Marine Air Control Group 28
Encyclopedia
Marine Air Control Group 28 (MACG-28) is a United States Marine Corps
aviation command and control unit based at Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point
that is currently composed of 5 squadrons and a battalion that provide the 2nd Marine Aircraft Wing
with airspace coordination, air control, immediate air support, fires integration, air traffic control
(ATC), radar surveillance, organic Unmanned Aerial Vehicle
s (UAVs), aviation combat element
(ACE) communications support, and an integrated ACE command post in support of the II Marine Expeditionary Force.
, North Carolina
. At the time of activation, it was designated as the Marine Wing Headquarters Group of the 2nd Marine Aircraft Wing. Its composition at that time included Headquarters and Headquarters Squadron 2 and Marine Air Control Squadron 7 (MACS-7). The fledgling organization began to grow when, in 1963, it was administratively assigned the 3rd Light Anti Aircraft Missile Battalion (3rd LAAM). Its growth was short lived however, for in 1965 MACS-7 was directed to deploy to Okinawa, Japan
and subsequently saw duty in the Republic of Vietnam. Upon completing its service in Vietnam, MACS-7 was reassigned for duty with the 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing
at Marine Corps Air Station El Toro
, California
.
In May 1966, the Group was again re-designated; it would now be known as Marine Air Control Group 2. It was this year that the 3rd LAAM Battalion became administratively and operationally under the control of the Group.
Re-designation occurred once more when in 1967 the Group was assigned its present day identification as Marine Air Control Group 28.
With its new designation canme additional support and control organizations in the form of Marine Air Support Squadron 1 and Marine Air Control Squadron 5. MACS-5 was activated and assigned to support Fleet Marine Force
Aviation operation at Marine Corps Air Station Beaufort
, South Carolina
. MCAS Beaufort has remained the home of MACS-5 since its activation.
The Group's expanding support and control responsibilities were examined and in 1971 it was determined that the critical function of Wing communications would be added to that of the Group's communications capabilities. This consolidation joined the organizational colors of Marine Wing Communications Squadron-28 with those of H&HS-28, Third LAAM Battalion, MASS-1, MACS-5, and MACS-6 under the senior banner of MACG-28.
In 1973, the capability of a shoulder-launched missile was introduced into the Group. A Forward Area Air Defense (FAAD) platoon was activated and placed under the administrative and operational control of the Third LAAM Battalion. The activation of the FAAD platoon would enhance air defense of aviation vital areas and introduce a close-in air defense capability for maneuver units or security missions. April 1976 introduced the consolidation of air traffic control assets within the Marine Air Wing and a new squadron. Marine Air Traffic Control Squadron 28, joined ranks as the newest member of the Marine Air Command and Control System.
The tactical advantages, increased capabilities and innovative employment offered by shoulder-launched missiles led to the creation of a FAAD Battery. This enhanced capability was formally introduced in
October 1983 as the Second Forward Area Air Defense Battery stood-up and took its place in the organizational structure of MACG-23.
, Saudi Arabia
and were manning tactical positions on the CAOC floor when the first bombs fell in Afghanistan
. Notably, MACS-2 deployed an Early Warning and Control site to assist with data collection on Iraq
in the months building to Operation Iraqi Freedom (OIF).
During OIF all subordinate units of MACG-28 deployed Marines with the I Marine Expeditionary Force. MASS-1, MWCS-28, VMU-2
sent their entire squadrons, while 2nd LAAD deployed a battery, MACS-2 an EW/C detachment, and MTACS-28 critical augments for the 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing
(3rd MAW) Tactical Air Command Center (TACC)
At the conclusion of major offensive operations, most elements of MACG-28 redeployed home. In early 2004, MACG-28 deployed VMU-2 and an Air Traffic Control Detachment from MACS-2, and B CO, MWCS-28 to Al Taqqadum Airfield in Al Anbar Province, Iraq. At the start of 2005, MACG-28 deployed its Headquarters, MTACS-28, MACS-2, 2nd LAAD, MASS-1, MWCS-28 back to Iraq. The units of MACG-28 maintained air command and control, wing communications, and ISR of the MEF battlespace for the duration of 2005, then the majority redeployed back to the states.
