Marine Air Support Squadron 3
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
| Marine Air Support Squadron 3 | |
|---|---|
 MASS 3 insignia |
|
| Active | |
| Country | United States |
| Branch | USMC |
| Type | Aviation command and control |
| Role | Provide the DASC |
| Part of | Marine Air Control Group 38 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing |
| Garrison/HQ | Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton |
| Nickname | "Blacklist" |
| Motto | Ulla Tempore, Ullo Situ "Any time, Any place" |
| Engagements | Vietnam War * Battle of Khe Sahn Operation Desert Storm Operation Iraqi Freedom * 2003 invasion of Iraq |
| Commanders | |
| Current commander |
LtCol R.K. Hilberer |
Marine Air Support Squadron 3 (MASS-3), is a United States Marine Corps aviation command and control unit that provides the Direct Air Support Center (DASC) for the 1st Marine Expeditionary Force. They are based out of the 32 Area on Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton, California and fall under the command of Marine Air Control Group 38 and the 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing.
Contents |
[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) Operations.”
[edit] History
[edit] Early years
Marine Tactical Air Control Group 2 was formed on August 3, 1950 as part of the 1st Marine Aircraft Wing. Later that month they were redesignated as Marine Tactical Air Control Squadron 3 (MTACS-3) under Marine Air Control Group 2. On March 28, 1951 they moved under the control of Marine Air Control Group 3 (MACG-3).
The original Marine Air Support Squadron was composed of a Direct Air Support Center (DASC), and three Air Support Radar Teams (ASRTs). They utilized the AN/TSQ-122 Direct Air Support Central. The AN/TSQ-122 was a large control system housed in a rigid fiberglass modular structure. To provide an echelon capability, the MASS squadron also operated and maintained the AN/UYQ-3 air/mobile DASC. The AN/UYQ-3 could operate in a modified KC-130 aircraft, as well as on the back of a 2 1/2 ton truck. Together, the Marine Air Support Squadron was capable of supporting the full range of MAGTFs, up to and including a MarineAmphibious Force (MAF).
They received their current designation of Marine Air Support Squadron 3 on February 15, 1954. In October 1962, MASS-3 deployed to the Caribbean during the Cuban Missile Crisis but in December of that year were relocated to Marine Corps Air Station El Toro.
[edit] Vietnam War
- See "History" under Direct Air Support Center.
MASS-3 operated in Vietnam from November 1966 until June 1971. On January 16 and 17, 1968, Air Support Radar Team B (ASRT-B) from MASS-3 displaced from Chu Lai to Khe Sanh to handle ground controlled radar bombing missions. On January 20 the DASC was brought into Khe Sahn as well.[1]
During their time in Vietnam, MASS-3 Air Support Radar Teams controlled more than 38,010 AN/TPQ-10 missions, directing more than 121,000 tons of ordnance on 56,753 targets. They operated from Chu Lai and Da Nang during this time.
[edit] The 1980s and 1990s
In May of 1980, MASS-3 again relocated, this time to Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton. In August of 1990, the unit was deployed to Saudi Arabia and later participated in Operation Desert Storm returning home in March 1991.
[edit] Operation Iraqi Freedom
MASS 3 began sending units to Kuwait in October of 2002 as part of the troop build-up for what would become Operation Iraqi Freedom. MASS-3 provided air support for the 1st Marine Division from the Kuwaiti border to Tikrit and had units remain in country until the division redeployed in October of 2003. MASS-3 returned to Iraq in January of 2004 and provided air support for the Division again until January of 2004. They again deployed to Iraq in early 2006 for the third time.[2] The unit deployed for another year long tour in Iraq beginning in early 2008.
[edit] Unit awards
A unit citation or commendation is an award bestowed upon an organization for the action cited. Members of the unit who participated in said actions are allowed to wear on their uniforms the awarded unit citation. MASS-3 has been presented with the following awards:
| Ribbon | Unit Award |
 |
Presidential Unit Citation with one Bronze Star |
 |
Navy Unit Commendation with one Bronze Star |
 |
Meritorious Unit Commendation with three Bronze Stars |
 |
National Defense Service Medal with two Bronze Stars |
 |
Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal |
 |
Southwest Asia Service Medal with two Bronze Stars |
 |
Vietnam Service Medal with two Silver Stars and one Bronze Star |
 |
Vietnam Cross of Gallantry with Palm Streamer |
 |
Vietnam Meritorious Unit Citation Civil Action Medal |
 |
Iraq Campaign Medal |
 |
Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal |
 |
Global War on Terrorism Service Medal |
[edit] See also
- List of United States Marine Corps aviation support squadrons
- Organization of the United States Marine Corps
[edit] Notes
- ^ Khe Sahn Vietnam War Chronology. www.patriotfiles.com. Retrieved on 2007-12-24.
- ^ http://www.usmc.mil/marinelink/mcn2000.nsf/main5/4256A52F84CC591F8525715F00353EB4?opendocument MASS-3 links ground to air in Fallujah]
[edit] References
This article incorporates text in the public domain from the United States Marine Corps.
- Bibliography
- Web
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