Marine Air Control Squadron 1
Encyclopedia
Marine Air Control Squadron 1 (MACS-1) is a United States Marine Corps
aviation command and control squadron . The squadron provides aerial surveillance, air traffic control
, ground-controlled intercept
, and aviation data-link connectivity for the I Marine Expeditionary Force. They are based at Marine Corps Air Station Yuma
and fall under Marine Air Control Group 38
and the 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing
.
(MAGTF), and Joint Force Commander.
, North Carolina
, as Air Warning Squadron 1, 1st Marine Air Warning Group, 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing
. In November 1943 they relocated to Miramar
, San Diego, California and were reassigned to Marine Fleet Air, West Coast.
The squadron deployed during January 1944 to Pearl Harbor
, Hawaii and in February 1944 were reassigned to Marine Aircraft Group 22, 4th
Marine Base Defense Aircraft Wing. During World War II
they participated in the Marshall Islands Campaign and the Battle of Okinawa
.
Following the war the squadron was reassigned and relocated numerous time to include:
, Battle of Chosin Reservoir
and fighting on the East Central Front, Western Front. During the war they were reassigned in October 1950 to Marine Aircraft Group 12
and in April 1951 to Marine Air Control Group 2. MACS-1 participated in the defense of the Korean Demilitarized Zone
from July 1953 through March 1955. Finally on 15 February 1954 they received their current moniker Marine Air Control Squadron 1. In April 1955 to they redeployed to Naval Air Facility Atsugi
, Japan, and reassigned to Marine Aircraft Group 11
.
, Arizona
, and reassigned to Marine Wing Headquarters Group, 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing.
On 1 February 1972, the squadron was deactivated. 11 years later in October 1983 the squadron was reactivated at Camp Pendleton, California, as Marine
Air Control Squadron 1, Marine Air Control Group 38, 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing. They also participated in Operation Desert Shield in Southwest Asia from August until October 1990, though some elements of MACS-1 remained in Saudi Arabia in support of MACS-2.
MACS-1 Relocated during Jun 1998 to Marine Corps Air Station Yuma, Arizona. Elements supported Operation Southern Watch
, Iraq, March–April 2000 and in November–December 2000, and May–June 2001.
in February 2003 and participating in Operation Iraqi Freedom from March 2003 to present, both as an Air Control agency, and subsequently standing up several Security Companies.
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 squadron . The squadron provides aerial surveillance, 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...
, ground-controlled intercept
Ground-controlled interception
Ground-controlled interception an air defense tactic whereby one or more radar stations are linked to a command communications centre which guides interceptor aircraft to an airborne target. This tactic was pioneered during World War II by the Royal Air Force with the Luftwaffe to follow closely...
, and aviation data-link connectivity for the I Marine Expeditionary Force. They are based at Marine Corps Air Station Yuma
Marine Corps Air Station Yuma
Marine Corps Air Station Yuma or MCAS Yuma is a United States Marine Corps air station which is the home to multiple squadrons of AV-8B Harrier IIs of the 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing, Marine Aviation Weapons and Tactics Squadron 1 and Marine Fighter Training Squadron 401 , an air combat adversary...
and fall under Marine Air Control Group 38
Marine Air Control Group 38
Marine Air Control Group 38 is a United States Marine Corps aviation command and control unit based at Marine Corps Air Station Miramar that is currently composed of 5 squadrons and 1 battalion that provide the 3rd Marine Aircraft Wings tactical headquarters, positive and procedural control to...
and 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...
.