In January 2007, MACG-28 again deployed all its units and tactical agencies once again to Iraq. For the foreseeable future, MACG-28 will stand ready to go wherever called in order to provide tactical aviation command and control across the MEF battlespace, integrated UAV ISR, and communications support to 2D Marine Aircraft Wing.
In January 2009, MACG-28 deployed all units (with the exception of 2nd LAAD) to Operation Iraqi Freedom. They were the last Marine units to control the airspace in western Iraq. Several detachments of the group have also deployed to Operation Enduring Freedom as part of Marine Aircraft Group 40
.
United States Marine Corps
The United States Marine Corps is a branch of the United States Armed Forces responsible for providing power projection from the sea, using the mobility of the United States Navy to deliver combined-arms task forces rapidly. It is one of seven uniformed services of the United States...
aviation command and control unit based at Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point
Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point
Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point or MCAS Cherry Point is a United States Marine Corps airfield located in Havelock, North Carolina, USA, in the eastern part of the state...
that is currently composed of 5 squadrons and a battalion that provide the 2nd Marine Aircraft Wing
2nd Marine Aircraft Wing
The 2nd Marine Aircraft Wing is the major east coast aviation unit of the United States Marine Corps and is based at Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point, North Carolina...
with airspace coordination, air control, immediate air support, fires integration, air traffic control
Air traffic control
Air traffic control is a service provided by ground-based controllers who direct aircraft on the ground and in the air. The primary purpose of ATC systems worldwide is to separate aircraft to prevent collisions, to organize and expedite the flow of traffic, and to provide information and other...
(ATC), radar surveillance, organic Unmanned Aerial Vehicle
Unmanned aerial vehicle
An unmanned aerial vehicle , also known as a unmanned aircraft system , remotely piloted aircraft or unmanned aircraft, is a machine which functions either by the remote control of a navigator or pilot or autonomously, that is, as a self-directing entity...
s (UAVs), aviation combat element
Aviation combat element
In the United States Marine Corps, the aviation combat element or air combat element is the air arm of the Marine Air-Ground Task Force . It provides rotary-wing, tiltrotor, and fixed-wing aircraft, support equipment, pilots, maintenance personnel, as well as command and control assets to the...
(ACE) communications support, and an integrated ACE command post in support of the II Marine Expeditionary Force.
Mission
The mission of the MACG is to provide, operate, and maintain the MACCS. THe MACG contains subordinate units that provide the major facilities of the MACCS. IT normally consists of of a MTACS, a Mriane air support squadron (MASS), one Marine air control squadron(MACS), a low-altitude air defense(LAAD) battalion, and an MWCS.Subordinate units
- 2nd Low Altitude Air Defense Battalion2nd Low Altitude Air Defense Battalion2nd Low Altitude Air Defense Battalion is an air defense unit of the United States Marine Corps. They are part of Marine Air Control Group 28 and the 2nd Marine Aircraft Wing and are currently based at Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point.-Early years:On February 26, 1969, an official table...
- Marine Air Control Squadron 2Marine Air Control Squadron 2Marine Air Control Squadron 2 is a United States Marine Corps aviation command and control squadron. The squadron provides aerial surveillance and air traffic control for the II Marine Expeditionary Force...
- Marine Air Support Squadron 1Marine Air Support Squadron 1Marine Air Support Squadron 1 , callsign "Chieftain," is a United States Marine Corps aviation command and control unit that provides the Direct Air Support Center capability for the II Marine Expeditionary Force...
- Marine Tactical Air Command Squadron 28Marine Tactical Air Command Squadron 28Marine Tactical Air Command Squadron 28 is a United States Marine Corps aviation command and control unit based at Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point...
- Marine Wing Communications Squadron 28Marine Wing Communications Squadron 28Marine Wing Communications Squadron 28 is a United States Marine Corps communications squadron. The squadron provides expeditionary communications for the aviation combat element of the II Marine Expeditionary Force...
- Marine Unmanned Aerial Vehicle Squadron 2
1950s through the 1980s
Marine Air Control Group 28 was initially activated in January 1956 at Marine Corps Air Station Cherry PointMarine Corps Air Station Cherry Point
Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point or MCAS Cherry Point is a United States Marine Corps airfield located in Havelock, North Carolina, USA, in the eastern part of the state...
