Marine Aircraft Group 24

MAG-24 Official Logo
MAG-24 Enhances Lethality across the INDO-PACIFIC Area of Responsibility
Kaneohe Bay, Hawaii

Who we are

The mission of Marine Aircraft Group 24 is to provide combat-ready, expeditionary assault support, aerial reconnaissance, airborne network extension, and aviation ground support, capable of short-notice, worldwide employment of Marine Air Ground Task Force (MAGTF), joint or combined operations.

 

01

Airman signals to MV-22B Osprey during sunset

Aviation Boatswain’s Mate (Handling) 2nd Class Michael Aguilar, a Glendale, California native, supports Airman Anthony Hyler, a Orlando, Florida...

02

Marine MQ-9A taxi for RIMPAC

A U.S. MQ-9A MUX/MALE with Marine Unmanned Aerial Vehicle Squadron 3, Marine Aircraft Group 24, 1st Marine Aircraft wing taxies into position for...

03

US Marines, Mexican, Sri Lankan, Peruvian forces conduct fast-rope insertion training at RIMPAC 2024

U.S. Marine Corps Lt. Col. Geoffrey Blumenfled, the commanding officer of Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron 363, Marine Aircraft Group 24, 1st Marine...

04

Operation Gravedigger: VMGR-153 conducts flight operations in Arizona

U.S. Marines with Marine Aerial Refueler Transport Squadron (VMGR) 153, Marine Aircraft Group 24, 1st Marine Aircraft Wing, conduct flight operations...

05

Cobra Gold 24; Marines with MWSS-174 play field day games with students from the Bankhaocha-Angkromklong School

U.S. Marines with Marine Wing Support Squadron (MWSS) 174 and students from the Bankhaocha-Angkromklong School stand up on the chairs during a game...

06

Above and Beyond: VMGR-153 Supports Toys for Tots Mission in Alaska

U.S. Marines with Marine Aerial Refueler Transport Squadron (VMGR) 153, Marine Aircraft Group 24, 1st Marine Aircraft Wing, conduct combat assault...

07

VMU-3 reaches milestone

The USMC MQ-9A MUX/MALE is unveiled during a ceremony for Marine Unmanned Aerial Vehicle Squadron (VMU) 3 on MCAS Kaneohe Bay, Aug. 2, 2023.

08

Pearl Harbor Aviation Museum's "Flight School" Summer Camp Students Visit VMM-268

U.S. Marines with Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron 268 (VMM-268), Marine Aircraft Group 24, 1st Marine Aircraft Wing, converse with Pearl Harbor...

09

MQ-9A MUX/MALE Unveiling

Lt. Col. Nicholas B. Law receives a Hawaiian feather Kahili during a ceremony for Marine Unmanned Aerial Vehicle Squadron 3 (VMU-3), Aug 2, 2023.

10

Marine Aircraft Group 24 Change of Command 2023

U.S. Marines with Marine Aircraft Group 24 (MAG-24) participate in the MAG-24 change of command ceremony, Marine Corps Air Station Kaneohe Bay,...

Featured News

 

Marine Aircraft Group 24 Leaders

Colonel William G. Heiken
Commanding Officer, MAG-24

Colonel William G. Heiken assumed the duties as the Commanding Officer of MAG-24 in April of 2023.

Read Biography

Lieutenant Colonel Edgardo B. Cardona
Executive Officer, MAG-24

Lieutenant Colonel Edgardo B. Cardona assumed duties as the Executive Officer of MAG-24 in July 2024.

Read Biography

Sergeant Major Henry R. French
Sergeant Major, MAG-24

Sergeant Major Henry R. French assumed his post in April 2023 as the MAG-24 Sergeant Major.

Read Biography

BOX 63047
MCBH KANEOHE BAY HI 96863

Mission: The mission of Marine Aircraft Group 24 is to provide combat-ready, expeditionary assault support, aerial reconnaissance, airborne network extension, and aviation ground support, capable of short-notice, worldwide employment of Marine Air Ground Task Force (MAGTF), joint or combined operations.

“Ready, Professionals, Take Care of Each Other”


Vision: The Commander's vision is for the Pacific Eagles to remain a combat-ready Aircraft Group of well-trained Marines and Sailors who professionally maintain aircraft and equipment with families who are proud to be a part of this great organization and know that they are valued members of our team, MAG-24.

 

Marine Aircraft Group 24 (MAG-24) was activated on 1 March 1942 at Marine Corps Air Station Ewa on Oahu, Hawaii. During World War II, MAG-24 saw extensive action throughout the Pacific theater, most notably in the campaigns to liberate the Philippines.  Following the war, MAG-24 was deployed as part of III Amphibious Corps to Peiping in Northern China to take part in the occupation that lasted from October 1945 until April 1947. In April 1947, MAG-24 was relocated to Guam. In 1949, MAG-24 moved to Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point, North Carolina where it remained for the next twenty years.