Subordinate units
| Name | Location |
|---|---|
| Headquarters and Support Detachment | MCAS Yuma |
| Air Traffic Control Detachment Alpha | MCB Pendleton |
| Air Traffic Control Detachment Bravo | MCAS Miramar |
| Air Traffic Control Detachment Charlie | MCAS Yuma |
| Air Traffic Control Detachment Delta | MCAS Yuma |
| Early Warning Control Detachment | MCAS Miramar |
| Tactical Air Operations Center Detachment | MCAS Yuma |
| Expeditionary Air Field Detachment | MCB 29 Palms Marine Corps Air Ground Combat Center Twentynine Palms The Marine Corps Air Ground Combat Center , also known as 29 Palms, is a United States Marine Corps base. It was a census-designated place officially known as Twentynine Palms Base located adjacent to the city of Twentynine Palms in southern San Bernardino County, California. As of the 2000... |
Mission
Provide air surveillance, airspace management and the control of aircraft and surface-to-air weapons for anti-air warfare and offensive air support while independently or simultaneously providing continuous all-weather radar and non-radar ATC services as in integral part of the Marine Air Command and Control system (MACCS) in support of a Marine Air-Ground Task ForceMarine Air-Ground Task Force
The Marine Air-Ground Task Force is a term used by the United States Marine Corps to describe the principal organization for all missions across the range of military operations. MAGTFs are a balanced air-ground, combined arms task organization of Marine Corps forces under a single commander that...
(MAGTF), and Joint Force Commander.
World War II
Marine Air Control Squadron 1 was activated on 1 September 1943 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...
, as Air Warning Squadron 1, 1st Marine Air Warning Group, 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...
. In November 1943 they relocated to Miramar
Marine Corps Air Station Miramar
Marine Corps Air Station Miramar , formerly Naval Air Station Miramar is a United States Marine Corps installation that is home to the 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing, which is the aviation element of the 1st Marine Expeditionary Force...
, San Diego, California and were reassigned to Marine Fleet Air, West Coast.
The squadron deployed during January 1944 to Pearl Harbor
Pearl Harbor
Pearl Harbor, known to Hawaiians as Puuloa, is a lagoon harbor on the island of Oahu, Hawaii, west of Honolulu. Much of the harbor and surrounding lands is a United States Navy deep-water naval base. It is also the headquarters of the U.S. Pacific Fleet...
, Hawaii and in February 1944 were reassigned to Marine Aircraft Group 22, 4th
Marine Base Defense Aircraft Wing. During World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
they participated in the Marshall Islands Campaign and the Battle of Okinawa
Battle of Okinawa
The Battle of Okinawa, codenamed Operation Iceberg, was fought on the Ryukyu Islands of Okinawa and was the largest amphibious assault in the Pacific War of World War II. The 82-day-long battle lasted from early April until mid-June 1945...
.
Following the war the squadron was reassigned and relocated numerous time to include:
- August 1945 to Marine Air Defense Command 2, 2nd Marine Aircraft Wing.
- February 1946 to Marine Air Defense Command 2, 4th Marine Aircraft Wing.
- March 1946 to Marine Air Defense Command 2, Air, Fleet Marine Force, Pacific.
- April 1946 to Miramar, San Diego, California, and reassigned to Marine Air Warning Group 2, Marine Air, West Coast.
- Relocated 1 August 1946 as Marine Ground Control Intercept Squadron 1, Marine Air Control Group 2, Marine Air, West Coast.
- Relocated during July 1947 to Marine Corps Base Camp PendletonMarine Corps Base Camp PendletonMarine Corps Base Camp Pendleton is the major West Coast base of the United States Marine Corps and serves as its prime amphibious training base...
, California. - Reassigned during October 1947 to Marine Air Control Group 2, 1st Marine Aircraft Wing.
Korean War
Marine Ground Control Intercept Squadron 1 was reassigned during July 1950 to Marine Aircraft Group 33 and subsequently deployed to the Republic of Korea. During the conflict they participated in the Battle of InchonBattle of Inchon
The Battle of Inchon was an amphibious invasion and battle of the Korean War that resulted in a decisive victory and strategic reversal in favor of the United Nations . The operation involved some 75,000 troops and 261 naval vessels, and led to the recapture of the South Korean capital Seoul two...
, Battle of Chosin Reservoir
Battle of Chosin Reservoir
The Battle of Chosin Reservoir, also known as the Chosin Reservoir Campaign or the Changjin Lake Campaign ,Official Chinese sources refer to this battle as the Second Phase Campaign Eastern Sector . The Western Sector is the Battle of the Ch'ongch'on River. was a decisive battle in the Korean War...
and fighting on the East Central Front, Western Front. During the war they were reassigned in October 1950 to Marine Aircraft Group 12
Marine Aircraft Group 12
Marine Aircraft Group 12 is an active air group of the United States Marine Corps, tasked with providing assault support aircraft. It is currently part of the 1st Marine Aircraft Wing , itself an integral part of the III Marine Expeditionary Force, and based at MCAS Iwakuni in Japan.-Mission:The...
