When Iraq invaded Kuwait in August 1990 the MAG was designated as the aviation combat element of the 4th Marine Expeditionary Brigade.

The group remained in the Persian Gulf as part of the Amphibious Task Force.

[4] MAG-40 was reactivated as a composite aircraft group which serves as the headquarters for all Marine aviation units in Afghanistan beginning in the spring/summer of 2009.

[5] During their time in Afghanistan, aircraft from the group flew just under 38,000 flight hours and moved over 141,000 passengers.

They were relieved on 4 April 2010 by the 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing (Fwd) and will return to MCAS Cherry Point.