In April 1968, MAG-24 relocated back to the Pacific in Kaneohe Bay, Hawaii where it became the Marine Corps’ largest and only permanent composite Marine Aircraft Group. Starting in 1978, the MAG provided both fixed and rotary wing squadrons for six-month unit deployments to the Western Pacific. From 1 October 1986 through 30 September 1994, MAG-24 served as the Aviation Combat Element for the 1st Marine Expeditionary Brigade.

From August through December 1990, squadrons and personnel from MAG-24 deployed to Southwest Asia to support Operations DESERT SHIELD and DESERT STORM. Following combat operations, the returning MAG-24 squadrons participated in the Bangladesh relief operation Operation SEA ANGEL.

In the early 2000’s MAG-24 squadrons deployed to Marine Corps Air Stations Iwakuni and Futenma, Japan in support of the Unit Deployment Program (UDP) and 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit (31st MEU) Aviation Combat Element (ACE). The three squadrons traveled the Pacific participating in exercises in Japan, Malaysia, Singapore, Brunei, Philippines, Korea, and Thailand.

In September 2004 a detachment of CH-53Ds from HMH-363 and HMH-463 chopped to HMM-265 to provide the 31st MEU ACE with heavy lift capability. This MEU detachment marked the return of the CH-53D to combat operations in the Middle East.  The squadron forward deployed to Al Asad Airbase in the Al Anbar Province of Iraq in support of Operation IRAQI FREEDOM (OIF).

Beginning in 2006, MAG-24 began sourcing a complete squadron deployment to Al Asad Airbase, Iraq in support of OIF.  HMH-463 began what became a seven-month deployment rotation to Iraq for all MAG-24 squadrons that lasted over three years.  In 2009, HMH-362 upgraded 11 CH-53D’s to the T64-GE-416 engines and transitioned from the flat sands of Iraq to the mountainous, rocky deserts of Afghanistan to begin support of Operation ENDURING FREEDOM(OEF).  MAG-24 heavy lift squadrons were in constant OIF/OEF combat rotations from 2006 through 2012.

MAG-24 is presently experiencing an exciting period of growth and transition that started in 2011 with HMH-463’s last OEF deployment ending September 2011. At the conclusion of HMH-463’s tour they completely transitioned all of their aircraft to the CH-53E from the CH-53D.  HMH-363 would continue the transition of MAG-24 upon its return from combat operations in March of 2012,  when they were re-designated Marine Medium Tilt-Rotor Squadron 363 (VMM-363) and moved to MAG-16 in Miramar, CA. 

In the summer of 2012, the entire USMC inventory of active duty CH-53D "Sea Stallions" was retired with the exception of the aircraft forward deployed to Afghanistan with the “Ugly Angels” of HMH-362.  Upon completion of that deployment in the Fall of 2012, HMH-362 was deactivated and the remaining aircraft were retired.

The summer of 2012, also marked another historic occasion; MAG-24 becoming a composite MAG with the arrival of Marine Light/Attack Helicopter Squadron 367 (HMLA-367) from Camp Pendleton and the stand up of Marine Wing Support Detachment 24.  This process will continue through FY17, with  the addition of Marine Unmanned Aerial Vehicle Squadron 3 (VMU-3 in FY 14, and VMM's 268 and 363 in FY17.  Upon completion of this period of transition, MAG-24 strength will be one HMH, one HMLA, one VMU, two VMM's a Marine Wing Support Company, and a Marine Aviation Logistics Squadron.

MAG-24 conducts operations and exercises throughout the Pacific.  Regular support is provided to the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit and Marine Rotational Force Darwin.  within the Hawaiian island chain, MAG-24 supports 3d Marine Regiment and exercises like Rim of the Pacific (RIMPAC).

In March 2015, MAG-24 was approved for its current nickname "Pacific Eagles".  The genesis for this nickname was the 15th February 2002 unit insignia which shows the following: blue, which represents the Pacific Ocean; the Hawaii island chain; the gold wings with Eagle, Globe, and Anchor which represents Marine Aviation; the Roman numeral I which signifies the MAG is part of 1st MAW.  The nickname "Pacific Eagles" remind us of both our legacy and our current mission.  The eagle represents our great nation which deploys MAG-24 with its talons wherever needed, and the term Pacific highlights MAG-24's illustrious history during the World War II Pacific Campaign. 