and in April 1951 to Marine Air Control Group 2. MACS-1 participated in the defense of the Korean Demilitarized Zone
Korean Demilitarized Zone
The Korean Demilitarized Zone is a strip of land running across the Korean Peninsula that serves as a buffer zone between North and South Korea. The DMZ cuts the Korean Peninsula roughly in half, crossing the 38th parallel on an angle, with the west end of the DMZ lying south of the parallel and...
from July 1953 through March 1955. Finally on 15 February 1954 they received their current moniker Marine Air Control Squadron 1. In April 1955 to they redeployed to Naval Air Facility Atsugi
Naval Air Facility Atsugi
is a naval air base located in the cities of Yamato and Ayase in Kanagawa Prefecture, Japan. It is the largest United States Navy air base in the Pacific Ocean and houses the squadrons of Carrier Air Wing 5, which deploys with the aircraft carrier...
, Japan, and reassigned to Marine Aircraft Group 11
Marine Aircraft Group 11
Marine Aircraft Group 11 is a United States Marine Corps aviation unit based at Marine Corps Air Station Miramar that is currently composed of three F/A-18C squadrons, three F/A-18D squadrons, one fleet readiness squadron, one KC-130 tactical aerial refueling squadron and a maintenance and...
.
1960 through 1990s
The squadron was reduced to cadre status during March–April 1960. They were relocated during May 1960 to Marine Corps Air Station YumaMarine Corps Air Station Yuma
Marine Corps Air Station Yuma or MCAS Yuma is a United States Marine Corps air station which is the home to multiple squadrons of AV-8B Harrier IIs of the 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing, Marine Aviation Weapons and Tactics Squadron 1 and Marine Fighter Training Squadron 401 , an air combat adversary...
, Arizona
Arizona
Arizona ; is a state located in the southwestern region of the United States. It is also part of the western United States and the mountain west. The capital and largest city is Phoenix...
, and reassigned to Marine Wing Headquarters Group, 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing.
On 1 February 1972, the squadron was deactivated. 11 years later in October 1983 the squadron was reactivated at Camp Pendleton, California, as Marine
Air Control Squadron 1, Marine Air Control Group 38, 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing. They also participated in Operation Desert Shield in Southwest Asia from August until October 1990, though some elements of MACS-1 remained in Saudi Arabia in support of MACS-2.
MACS-1 Relocated during Jun 1998 to Marine Corps Air Station Yuma, Arizona. Elements supported Operation Southern Watch
Operation Southern Watch
Operation Southern Watch was an operation conducted by Joint Task Force Southwest Asia with the mission of monitoring and controlling airspace south of the 32nd Parallel in Iraq, following the 1991 Gulf War until the 2003 invasion of Iraq.-Summary:Operation Southern Watch began on 27 August 1992...
, Iraq, March–April 2000 and in November–December 2000, and May–June 2001.
Global War on Terror
Elements of MACS-1 supported Operation Enduring Freedom, in Afghanistan from January–May 2002. This was followed by a deployment to KuwaitKuwait
The State of Kuwait is a sovereign Arab state situated in the north-east of the Arabian Peninsula in Western Asia. It is bordered by Saudi Arabia to the south at Khafji, and Iraq to the north at Basra. It lies on the north-western shore of the Persian Gulf. The name Kuwait is derived from the...
in February 2003 and participating in Operation Iraqi Freedom from March 2003 to present, both as an Air Control agency, and subsequently standing up several Security Companies.
Notable former members
- Lee Harvey OswaldLee Harvey OswaldLee Harvey Oswald was, according to four government investigations,These were investigations by: the Federal Bureau of Investigation , the Warren Commission , the House Select Committee on Assassinations , and the Dallas Police Department. the sniper who assassinated John F...
– fatally shot President John F. KennedyJohn F. KennedyJohn Fitzgerald "Jack" Kennedy , often referred to by his initials JFK, was the 35th President of the United States, serving from 1961 until his assassination in 1963....
in 1963.
