Marine Corps Aviation around the globe.

The following overview highlights many of the critical components of Marine Aviation today. It is not intended to be a comprehensive representation.

Marine Corps Aviation was officially born on 22 May 1912, when Lieutenant Alfred A. Cunningham, USMC, reported to the aviation camp at Annapolis, Md., for "duty in connection with aviation." Today, two factors continue to make Marine Aviation unique: its close relationship with Naval Aviation and its unchanging objective to provide direct support to Marine ground forces in combat.

The tasks of Marine Aviation fall into six functional areas: offensive air support, antiair warfare, assault support, air reconnaissance, electronic warfare, and control of aircraft and missiles. It is also employed in nontraditional roles, such as providing direct support to the President of the United States, aviation detachments for independent duty and forces for counterdrug operations; as well as participating in disaster relief operations.

The flexible support provided from both naval sea basing and austere sites ashore and the ability to operate successfully in a joint or combined environment highlight the value of Marine Aviation's expeditionary capabilities. Marine Corps Aviation seeks to provide a responsive, fully integrated, balanced and ready Aviation Combat Element (ACE). Further reorganization and refinement will be implemented as required by future force structure decisions. Weapon system improvements will continue to maximize combat power to the Marine Air-Ground Task Force (MAGTF), while offsetting the potential for tactical obsolescence. Readiness and training will continue to be emphasized to ensure unity of effort through a consistently capable, high-quality and responsive aviation force.

MARINE HEAVY HELICOPTER SQUADRON (HMH)

Flying the CH-53D Sea Stallion and CH-53E Super Stallion, provides assault helicopter transport of heavy weapons, equipment and supplies during amphibious and subsequent ashore operations.

MARINE ATTACK SQUADRON (VMA)

Flying the AV-8B Harrier II, attacks and destroys surface targets under all-weather conditions, day and night.

MARINE MEDIUM HELICOPTER SQUADRON (11MM)

Flying the CH-46E Sea Knight, supplies assault transport of combat troops in the initial assault waves and follow-on stages of amphibious and subsequent ashore operations.

MARINE TACTICAL ELECTRONIC WARFARE SQUADRON (VMAQ)

Flying the EA-6B Prowler, conducts airborne electronic warfare including electronic attack/protection/support to control the electromagnetic spectrum or to attack the enemy in support of Fleet Marine Force and joint operations.

MARINE LIGHT ATTACK HELICOPTER SQUADRON (HMLA)

Flying the UK-1N "Huey" and AK-1W Super Cobra, provides combat utility helicopter support, attack helicopter fire support and fire support coordination during amphibious and subsequent ashore operations.

MARINE FIGHTER ATTACK SQUADRON (VMFA)

Flying the F/A-18A/C Hornet, intercepts and destroys enemy aircraft under all-weather conditions, and attacks and destroys surface targets.

MARINE ALL-WEATHER FIGHTER ATTACK SQUADRON (VMFA(AW))

Flying the F/A-18D Hornet, attacks and destroys e targets under adverse weather conditions during both day and night missions, conducts multisensor imagery reconnaissance, provides supporting arms coordination, and intercepts and destroys enemy aircraft during all types of weather.

MARINE AERIAL REFUELER TRANSPORT SQUADRON (VMGR)

Flying the KC-130 Hercules, provides tactical aerial refueling service to Marine aviation units, maintaining an all-weather capability and operating from a variety of bases. Other tasks include assault air transport, casualty evacuation and ground refueling of air and ground assets.

MARINE FIGHTER ATTACK TRAINING SQUADRON (VMFAT)

Flying the F/A-18A/C/D Hornet and the T-34C Turbo-Mentor, provides the Fleet Marine Force and fleet squadrons with qualified F/A-18 Hornet pilots and weapon systems operators (WSO) for F/A-18Ds.

MARINE HELICOPTER SQUADRON (HMX)

Flying the VH-3D Sea King, VH-60N Blackhawk, CH-46 and CH-53E, provides the President of the United States with helicopter transportation, and tests and evaluates helicopter systems for the Fleet Marine Force.

MARINE FIGHTER TRAINING SQUADRON (VMFT)

Flying the F-5E and F-5F Tiger II, provides adversary tactics training for Fleet Marine Force and fleet squadrons.