Marine Air Support Squadron 2
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| Marine Air Support Squadron 2 | |
|---|---|
 MASS 2 insignia |
|
| Active | 1943 |
| Country | United States |
| Branch | USMC |
| Type | Aviation command and control |
| Role | Provide the DASC |
| Part of | Marine Air Control Group 18 1st Marine Aircraft Wing |
| Garrison/HQ | Marine Corps Air Station Futenma |
| Motto | "This Deuce is Wild" |
| Battles/wars | World War II Korean War Vietnam War Operation Desert Storm Operation Enduring Freedom |
Marine Air Support Squadron 2 (MASS-2), is a United States Marine Corps aviation command and control unit that provides the Direct Air Support Center (DASC) for the III Marine Expeditionary Force. They are based out of Marine Corps Air Station Futenma, Okinawa, Japan.
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[edit] Mission
Provide Direct Air Support Center (DASC) capabilities for control and coordination of aircraft operating in direct support of Marine Air-Ground Task Force (MAGTF) Forces.
[edit] History
[edit] World War II
Marine Air Support Squadron 2 was activated January 1, 1943, atEl Centro, California, as Headquarters Squadron 43, Services Group, Marine Wings Pacific. The unit functioned as the headquarters element of Marine Aircraft Base Defense Group 43. In November 1944, the Group was assigned to Marine Aircraft Group 43. While deployed to the territory of Hawaii in January 1945, Headquarters Squadron 43 and Marine Aircraft Group 43 were reassigned to the 2nd Marine Aircraft Wing.
On February 22, MASS-2 embarked and sailed on board the USS Allendale for the western Pacific. Marine Aircraft Group 43 had been assigned a role in the forthcoming Battle of Okinawa. Its mission was first to occupy Japanese airfields and then to aid in furnishing of aerial defense for ground troops. Upon landing, the squadron assumed the responsibility of assisting in the development and operation of air warning and fighter direction facilities within the Air Defense Command. For its service during the battle for the island, the Squadron was awarded the Presidential Unit Citation.
On August 1, 1945, Headquarters Squadron 43 was re-designated as Headquarters Squadron, Marine Air Defense Command 2. Headquarters Squadron was reassigned in February 1946 to the 4th Marine Aircraft Wing and was reassigned to Air Fleet Marine Force, Pacific in March 1946 and relocated toSan Diego, California in April 1946. On August 1, 1946, the unit was designated as Headquarters Squadron, Marine Air Control Group 2 and relocated to Santa Ana, California in September of the same year. Further re-designation occurred during July 1947 when the Squadron became the Marine Tactical Air Control Squadron 2 and subsequent reassignment was made to the 1st Marine Aircraft Wing in October 1947. Its mission was as follows: to provide central control facilities for air defense and air support operations; to furnish administrative support to group headquarters; and to operate the special air control equipment as was assigned.
[edit] Korean War
Marine Tactical Air Control Squadron 2 participated in action during the Korean War at Pusan Perimeter, Inchon, Seoul, Chosin Reservoir, the East Central Front, and the Western Front. Upon arrival at Kobe, Japan on August 1, the air support section of the Squadron was ordered toPusan to control close air support missions for the 1st Provisional Marine Brigade. On September 17, the Squadron disembarked at Inchon. The Air Support section aided the 1st Marine Division by providing close air support throughout the battle. The Air Defense section provided air defense surveillance against possible enemy air intrusion. When the 1st Marine Division sailed for Wonsan, both the Air Support and defense sections of MTACS-2 sailed with them. Upon arrival at Wonsan the Air Support section debarked on 26 October 1950, establishing the TADC on Wonsan Airfield, The Air Defense section moved to nearby Hamhung and was joined by he TADC on 6 November 1950. After the successful breakout of the Chosin Reservoir, the Air Support section was transported to Masan, on the southern coast of Korea. The Air Defense section remained aboard ship and sailed for Pusan, Korea and set up the TACC for operation at K-1 Airfield. In August 1951, the Marine Air Support Radar Team 1 arrived from CONUS and was attached to MTACS-2. In March of 1952, the Air Support section moved with the 1st Marine Division to the western front near Panmunjum. The Air Defense section continued to operate the TACC of the 1st Marine Aircraft Wing from its location at K-3 Airfield. The Squadron remained in Korea for the rest of the war until the Truce was signed in July of 1953. During the period July 1953 to July 1956, Marine Tactical Air Control Squadron 2 participated in the defense of the Korean Demilitarized Zone. Approximately 6 months after the signing of the Korean armistice, on February 15, 1954, Marine Tactical Air Control Squadron 2 was re-designated as Marine Air Support Squadron 2 (MASS-2). MASS-2 was reassigned in January 1956 to Marine Wing Headquarters Group 1, 1st Marine Aircraft Wing, and was redeployed to MCAS Iwakuni, Japan, in July, 1956; to Camp Hague, Okinawa, in March, 1961, and to MCAS Futenma, Okinawa, in September 1962.