MAG Duty Officer
Commercial: 808-590-6961 
DSN: 315-457-1416
Cell: 808-590-6961

S-3
Commercial: 808-257-3241
DSN: 315-457-3241

Communication Strategy and Operations
Commercial: 808-224-7568
DSN: 315-496-0809 or 315-496-2640

Chaplain
Commercial: 808-257-1879 / (808) 375-3330
DSN: 315-457-1879

Safety
Commercial: 808-257-8367
DSN: 315-457-8367

Deployment Readiness Coordinator
Commercial: 808-257-3273

988 - Veterans/Military Crisis Line

Phone:  988 then press 1 or text 838255

Website:  https://www.veteranscrisisline.net/

 

Military OneSource

Phone:  (800) 342-9647

Website:  https://www.militaryonesource.mil/

 

Marine Corps Base Hawaii- Community Counseling Program

Phone:  (808) 257-7780/8803

Website:  https://hawaii.usmc-mccs.org/marine-family-support/prevention-and-counseling/community-counseling

 

Tripler Army Medical Center - Emergency Room

Phone:  (808) 433-3707/3706

Website:  https://tripler.tricare.mil/Health-Services/Urgent-Emergency-Care/Emergency-Department

 

MAG-24 Chaplains

Phone:  (808) 375-3330

 

MAG-24 Military & Family Life Counselors

Phone:  (808) 437-1552/688-7221

Deployment Readiness Coordinator
Commercial: 808-257-3273

Marine Corps Family Team Building Hawaii

MAG-24 COMMSTRAT provides the following support and services to its subordinate squadrons:

-Imagery & Video coverage to support the following operational requirements: information operations, intelligence activities, battle damage assessment, civil affairs, historical documentation, legal, investigative, forensics and media engagement support.

To request COMMSTRAT support for an event, please download the job order request form and email it to the MAG-24 COMMSTRAT director

OR fill out a hard copy of the form found in the COMMSTRAT section at the MAG-24 HQ Building 

Requests must be submitted no less than 30 days in advance

**Submitting a job order does not ensure the request has been approved**

COMMSTRAT Support Request Form

Communication Strategy and Operations
Commercial: 808-224-7568
DSN: 315-496-0809 or 315-496-2640

email: MAG24-HQ_COMMSTRAT@usmc.mil

Philosophy: Support! We support the infantry, it’s what we do. Being combat ready and taking care of the Pacific Eagles and their families are my priorities. We will be guided by these simple yet enduring principles in the execution of our duties.


- Be Ready. Be tactically and technically proficient. Be fit mentally, physically, morally, and ethically with an expeditionary mindset. Slow is Smooth, Smooth is Fast, practice Brilliance in the Basics in everything you do.


- Be Professional. Be humble, be professional, and pass along the knowledge. Strive to be the best professional aviator or aircrew, to be the most proficient maintainer, or to provide quality staff support. Understand your part in the larger picture; understand our role in the MAGTF.


- Take Care of Each Other. Treat others the way you want to be treated. Be a leader, a mentor, a friend to ensure we live in an environment free from sexual assault, hazing, harassment, and discrimination. Step up and step in to prevent these types of crimes. Help one another when it appears suicide is possible, or substance abuse is occurring. Pass on your knowledge and experience to the next generation of Marines to ensure our legacy continues.


This is the key to our success, our readiness and ability to deploy when asked to do so, the way we carry ourselves on or off-duty and our ability to take care of one another will guide us to continued success. Take satisfaction in being part of something greater than yourself. It is my absolute honor to serve with each of you.


Semper Fidelis,
Colonel William G. Heiken

Commanding Officer, Marine Aircraft Group 24

HOW TO REPORT A PAC COMPLAINT

You can report through your 

Chain of Command

     The Chain of Command or Command designated personnel (EOC) is the primary and preferred channel to prevent and respond to complaints of PAC. Use of the chain of command to address PAC exemplifies trust in leadership to quickly and effectively address violations of our standards.

Equal Opportunity Representative (EOC) 

     The EOC is an authorized source within the command to receive complaints on behalf of the commander. EOCs are appointed by their commander and are there if the immediate supervisor is not able to be used.

MAG-24 Equal Opportunity Advisor:

SSgt Salcido, Crystal

Gov: (808) 347-5678

NIPR: crystal.salcido@usmc.mil

 

Anonymous Reporting

Anonymous Reports may be communicated by several means, including but not limited to organizational hotlines or advice lines, electronic mail, or official telephone lines. Action taken will depend on the extent of the information provided by the complainants. Service members who file a complaint in-person cannot choose to remain anonymous.

MAG-24 COMMANDING OFFICER PAC POLICY

MCO 5354.1G

 

SEXUAL ASSAULT PREVENTION & RESPONSE
VICTIM ADVOCATES (SAPR-VA)

GySgt Valerio, Ricki 

Office: (808) 257-2012

Sexual Assault and Support Line
Hawaii 24/7 808-216-0126

DOD Safe Helpline
1-877-995-5247

SAPR Resources

 

 
1st Marine Aircraft Wing