, North Carolina
North Carolina
North Carolina is a state located in the southeastern United States. The state borders South Carolina and Georgia to the south, Tennessee to the west and Virginia to the north. North Carolina contains 100 counties. Its capital is Raleigh, and its largest city is Charlotte...
. At the time of activation, it was designated as the Marine Wing Headquarters Group of the 2nd Marine Aircraft Wing. Its composition at that time included Headquarters and Headquarters Squadron 2 and Marine Air Control Squadron 7 (MACS-7). The fledgling organization began to grow when, in 1963, it was administratively assigned the 3rd Light Anti Aircraft Missile Battalion (3rd LAAM). Its growth was short lived however, for in 1965 MACS-7 was directed to deploy to Okinawa, Japan
Japan
Japan is an island nation in East Asia. Located in the Pacific Ocean, it lies to the east of the Sea of Japan, China, North Korea, South Korea and Russia, stretching from the Sea of Okhotsk in the north to the East China Sea and Taiwan in the south...
and subsequently saw duty in the Republic of Vietnam. Upon completing its service in Vietnam, MACS-7 was reassigned for duty with the 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing
3rd Marine Aircraft Wing
The 3d Marine Aircraft Wing is the major west coast aviation unit of the United States Marine Corps. It is headquartered at Marine Corps Air Station Miramar, California and provides the aviation combat element for I Marine Expeditionary Force...
at Marine Corps Air Station El Toro
Marine Corps Air Station El Toro
Marine Corps Air Station El Toro was a United States Marine Corps Air Station located near Irvine, California.Before it was decommissioned in 1999, it was the home of Marine Corps aviation on the West Coast. Designated as a Master Jet Station, its four runways could handle the largest aircraft...
, California
California
California is a state located on the West Coast of the United States. It is by far the most populous U.S. state, and the third-largest by land area...
.
In May 1966, the Group was again re-designated; it would now be known as Marine Air Control Group 2. It was this year that the 3rd LAAM Battalion became administratively and operationally under the control of the Group.
Re-designation occurred once more when in 1967 the Group was assigned its present day identification as Marine Air Control Group 28.
With its new designation canme additional support and control organizations in the form of Marine Air Support Squadron 1 and Marine Air Control Squadron 5. MACS-5 was activated and assigned to support Fleet Marine Force
Fleet Marine Force
The United States Fleet Marine Forces are combined general and special purpose forces within the United States Department of the Navy that are designed in engaging offensive amphibious or expeditionary warfare and defensive maritime employment...
Aviation operation at Marine Corps Air Station Beaufort
Marine Corps Air Station Beaufort
Marine Corps Air Station Beaufort or MCAS Beaufort is a United States Marine Corps air base located three miles northwest of the central business district of Beaufort, a city in Beaufort County, South Carolina, United States...
, South Carolina
South Carolina
South Carolina is a state in the Deep South of the United States that borders Georgia to the south, North Carolina to the north, and the Atlantic Ocean to the east. Originally part of the Province of Carolina, the Province of South Carolina was one of the 13 colonies that declared independence...
. MCAS Beaufort has remained the home of MACS-5 since its activation.
The Group's expanding support and control responsibilities were examined and in 1971 it was determined that the critical function of Wing communications would be added to that of the Group's communications capabilities. This consolidation joined the organizational colors of Marine Wing Communications Squadron-28 with those of H&HS-28, Third LAAM Battalion, MASS-1, MACS-5, and MACS-6 under the senior banner of MACG-28.
In 1973, the capability of a shoulder-launched missile was introduced into the Group. A Forward Area Air Defense (FAAD) platoon was activated and placed under the administrative and operational control of the Third LAAM Battalion. The activation of the FAAD platoon would enhance air defense of aviation vital areas and introduce a close-in air defense capability for maneuver units or security missions. April 1976 introduced the consolidation of air traffic control assets within the Marine Air Wing and a new squadron. Marine Air Traffic Control Squadron 28, joined ranks as the newest member of the Marine Air Command and Control System.
