Marine Air Control Group 28
Marine Air Control Group 28 is a United States Marine Corps aviation command-and-control organization supporting the 2nd Marine Aircraft Wing and II Marine Expeditionary Force.
Last updated August 26, 2026
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Overview
Marine Air Control Group 28, commonly abbreviated MACG-28, is a United States Marine Corps aviation command-and-control organization headquartered at Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point, North Carolina. It supports the 2nd Marine Aircraft Wing and, within the broader Marine air-ground task force structure, II Marine Expeditionary Force. Unlike a commercial brand, MACG-28 is a military formation whose identity is associated with operational capability, unit lineage, and service to Marine aviation. The group operates and sustains elements of the Marine Air Command and Control System, or MACCS. This system coordinates aircraft and airspace, supports air traffic control, integrates fires and immediate air support, provides radar surveillance, supplies communications for the aviation combat element, and maintains command-post functions for aviation operations. Its purpose is to combine these capabilities into an integrated structure able to support expeditionary operations, including amphibious warfare and sustained combat deployments. MACG-28's lineage reaches back to the World War II development of Marine Corps air-warning and radar capabilities. The organization was first established at Cherry Point on 1 July 1943 as 1st Marine Air Warning Group. Under Colonel Walter L. J. Bayler, its original role was to form and train air-warning squadrons for expeditionary air defense during amphibious operations. During World War II, the group oversaw the formation and training of 18 air-warning squadrons. It was redesignated Marine Air Control Group 1 in 1946 and deactivated in 1955. A successor organization, Marine Wing Headquarters Group 2, was reactivated at Cherry Point on 2 January 1956. Its structure expanded and changed during the 1960s as air-control, antiaircraft, air-support, and communications responsibilities were added or reassigned. The group became Marine Air Control Group 2 in 1966 and received its present designation, Marine Air Control Group 28, in 1967. Marine Air Support Squadron 1 and Marine Air Control Squadron 5 were among the organizations associated with this period of expansion. Wing communications were consolidated into the group in 1971, and additional air-traffic-control and forward-area-air-defense capabilities followed during the 1970s and 1980s. The group has played a recurring role in overseas operations. After the September 11, 2001 attacks, its Marines augmented the Combined Air Operations Center at Prince Sultan Air Base in Saudi Arabia. Elements also supported the preparations for and conduct of Operation Iraqi Freedom, including early-warning and control activity in Jordan and deployments with I Marine Expeditionary Force. During subsequent rotations to Iraq, MACG-28 units provided air command and control, communications, intelligence-surveillance-reconnaissance support, and management of the battlespace. The group also contributed forces to Afghanistan, including deployments connected with Marine Aircraft Group 40 and operations in Helmand Province. In January 2013, MACG-28 deployed forward to Operation Enduring Freedom in Helmand Province. It was described in the source material as the last Marine air command-and-control unit to control airspace over southern Afghanistan. Its present role remains centered on generating and coordinating aviation command-and-control capabilities for the 2nd Marine Aircraft Wing, with subordinate organizations covering air control, air support, air defense, communications, and related operational support.
History
Marine Air Control Group 28 developed from the Marine Corps' World War II effort to create expeditionary radar, air-warning, fighter-direction, and air-defense organizations. In February 1943, the Commandant of the Marine Corps convened a radar policy board chaired by Lieutenant Colonel Walter L. J. Bayler. Its recommendations addressed radar early warning, radar fire control, fighter direction, air-warning squadrons, and an Air Defense Section within Marine aviation headquarters. The recommendations were endorsed in May 1943. On 1 July 1943, 1st Marine Air Warning Group was commissioned at Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point as part of the 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing, with Colonel Bayler as its first commanding officer. The group formed and trained air-warning squadrons intended to provide expeditionary air defense during amphibious operations. After the 9th Marine Aircraft Wing assumed responsibility at Cherry Point, the group continued its training mission. During World War II it oversaw the formation and training of 18 air-warning squadrons. On 1 August 1946 it was redesignated Marine Air Control Group 1 and was eventually decommissioned on 1 August 1955. Marine Wing Headquarters Group 2 was reactivated at Cherry Point on 2 January 1956 as part of the 2nd Marine Aircraft Wing. Its initial composition included Headquarters and Headquarters Squadron 2 and Marine Air Control Squadron 7. The organization expanded in 1963 when the 3rd Light Antiaircraft Missile Battalion was administratively assigned to it. MACS-7 later deployed to Okinawa