Marine Aviation Weapons and Tactics Squadron One

Marine Aviation Weapons and Tactics Squadron One (MAWTS-1) is a U.S. government military unit within the United States Marine Corps, commissioned on 1 June 1978 at Marine Corps Air Station Yuma, Arizona. Its origins trace to post-World War II special weapons training units that evolved into Marine Air Weapons Training Units (MAWTUs) in the 1960s. Key activities include conducting the rigorous, biannual Weapons and Tactics Instructor (WTI) course, training over 300 pilots, aircrew, and support personnel annually in advanced tactics, integrated operations, and Marine Air-Ground Task Force (MAGTF) effectiveness. An Aviation Development, Tactics and Evaluation Department was established in 1983 for tactics and hardware development. Notable achievements encompass standardizing Marine aviation training, refining doctrine, and supporting combat operations worldwide. MAWTS-1 remains active, reporting to Aviation Training with ongoing WTI courses.