The tactical advantages, increased capabilities and innovative employment offered by shoulder-launched missiles led to the creation of a FAAD Battery. This enhanced capability was formally introduced in
October 1983 as the Second Forward Area Air Defense Battery stood-up and took its place in the organizational structure of MACG-23.
Global War on Terror
Following September 11, 2001 MACG-28 Marines were sent almost immediately to augment the Combined Air Operations Center (CAOC) at Prince Sultan Air BasePrince Sultan Air Base
Prince Sultan Air Base is an air base located at Al Kharj, Saudi Arabia.There was formerly a large United States presence there during Operations Southern Watch, Enduring Freedom and Iraqi Freedom. The U.S. presence was predominantly that of multiple U.S. Air Force flying units, augmented by a...
, Saudi Arabia
Saudi Arabia
The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia , commonly known in British English as Saudi Arabia and in Arabic as as-Sa‘ūdiyyah , is the largest state in Western Asia by land area, constituting the bulk of the Arabian Peninsula, and the second-largest in the Arab World...
and were manning tactical positions on the CAOC floor when the first bombs fell in Afghanistan
Afghanistan
Afghanistan , officially the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan, is a landlocked country located in the centre of Asia, forming South Asia, Central Asia and the Middle East. With a population of about 29 million, it has an area of , making it the 42nd most populous and 41st largest nation in the world...
. Notably, MACS-2 deployed an Early Warning and Control site to assist with data collection on Iraq
Iraq
Iraq ; officially the Republic of Iraq is a country in Western Asia spanning most of the northwestern end of the Zagros mountain range, the eastern part of the Syrian Desert and the northern part of the Arabian Desert....
in the months building to Operation Iraqi Freedom (OIF).
During OIF all subordinate units of MACG-28 deployed Marines with the I Marine Expeditionary Force. MASS-1, MWCS-28, VMU-2
VMU-2
Marine Unmanned Aerial Vehicle Squadron 2 is an unmanned aerial vehicle squadron in the United States Marine Corps that operates the RQ-7 Shadow. They are based at Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point, North Carolina and provide aerial surveillance for the II Marine Expeditionary Force...
sent their entire squadrons, while 2nd LAAD deployed a battery, MACS-2 an EW/C detachment, and MTACS-28 critical augments for the 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing
3rd Marine Aircraft Wing
The 3d Marine Aircraft Wing is the major west coast aviation unit of the United States Marine Corps. It is headquartered at Marine Corps Air Station Miramar, California and provides the aviation combat element for I Marine Expeditionary Force...
(3rd MAW) Tactical Air Command Center (TACC)
At the conclusion of major offensive operations, most elements of MACG-28 redeployed home. In early 2004, MACG-28 deployed VMU-2 and an Air Traffic Control Detachment from MACS-2, and B CO, MWCS-28 to Al Taqqadum Airfield in Al Anbar Province, Iraq. At the start of 2005, MACG-28 deployed its Headquarters, MTACS-28, MACS-2, 2nd LAAD, MASS-1, MWCS-28 back to Iraq. The units of MACG-28 maintained air command and control, wing communications, and ISR of the MEF battlespace for the duration of 2005, then the majority redeployed back to the states.
In January 2007, MACG-28 again deployed all its units and tactical agencies once again to Iraq. For the foreseeable future, MACG-28 will stand ready to go wherever called in order to provide tactical aviation command and control across the MEF battlespace, integrated UAV ISR, and communications support to 2D Marine Aircraft Wing.
In January 2009, MACG-28 deployed all units (with the exception of 2nd LAAD) to Operation Iraqi Freedom. They were the last Marine units to control the airspace in western Iraq. Several detachments of the group have also deployed to Operation Enduring Freedom as part of Marine Aircraft Group 40
Marine Aircraft Group 40
Marine Aircraft Group 40 is a composite United States Marine Corps aviation unit that is based in Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point and currently deployed to Afghanistan...
.
See also
- Organization of the United States Marine CorpsOrganization of the United States Marine CorpsThe United States Marine Corps is organized within the Department of the Navy, which is led by the Secretary of the Navy . The most senior Marine officer is the Commandant of the Marine Corps, responsible for organizing, recruiting, training, and equipping the Marine Corps so that it is ready for...
- List of United States Marine Corps aviation support units