9th Marine Aircraft Wing
Encyclopedia
The 9th Marine Aircraft Wing was an aviation unit of the United States Marine Corps
based at Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point
, North Carolina
. They were activated during World War II
as a training unit for Marine Aviation personnel headed to the Pacific Theater
.
in the role of training East Coast
units for combat. They were responsible for administering all of the airfields in the Cherry Point area. In late 1944, 9th MAW was almost disbanded in favor of a Marine Air Training Command, East Coast but that idea was never acted upon. The Wing was deactivated in March 1946 when the 2nd Marine Aircraft Wing
returned to the States and assumed control of Marine aviation units on the East Coast.
United States Marine Corps
The United States Marine Corps is a branch of the United States Armed Forces responsible for providing power projection from the sea, using the mobility of the United States Navy to deliver combined-arms task forces rapidly. It is one of seven uniformed services of the United States...
based at Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point
Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point
Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point or MCAS Cherry Point is a United States Marine Corps airfield located in Havelock, North Carolina, USA, in the eastern part of the state...
, North Carolina
North Carolina
North Carolina is a state located in the southeastern United States. The state borders South Carolina and Georgia to the south, Tennessee to the west and Virginia to the north. North Carolina contains 100 counties. Its capital is Raleigh, and its largest city is Charlotte...
. They were activated during World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
as a training unit for Marine Aviation personnel headed to the Pacific Theater
Pacific Ocean theater of World War II
The Pacific Ocean theatre was one of four major naval theatres of war of World War II, which pitted the forces of Japan against those of the United States, the British Commonwealth, the Netherlands and France....
.
Subordinate units
- Marine Aircraft Groups MAG-33, MAG-34, MAG-35, MAG-51, MAG-52, MAG-53, MAG-62, MAG-91, MAG-92, MAG-93, MAG-94
- Marine Corps Auxiliary Air Fields: Atlantic, BogueMarine Corps Auxiliary Landing Field BogueMarine Corps Auxiliary Landing Field Bogue , also known as Bogue Field, is an landing field located on Bogue Sound that serves as the Marine Corps’ only East Coast site for Field Carrier Landing Practice...
, New RiverMarine Corps Air Station New RiverMarine Corps Air Station New River is a United States Marine Corps helicopter base in Jacksonville, North Carolina, in the eastern part of the state. In 1972, the airfield was named McCutcheon Field for Brigadier General Keith B. McCutcheon, one of the fathers of Marine Corps helicopter aviation...
, Oak Grove, Kinston and Congaree.
- Outlying Air Fields: New BernCraven County Regional AirportCoastal Carolina Regional Airport is a public airport located three miles southeast of central business district of New Bern, a town in Craven County, North Carolina, USA....
, GreenevillePitt-Greenville AirportPitt-Greenville Airport is a public airport located two miles north of East Carolina University, the central business district of Greenville, a city in Pitt County, North Carolina, USA. The airport covers and has three runways. It is mostly used for general aviation, but is also served by one...
History
Activated on April 1, 1944 the 9th MAW replaced the 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing3rd Marine Aircraft Wing
The 3d Marine Aircraft Wing is the major west coast aviation unit of the United States Marine Corps. It is headquartered at Marine Corps Air Station Miramar, California and provides the aviation combat element for I Marine Expeditionary Force...
in the role of training East Coast
East Coast of the United States
The East Coast of the United States, also known as the Eastern Seaboard, refers to the easternmost coastal states in the United States, which touch the Atlantic Ocean and stretch up to Canada. The term includes the U.S...
units for combat. They were responsible for administering all of the airfields in the Cherry Point area. In late 1944, 9th MAW was almost disbanded in favor of a Marine Air Training Command, East Coast but that idea was never acted upon. The Wing was deactivated in March 1946 when the 2nd Marine Aircraft Wing
2nd Marine Aircraft Wing
The 2nd Marine Aircraft Wing is the major east coast aviation unit of the United States Marine Corps and is based at Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point, North Carolina...
returned to the States and assumed control of Marine aviation units on the East Coast.
Commanding officers
- Colonel Christian F. SchiltChristian F. SchiltChristian Frank Schilt was one of the first Marine Corps aviators and a recipient of the United States highest military decoration, the Medal of Honor...
– April 1 – June 16, 1944 - Brigadier General Lewie G. Merritt – September 21, 1944 – January 16, 1945
- Brigadier General Christian F Schilt – January 17 – February 15, 1945
- Colonel Lawrence T. Burke – February 16 – May 3, 1945
- Brigadier General Harold D. Campbell – May 3 – August 4, 1945
- Major General Ralph J. Mitchell – August 4, 1945 – N/A