As early as 6 March, acting on a suggestion of his staff, Major General Norman J. Anderson recommended the establishment of a provisional MAG at Quảng Trị Combat Base with three squadrons to reduce the span of control for Marine Aircraft Group 36 (MAG-36).

In the meantime, MAG-36 Detachment Alpha comprising a forward headquarters and three squadrons, VMO-6, HMM-163 and HMM-262 was located at Quảng Trị Combat Base under Colonel John E. Hansen, the MAG-36 deputy commander.

He detached the three squadrons already at Quảng Trị from MAG—36 to form Prov MAG-39 and made Colonel Hansen the new MAG commander.

[3] On 19 April 1975 Prov MAG-39 was once again activated for duty in preparation for Operation Frequent Wind, the evacuation of Americans and "at risk" South Vietnamese from Saigon.

[4]: 204  Prov MAG-39 remained on board in the South China Sea until the fleet departed for the Philippines on 2 May 1975 and personnel concerned returned to their parent units.