Marine Wing Support Group 17
Encyclopedia
Marine Wing Support Group 17 (MWSG-17) is a United States Marine Corps
aviation ground support unit based at Marine Corps Base Camp Butler, Japan
. They are currently composed of two squadrons that provide the 1st Marine Aircraft Wing
(1st MAW) and III Marine Expeditionary Force
with complete airfield operation services (less air traffic control), engineer and transportation support, medical assistance, food services, security support, and other direct combat and combat service support to the Aviation Combat Element
.
, Japan where its Marines served until 1966. That year it was re-designated as Marine Wing Support Group 17 and deployed to the Republic of Vietnam. MWSG-17 actively participated in the Vietnam War
from September 1966 until August 1970 while operating from Da Nang Air Base
, Vietnam. During this period, the Group earned a Presidential Unit Citation
as well as a Meritorious Unit Commendation
. In the summer of 1970, MWSG-17 returned home from Vietnam to MCAS Iwakuni. Nine years later, MWSG-17 moved to Okinawa, Japan and took up residence at Camp Foster
.
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 ground support unit based at Marine Corps Base Camp Butler, 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...
. They are currently composed of two squadrons that provide the 1st Marine Aircraft Wing
1st Marine Aircraft Wing
The 1st Marine Aircraft Wing is an aviation unit of the United States Marine Corps that serves as the Aviation Combat Element of the III Marine Expeditionary Force. The wing is headquartered at Camp Foster on the island of Okinawa, Japan...
(1st MAW) and III Marine Expeditionary Force
III Marine Expeditionary Force
The III Marine Expeditionary Force is a Marine Air-Ground Task Force of the United States Marine Corps that is forward-deployed and able to deploy rapidly and conduct operations across the spectrum from humanitarian assistance and disaster relief to amphibious assault and high intensity combat. III...
with complete airfield operation services (less air traffic control), engineer and transportation support, medical assistance, food services, security support, and other direct combat and combat service support to the 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...
.
Mission
Provide the 1st Marine Aircraft Wing with organic and deployable aviation ground support to contingencies and exercises within the USPACOM area of responsibility.Subordinate units
- Marine Wing Support Squadron 171Marine Wing Support Squadron 171Marine Wing Support Squadron 171 is an aviation ground support unit of the United States Marine Corps. Known as "America's Squadron", they are based out of Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni, Japan...
- Marine Wing Support Squadron 172Marine Wing Support Squadron 172Marine Wing Support Squadron 172 is an aviation ground support unit of the United States Marine Corps. Known as the "Firebirds", they are based out of Marine Corps Air Station Futenma, Okinawa, Japan...
- Personnel Support Detachment 17
History
Marine Wing Support Group 17 was activated on July 1, 1953 at Itami, Japan and designated as Marine Wing Service Group 17. Later that same year, MWSG-17 was relocated to Marine Corps Air Station IwakuniMarine Corps Air Station Iwakuni
Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni or MCAS Iwakuni is a United States Marine Corps air station located in the Nishiki river delta, southeast of the Iwakuni Station in the city of Iwakuni, Yamaguchi in Japan.-Tenant commands:...
, Japan where its Marines served until 1966. That year it was re-designated as Marine Wing Support Group 17 and deployed to the Republic of Vietnam. MWSG-17 actively participated in the Vietnam War
Vietnam War
The Vietnam War was a Cold War-era military conflict that occurred in Vietnam, Laos, and Cambodia from 1 November 1955 to the fall of Saigon on 30 April 1975. This war followed the First Indochina War and was fought between North Vietnam, supported by its communist allies, and the government of...
from September 1966 until August 1970 while operating from Da Nang Air Base
Da Nang Air Base
Da Nang Air Base was a Republic of Vietnam Air Force facility. The United States used it as a major base during the Vietnam War , stationing Army, Air Force, Navy, and Marine units there...
, Vietnam. During this period, the Group earned a Presidential Unit Citation
Presidential 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...
as well as a Meritorious Unit Commendation
Meritorious Unit Commendation
The 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....
. In the summer of 1970, MWSG-17 returned home from Vietnam to MCAS Iwakuni. Nine years later, MWSG-17 moved to Okinawa, Japan and took up residence at Camp Foster
Camp Foster
Camp Foster, formerly known as Camp Zukeran, is a United States Marine Corps camp located in Ginowan City on the Japanese prefecture island of Okinawa. It is part of the Marine Corps Base Camp Smedley D. Butler complex, and named after the Medal of Honor recipient PFC William A...
.
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 squadrons