Marine Aviation Logistics Squadron 13

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Marine Aviation Logistics Squadron 13
MALS-13 Insignia
Active	March 1, 1942 - November 30, 1945 March 15, 1951 - present
Country	United States
Branch	USMC
Type	Logistics
Role	Aviation logistics support
Part of	Marine Aircraft Group 13 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing
Garrison/HQ	Marine Corps Air Station Yuma
Nickname	Black Widows
Battles/wars	World War II Vietnam War Operation Desert Storm Operation Enduring Freedom Operation Iraqi Freedom
Commanders
Current commander	LtCol Joseph Knapp

Marine Aviation Logistics Squadron 13 (MALS-13) is an aviation logistics support unit of the United States Marine Corps. Known as the "Black Widows", they are currently based at Marine Corps Air Station Yuma and part of Marine Aircraft Group 13, and the 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing.

1 Mission Statement
2 Squadron organization
3 History
- 3.1 Global War on Terror
- 3.2 Awards
4 See also
5 External links

[edit] Mission Statement

Provide aviaiton logistics support, guidance and direction to Marine Aircraft Group (MAG) squadrons; as well as logistics support for navy funded equipment in the supporting Marine Wing Support Squadron (MWSS), Marine Air Control Squadron and Marine Aircraft Wing/mobile calibration complex.

[edit] Squadron organization

Headquarters
Medical department
Aviation Supply department
Aircraft Maintenance department
Aviation Ordinance department
Aviation Information Systems department

[edit] History

Marine Aviation Logistics Squadron 13 was activated on March 1, 1942 at San Diego, California as Headquarters and Service Squadron 13. The squadron saw frequent action in the Pacific theater during World War II before being deactivated on November 30, 1945.

The squadron was reactivated March 15, 1951, at Marine Corps Air Station El Toro, California, as Headquarters and Maintenance Squadron 13. During September 1966, the squadron deployed to the Republic of Vietnam and remained until October 1970. The squadron was then relocated to El Toro, California, and assigned to the 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing until October 1, 1987, when the squadron moved to MCAS Yuma.

On October 5, 1988, the Headquarters and Maintenance Squadron within the Marine Aircraft Group (MAG) was replaced by the creation of the Marine Aviation Logistics Squadron (MALS). During the period of August 10, 1990 to October 1991, Marines from Marine Aviation Logistics Squadron 13 responded expeditiously in providing aviation logistics support during Operation Desert Storm.

[edit] Global War on Terror

In October 2002, the Squadron was tasked with providing support to six AV-8B Harrier aircraft in combat operations in Afghanistan during Operation Enduring Freedom. This detachment of MALS-13 personnel returned October 2003. On 15 January 2003, Marine Aviation Logistics Squadron 13 embarked 205 Marines and equipment aboard the USS Bonhomme Richard in support of combat operations in Southwest Asia, deploying detachments ashore with MALS-13 Forward during Operation Southern Watch and Operation Iraqi Freedom at Al Jaber Air Base, Kuwait and An Numiniyah Expeditionary Air Field, Iraq. In May 2003, Marine Aviation Logistics Squadron 13 disembarked USS Bonhomme Richard and returned to MCAS Yuma.