[edit] Vietnam War
MASS-2 was relocated and operated in the Republic of South Vietnam from 1965 to 1969. Early in April 1965 the Squadron was alerted for deployment to Vietnam, and on April 16, the Squadron, less Sub Unit 1 at Cubi Point, Republic of the Philippines, arrived at Da Nang on board the USS Washtenaw County. While in Vietnam, MASS-2 conducted operations at DaNang, Chu Lai, Quang Ngai, Marble Mountain, Phu Bai, Dong Ha, Camp Carroll, and Signal Hill, as well as other locations. On 10,May 1965, MASS-2 became the first unit to deploy an ASRT utilizing the AN TPQ-10 Course Directing Radar Central in combat. By the end of the year, the Squadron had established a DASC at DaNang and Chu Lai, and ASRTs also located at DaNang and Chu Lai. During 1966, the Squadron actively participated in Operations Hastings, Double Eagle, Harvest Moon, and numerous other operations with ASRTs and both fixed and mobile DASCs. The arrival of MASS-3 in 1966 relieved some of the pressure from MASS-2 and allowed the Squadron to concentrate its efforts on the northern portion of I Corps Tactical Zone, By the end of 1966, MASS-2 had established a DASC and ASRT at both Phu Bai and Dong Ha in addition to the DASC and ASRT and headquarters at DaNang. On New Years Day 1967, MASS-2 ASRTs dropped multiple TPQ-10 missions on a large force of enemy moving toward the city of Hue. Squadron deployment remained the same in 1967 as in 1966, and more than 20 major operations were supported. In August, 1967, MASS-2 was assigned to the newly activated Marine Air Control Group 18, 1st Marine Aircraft Wing. In January 1969, the Squadron assumed operational control of the Vandegrift DASC, located on Route 9 just south of the "Rockpile". Hill 55 ASRT near DaNang was deployed by helo-lift to Fire Support Base Cunningham to support the 9th Marines in Operation Dewey Canyon. When Dewey Canyon was completed, an ASRT was deployed to Fire Support Base Birmingham to support more 101st Airborne Division operations in the Ashau area. On July 10, 1969, the Vandegrift DASC was re-designated a Helicopter Direction Center and continued to operate in this capacity in support of the remaining units of the 3rd Marine Division. Then, with its mission completed, Dong Ha DASC closed on 4 November 1969.
The Squadron redeployed to Iwakuni, Japan, in 1969 and, in 1973, became home-based at MCAS Futenma, Okinawa. MASS-2, operating as an agency of the Marine Air Command and Control System of the 1st Marine Aircraft Wing, supports the III Marine Expeditionary Force by providing DASC and ASRT combat support to all Marine Air-Ground Task Forces in the Western Pacific
[edit] Global War on Terror
Personnel from MASS-2 have augmented other units deploying to Afghanistan in support of Operation Enduring Freedom. They have also provided Marines for the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit which has deployed to Iraq in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom.
