This is a list of United States Marine Corps aviation support squadrons and other units, sorted by type.
Active
Marine Wing Headquarters Squadrons
The Marine Wing Headquarters Squadron (MWHS) provides administrative and supply support for a Marine Aircraft Wing Headquarters (MAW HQ). The MAW HQ is a separate organization that directs and coordinates the operations of the MAW. The MAW HQ contains the wing commander (commanding general) and assistant wing commander, their personal staffs (aides-de-camp, drivers, etc.), and the chief of staff, the general staff divisions (G-1 through G-6), and the special staff departments (public affairs officer, wing inspector, staff judge advocate, wing medical officer, and wing chaplain). The wing commander fights the MAW from his operational command post located in the Tactical Air Command Center (TACC) maintained by the Marine Tactical Air Command Squadron (MTACS).
Marine Aviation Logistics Squadrons
The Marine Aviation Logistics Squadron (MALS) provides direct support of intermediate aircraft maintenance, aviation supply, and aviation ordnance to the aircraft squadrons of a Marine Aircraft Group. A MALS is capable of supporting multiple types of aircraft, as well as providing detachments for the aviation combat elements of a MEB or MEU.
Marines repair weapons systems
Marine repairs propellers
Squadron Name |
Insignia |
Nickname |
Date Commissioned |
Senior Command |
Station |
MALS-11 |
|
Devilfish |
December, 1921 |
MAG-11, 3rd MAW |
MCAS Miramar, CA |
MALS-12 |
|
Marauders |
1 March 1942 |
MAG-12, 1st MAW |
MCAS Iwakuni, Japan |
MALS-13 |
|
Black Widows |
1 March 1942 |
MAG-13, 3rd MAW |
MCAS Yuma, AZ |
MALS-14 |
|
Dragons |
30 September 1988 |
MAG-14, 2nd MAW |
MCAS Cherry Point, NC |
MALS-16 |
|
Forerunners |
1 March 1952 |
MAG-16, 3rd MAW |
MCAS Miramar, CA |
MALS-24 |
|
Warriors |
1 March 1942 |
MAG-24, 1st MAW |
MCAF Kaneohe Bay, HI |
MALS-26 |
|
Patriots |
16 June 1952 |
MAG-26, 2nd MAW |
MCAS New River, NC |
MALS-29 |
|
Wolverines |
1 May 1972 |
MAG-29, 2nd MAW |
MCAS New River, NC |
MALS-31 |
|
Stingers |
February 1, 1943 |
MAG-31, 2nd MAW |
MCAS Beaufort, SC |
MALS-36 |
|
Bladerunner |
June 1952 |
MAG-36, 1st MAW |
MCAS Futenma, Okinawa, Japan |
MALS-39 |
|
Hellhounds |
March 1, 1942 |
MAG-39, 3rd MAW |
MCAS Camp Pendleton, CA |
MALS-40 |
|
Smokin Aces |
|
MAG-40, 2nd MAW |
MCAS New River |
MALS-41 |
|
Wranglers |
January 1, 1943 |
MAG-41, 4th MAW |
NASJRB Fort Worth, TX |
MALS-42 |
|
War Hammers |
18 June 1992 |
MAG-42, 4th MAW |
NAS Atlanta, GA |
MALS-49 |
|
Magicians |
1 July 1969 |
MAG-49, 4th MAW |
Stewart ANGB, NY |
Marine Air Control Squadrons
MACS are responsible for air traffic control and operate the Tactical Air Operations Center (TAOC), which directs antiair warfare (to include ground-based anti-aircraft weapons), early warning & intercept control, air surveillance, radar control, and airspace management.
Air Traffic Controller at work
Marines maintain information networking
Marine Air Support Squadrons
MASSs provide the Direct Air Support Center (DASC) which controls and coordinates those tactical aircraft operations directly supporting ground forces. They are responsible for the processing of immediate requests (e.g. Close Air Support, CASEVAC, and Assault Support), integrate and deconflict indirect fire support (e.g., artillery and mortars) with aviation assets, manage terminal control assets, and procedurally control aircraft.
Marine Tactical Air Command Squadrons
MTACS provide the ACE commander with command and control functions necessary for the aviation mission. They establish a Tactical Air Command Center (TACC), which is the operational command post for the Marine Aircraft Wing, from which the Wing Commander and his battle staff command the tactical air battle, including tactical air support provided to ground forces (directed from the DASC in the MASS) and tactical air defense (directed by the TAOC in the MACS).
