Marine Operational Training Group 81

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.

Marine Operational Training Group 81
MOTG-81 insignia
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

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 on 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 on November 1945.[2]

See also

• United States Marine Corps Aviation
• List of United States Marine Corps aircraft groups
• List of inactive United States Marine Corps aircraft squadrons

References

Notes

1. Sherrod 1952, pp. 448.
2. 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.

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