Marine Air Control Group 18

Marine Air Control Group 18, commonly abbreviated MACG-18, is a United States Marine Corps aviation command-and-control organization based at Marine Corps Air Station Futenma in Okinawa, Japan. It supports the 1st Marine Aircraft Wing and provides aviation command, control, communications, air traffic control, air defense control, and short-range air-defense capabilities for III Marine Expeditionary Force operations. Rather than being a commercial brand, MACG-18 is a military unit whose identity is expressed through its designation, lineage, mission, subordinate commands, and unit honors. The group traces part of its institutional lineage to Marine Air Warning Group 2, which was established at Marine Corps Air Depot Miramar, California, on 8 January 1944 during World War II. That wartime organization prepared Marine air-warning squadrons for overseas combat. It maintained and issued technical equipment, helped newly formed squadrons complete their training, and supported embarkation for the Pacific theater. Eleven air-warning squadrons trained and deployed through the group. Marine Air Warning Group 2 was decommissioned on 1 August 1945 after the end of the war. The present Marine Air Control Group 18 was reactivated on 1 September 1967 at Da Nang, South Vietnam, during the Vietnam War. Its component organizations were already engaged in combat when the group was formed, and its Hawk surface-to-air missile battalion was among the early Marine units deployed to Vietnam. MACG-18 and its subordinate elements operated across the I Corps Tactical Zone and took part in the major campaigns conducted in northern South Vietnam during the group's Vietnam service. The group and its subordinate units received four Presidential Unit Citations, three Navy Unit Commendations, and a Meritorious Unit Commendation for their wartime performance. After leaving Vietnam in 1971, MACG-18 relocated to Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni, Japan. In 1975 it moved to Marine Corps Air Station Futenma, where it remains based. In the post-Vietnam period, the group has supported joint, combined, and Marine air-ground exercises, as well as contingency planning and operations throughout the Western Pacific. Its role is to integrate the aviation command-and-control functions required by Marine forces, linking air operations, communications, air defense, air support, and air-traffic management rather than producing commercial goods.

Marine Air Control Group 18 has a lineage associated with Marine air-warning and aviation command-and-control organizations established for expeditionary warfare. Its predecessor, Marine Air Warning Group 2, was commissioned at Marine Corps Air Depot Miramar, California, on 8 January 1944. During World War II, the organization prepared air-warning squadrons for deployment to the Pacific. It stored and maintained specialized warning equipment, assisted squadrons with final training, and handled much of the administrative and logistical work involved in preparing them for overseas combat. Eleven air-warning squadrons trained and deployed through the group. The wartime group was decommissioned on 1 August 1945. The MACG-18 designation was re-established on 1 September 1967 at Da Nang, South Vietnam, during the period of intensified American involvement in the Vietnam War. Its subordinate units were already operating in combat, and the group assumed responsibility for coordinating aviation command-and-control capabilities in the northern part of South Vietnam. A Hawk missile battalion associated with the group was among the first Marine units to arrive in Vietnam. MACG-18 and attached or subordinate elements were distributed across the I Corps Tactical Zone and participated in the major campaigns conducted there until the group left the country. Its Vietnam service was recognized through four Presidential Unit Citations, three Navy Unit Commendations, and a Meritorious Unit Commendation awarded to the group and its units. In 1971 the group moved from Vietnam to Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni in Japan. Four years later, in 1975, it relocated to Marine Corps Air Station Futenma on Okinawa. From its Okinawa base, MACG-18 developed a continuing role in joint, combined, and Marine air-ground training and in contingency operations across the Western Pacific. Its modern mission is to provide the 1st Marine Aircraft Wing with command, control, and communications support for the six functions of Marine aviation. Its capabilities encompass aviation command and control, air traffic control, air support coordination, communications, air defense control, and short-range air defense. The group therefore functions as an integrating headquarters for Marine aviation rather than as a conventional combat aviation squadron or a commercial enterprise.

• 1975

  Relocation to Marine Corps Air Station Futenma

  [1]Marine Air Control Group 18en.wikipedia.org

  MACG-18 moved to Marine Corps Air Station Futenma in Okinawa, its stated current base.

• 1971

  Relocation to Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni

  [1]Marine Air Control Group 18en.wikipedia.org

  Following its Vietnam service, the group moved to Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni, Japan.

• 1967

  Marine Air Control Group 18 re-established in Vietnam

  [1]Marine Air Control Group 18en.wikipedia.org

  MACG-18 was re-formed at Da Nang during the Vietnam War and assumed aviation command-and-control responsibilities while its component units were engaged in combat.

• 1945

  World War II predecessor decommissioned

  [1]Marine Air Control Group 18en.wikipedia.org

  Marine Air Warning Group 2 was decommissioned after supporting the training and deployment of eleven air-warning squadrons.

• 1944

  Marine Air Warning Group 2 commissioned

  [1]Marine Air Control Group 18en.wikipedia.org

  Marine Air Warning Group 2 was established at Marine Corps Air Depot Miramar, California, to prepare and equip Marine air-warning squadrons for overseas combat.

A Marine Corps aviation command-and-control organization focused on integrating air operations, communications, air traffic management, air defense, and air support for expeditionary forces in the Western Pacific.

• short-range air defense

  1st LAAD Battalion

  The 1st Low Altitude Air Defense Battalion is listed as a subordinate element of MACG-18. Within the group's mission structure, it contributes short-range air-defense capability for Marine expeditionary aviation and ground forces.

• air command and control

  Marine Air Control Squadron 4

  Marine Air Control Squadron 4 is a subordinate aviation-control organization associated with MACG-18. It supports the group's broader responsibility for controlling and coordinating Marine aviation operations.

• air support coordination

  Marine Air Support Squadron 2

  Marine Air Support Squadron 2 is listed among the group's subordinate units and contributes air-support coordination functions within the Marine aviation command-and-control system.

• military communications

  Marine Wing Communications Squadron 18

  Marine Wing Communications Squadron 18 provides communications support within the group's aviation command-and-control framework, helping connect operational headquarters and aviation elements.

• personnel support

  Personnel Support Detachment 18

  Personnel Support Detachment 18 is identified as a subordinate support element responsible for personnel-related functions within the group's organizational structure.

1. 1Marine Air Control Group 18en.wikipedia.org