Marine Aviation Training Support Group 53
Encyclopedia
Marine Aviation Training Support Group 53 (MATSG-53) is a United States Marine Corps
aviation
training group
located at Naval Air Station Whidbey Island
, Washington. The group was originally established on April 1, 1943 as Marine Aircraft Group 53, the first Marine night-fighter group.
and also provide the Commandant of the Marine Corps
administrative and logistical support for assigned Marine Corps Personnel and to perform other tasks directed by the Commandant.
, North Carolina
. It was the first night fighter group in the Marine Corps and was responsible for the training of all VFM(N) squadrons. They trained in Vero Beach, Florida
in the spring and summer of 1944 and in November of that year they moved to Marine Corps Air Station Eagle Mountain Lake
, Texas
. They were redesignated Marine Night Fighter Group 53 (MNFG 53) in April of 1945. The group remained in Texas until the end of the war. During the course of the war the group trained 8 night fighting squadrons and sent seven of them ionto combat.
They moved back to MCAS Cherry Point in February of 1946 and changed their name again, this time to Marine Aircraft Group 53 (MAG-53) in November of that year. The group was deactivated in May of 1947.
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...
aviation
Aviation
Aviation is the design, development, production, operation, and use of aircraft, especially heavier-than-air aircraft. Aviation is derived from avis, the Latin word for bird.-History:...
training group
Group (air force unit)
A group is a military aviation unit, a component of military organization and a military formation. Usage of the terms group and wing differ from one country to another, as well as different branches of a defence force, in some cases...
located at Naval Air Station Whidbey Island
Naval Air Station Whidbey Island
Naval Air Station Whidbey Island is a naval air station located in two sections around Oak Harbor, Washington, USA. It was commissioned as an active U.S. Navy installation on 21 September 1942....
, Washington. The group was originally established on April 1, 1943 as Marine Aircraft Group 53, the first Marine night-fighter group.
Mission
Furnish highly qualified Fleet Replacement EA-6B Prowler personnel to the Fleet Marine ForceFleet Marine Force
The United States Fleet Marine Forces are combined general and special purpose forces within the United States Department of the Navy that are designed in engaging offensive amphibious or expeditionary warfare and defensive maritime employment...
and also provide the Commandant of the Marine Corps
Commandant of the Marine Corps
The Commandant of the Marine Corps is normally the highest ranking officer in the United States Marine Corps and is a member of the Joint Chiefs of Staff...
administrative and logistical support for assigned Marine Corps Personnel and to perform other tasks directed by the Commandant.
History
Marine Night Fighting Group 53 (MAG(N)-53) was formed on April 1, 1943 at Marine Corps Air Station Cherry PointMarine 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...
. It was the first night fighter group in the Marine Corps and was responsible for the training of all VFM(N) squadrons. They trained in Vero Beach, Florida
Florida
Florida is a state in the southeastern United States, located on the nation's Atlantic and Gulf coasts. It is bordered to the west by the Gulf of Mexico, to the north by Alabama and Georgia and to the east by the Atlantic Ocean. With a population of 18,801,310 as measured by the 2010 census, it...
in the spring and summer of 1944 and in November of that year they moved to Marine Corps Air Station Eagle Mountain Lake
Marine Corps Air Station Eagle Mountain Lake
Marine Corps Air Station Eagle Mountain Lake was a United States Marine Corps air station that was located northwest of Fort Worth, Texas during World War II. Commissioned on December 1, 1942 the air station was originally supposed to be the home of the Marine Corps glider program...
, Texas
Texas
Texas is the second largest U.S. state by both area and population, and the largest state by area in the contiguous United States.The name, based on the Caddo word "Tejas" meaning "friends" or "allies", was applied by the Spanish to the Caddo themselves and to the region of their settlement in...
. They were redesignated Marine Night Fighter Group 53 (MNFG 53) in April of 1945. The group remained in Texas until the end of the war. During the course of the war the group trained 8 night fighting squadrons and sent seven of them ionto combat.
They moved back to MCAS Cherry Point in February of 1946 and changed their name again, this time to Marine Aircraft Group 53 (MAG-53) in November of that year. The group was deactivated in May of 1947.
See also
- List of United States Marine Corps aircraft groups
- VAQ-129VAQ-129Electronic Attack Squadron One Two Nine is the United States Navy and Marine Corps' only EA-6B Prowler and EA-18G Growler training squadron. Known as the Vikings, they are a Fleet Replacement Squadron, or FRS, and are charged with training all EA-6B and EA-18G aviators and developing standard...