Unit awards
- Presidential Unit CitationPresidential Unit Citation (US)The Presidential Unit Citation, originally called the Distinguished Unit Citation, is awarded to units of the Armed Forces of the United States and allies for extraordinary heroism in action against an armed enemy on or after 7 December 1941...
with 3 Bronze Stars.
-
- Battle of OkinawaBattle of OkinawaThe Battle of Okinawa, codenamed Operation Iceberg, was fought on the Ryukyu Islands of Okinawa and was the largest amphibious assault in the Pacific War of World War II. The 82-day-long battle lasted from early April until mid-June 1945...
– 1945. - Korean WarKorean WarThe Korean War was a conventional war between South Korea, supported by the United Nations, and North Korea, supported by the People's Republic of China , with military material aid from the Soviet Union...
– 1950 & 1951. - Operation Iraqi Freedom – 2003
Presidential Unit Citation (Army) StreamerPresidential Unit Citation (US)The Presidential Unit Citation, originally called the Distinguished Unit Citation, is awarded to units of the Armed Forces of the United States and allies for extraordinary heroism in action against an armed enemy on or after 7 December 1941...
.
- Korean War – 1951
Navy Unit CommendationNavy Unit CommendationThe Navy Unit Commendation of the United States Navy is an award that was established by order of the Secretary of the Navy James Forrestal on 18 December 1944...
with 1 Bronze Star.
- Korean War – 1952–1953.
- Operation Desert Storm – 1990.
Meritorious Unit CommendationMeritorious Unit CommendationThe Meritorious Unit Commendation is a mid-level unit award of the United States military which is awarded to any military command which displays exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding service, heroic deeds, or valorous actions....
with 2 Bronze Stars.
- 1985–1987, 1988–1989, 1998–1999.
Asiatic-Pacific Campaign MedalAsiatic-Pacific Campaign MedalThe Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal is a service decoration of the Second World War which was awarded to any member of the United States military who served in the Pacific Theater from 1941 to 1945 and was created on November 6, 1942 by issued by President Franklin D. Roosevelt. The medal was...
with 2 Bronze Stars.
World War II Victory MedalWorld War II Victory MedalThe World War II Victory Medal is a decoration of the United States military which was created by an act of Congress in July 1945. The decoration commemorates military service during World War II and is awarded to any member of the United States military, including members of the armed forces of...
.
Navy Occupation Service MedalNavy Occupation Service MedalThe Navy Occupation Service Medal is a decoration of the United States Navy which was issued to Navy, Marine Corps, and Coast Guard personnel who participated in the European and Asian occupation forces following the close of the World War II. The decoration was also bestowed to personnel who...
with “Asia.”
National Defense Service MedalNational Defense Service MedalThe National Defense Service Medal is a military service medal of the United States military originally commissioned by President Dwight D. Eisenhower...
with 3 Bronze Stars.
Korean Service MedalKorean Service MedalThe Korean Service Medal is an award of the United States military and was created in November 1950 by executive order of President Harry Truman. The Korean Service Medal is the primary United States medal for participation in the Korean War and is awarded to any U.S. service member, who...
with 1 Silver and 3 Bronze Stars.
Southwest Asia Service MedalSouthwest Asia Service MedalThe Southwest Asia Service Medal is a military award of the United States armed forces which was created by order of President George H.W. Bush on March 12, 1991. The award is intended to recognize those military service members who performed duty during the years of the Persian Gulf War...
with 1 Bronze Star.
Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary MedalGlobal War on Terrorism Expeditionary MedalThe Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal is a United States armed forces military award created by George W. Bush on March 12, 2003 by Executive Order 13289. It recognizes those military service members who have deployed overseas in direct service to the War on Terror from September 11,...
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Korean Presidential Unit Citation.
- Battle of Okinawa
See also
- AN/TPS-59AN/TPS-59The AN/TPS-59 is a phased array, 3-dimensional, transportable air search radar.The radar uses electronical beam steering in elevation and mechanical steering in azimuth.It is similar to the AN/FPS-117.-GE-592 radar:...
- United States Marine Corps AviationUnited States Marine Corps AviationUnited States Marine Corps Aviation is the air component of the United States Marine Corps. Marine aviation has a very different mission and operation than its ground counterpart, and thus, has many of its own histories, traditions, terms, and procedures....
- 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