| Unit Name: | Marine Air, West Coast |
| Dates: | January 22, 1943 – October 1, 1947 |
| Allegiance: | United States |
| Branch: | United States Marine Corps |
| Role: | Training and Administration |
| Command Structure: | Aircraft, Fleet Marine Force, Pacific |
| Garrison: | Naval Air Station San Diego |
| Battles: | World War II |
Marine Air, West Coast (MarAirWest) was a United States Marine Corps aviation training and administrative command established on 22 January 1943, which was responsible for the administration, training and equipment of the Marine Aviation Units on the West Coast during World War II.[1]
Marine Air, West Coast was activated on January 22, 1943 as Marine Fleet Air, West Coast (MarFAirWest) at Naval Air Station San Diego, California under the command of Brigadier General Lewie G. Merritt. Its main purpose was administrating, training and equipping Marine Aviation Units on the West Coast of the United States. The first units of MarFAirWest were assigned in April 1943, when all aviation units from Fleet Marine Force, San Diego Area were reassigned. MarFAirWest was also responsible for providing personnel, equipment and other aviation material to the Aircraft Command, Fleet Marine Force, Pacific.[2]
It was re-designated Marine Air, West Coast in January 1946 and authority for the new designation also consolidated the command with that of the Deputy Commander, Naval Air Bases (Marine Corps Activities), 11th Naval District, formerly situated at Marine Corps Air Station El Toro, Santa Ana, California. Its purpose remained the same - still responsible for supporting Aircraft, Fleet Marine Force, Pacific. The unit was deactivated on October 1, 1947 when the 1st Marine Aircraft Wing returned from overseas duty in China and assumed the commands roles and responsibilities.
| Photo | Name | Rank | Start of tenure | End of tenure | Retired rank | Notes | References | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lewie G. Merritt | Brigadier General | January 22, 1943 | September 30, 1943 | Major general | Later commanded the 4th Marine Aircraft Wing. | ||
| 2 | William J. Wallace | Brigadier General | September 30, 1943 | May 14, 1944 | Lieutenant General | Veteran of Guadalcanal Campaign, later served as Director of Marine Corps Aviation. | ||
| 3 | Francis P. Mulcahy | Major General | May 14, 1944 | September 12, 1944 | Lieutenant General | Veteran of Guadalcanal and Okinawa Campaigns, previously commanded 2nd Marine Aircraft Wing. | ||
| 4 | Lawson H. M. Sanderson | Brigadier General | September 12, 1944 | March 20, 1945 | Major General | Aviation Pioneer, veteran Guadalcanal Campaign, as Commanding officer of the 4th Marine Aircraft Wing, Sanderson accepted the Japanese surrender of Wake Island in 1945. | ||
| 5 | Claude A. Larkin | Major General | March 20, 1945 | July 24, 1945 | Lieutenant General | MAG-21 Commanding Officer at Ewa Field during Pearl Harbor attack. | ||
| 6 | Ivan W. Miller | Brigadier General | July 24, 1945 | August 15, 1945 | Brigadier General | Veteran of Banana Wars and Pacific War. | ||
| 7 | William J. Wallace | Major General | August 15, 1945 | August, 1946 | Lieutenant General | Veteran of Guadalcanal Campaign, later served as Director of Marine Corps Aviation. | ||
| 8 | Louis E. Woods | Major General | August, 1946 | October 1, 1947 | Lieutenant General | Veteran of Guadalcanal Campaign, later served as Director of Marine Corps Aviation between October 15, 1943 - July 17, 1944. | ||