WEBVTT

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^- On August 20th 1942, the first allied air units

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^to include elements of the 1st Marine Aircraft Wing,

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landed at Guadalcana.

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They eventually became known as the Cactus Air Force,

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one of the most innovative hybrid units of World War II.

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Within 12 hours of arrival,

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their plans were performing their first combat missions.

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After only 10 days of fighting,

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they had already downed 56 enemy aircraft.

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General Geiger established the wing headquarters

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on the island on the 3rd of September.

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Two days later, first MALs Marine Aircraft Group 25,

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began the enormous job of defending the airfield,

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supporting marines in the fight, delivering supplies,

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and conducting personnel movements.

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Over a three month period,

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the force evacuated almost 3,000 casualties

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from the island via air.

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By mid September, over 1,000 aviation personnel

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were operating on Guadalcanal.

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Of these, three dozen were Army, over 60 Navy personnel,

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^and the remainder were US Marines.

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By January 1943, estimates of total enemy losses

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as a result of Cactus Air Force Operations,

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ranged as high as 900 aircraft

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and more than 2,400 aircrew members.

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A steady rotation of squadrons to Guadalcanal

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sustained maximum combat efficiency

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in the forward areas and support to ground troops.

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The Cactus Air Force's support to the battle of Guadalcanal,

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would become the defining point

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for Marine Corps aviation in World War II

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and for the next 50 years.

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One of the great lessons learned from Marine Corps aviation,

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was the vital importance of quickly establishing

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expeditionary airfields during amphibious operations.

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1st MAL was expected to fight and win at Guadalcanal,

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and this is exactly what they did.

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Today and in the future,

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the same expectation of fighting and winning

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exists for 1st MAL.

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Many scenarios off our horizon

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will likely have 1st MAL again,

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generating a Cactus Air Force like capability.

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In support of 3MF, the combatant or unified commander,

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or the joint force.

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Just as we did 75 years ago in Guadalcanal,

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the 1st Marine Aircraft Wing will continue to be

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the Corps forward aviation combat element in the Pacific.

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Skilled, smart, and strong and ready to fight and win.

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(dramatic music)