufficient air cover prompted me to take a step which was more than a liberty; to a man of meaner spirit than MacArthur's it would have seemed an impertinence. I called these Marines to his attention. He ordered them forward, and within 24 hours of their arrival, they had justified my recommendation.[1] For such service, the Group earned the Army Distinguished Unit Award and the Navy Unit Citation. ### Korean War On 20 April 1952, MAG-12 made its home at [K-6 Air Base, Pyongtaek](/source/Camp_Humphreys).[2] During the war units from MAG-12, except [VMA-312](/source/VMA-312) which was on board the [USS *Bataan* (CVL-29)](/source/USS_Bataan_(CVL-29)), came under the control of the [Air Force's](/source/United_States_Air_Force) [Fifth Air Force](/source/Fifth_Air_Force).[3] Through the end of the [Korean War](/source/Korean_War), the group participated successfully in numerous operations and accumulated over 80,000 effective combat sorties against enemy troops, installations, vehicles and countless other vital targets. A second Navy Unit citation was awarded for its Korean War service. ### Post Korea and Vietnam War During 1956, after nearly 6 years in Korea, MAG-12 was withdrawn to [Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni](/source/Marine_Corps_Air_Station_Iwakuni), Japan, and remained there conducting [close air support](/source/Close_air_support) for [Fleet Marine Forces](/source/Fleet_Marine_Force) in the [Western Pacific](/source/Western_Pacific_Ocean) until 1965. In May 1965, MAG-12 deployed to [Chu Lai](/source/Chu_Lai), Vietnam, to support Marine infantry and other allied forces in their engagements against the [Viet Cong](/source/Viet_Cong) and the [North Vietnamese Army](/source/North_Vietnamese_Army) units. The Group participated in many large operations, including the [recapture of Hue City](/source/Battle_of_Hue) and the relief of besieged units at [Khe Sanh](/source/Battle_of_Khe_Sanh). Two more Navy Unit Citations were received as a result of the Group's contribution to the Vietnam War effort. After almost 5 years of combat, MAG-12 was withdrawn from the [Republic of Vietnam](/source/Republic_of_Vietnam) in February 1970, and reestablished at MCAS Iwakuni, Japan. MAG-12's stay in Japan, though, was short. In May 1972, MAG-12 again deployed to Vietnam and conducted combat operations from [Bien Hoa Air Base](/source/Bien_Hoa_Air_Base) until finally withdrawing from the war on 29 January 1973 where they were the last American combat aviation unit still in country.[4] MAG-12 then returned to MCAS Iwakuni, where it remains today. ### Post Vietnam From this base, MAG-12 has conducted numerous operations throughout the WESTPAC area and participated in hundreds of joint service training exercises, continually honing its combat skills. ## See also Wikimedia Commons has media related to [Marine Aircraft Group 12](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Category:Marine_Aircraft_Group_12). - [United States Marine Corps Aviation](/source/United_States_Marine_Corps_Aviation) - [List of United States Marine Corps aircraft groups](/source/List_of_United_States_Marine_Corps_aircraft_groups) - [List of United States Marine Corps aircraft squadrons](/source/List_of_United_States_Marine_Corps_aircraft_squadrons) ## Notes 1. **[^](#cite_ref-1)** ["Marine Aviation in the Philippines"](http://www.ibiblio.org/hyperwar/USMC/USMC-M-AvPhil/USMC-M-AvPhil-2.html). Retrieved 16 December 2007. 1. **[^](#cite_ref-Ballenger_px_2-0)** [Ballenger](#Ballenger) (2000), p.x. 1. **[^](#cite_ref-Mersky_p145_3-0)** [Mersky](#Mersky) (1983), p.145. 1. **[^](#cite_ref-Mersky_p283_4-0)** [Mersky](#Mersky) (1983), p.283. ## References - This article incorporates [public domain material](/source/Copyright_status_of_works_by_the_federal_government_of_the_United_States) from websites or documents of the [United States Marine Corps](/source/United_States_Marine_Corps). **Bibliography** - Ballenger, Lee (2000). *The Outpost War – U.S. Marines in Korea, Vol.1:1952*. Washington D.C.: Potomac Books. [ISBN](/source/ISBN_(identifier)) [1-57488-373-9](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:BookSources/1-57488-373-9). - Mersky, Peter B. (1983). *U.S. Marine Corps Aviation – 1912 to the present*. Annapolis Maryland: The Nautical and Aviation Publishing Company of America. [ISBN](/source/ISBN_(identifier)) [0-933852-39-8](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:BookSources/0-933852-39-8). **Web** - [MAG-12's official website](http://www.1stmaw.marines.mil/Subordinate-Units/Marine-Aircraft-Group-12/) v t e United States Marine Corps Leadership Secretary of the Navy Under Secretary of the Navy Commandant of the Marine Corps Assistant Commandant of the Marine Corps Sergeant Major of the Marine Corps Military Secretary to the Commandant of the Marine Corps Marine Corps four-star generals Marine Corps three-star generals 1942–1959 2000–2009 2010–present US Congress House Armed Services Committee Seapower and Projection Forces subcommittee Senate Armed Services Committee Seapower subcommittee Major commands Organization of the Marine Corps Headquarters Marine Corps Marine Forces Command II Marine Expeditionary Force Marine Forces Pacific I Marine Expeditionary Force III Marine Expeditionary Force Marine Forces Reserve Fleet Marine Force Atlantic Pacific Marine Corps Combat Development Command Training & Education Command (TECOM) United States Marine Corps Warfighting Laboratory Marine Corps Systems Command Auxiliary Marine Corps Cyber Auxiliary Structure Marine Air–Ground Task Force Bases Battalions Regiments Brigades Divisions MEF/Corps Marine aviation Marine Expeditionary Unit Marine Security Guard Special Operations Marine Raiders Marine Raider Regiment Recon Force Division Others: List of current formation types of the United States Marine Corps Personnel and training Personnel Rank insignia MOS Notable Marines Historical Marines Marine Astronauts Criminal Investigation Division Judge Advocate Division Chaplain of the Marine Corps Associated organizations Training Recruit Training School of Infantry Officer Candidates School The Basic School Martial Arts Program Uniforms and equipment Uniforms Awards Badges Weapons Vehicles and aircraft Individual equipment History and traditions History Culture Acronyms and terms Birthday Color Sergeant of the Marine Corps Eagle, Globe, and Anchor Flag Marine Band Drum and Bugle Corps Horse Marines Marine One Color Guard Silent Drill Platoon White House Sentries Service Numbers Marine Corps War Memorial Marine Detachments "Marines' Hymn" Oorah History Division National Museum Raising the Flag on Iwo Jima Rifleman's Creed Semper Fidelis march History of Hispanics in the USMC History of women in the USMC Women's Reserve Honorary Marine Toys for Tots Gung ho Category v t e 1st Marine Aircraft Wing Marine Wing Headquarters Squadron 1 1st MAW Band Marine Wing Liaison Kadena MAG-12 MALS-12 MWSS-171 VMFA-121 VMFA-242 VMGR-152 MAG-24 MALS-24 MWSS-174 VMGR-153 VMM-268 VMM-363 VMU-3 MAG-36 MALS-36 MWSS-172 VMM-262 VMM-265 MACG-18 MWCS-18 MACS-4 MASS-2 1st LAAD --- Adapted from the Wikipedia article [Marine Aircraft Group 12](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Marine_Aircraft_Group_12) by Wikipedia contributors ([contributor history](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Marine_Aircraft_Group_12?action=history)). 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