The mission of MAG-36 is to support the Marine Air Ground Task Force (MAGTF) with combat ready expeditionary assault support aircraft and when directed, plan and conduct aviation operations as a Marine Expeditionary Brigade-level Aviation Combat Element.

Originally formed at Marine Corps Air Station El Toro, in Santa Ana, California, on 2 June 1952 as Marine Air Group (Helicopter Transport) 36, the Group spent several years training for amphibious operations to carry out the role of ship-to-shore assault support.

It sailed for South Vietnam aboard the USS Princeton, flying ashore at Kỳ Hà on 1 September.

By the end of September most of the helicopter units comprising the group had arrived at Kỳ Hà, these included: HMM-362, HMM-364, VMO-6, H&MS-36 and MABS-36, while HMM-363 was at Qui Nhon.

[5]: 211  On 30 October HMM-163 equipped with CH-53A Sea Stallions came ashore from USS Okinawa and joined the group at Quảng Trị Combat Base.

A detachment from the group's MACTU-62 operated a ground-controlled approach (GCA) radar at Khe Sanh Combat Base to guide aircraft until enemy fire knocked it out on 19 February.

[6]: 483  Group squadrons supported Marine and Army of the Republic of Vietnam (ARVN) forces during the Battle of Huế.

[7]: 348 In early 1973, group squadrons participated in Operation End Sweep clearing Haiphong harbor of mines, after which they returned to Futenma.

[9]: 106  On 28 January HMH-462 together with three CH-46s, four AH-1Js and a UH-1E from the group embarked onboard USS Okinawa to maintain station off the coast of Cambodia in preparation for the evacuation of Americans.

[9]: 187  On 12 April the composite squadron on the Okinawa participated in Operation Eagle Pull, the evacuation of Phnom Penh.

As part of the UDP, CH-46, CH-53, and OV-10 squadrons from North Carolina and California deployed to MCAS Futenma for six-month rotations.

During the first decade of the 21st century, MAG-36 units continued to support Theater Security Cooperation exercises and numerous contingency operations.

Nearly every year, MAG-36 deploys as a MEB-level Aviation Combat Element, often supporting Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief (HADR) operations.

In November 2007, in the wake of Tropical Cyclone Sidr MAG-36 elements deployed to Bangladesh for Operation SEA ANGEL II.

Most recently during Operation TOMODACHI, MAG-36 deployed to mainland Japan immediately following the triple-disaster created by an earthquake, tsunami, and damaged nuclear reactor to provide much needed relief to our host nation.