Country United States | ||
 | ||
Active 1 September 1943 – present Allegiance United States of America Branch United States Marine Corps Type Aviation Command & Control Role Aerial surveillance & Air traffic control | ||
Marine Air Control Squadron 1 (MACS-1) is a United States Marine Corps aviation command and control squadron . The squadron provides aerial surveillance, air traffic control, ground-controlled intercept, and aviation data-link connectivity for the I Marine Expeditionary Force. They are based at Marine Corps Air Station Yuma and fall under Marine Air Control Group 38 and the 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing.
Contents
Mission
Provide air surveillance, airspace management and the control of aircraft and surface-to-air weapons for anti-air warfare and offensive air support while independently or simultaneously providing continuous all-weather radar and non-radar ATC services as in integral part of the Marine Air Command and Control system (MACCS) in support of a Marine Air-Ground Task Force (MAGTF), and Joint Force Commander.
History
Marine Air Control Squadron 1 was activated on 1 September 1943 at Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point, North Carolina, as Air Warning Squadron 1 (AWS-1), 1st Marine Air Warning Group, 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing. In November 1943 they relocated to Miramar, San Diego, California and were reassigned to Marine Fleet Air, West Coast.
The squadron deployed during January 1944 to Pearl Harbor, Hawaii and in February 1944 were reassigned to Marine Aircraft Group 22, 4th Marine Base Defense Aircraft Wing and began training for combat missions in support of the World War II Pacific Campaign.
World War II
During World War II they participated in the Marshall Islands Campaign and the Battle of Okinawa.
Following the war the squadron was reassigned and relocated numerous time to include:
Korean War
Marine Ground Control Intercept Squadron 1 was reassigned during July 1950 to Marine Aircraft Group 33 and subsequently deployed to the Republic of Korea. During the conflict they participated in the Battle of Inchon, Battle of Chosin Reservoir and fighting on the East Central Front, Western Front. During the war they were reassigned in October 1950 to Marine Aircraft Group 12 and in April 1951 to Marine Air Control Group 2. MACS-1 participated in the defense of the Korean Demilitarized Zone from July 1953 through March 1955. Finally on 15 February 1954 they received their current moniker Marine Air Control Squadron 1. In April 1955 to they redeployed to Naval Air Facility Atsugi, Japan, and reassigned to Marine Aircraft Group 11.
1960 through 1990s
The squadron was reduced to cadre status during March–April 1960. They were relocated during May 1960 to Marine Corps Air Station Yuma, Arizona, and reassigned to Marine Wing Headquarters Group, 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing. On 1 February 1972, the squadron was deactivated. 11 years later in October 1983 the squadron was reactivated at Camp Pendleton, California, as Marine Air Control Squadron 1, Marine Air Control Group 38, 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing. They also participated in Operation Desert Shield in Southwest Asia from August until October 1990, though some elements of MACS-1 remained in Saudi Arabia in support of MACS-2.
MACS-1 Relocated during Jun 1998 to Marine Corps Air Station Yuma, Arizona. Elements supported Operation Southern Watch, Iraq, March–April 2000 and in November–December 2000, and May–June 2001.
Global War on Terror
Elements of MACS-1 supported Operation Enduring Freedom, in Afghanistan from January–May 2002. This was followed by a deployment to Kuwait in February 2003 and participating in Operation Iraqi Freedom from March 2003 to present, both as an Air Control agency, and subsequently standing up several Security Companies.