3rd Marine Aircraft Wing News

H-1s Become Drone Control Platforms

2ndLt Connor Jenig — Wed, 20 May 2026 23:56:00 GMT

In a significant leap forward for aerial warfare, the U.S. Marine Corps has successfully integrated its iconic H-1 helicopter fleet with advanced, low-cost drone technology, demonstrating a new and lethal capability for the modern battlefield. During a recent exercise, Marines with Marine Light Attack Helicopter Squadron (HMLA) 169, Marine Air Group 39, 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing, and 3rd Light Armored Reconnaissance Battalion, 1st Marine Division, showcased the ability of the UH-1Y Venom and AH-1Z Viper helicopters to act as airborne motherships, extending the reach and lethality of first-person view drones to strike targets from unprecedented distances.

First on the Scene: Marines Rescue Family of Four from Vehicle Rollover

Staff Sgt. Gabriel Tavarez — Wed, 11 Mar 2026 23:45:00 GMT

Two Marines, Cpl. Malakai Obed and Cpl. Caden Perez with Marine Light Attack Helicopter Squadron (HMLA) 169, Marine Aircraft Group 39, 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing, were traveling toward the main gate of Camp Pendleton on Vandergrift Rd. when they witnessed a serious vehicle crash unfold in front of them...

Steel Wings, Enduring Leadership: 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing Change of Command

Pentagon News — Mon, 02 Mar 2026 17:51:00 GMT

“Today is not about a commander, it’s certainly not about me... it's about honoring a legacy of the most powerful Marine Aircraft Wing on the planet, and the Marines and Sailors that carry that legacy forward everyday” said Maj. Gen. James B. Wellons during his last remarks as the Commanding General of 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing.

Stand and Deliver: Chaplain Cash’s Reminder of Core Values Inspires 3rd MAW Marines

Cpl. Renee Gray — Sat, 24 Jan 2026 01:24:58 GMT

In a force defined by readiness, discipline and endurance, Rear Adm. Carey H. Cash, the 21st Chaplain of the Marine Corps, speaks from rugged experience. From serving as a beacon of faith in Iraq early in his career, to now reinforcing spiritual foundation to Marines of 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing and reminding our chaplains to “stand and deliver.”

Steel Knight 25: Stingers Deliver JAGM Precision Strikes

1stLt Madison Walls — Tue, 16 Dec 2025 01:40:17 GMT

U.S. Marines with Marine Light Attack Helicopter Squadron (HMLA) 267, Marine Aircraft Group 39, 3rd

Steel Knight 25: 3rd MAW Executes Distributed Aviation Operations at Scale

1st Lt. Madison Walls — Tue, 16 Dec 2025 01:38:00 GMT

During Exercise Steel Knight 25, 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing executed Distributed Aviation Operations across the western United States, rehearsing how Marine aviation sustains combat power, maneuvers forces, and supports the Marine Air-Ground Task Force in a contested maritime environment, Dec. 1-13, 2025. To enable these operations, the wing employed a networked hub, spoke and node framework that allowed aviation units to operate from dispersed, expeditionary locations while remaining connected through resilient all-domain command and control. Steel Knight is an annual exercise that strengthens the Navy–Marine Corps team’s ability to respond forward, integrate across domains and sustain Marine Air-Ground Task Force readiness.

Steel Knight 25: Raiders extend fifth-gen reach through ADGR

Cpl. Nikolas Mascroft — Tue, 16 Dec 2025 01:26:00 GMT

Marines with Marine Aerial Refueler Transport Squadron (VMGR) 352, Marine Aircraft Group 11, 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing, conducted an air-delivered ground refueling as part of exercise Steel Knight 25 at Southern California Logistics Airport, Victorville, California, Dec. 12, 2025. Steel Knight is an annual exercise that strengthens the Navy-Marine Corps team's ability to respond forward, integrate across domains, and sustain Marine Air-Ground Task Force readiness.

Precision in the Fight: JTAC Training Advances Under Staff Sgt. O'Neal at Steel Knight 25

Cpl. Renee Gray — Sun, 14 Dec 2025 04:58:00 GMT

In the complex battlespace of the modern fight, where aviation, artillery, and maneuver forces converge, Staff Sgt. Zackery O'Neal stands as one of the Marine Corps’ integrators of firepower. As a Joint Fires and Effects Integrator and a billeted Joint Terminal Air Controller Evaluator with Fire Support Battalion, 11th Marine Regiment, 1st Marine Division, O'Neal plays a central role in ensuring Marine aviators receive timely, accurate, and decisive fires in support of ground operations.

