Active 1 April 1999 – present Size 500+ | Country United States | |
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Allegiance United States of America Branch United States Marine Corps Type Aviation ground support battalion | ||
Marine Wing Support Squadron 374 (MWSS 374) is an aviation ground support unit of the United States Marine Corps. They are based out of Marine Corps Air Ground Combat Center Twentynine Palms, California. The squadron is part of Marine Aircraft Group 16 and the 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing.
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Mission
They are responsible for the day-to-day operations of the Twentynine Palms Expeditionary Airfield at MCAGCC, 29 Palms, CA.
History
In March 1977, General Louis H. Wilson, the 26th Commandant of the Marine Corps, activated the Expeditionary Airfield (EAF). The initial unit placed in charge of the EAF was designated Detachment MABS-11. Two years later, in July 1979, Detachment MABS-11 became operationally attached to Marine Aircraft Group 16 and was redesignated MAG-16, Detachment Bravo in 1982. Originally, only a cadre of Marines provided caretaker support for the EAF between exercises. However, during October 1988 MWSS-173 was transferred from Marine Corps Air Station Kaneohe Bay to the Marine Corps Air Ground Combat Center, Twentynine Palms in support of the EAF. On 4 March 1993, MWSS-173 was deactivated and Aviation Ground Support Element (AGSE) was activated to continue operating and maintaining the EAF. On 1 April 1999, AGSE deactivated and was redesignated as Marine Wing Support Squadron-374. Currently the squadron is nearly 525 strong, and possesses the ability to operate a portable and tactical airfield including and maintaining ground support equipment for aircraft.
Air traffic control services and maintenance are provided by a detachment of Marines from MACS-1 Det EAF, a subordinate unit of Marine Aircraft Group 16 (MACG-38). In the early 90's, the ATC operations were handled by MATCS-18 Det C (Marine Air Traffic Control Squadron 18, Detachment C) who operated under MWSS-173.
Global War on Terrorism
MWSS-374 deployed to Iraq in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom from February 2004 until August 2004, February 2006 until August 2006, and again from March 2008 to October 2008. MWSS-374 also deployed in support of Operation Inherent Resolve from September 2014 to April 2015.