Marine Air Control Group 48
Encyclopedia
Marine Air Control Group 48 (MACG-48) is a United States Marine Corps
aviation command and control unit based at Naval Station Great Lakes
that is currently composed of 6 squadrons that provide the 4th Marine Aircraft Wing
and Marine Forces Reserve with a tactical headquarters, positive and procedural control of aircraft, air defense and aviation command and control.
and assigned to 4th Marine Aircraft Wing. From the late 1960s through the 1970s and 1980s, MACG-48 participated in many training exercises, honing its combat skills and refining its tactics, techniques and procedures in order to keep abreast of the ever changing C3 community.
From August 1990 to April 1991, MACG-48 Marines deployed in support of Operation Desert Shield and Operation Desert Storm augmenting the active duty component. Upon the unit’s return to Illinois, the control group continued its support of numerous exercises across the globe. The group focused its training on the tactics, techniques and procedures critical for success in the Southwest Asia
region, using lessons learned during combat.
In August 1995, MACG-48 relocated to Fort Sheridan in Highwood, Illinois
. After five years in Highwood, the Group Headquarters moved again to its current location aboard Naval Station Great Lakes near Chicago, Illinois.
While at Great Lakes, MACG-48 mobilized Marines twice in support of Operation Enduring Freedom and Operation Iraqi Freedom. From August 2002 to November 2003 and again from August 2004 to February 2005, over 1400 Marines from MACG-48 were activated in support of the Global War on Terror
. During December 2004, Marines activated to augment units in support of Combined Joint Task Force – Horn of Africa in Djibouti
.
In August 2005, Hurricane Katrina
ravaged the Gulf Coast of the United States
. Once again, Marines from MACG-48 were called upon to provide command and control expertise and long haul communication support in support of disaster relief efforts. From September to October 2005, one hundred Marines augmented Joint Task Force Katrina
in New Orleans, Louisiana
.
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 Naval Station Great Lakes
Naval Station Great Lakes
Naval Station Great Lakes is the home of the United States Navy's only boot camp, located near the city of North Chicago, Illinois, in Lake County. Important tenant commands include the Recruit Training Command, Training Support Center and Navy Recruiting District Chicago...
that is currently composed of 6 squadrons that provide the 4th Marine Aircraft Wing
4th Marine Aircraft Wing
The 4th Marine Aircraft Wing is the reserve airwing of the United States Marine Corps. It is headquartered in New Orleans, Louisiana but its subordinate units are scattered throughout the United States...
and Marine Forces Reserve with a tactical headquarters, positive and procedural control of aircraft, air defense and aviation command and control.
Mission
Coordinate all aspects of air command and control and air defense within the Marine aircraft wing. Provide the command and staff functions for the MACG commander when deployed as part of the aviation combat element (ACE) of the Marine Air Ground Task Force.Subordinate units
- Marine Air Control Squadron 23Marine Air Control Squadron 23Marine Air Control Squadron 23 is a reserve United States Marine Corps aviation command and control squadron. The squadron provides aerial surveillance and air traffic control for the Marine Forces Reserve...
- Marine Air Control Squadron 24Marine Air Control Squadron 24Marine Air Control Squadron 24 is a reserve United States Marine Corps aviation command and control squadron. The squadron provides aerial surveillance and air traffic control for the Marine Forces Reserve. They are headquartered in Virginia Beach, Virginia with an outlying detachment at Naval Air...
- Marine Air Support Squadron 6Marine Air Support Squadron 6Marine Air Support Squadron 6 , is a reserve United States Marine Corps aviation command and control unit that provides the Direct Air Support Center for the Marine Forces Reserve...
- Marine Tactical Air Command Squadron 48
- Marine Wing Communications Squadron 48Marine Wing Communications Squadron 48Marine Wing Communications Squadron 48 is a reserve United States Marine Corps communications squadron. The squadron provides expeditionary communications for the aviation combat element of the Marine Forces Reserve...
- Marine Unmanned Aerial Vehicle Squadron 4VMU-4Marine Unmanned Aerial Vehicle Squadron 4 is an unmanned aerial vehicle squadron in the United States Marine Corps that operates the RQ-7B Shadow. It is the fourth UAV squadron in the Marine Corps and the first in the reserve component...
