Marine Wing Support Squadron 374

Marine Wing Support Squadron 374
MWSS-374's insignia
Active	1 April 1999 – present
Country	United States
Allegiance	United States of America
Branch	United States Marine Corps
Type	Aviation ground support battalion
Size	500+
Part of	Marine Wing Support Group 37 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing
Garrison/HQ	Marine Corps Air Ground Combat Center Twentynine Palms
Nickname	Rhinos
Motto	"Keep Charging"
Engagements	Operation Iraqi Freedom
Commanders
Current commander	LtCol Scott R. Johnson

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 Wing Support Group 37 and the 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing.^[1]

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 Wing Support Group 37 and was redesignated MWSG-37, 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 400 strong, and possesses the ability to operate a portable and tactical airfield including and maintaining ground support equipment for aircraft.^[2]

Air traffic control services and maintenance are provided by a detachment of Marines from MACS-1 Det EAF, a subordinate unit of Marine Air Control Group 38 (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 Terror

MWSS-374 deployed to Iraq in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom from February 2004 until August 2004, February 2005 until August 2005, and again from March 2008 to October 2008.

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

References

 This article incorporates public domain material from websites or documents of the United States Marine Corps.

1. ^ Marine Wing Support Squadron 374, official website
2. ^ "MWSS-374 History". Marine Wing Support Squadron 374, official website. http://www.3maw.usmc.mil/mwsg37/mwss374/history.asp. Retrieved 26 October 2009.