List of United States Marine Corps aviation support units

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).

Squadron Name	Nickname	Date Commissioned	Senior Command	Station
MWHS-1	America’s Finest	7 July 1941	1st MAW	Camp Foster, Okinawa, Japan
MWHS-2	The Deuce Snake Eyes	31 December 1955	2nd MAW	MCAS Cherry Point, NC
MWHS-3		10 November 1942	3rd MAW	MCAS Miramar, CA
MWHS-4			4th MAW	New Orleans, LA

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.

File:Cobra Maintence.jpg

Marines repair weapons systems

File:USMC-10093.jpg

Marine repairs avionics

File:MALS41tech.jpg

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	50px	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	50px	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.

File:USMC-14022.jpg

Air Traffic Controller at work

Squadron Name	Insignia	Nickname	Date Commissioned	Senior Command	Station
MACS-1	50px	Eyes of the MAGTF	1 September 1943	MACG-38, 3rd MAW	MCAS Yuma, AZ
MACS-2		Eyes of the MAGTF	1 April 1944	MACG-28, 2nd MAW	MCAS Cherry Point, NC
MACS-4			5 May 1944	MACG-18, 1st MAW	MCAS Futenma, Okinawa, Japan
MACS-24		Earthquake	15 October 1949	MACG-48, 4th MAW	Virginia Beach, VA

File:USMC-050714-M-7846V-001.jpg

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.

Squadron Name	Nickname	Date Commissioned	Senior Command	Station
MASS-1	Chieftain	25 June 1943	MACG-28, 2nd MAW	MCAS Cherry Point, NC
MASS-2	Wild Deuce	1 January 1943	MACG-18, 1st MAW	MCAS Futenma, Okinawa, Japan
MASS-3	Blacklist	3 August 1950	MACG-38, 3rd MAW	MCAS Camp Pendleton, CA
MASS-6	Lighthouse	15 May 1947	MACG-48, 4th MAW	MCAS Miramar, CA

Marine Tactical Air Command Squadrons

File:MTACS work.jpg

Marine interfaces the Global Command and Control System.

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).

Squadron Name	Insignia	Nickname	Date Commissioned	Senior Command	Station
MTACS-18			1 September 1967	MACG-18, 1st MAW	MCAS Futenma, Okinawa, Japan
MTACS-28		Olympians	1 October 1947	MACG-28, 2nd MAW	MCAS Cherry Point, NC
MTACS-38		Fire Chickens	1 September 1967	MACG-38, 3rd MAW	MCAS Miramar, CA
MTACS-48	55px		1 September 1967	MACG-48, 4th MAW	NS Great Lakes, IL

Marine Wing Communications Squadrons

File:USMC-050520-M-0884D-003.jpg

Marine adjusts antenna for AN/TRC-170

MWCSs provide all communication assets for the ACE, including radio, satellite, wire, and data technology.

Squadron Name	Insignia	Nickname	Date Commissioned	Senior Command	Station
MWCS-18			1 September 1967	MACG-18, 1st MAW	MCAS Futenma, Okinawa, Japan
MWCS-28		Spartans	1 September 1967	MACG-28, 2nd MAW	MCAS Cherry Point, NC
MWCS-38	50x50px	Red Lightning	1 September 1967	MACG-38, 3rd MAW	MCAS Miramar, CA
MWCS-48		Roar of the Corps	10 April 1952	MACG-48, 4th MAW	NS Great Lakes, IL

Low Altitude Air Defense Battalions

File:LAAD stinger.jpg

LAAD Marines fire a FIM-92 Stinger

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.

Squadron Name	Insignia	Nickname	Date Commissioned	Senior Command	Station
2nd LAAD Bn		Death from Below	26 February 1969	MACG-28, 2nd MAW	MCAS Cherry Point, NC
3rd LAAD Bn		Feel the Sting	20 June 1982	MACG-38, 3rd MAW	MCAS Camp Pendleton, CA

Marine Wing Support Squadrons

The MWSS provides all essential aviation ground support to the MAG. This support includes: airfield operations and communications (less air traffic control services), motor transport, engineer services (including bulk fuel and aircraft refueling), non-aviation supply and equipment maintenance, local security, medical services, and food services.

File:Refueling Cobra.jpg

Marines refuel an AH-1W helicopter

Marines perform a vertical replenishment

Squadron Name	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

Headquarters and Headquarters Squadrons

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.

Squadron Name	Insignia	Nickname
Headquarters and Headquarters Squadron, Marine Corps Air Station Beaufort	50px	Swamp Foxes
Headquarters and Headquarters Squadron, Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point	50px
Headquarters and Headquarters Squadron, Marine Corps Air Station New River	50px
Headquarters and Headquarters Squadron, Marine Corps Air Station Camp Pendleton
Headquarters and Headquarters Squadron, Marine Corps Air Station Miramar	50px
Headquarters and Headquarters Squadron, Marine Corps Air Station Yuma	50px
Headquarters and Headquarters Squadron, Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni	50px
Headquarters and Headquarters Squadron, Marine Corps Air Station Futenma	50px	Magic

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 Deactivated
Air Warning Squadron 2
Air Warning Squadron 3
Air Warning Squadron 4
Air Warning Squadron 6
Air Warning Squadron 8
Air Warning Squadron 9

Assault Air Warning Squadrons

Squadron Name	Date Deactivated
Assault Air Warning Squadron 5
Assault Air Warning Squadron 10
Assault Air Warning Squadron 15
Assault Air Warning Squadron 20

Light Anti-Aircraft Missile battalions

Squadron Name	Insignia	Nickname	Date Deactivated
1st Light Anti-Aircraft Missile Battalion
2nd Light Anti-Aircraft Missile Battalion
3rd Light Anti-Aircraft Missile Battalion
4th Light Anti-Aircraft Missile Battalion
5th Light Anti-Aircraft Missile Battalion
6th Light Anti-Aircraft Missile Battalion

Low altitude air defense battalion

Squadron Name	Insignia	Nickname	Date Deactivated
1st Stinger Battery	50px	Death from Below	28 September 2007
4th Low Altitude Air Defense Battalion	50px