Marine Wing Support Squadron 272

Marine Wing Support Squadron 272
MWSS-272's insignia
Active	6 June 1986 – present
Country	United States
Branch	United States Marine Corps
Type	Aviation ground support squadron
Part of	Marine Wing Support Group 27 2nd Marine Aircraft Wing
Garrison/HQ	Marine Corps Air Station New River
Nickname	Untouchables
Engagements	Operation Desert Storm Operation Enduring Freedom Operation Iraqi Freedom * 2003 invasion of Iraq
Commanders
Current commander	LtCol Dale Kruse

Marine Wing Support Squadron 272 (MWSS 272) is an aviation ground support unit of the United States Marine Corps. They are based out of Marine Corps Air Station New River, North Carolina. The squadron, nicknamed "The Untouchables," falls under the command of Marine Wing Support Group 27 and the 2nd Marine Aircraft Wing.

Mission

Provide all essential Aviation Ground Support (AGS) requirements to a designated rotary-wing component of an Aviation Combat Element (ACE) including all supporting or attached elements of the Marine Air Control Group.

When tasked with operating an airfield the squadron must conduct all aviation and ground refueling, aircraft recovery and firefighting, expeditionary airfield services, explosive ordnance disposal and weather services.

When tasked with supporting airfield functions the squadron provides essential engineer services; field messing facilities; internal airfield communications; individual and unit training; motor transport support; nuclear, chemical and biological defense; routine and emergency sick call and aviation medicine; security and law enforcement; and an Airbase Commandant. The Squadron is the enabling organization for the employment of Marine Aviation ashore

History

Marine Wing Support Squadron 272 was activated on 6 June 1986 at Marine Corps Air Station New River, North Carolina. MWSS-272 was organized from the assets of Marine Air Base Squadron 26, Marine Air Base Squadron 29 and Detachment "A", Marine Wing Support Group 27, which were deactivated on 5 June 1986.

Global War on Terror

Marines from the MWSS 272 prepare to fire during training on the Enhanced Marksmanship Program range, 7–13 April 2005.
Photo credit: LCpl Brandon M. Gale

In late 2001, MWSS-272 augmented several Marine Expeditionary Units in support of Operation Enduring Freedom (OEF).

MWSS-272 deployed to the Persian Gulf in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom (OIF) in February 2003 and remained there until June 2003. MWSS-272 was responsible for providing aviation ground support to three Forward Operating Bases (FOBs) at Al Jabr, Ali Al Salem, and Joe Foss. FOB Joe Foss was the largest expeditionary airfield built since World War II, and it was vitally important to air assault and medevac operations during the war.

In 2004, MWSS-272 augmented both MWSS-271 and MWSS-273 with personnel for their AGS mission in Iraq again as well as providing personnel to support operations for OEF in the Horn of Africa. In August 2005 the squadron deployed to Al Asad Iraq. MWSS-272 is currently providing aviation ground support for the entire airbase at Al Asad as well as FOB Al Qaim.

See also

United States Marine Corps portal

• United States Marine Corps Aviation
• Organization of the United States Marine Corps
• List of United States Marine Corps aviation support units

External links

• MWSS-272's official website