Marine Operational Training Group 81 | |
---|---|
Active | February 1, 1943 – December 1945 |
Country | United States |
Allegiance | United States of America |
Branch | United States Marine Corps |
Role | Training |
Part of | Inactive |
Nickname(s) | Flying Squirrels |
Commanders | |
Notable commanders | Karl S. Day |
Aircraft flown | |
Bomber | PBJ |
Marine Operational Training Group 81 (MOTG-81) was a United States Marine Corps aviation training group that was established during World War II. Squadrons from MOTG-81 trained pilots, aircrew and ground crew on the PBJ-1 medium bomber. The Marine Corps divested its medium bomber fleet immediately after the war and the Group was decommissioned in December 1945.
History
Operational Training Squadron 8 (OTS-8) was commissioned on February 1, 1943, at Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point, North Carolina under the command of Colonel Karl S. Day.[1] Its mission was to provide training for the Marine Corps’ PBJ pilots. From June through December 1943, the squadron trained 141 pilots, 345 aircrew and 195 ground crewman. The squadron transferred to Marine Corps Air Station Edenton on December 3, 1943, and on January 1, 1944, they were redesignated as Marine Operational Training Group 81 (MOTG-81). The group returned to MCAS Cherry Point in January 1945 and remained there until the end of the war.[1]
Squadrons
MOTS-811
Marine Training Squadron 811 (MTS-811) was commissioned on January 1, 1944, at MCAS Edenton. They were redesignated Marine Operational Training Squadron 811 on February 1, 1945, and transferred to MCAS Cherry Point later that month on February 23, 1945. The squadron was decommissioned on September 10, 1945.[2]
MOTS-812
Marine Training Squadron 812 (MTS-812) was commissioned on January 1, 1944, at MCAS Edenton. They were redesignated Marine Operational Training Squadron 812 on February 1, 1945, and transferred to MCAS Cherry Point later that month on February 20, 1945. The squadron was decommissioned on September 10, 1945.[2]
MOTS-813
Marine Training Squadron 813 (MTS-813) was commissioned on January 1, 1944, at MCAS Edenton. They were redesignated Marine Operational Training Squadron 813 on February 1, 1945, and transferred to MCAS Cherry Point later that month on February 19, 1945. The squadron was decommissioned in November 1945.[2]
MOTS-814
Marine Training Squadron 814 (MTS-814) was commissioned on January 1, 1944, at MCAS Edenton. They were redesignated Marine Operational Training Squadron 814 on February 1, 1945, and transferred to MCAS Cherry Point later that month on February 17, 1945. The squadron was decommissioned in November 1945.[2]
See also
References
- Notes
- 1 2 Sherrod 1952, pp. 448.
- 1 2 3 4 Rottman 2002, pp. 454.
- Bibliography
- Millstein, Jeff (1995). U. S. Marine Corps Aviation Unit Insignia 1941 - 1946. Paducah, Kentucky: Turner Publishing Co. ISBN 1-56311-211-6.
- Rottman, Gordon L. (2002). U.S. Marine Corps World War II Order of Battle: Ground and Air Units in the Pacific War, 1939–1945. Greenwood Press. ISBN 0-313-31906-5.
- Sherrod, Robert (1952). History of Marine Corps Aviation in World War II. Washington, D.C.: Combat Forces Press.
- Web