MAG-39 50th Anniversary Patch
Marine Aircraft Group 39 (MAG-39) — 50th Anniversary Commemorative (1968-2018)
MAG-39, known as "America's MAG," was activated on 16 April 1968 in formal ceremonies at Quảng Trị Airfield, Republic of Vietnam, just miles south of the Demilitarized Zone. Originally designated Provisional MAG-39, the group was established under the 1st Marine Aircraft Wing to reduce the span of control for MAG-36 and provide dedicated helicopter support to the 3rd Marine Division in northern I Corps. Under Colonel John E. Hansen, Prov MAG-39 helped stop, disrupt, and destroy invading North Vietnamese Army units in numerous combat operations including Operations Scotland II, Lancaster, Kentucky, Mameluke Thrust, and Jeb Stuart II.
During June and July 1968, MAG-39 conducted the successful evacuation of the Khe Sanh Combat Base and participated in Operation Meade River during the largest Marine heliborne assault of the Vietnam War. In January 1969, the group directed all resources to support Operation Dewey Canyon, one of the most successful actions in northern I Corps. Deactivated in November 1969, Prov MAG-39 was dramatically reactivated on 19 April 1975 aboard USS Blue Ridge for Operation Frequent Wind — the largest helicopter evacuation in history — rescuing 7,000 American citizens, South Vietnamese, and foreign nationals from Saigon. Permanently reactivated on 1 September 1978 at Camp Pendleton under the 3rd MAW, MAG-39 has since supported Operations Desert Storm, Restore Hope in Somalia, Iraqi Freedom, and Enduring Freedom in Afghanistan. Today, the group operates AH-1Z Vipers, UH-1Y Venoms, and MV-22 Ospreys from Camp Pendleton.
Perfect For: MAG-39 veterans from any era, 3rd MAW and Camp Pendleton aviation personnel, Vietnam helicopter combat veterans, Operation Frequent Wind participants, and Marine light attack and tiltrotor aviation enthusiasts.
This 50th anniversary patch commemorates half a century of Marine aviation excellence — from the DMZ to Saigon, from the deserts of Kuwait to the mountains of Afghanistan.