(VMU-4VMU-4Marine Unmanned Aerial Vehicle Squadron 4 is an unmanned aerial vehicle squadron in the United States Marine Corps that operates the RQ-7B Shadow. It is the fourth UAV squadron in the Marine Corps and the first in the reserve component...
)
History
Marine Air Control Group 48 was activated on September 1, 1967 at Glenview, IllinoisGlenview, Cook County, Illinois
Glenview is a suburban village located approximately north of downtown Chicago in Cook County, Illinois. As of the 2000 census, the village population was 41,847...
and assigned to 4th Marine Aircraft Wing. From the late 1960s through the 1970s and 1980s, MACG-48 participated in many training exercises, honing its combat skills and refining its tactics, techniques and procedures in order to keep abreast of the ever changing C3 community.
From August 1990 to April 1991, MACG-48 Marines deployed in support of Operation Desert Shield and Operation Desert Storm augmenting the active duty component. Upon the unit’s return to Illinois, the control group continued its support of numerous exercises across the globe. The group focused its training on the tactics, techniques and procedures critical for success in the Southwest Asia
Southwest Asia
Western Asia, West Asia, Southwest Asia or Southwestern Asia are terms that describe the westernmost portion of Asia. The terms are partly coterminous with the Middle East, which describes a geographical position in relation to Western Europe rather than its location within Asia...
region, using lessons learned during combat.
In August 1995, MACG-48 relocated to Fort Sheridan in Highwood, Illinois
Highwood, Illinois
Highwood is a city in the Moraine Township of Lake County, Illinois, United States. The population was 4,143 at the 2000 census. Highwood is a neighbor to Highland Park and the two share a weekly newspaper and school district. An attempt was made in 2005 to convert Highwood to a home rule city, but...
. After five years in Highwood, the Group Headquarters moved again to its current location aboard Naval Station Great Lakes near Chicago, Illinois.
While at Great Lakes, MACG-48 mobilized Marines twice in support of Operation Enduring Freedom and Operation Iraqi Freedom. From August 2002 to November 2003 and again from August 2004 to February 2005, over 1400 Marines from MACG-48 were activated in support of the Global War on Terror
War on Terrorism
The War on Terror is a term commonly applied to an international military campaign led by the United States and the United Kingdom with the support of other North Atlantic Treaty Organisation as well as non-NATO countries...
. During December 2004, Marines activated to augment units in support of Combined Joint Task Force – Horn of Africa in Djibouti
Djibouti
Djibouti , officially the Republic of Djibouti , is a country in the Horn of Africa. It is bordered by Eritrea in the north, Ethiopia in the west and south, and Somalia in the southeast. The remainder of the border is formed by the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden at the east...
.
In August 2005, Hurricane Katrina
Hurricane Katrina
Hurricane Katrina of the 2005 Atlantic hurricane season was a powerful Atlantic hurricane. It is the costliest natural disaster, as well as one of the five deadliest hurricanes, in the history of the United States. Among recorded Atlantic hurricanes, it was the sixth strongest overall...
ravaged the Gulf Coast of the United States
Gulf Coast of the United States
The Gulf Coast of the United States, sometimes referred to as the Gulf South, South Coast, or 3rd Coast, comprises the coasts of American states that are on the Gulf of Mexico, which includes Texas, Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama, and Florida and are known as the Gulf States...
. Once again, Marines from MACG-48 were called upon to provide command and control expertise and long haul communication support in support of disaster relief efforts. From September to October 2005, one hundred Marines augmented Joint Task Force Katrina
Joint Task Force Katrina
Joint Task Force Katrina was a joint operation between the United States Department of Defense and the Federal Emergency Management Agency created on August 31, 2005 at Camp Shelby, Mississippi to organize relief efforts along the Gulf Coast in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina. The operation was...
in New Orleans, Louisiana
Louisiana
Louisiana is a state located in the southern region of the United States of America. Its capital is Baton Rouge and largest city is New Orleans. Louisiana is the only state in the U.S. with political subdivisions termed parishes, which are local governments equivalent to counties...
.
See also
- List of United States Marine Corps aircraft groups
- List of United States Marine Corps aircraft squadrons