Marine Aerial Navigation School

Wings of Gold, Fall 1998

The Marine Aerial Navigation School (MANS) dates back to 1942 when it was organized as the Aerial Navigation School at the Weems School of Navigation, Annapolis, Maryland. Later that year, it was re-located to Camp Kearney in Mesa, California and it has had a number of home bases ever since.

In 1943 the school moved to MCAS Cherry Point, North Carolina where the first class of Marine Navigators received its wings in 1945. In 1971, MANS moved to NAS Pensacola, Florida; in 1973 to NAS Corpus Christi, Texas; in 1976 to Mather AFB, California; and in 1993 to its current home, Randolph AFB, Texas.

The enlisted navigators are responsible for planning, coordinating and executing tactical air refueling and combat assault support missions; computing navigation data by utilizing wind and forecast weather conditions; maintaining an accurate log; preparing flight plans; determining estimated times en route; computing fuel consumption; and tracking the aircraft's position by use of navigational aids.

Staffed by USMC instructors, MANS utilizes the USAF's 12'h Flying Training Wing navigation training facilities. The command mission is to train enlisted Marines in the "Scientific Art of Navigation" and as navigators of tactical transport aircraft in support of Fleet Marine Forces.

USMC Aerial Navigators undergo a rigorous 15 month syllabus before assignment to Marine Aerial Refueler Transport Squadrons flying the KC130F/RIT Hercules. Possible fleet assignment units are VMGRs 252 (Cherry Point); 352 (MCAS El Toro, California); 152 (MCAS Futenma, Okinawa, Japan); 234 (Stewart, New York); and 452, (Fort Worth, Texas).