Marine Wing Communications Squadrons
Marine adjusts antenna for AN/TRC-170
MWCSs provide all communication assets for the ACE, including radio, satellite, wire, and data technology.
Low Altitude Air Defense Battalions
LAAD Battalions are responsible for close air defense protection of assets within the area of operation, with a secondary mission of local ground security for ACE elements. They are armed with surface to air weapons, as well as early warning and detection equipment. Currently, LAAD battalions are equipped with the FIM-92 Stinger, a man-portable surface-to-air missile, and the M2 .50 cal machinegun. The M1097 Avenger missile-equipped HMMWV has been retired by Marine forces.
Marine Wing Support Squadrons
The MWSS provides all essential aviation ground support to the MAG. This support includes: (1) airfield operations and (2) communications (less air traffic control services), (3) motor transport, engineer services (including (4) bulk fuel and (5) aircraft refueling), (6) non-aviation supply and (7) equipment maintenance, (8) local security, (9) medical services, and (10) food services.
Marines refuel an AH-1W helicopter
Marines perform a vertical replenishment
Squadron Name |
Insignia |
Nickname |
Date Commissioned |
Senior Command |
Station |
MWSS-171 |
|
America’s Squadron |
April 16, 1979 |
MAG-12, 1st MAW |
MCAS Iwakuni, Japan |
MWSS-172 |
|
Firebirds |
16 June 1986 |
MAG-36, 1st MAW |
MCAS Futenma, Okinawa, Japan |
MWSS-271 |
|
Workhorse of the Wing |
June 6, 1986 |
MAG-14, 2nd MAW |
MCAS Cherry Point, NC |
MWSS-272 |
|
Untouchables |
26 February 1969 |
MAG-26, 2nd MAW |
MCAS New River, NC |
MWSS-273 |
|
Sweathogs |
June 13, 1986 |
MAG-31, 2nd MAW |
MCAS Beaufort, SC |
MWSS-274 |
|
Ironmen |
June 2, 1986 |
MAG-29, 2nd MAW |
MCAS Cherry Point, NC |
MWSS-371 |
|
Sand Sharks |
June 2, 1986 |
MAG-13, 3rd MAW |
MCAS Yuma, AZ |
MWSS-372 |
|
Diamondbacks |
July 1, 1977 |
MAG-39, 3rd MAW |
MCAS Camp Pendleton, CA |
MWSS-373 |
|
Ace Support |
April 1, 1967 |
MAG-11, 3rd MAW |
MCAS Miramar, CA |
MWSS-374 |
|
Rhinos |
April 1, 1999 |
MAG-16, 3rd MAW |
MCAGCC Twentynine Palms, CA |
MWSS-471 |
|
|
|
MAG-41, 4th MAW |
Minneapolis, MN |
MWSS-472 |
|
AGS-Dragons |
|
MAG-49, 4th MAW |
NAS JRB Willow Grove, PA |
MWSS-473 |
|
Gargoyle |
|
MAG-41, 4th MAW |
MCAS Miramar, CA |
A H&HS usually consists of the headquarters group (the station commanding general/commanding officer and staff), the squadron headquarters (commanding officer and staff), public affairs and journalism, facilities planning & maintenance, billeting and family housing offices, station motor pool, air traffic control, meteorology, fuels, ordnance, other aviation support, Aircraft Rescue and Firefighting, Provost Marshal section, station Judge Advocate's Office, station Chaplain, Navy medical facility, and Marine Corps Community Service, which usually hosts services such as a Marine Corps Exchamge (MCX) (i.e., post exchange), commissary, gas station, barber shop, dry cleaner, library, theater, golf couse, bowling center, fitness, recreation, hobby, craft and auto repair center(s), swimming pool, officer, SNCO, NCO clubs, family services, Single Marine Program, and other personal services vendors.
Combat Logistics Companies
Combat Logistics Companies, while subordinate to a Marine Logistics Group provide intermediate ground logistics support to aviation units, to include supply and maintenance beyond organic capabilities. All Marine air stations not in proximity to a Marine Logistics Group have a tenant company.
Inactive
Squadrons are listed by their last designation.
