1st MAW ATS MATSS Kaneohe Bay US Marine Corps Patch

1st MAW ATS MATSS Kaneohe Bay Patch 3.75" x 3.75" Embroidered Patch with Sew-On Backing

Superior Materials: Made with premium polyester thread and durable twill fabric, ensuring long-lasting color and strength.
Advanced Embroidery Technology: Crafted using the most advanced embroidery machinery, guaranteeing intricate detail, sharp lines, and consistent quality every time.
Sew-On Application: Designed with a clean fabric backing for durable, long-term attachment.
Versatile Use: Ideal for uniforms, flight jackets, packs, or display collections—built to reflect Marine Corps pride.
Durable and Washable: Designed to withstand field wear and regular cleaning without fading or fraying.

Formations & Origins
The 1st Marine Aircraft Wing (1st MAW) is the aviation combat element of the III Marine Expeditionary Force and has been operating since 1941. It was activated in Quantico, Virginia, before quickly moving into action during World War II. Over the decades, it has played a vital role in operations across the Pacific, from the island-hopping campaigns of WWII to modern-day deterrence and crisis response. The Aviation Training Systems (ATS) and Marine Aviation Training Support Squadron (MATSS) at Kaneohe Bay, Hawaii, serve as critical hubs for ensuring that 1st MAW aviation personnel are technically skilled and mission-ready.

Notable Commanders
The 1st MAW has been led by a host of decorated Marine aviators, including General Keith B. McCutcheon, a pioneer in rotary-wing aviation and a namesake of Marine Corps aviation excellence. At the squadron and training level, leaders at MATSS Kaneohe Bay have long upheld a standard of precision training, often mentoring the next generation of enlisted Marines, NCOs, and officers who go on to operate and support frontline aircraft.

Major Campaigns/Operations
1st MAW has contributed to nearly every major conflict involving Marine Corps aviation, including:

• WWII operations in Okinawa, Peleliu, and Iwo Jima

• Korean War close air support during the Pusan Perimeter and Chosin Reservoir

• Vietnam War helicopter and fixed-wing support across the Southeast Asia theater

• Operations Desert Shield and Desert Storm

• Ongoing support in the Global War on Terror, humanitarian response in the Indo-Pacific, and deterrence missions throughout the Pacific Rim

Specialized Role/Equipment
The ATS/MATSS program focuses on aviation ground support, aviation maintenance, and logistics training, ensuring Marines are proficient in critical fields like avionics, ordnance handling, hydraulic systems, and aircraft powerplant maintenance. While 1st MAW flies platforms like the F/A-18 Hornet, MV-22 Osprey, CH-53E Super Stallion, and AH-1Z Viper, the Marines behind the scenes—trained through programs like MATSS—keep the aircraft mission-ready in the harshest environments.

Acts of Heroism
While training support roles don’t always make headlines, the Marines who pass through Kaneohe Bay’s MATSS programs go on to perform acts of quiet heroism around the globe. These are the maintainers who’ve repaired combat-damaged aircraft under fire, kept medevac birds flying during critical missions, and ensured that no mission fails due to preventable mechanical issues. Many graduates have gone on to earn combat awards for their performance during deployments in Iraq, Afghanistan, and humanitarian crises.

Legacy & Notable Achievements
MATSS Kaneohe Bay represents the backbone of Marine Corps aviation support, training elite aviation Marines to meet the demands of any mission, anywhere. The patch commemorates the pride, technical excellence, and island-based legacy of this essential training command within the 1st MAW. It's a symbol of readiness forged in the Pacific and flown proudly by Marines who keep the Corps in the air and in the fight.