Towards the end of March 1944, McKittrick organized the air command for the upcoming operation on Emirau. The island was already unopposed and its capture was easy mission. McKittrick was then appointed chief of staff of the 1st Marine Aircraft Wing under Major General James T. Moore. He remained in this capacity until 16 June 1944, when he was succeeded by his tactical school classmate, Colonel Stanley E. Ridderhof and subsequently appointed Air Defense Commander during the Battle of Saipan. McKittrick continued in the similar assignment during the subsequent Battle of Tinian at the end of July. In these campaigns, he directed combat air patrols, bombing and strafing missions and later received his second Legion of Merit for his work.