Air Warning Squadrons
Squadron Name |
Date Activated |
Date Deactivated |
Air Warning Squadron 2 |
1 September 1943 |
15 February 1946 |
Air Warning Squadron 3 |
12 October 1943 |
15 October 1945 |
Air Warning Squadron 4 |
12 October 1943 |
31 October 1945 |
Air Warning Squadron 6 |
1 January 1944 |
28 February 1946 |
Air Warning Squadron 8 |
1 March 1944 |
12 March 1946 |
Air Warning Squadron 9 |
1 April 1944 |
9 December 1945 |
Air Warning Squadron 14 |
1 June 1944 |
30 November 1945 |
Assault Air Warning Squadrons
Squadron Name |
Date Activated |
Date Deactivated |
Assault Air Warning Squadron 5 |
01 December 1943 |
10 November 1944 |
Assault Air Warning Squadron 10 |
01 January 1944 |
10 November 1944 |
Assault Air Warning Squadron 20 |
01 March 1944 |
10 November 1944 |
Light Anti-Aircraft Missile battalions
Squadron Name |
Insignia |
Nickname |
Date Activated |
Date Deactivated |
1st Light Anti-Aircraft Missile Battalion |
|
Goldenhawks |
20 July 1937 |
11 July 1997 |
2nd Light Anti-Aircraft Missile Battalion |
|
Blackhawks |
1 August 1960 |
1 September 1994 |
3rd Light Anti-Aircraft Missile Battalion |
|
Terriers |
19 December 1938 |
30 September 1994 |
4th Light Anti-Aircraft Missile Battalion |
|
|
1 December 1961 |
February 1998 |
5th Light Anti-Aircraft Missile Battalion |
|
|
1 July 1966 |
31 January 1969 |
Low altitude air defense battalion
Maintenance units
Squadron Name |
Insignia |
Nickname |
Date Deactivated |
MALS-32 |
|
|
MALS-46 |
|
|
|
Headquarters and Maintenance Squadron 30 |
|
|
|
Headquarters and Maintenance Squadron 40 |
|
|
|
Headquarters and Maintenance Squadron 56 |
|
|
|
Marine Air Control Squadrons
Squadron Name |
Insignia |
Nickname |
Date Activated |
Date Deactivated |
MACS-3 |
|
|
1 May 1944 |
1 July 1970 |
MACS-5 |
|
|
1 June 1944 |
11 June 1993 |
MACS-6 |
|
Watch Dogs |
10 August 1944 |
9 December 1998 |
MACS-7 |
|
The Guiding Hand |
1 February 1944 |
30 September 1998 |
MACS-8 |
|
|
1 September 1944 |
15 June 1971 |
MACS-9 |
|
|
31 May 1952 |
1 July 1971 |
MACS-15 (NAS Atlanta, GA) |
|
|
1 February 1944 |
|
MACS-16 (NAS Minneapolis, MN) |
|
|
|
|
MACS-17 (NASJRB Willow Grove, PA) |
|
|
1 February 1947 |
31 December 1973 |
MACS-18 (NAS Los Alamitos, CA) |
|
|
|
|
MACS-19 (NAS Groose Ile, MI) |
|
|
|
|
MACS-20 (NASJRB Dallas, TX) |
|
|
|
|
MACS-21 (NAS South Weymouth, MA) |
|
|
15 May 1947 |
1 April 1967 |
MASS-6 carries the lineage of MACS-21 |
MACS-22 (NAS Glenview, IL) |
|
|
30 Jun 1947 |
|
MACS-23 (Aurora, CO) |
|
|
16 October 1949 |
16 September 2012 |
MACS-25 (NAS Columbus, OH) |
|
|
|
|
MACS-26 (NAS New York, NY) |
|
|
|
|
Marine Air Support Squadrons
Squadron Name |
Insignia |
Nickname |
Date Activated |
Date Deactivated |
MASS-4 |
|
|
01 July 1962 |
28 February 1989 |
MASS-5 |
|
|
1 August 1966 |
28 November 1969 |
Marine Air Traffic Control Squadrons
Squadron Name |
Insignia |
Nickname |
Date Activated |
Date Deactivated |
MATCS-18 |
|
|
1 October 1978 |
30 September 1994 |
MATCS-28 |
|
Intrepid Sentinels |
23 April 1976 |
22 July 1994 |
MATCS-38 |
|
|
27 April 1976 |
30 September 1994 |
MATCS-48 |
|
|
1 June 1980 |
30 September 1994 |
Marine Wing Support Squadrons
Squadron Name |
Insignia |
Nickname |
Date Deactivated |
MWSS-173 |
|
Gryphons |
|
MWSS-174 |
|
Centurions |
|
See also
|
---|
|
Leadership | | |
---|
|
Major commands | |
---|
|
Structure | |
---|
|
Personnel and training | |
---|
|
Uniforms and equipment | |
---|
|
History and traditions | |
---|
|
- Portal
- Category
|
References