U.S. Marine Corps Activates First Unmanned Maintenance Squadron (MUMS-14)
On June 16, 2026, the U.S. Marine Corps activated Marine Unmanned Maintenance Squadron 14 (MUMS-14) at Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point, North Carolina. It is the service’s first aviation unit dedicated solely to maintaining Group-5 unmanned aerial systems, primarily the MQ-9 Reaper, in forward-deployed combat theaters. The squadron, under Lt. Col. Jeffrey F. Carben, will support intelligence, surveillance, reconnaissance, and targeting missions for Marine Air-Ground Task Forces, enhancing expeditionary capability and deterrence.
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Marine Corps Activates First Unmanned Maintenance Squadron (MUMS-14)
The Marine Corps activated its first-ever unmanned maintenance squadron, Marine Unmanned Maintenance Squadron 14 (MUMS-14), during a ceremony at Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point, North Carolina, on June 16, 2026. The unit, subordinate to the 2nd Marine Aircraft Wing, is specifically designed to provide aviation maintenance support for Group-5 unmanned aerial systems, primarily the MQ-9 Reaper, in forward-deployed combat theaters. The squadron aims to enable persistent intelligence, surveillance, reconnaissance, and targeting capabilities for the Marine Air-Ground Task Force. Lt. Col. Jeffrey F. Carben assumed command, with Sgt. Maj. Tavaris J. Douglas as the senior enlisted leader. Carben stated the unit will ensure a persistent, reliable, and expeditionary capability that strengthens deterrence and supports Marines operating forward, marking a new chapter in Marine Corps aviation.
Marine Corps TimesMarine Corps Activates First Unmanned Maintenance Squadron MUMS-14
On June 16, 2026, the U.S. Marine Corps activated Marine Unmanned Maintenance Squadron 14 (MUMS-14) at Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point, North Carolina, marking the service's first aviation unit dedicated solely to unmanned aircraft maintenance in forward-deployed combat theaters. The squadron, subordinate to the 2nd Marine Aircraft Wing, will support Group-5 unmanned aerial systems, specifically the MQ-9 Reaper, providing intelligence, surveillance, reconnaissance, and targeting capabilities for the Marine Air-Ground Task Force. Lt. Col. Jeffrey F. Carben assumed command, with Sgt. Maj. Tavaris J. Douglas as senior enlisted leader. Carben emphasized the unit's role in ensuring persistent, expeditionary capability to strengthen deterrence and support forward-deployed Marines. The activation represents a significant step in Marine Corps aviation modernization.
Military TimesMarine Corps Activates First Unmanned Maintenance Squadron (MUMS-14)
The Marine Corps activated its first unmanned maintenance squadron, Marine Unmanned Maintenance Squadron 14 (MUMS-14), on June 16, 2026, during a ceremony at Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point, North Carolina. As a subordinate unit of the 2nd Marine Aircraft Wing, MUMS-14 is the service's only aviation detail specifically designed to provide unmanned aviation maintenance in forward-deployed combat theaters. The squadron will primarily support Group-5 unmanned aerial systems, specifically the MQ-9 Reaper, to enable intelligence, surveillance, reconnaissance, and targeting missions across the Marine Air-Ground Task Force. Lt. Col. Jeffrey F. Carben assumed command, with Sgt. Maj. Tavaris J. Douglas as senior enlisted leader. Carben emphasized the squadron's role in ensuring persistent, reliable expeditionary capability that strengthens deterrence and supports Marines operating forward.
Marine Corps TimesMarine Corps Activates First Unmanned Maintenance Squadron (MUMS-14)
The Marine Corps activated Marine Unmanned Maintenance Squadron 14 (MUMS-14) on June 16, 2026, at Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point, North Carolina, marking the service's first aviation unit dedicated to maintaining unmanned aerial systems in forward-deployed combat theaters. The squadron, subordinate to the 2nd Marine Aircraft Wing, will provide specialized maintenance for Group-5 UAS, specifically the MQ-9 Reaper, supporting intelligence, surveillance, reconnaissance, and targeting missions across the Marine Air-Ground Task Force. Lt. Col. Jeffrey F. Carben assumes command, with Sgt. Maj. Tavaris J. Douglas as senior enlisted leader. The unit's activation emphasizes sustained expeditionary capability and deterrence for forward-deployed Marines.
Military TimesMarine Corps Activates First Unmanned Maintenance Squadron (MUMS-14)
The Marine Corps activated Marine Unmanned Maintenance Squadron 14 (MUMS-14) on June 16, 2026, at Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point, North Carolina. It is the service's first aviation unit dedicated specifically to providing unmanned aviation maintenance in forward-deployed combat theaters. The squadron, part of the 2nd Marine Aircraft Wing, will support Group-5 unmanned aerial systems, primarily the MQ-9 Reaper, enabling intelligence, surveillance, reconnaissance, and targeting for Marine Air-Ground Task Forces. Lt. Col. Jeffrey F. Carben assumed command, with Sgt. Maj. Tavaris J. Douglas as senior enlisted leader. Officials emphasized the unit's role in strengthening deterrence and providing persistent expeditionary capability for Marines operating forward.
Marine Corps Times