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 Air Control Group (MACG). Squadron Name Insignia Nickname Date Commissioned Senior Command Station MWHS-1 America's Finest 7 July 1941 1st MAW Camp Foster, Okinawa, Japan MWHS-2 The DeuceSnake Eyes 31 December 1955 2nd MAW MCAS Cherry Point, NC MWHS-3 10 November 1942 3rd MAW MCAS Miramar, CA
Marine Aviation Logistics Squadrons The Marine Aviation Logistics Squadron (MALS) provides direct support of intermediate aircraft maintenance, avionics, 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.
Squadron Name Insignia Nickname Date Commissioned Senior Command Station MALS-11 Devilfish 1 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 Immortals 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 1 February 1943 MAG-31, 2nd MAW MCAS Beaufort, SC MALS-36 Bladerunner 2 June 1952 MAG-36, 1st MAW MCAS Futenma, Okinawa, Japan MALS-39 Hellhounds 1 March 1942 MAG-39, 3rd MAW MCAS Camp Pendleton, CA MALS-41 Wranglers 1 January 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.
Squadron Name Insignia Nickname Date Commissioned Senior Command Station MACS-1 Falconers 1 September 19433d MAW General Order 17-1943 - Commissioning AWS-1 MACG-38, 3rd MAW MCAS Yuma, AZ MACS-2 Eyes of the MAGTF 1 April 19443d MAW General Order 11-1944 - Commissioning VMF-521, VMF-522, AWS-9 & AWS-11 MACG-28, 2nd MAW MCAS Cherry Point, NC MACS-4 Vice Squad 5 May 1944 MACG-18, 1st MAW MCAS Futenma, Okinawa, Japan MACS-24 Earthquake 15 October 1949 MACG-48, 4th MAW Virginia Beach, VA
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 controlling aircraft. Squadron Name Insignia Nickname Date Commissioned Senior Command Station MASS-1 Atlantic Nomads 25 June 19433d MAW General Order 11-1943 Commissioning HqSq, 1st MAWG on 1 July 1943 MACG-28, 2nd MAW MCAS Cherry Point, NC MASS-2 Pacific Vagabonds 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
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). As part of Force Design 2030, all of the active duty MTACS have been decommissioned with their functionality moved to the Marine Air Control Group headquarters. Squadron Name Insignia Nickname Date Commissioned Senior Command Station MTACS-48 1 September 1967 MACG-48, 4th MAW NS Great Lakes, IL
Marine Wing Communications Squadrons
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 Warriors 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 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
Littoral Anti-Air Battalions The Marine Corps activated its first Littoral Anti-Air Battalion (LAAB) on 11 February 2022. LAABs are designed to provide ground based air defense, early warning, tactical air control, and Forward arming and refuelling points in support of Marine Corps littoral operations.
Battalion Name Insignia Nickname Date Commissioned Senior Command Station 3rd LAAB July 20, 1937 3d MLR, 3d MARDIV Marine Corps Base Hawaii 12th LAAB July 20, 1937 12th MLR, 3d MARDIV Camp Hansen, Okinawa, Japan
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. Battalion Name Insignia Nickname Date Commissioned Senior Command Station 1st LAAD Bn Death From Below 20 June 1982 MACG-18, 1st MAW MCAS Kaneohe Bay, HI 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 to operate an airfield. This support includes: (1) airfield services (aviation terminal operations, airfield expeditionary systems/ air field lighting, and aircraft crash rescue and firefighting/ emergency services), 2) communications (less air traffic control services), (3) motor transport, (4) engineer services (construction, maintenance, and utilities), 4) bulk fuel delivery and containment, (5) aircraft refueling, (6) non-aviation (i.e., "ground") supply, (7) non-aviation equipment maintenance, (8) local security, (9) food service, and (10) medical services (provided by U.S. Navy personnel).
Squadron Name Insignia Nickname Date Commissioned Senior Command Station MWSS-171 America's Squadron 16 April 1979 MAG-12, 1st MAW MCAS Iwakuni, Japan MWSS-172 Firebirds 16 June 1986 MAG-36, 1st MAW MCAS Futenma, Okinawa, Japan MWSS-174 Gryphons1988MAG-24, 1st MAWMCAS Kaneohe Bay, Hawaii MWSS-271 Workhorse of the Wing 6 June 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 13 June 1986 MAG-31, 2nd MAW MCAS Beaufort, SC MWSS-371 Sand Sharks 2 June 1986 MAG-13, 3rd MAW MCAS Yuma, AZ MWSS-372 Diamondbacks 1 July 1977 MAG-39, 3rd MAW MCAS Camp Pendleton, CA MWSS-373 Ace Support 1 April 1967 MAG-11, 3rd MAW MCAS Miramar, CA MWSS-471 Red Wolves MAG-41, 4th MAW Minneapolis, MN MWSS-472 AGS-Dragons 1 October 1988 MAG-49, 4th MAW NAS JRB Willow Grove, PA MWSS-473 Gargoyle 1 July 1963 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 course, 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 Swamp Foxes Headquarters and Headquarters Squadron, Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point Rams Headquarters and Headquarters Squadron, Marine Corps Air Station New River Headquarters and Headquarters Squadron, Marine Corps Air Station Camp Pendleton Stampede Headquarters and Headquarters Squadron, Marine Corps Air Station Miramar Grizzly Headquarters and Headquarters Squadron, Marine Corps Air Station Yuma Guardians Headquarters and Headquarters Squadron, Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni Torii Headquarters and Headquarters Squadron, Marine Corps Air Station Futenma 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.
Decommissioned Squadrons/Detachments are listed by their last designation.
GCI & Early Warning Detachments (1941-1943)
Detachment Name Date Began Date ended Marine Detachment, Air Warning Service, Philippines (1941-42) November 1941 8 April 1942 Marine Corps Early Warning Detachment, Guadalcanal (1942-43) June 1942 February 1943 VMF(N)-531 GCI Detachment (Vella Levella / Stirling Island) 16 November 1942 3 September 1944
Air Warning Squadrons The Marine Corps' air warning squadrons were established during World War II and were tasked with providing early warning of enemy aircraft and ground control intercept against enemy aircraft during the initial phases of any amphibious landing. The first AWS was commissioned in September 1943 with a total of 19 being stood up during the war. On 1 August 1946 all remaining AWS were redesignated as Marine Ground Control Intercept Squadrons.