Marine Wing Support Squadron 273
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| Marine Wing Support Squadron 273 | |
|---|---|
 MWSS 273 insignia |
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| Active | |
| Country | United States |
| Branch | USMC |
| Type | Aviation ground support squadron |
| Part of | Marine Wing Support Group 27 2nd Marine Aircraft Wing |
| Garrison/HQ | Marine Corps Air Station Beaufort |
| Nickname | Sweathogs |
| Motto | "Send in the Sweathogs!" |
| Engagements | Operation Desert Storm Operation Iraqi Freedom Operation Allied Force |
Marine Wing Support Squadron 273 (MWSS 273) is an aviation ground support unit of the United States Marine Corps. They are based out of Marine Corps Air Station Beaufort, South Carolina. The squadron is part of Marine Wing Support Group 27 and the 2nd Marine Aircraft Wing.
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[edit] Mission
Provide all essential aviation ground support to a designated fixed-wing component of a Marine Aviation Combat Element (ACE), and all supporting or attached elements of the Marine Air Control Group (MACG). This support includes: internal airfield communications, weather services, expeditionary airfield services, aircraft rescue and firefighting, aircraft and ground refueling, essential engineering services, motor transport, messing, chemical defense, security and law enforcement, airbase commandant functions, and explosive ordinance disposal. Additionally, in garrison MWSS-273 is tasked to supplement air station facilities and services provided by Marine Corps Air Station Beaufort, SC.
[edit] History
On June 13, 1986, MWSS-273 was formed at Marine Corps Air Station Beaufort, South Carolina, from elements of Marine Air Base Squadron 31, and Detachment Bravo, Marine Wing Support Group 27.
In 1989, MWSS-273 provided extensive disaster relief support to the city of Charleston, South Carolina, during the aftermath of Hurricane Hugo. During Operation Desert Storm in 1990, the squadron played a direct role in providing aviation ground support for United Nations forces conducting combat operations against Iraq. The Marines of MWSS-273 assisted in the construction of the largest expeditionary airfield in Marine Corps history at Al Khanjar, Saudi Arabia, in addition to several other major construction and transportation projects.
Throughout the 1990’s, the squadron provided extensive operational support for Aviano Air Base, Italy, NATO contingency operations Deny Flightand Provide Promise, Operation Uphold Democracy in Haiti, Operation Joint Forge in the Balkans, Operation Allied Force and Joint Task Force Noble Anvil in Taszar, Hungary, and numerous Marine Expeditionary Units. MWSS-273 has also provided support personnel for the ongoing Operation Enduring Freedom taking place in Afghanistan.
Since 2003, MWSS-273 has twice deployed in squadron strength to Iraq in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom. The “Sweathogs” have established an impressive record as a forward deployed unit as they conducted 24 hour Aviation Ground Support operations at Al Asad Airbase, the Forward Operating Base at Al Qa’im and the Forward Arming and Refueling Point Mudayasis. During their most recent deployment, MWSS-273 was responsible for the tactical recovery of an unprecedented seven Coalition Aircraft. In only seven months, MWSS-273 provided over 28 million gallons of fuel to Coalition aircraft, conducted over 275,000 miles (443,000 km) of motor transport operations, rendered safe 126 enemy explosive devices, destroyed ten enemy weapons caches, conducted over 11,000 hours of heavy equipment operations, two water main repairs, and four outside-the-wire construction missions to improve living conditions at local Combat Outposts.
[edit] Awards
Unit Awards include the Navy Commendation Streamer, the National Defense Service Streamer, and the Southwest Asia Streamer with three bronze stars. MWSS-273 was twice awarded the James K. Hatch Marine Wing Support Squadron of the Year award in 2000 and 2005 and is the Second Marine Aircraft Wing’s nomination for 2007.
 F/A-18 refueling at a TAFDS |
 A Motor-T convoy during Hornet's Nest |
[edit] External links
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