Steel Knight 25: 3rd MAW, Joint Force Executes Distributed Maritime Strike

1st Lt. Madison Walls — Sun, 14 Dec 2025 04:46:00 GMT

In support of Exercise Steel Knight 25, 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing partnered with the U.S. Navy and U.S. Air Force to conduct a joint, simulated maritime strike Dec. 10, 2025, demonstrating the Marine Corps’ ability to project aviation power across the contested maritime domain. Steel Knight is an annual exercise that strengthens the Navy–Marine Corps team’s ability to respond forward, integrate across domains and sustain Marine Air-Ground Task Force readiness.

Steel Knight 25: Stingers, Scarface Deliver Persistent Close Air Support Across Distributed Battlespace

1stLt Madison Walls — Fri, 12 Dec 2025 20:03:00 GMT

Throughout Exercise Steel Knight 25, H-1 attack helicopters with Marine Light Attack Helicopter

Steel Knight 25: ‘Support Within Striking Distance’

Sgt. Brian Stippey — Thu, 11 Dec 2025 23:52:29 GMT

U.S. Marines with Marine Wing Support Squadron 372, Marine Air Control Group 38, 3rd Marine Aircraft

Steel Knight 25: ‘Aces’ establish node to extend aviation combat power

Lance Cpl. Samantha Devine — Thu, 11 Dec 2025 23:49:52 GMT

In the opening phases of exercise Steel Knight 25, the “Aces” of 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing were on

Blue-green integration: MWSS-372 fuels the joint force at NAWDC 25.3

1stLt Madison Walls — Fri, 21 Nov 2025 00:56:00 GMT

In a testament to joint force readiness and integration, U.S. Marines with Marine Wing Support Squadron 372, Marine Air Control Group 38, 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing, and U.S. Sailors with the Naval Aviation Warfighting Development Center (NAWDC), joined forces during NAWDC 25.3 Oct. 27-31, 2025, across multiple training sites at Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton. The five-day exercise highlighted how combined naval and Marine aviation capabilities enhance the joint force’s ability to project power, sustain sorties, and expand operational reach in contested environments.

Marines Run 250 Miles Honoring Corps’ 250th Birthday

1stLt Madison Walls — Fri, 14 Nov 2025 23:16:00 GMT

U.S. Marines with 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing completed a 250-mile relay run at Marine Corps Air

Memorial Honors HMLA-369 ‘Gunfighters’ Fallen Marine

1stLt Madison Walls — Sat, 08 Nov 2025 00:10:00 GMT

U.S. Marine Corps Maj. Tyler R. “Jabroni” Braconi, AH-1Z Viper pilot and operations officer with Marine Light Attack Helicopter Squadron (HMLA) 369, Marine Aircraft Group 39, 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing, was honored during a memorial ceremony at Marine Corps Air Station Camp Pendleton on the morning of Nov. 7, 2025.

Marines set to showcase MAGTF power at Miramar Air Show

Capt Evan Common — Thu, 25 Sep 2025 06:15:00 GMT

U.S. Marines and Sailors are preparing to demonstrate the full power of the Marine Air-Ground Task

From Petco Park to the Pacific

Lance Cpl. Samantha Devine — Thu, 18 Sep 2025 17:34:00 GMT

San Diego Padres prepare care packages for VMFA-232, San Diego, CA, Sept. 16, 2025.

From the flight line to the try line

Lance Cpl. Nan Yang — Thu, 18 Sep 2025 17:17:00 GMT

3rd MAW Marines compete in rugby championship in Chula Vista, Calif., Sept. 8, 2025.

Thunderstruck: Marines compete in first-ever service-wide communications team competition

1stLt Madison Walls — Thu, 11 Sep 2025 13:47:29 GMT

U.S. Marines from across the globe competed in the inaugural Thunderstruck Communications Team

MWSS-372 and NMCB-5 Conduct Airfield Damage Repair

1st Lt. Madison Walls — Wed, 20 Aug 2025 18:48:00 GMT

Marines with Marine Wing Support Squadron 372, Marine Air Control Group 38, 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing, and Sailors with Naval Mobile Construction Battalion 5, 30th Naval Construction Regiment, concluded Exercise Resilient Spear 25-04 Aug. 15 after two weeks of integrated airfield damage repair training. The exercise tested the joint force’s ability to rapidly repair runways and sustain aviation operations in austere environments. The training focused on critical aviation ground support tasks including battle damage assessment and rapid airfield repair, while strengthening joint-force integration between Marine and Navy units. MWSS-372 Marines embedded with NMCB-5’s Airfield Construction Companies A and B, supporting the Navy’s pre-deployment evaluation through every phase of the mission: planning, logistics, and full-scale repair operations.