and served in the Republic of Vietnam before being reassigned to the 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing at Marine Corps Air Station El Toro. The group was redesignated Marine Air Control Group 2 in May 1966 and adopted the designation Marine Air Control Group 28 in 1967. The reorganization brought additional command-and-control responsibilities and associated units, including Marine Air Support Squadron 1 and Marine Air Control Squadron 5. In 1971, wing communications capabilities were consolidated under the group, bringing Marine Wing Communications Squadron 28 into the broader organizational structure alongside air-support, air-control, and air-defense elements. The group continued to add capabilities as Marine aviation doctrine and technology changed. A Forward Area Air Defense platoon was established in 1973 under the 3rd Light Antiaircraft Missile Battalion, providing a close-in defense option for aviation sites, maneuver units, and security missions. Marine Air Traffic Control Squadron 28 joined the Marine Air Command and Control System in April 1976 after the consolidation of Marine air-wing air-traffic-control assets. In October 1983, the 2nd Forward Area Air Defense Battery was established, formalizing a stronger shoulder-launched and forward-area air-defense capability. Following the September 11, 2001 attacks, MACG-28 personnel rapidly augmented the Combined Air Operations Center at Prince Sultan Air Base in Saudi Arabia. They were present on the operations floor when the opening strikes in Afghanistan began. In the period leading to Operation Iraqi Freedom, Marine Air Control Squadron 2 deployed an early-warning and control site to Jordan to assist with information collection concerning Iraq. During Operation Iraqi Freedom, every subordinate element of MACG-28 provided personnel or formed deployments in support of I Marine Expeditionary Force. Marine Air Support Squadron 1, Marine Wing Communications Squadron 28, and Marine Unmanned Aerial Vehicle Squadron 2 deployed as complete squadrons, while the 2nd Low Altitude Air Defense Battalion, Marine Air Control Squadron 2, and Marine Tactical Air Command Squadron 28 contributed batteries, detachments, and critical command-and-control augmentations. After the main offensive phase, most elements returned to the United States, although further deployments followed. In early 2004, VMU-2 and an air-traffic-control detachment from MACS-2, together with Company B of MWCS-28, deployed to Al Taqqadum Airfield in Iraq. In early 2005, the group again deployed its headquarters, MTACS-28, MACS-2, 2nd LAAD, MASS-1, and MWCS-28. These units maintained air command and control, communications, and intelligence-surveillance-reconnaissance functions for the Marine expeditionary force throughout the year. MACG-28 returned to Iraq in January 2007 with its units and tactical agencies. In January 2009, all units except 2nd LAAD deployed to Operation Iraqi Freedom. During that rotation, the group supported the final Marine airspace-control mission in western Iraq. Other detachments deployed to Afghanistan in connection with Marine Aircraft Group 40 as Marine forces expanded operations in Helmand Province. In January 2013, MACG-28 (Forward) deployed again to Helmand Province for Operation Enduring Freedom and was identified as the last Marine air command-and-control unit to control airspace over southern Afghanistan. The group is currently described as comprising four command-and-control squadrons and a low-altitude air-defense battalion. Its mission remains to provide, operate, and maintain the Marine Air Command and Control System in support of the 2nd Marine Aircraft Wing and II Marine Expeditionary Force.
- 2013
Deployed to Helmand Province
[1]MACG-28 (Forward) deployed to Operation Enduring Freedom and controlled airspace over southern Afghanistan.
- 2001
Supported the opening of operations in Afghanistan
[1]MACG-28 Marines augmented the Combined Air Operations Center in Saudi Arabia after the September 11 attacks.
- 1983
2nd Forward Area Air Defense Battery established
[1]The group formally added an enhanced forward-area air-defense battery capability.
- 1976
Marine Air Traffic Control Squadron 28 joined the system
[1]Air-traffic-control assets were consolidated and MATCS-28 became part of the Marine Air Command and Control System.
- 1971
Wing communications consolidated under the group
[1]Marine Wing Communications Squadron 28 was brought into the group's wider command-and-control structure.
- 1967
Adopted the MACG-28 designation
[1]The group received its present designation, Marine Air Control Group 28.
- 1966
Redesignated Marine Air Control Group 2
[1]The organization adopted the Marine Air Control Group 2 designation.
- 1956
Marine Wing Headquarters Group 2 reactivated
[1]A successor organization was reactivated at Cherry Point under the 2nd Marine Aircraft Wing.
- 1955
Marine Air Control Group 1 decommissioned
[1]The predecessor group was decommissioned on 1 August.
- 1946
Redesignated Marine Air Control Group 1
[1]The World War II air-warning group received a Marine air-control designation.
Products and positioning
An expeditionary Marine aviation command-and-control group that integrates airspace management, air defense, air support, communications, surveillance, and command-post functions for the 2nd Marine Aircraft Wing.
Military command and control
Marine Air Command and Control System
MACG-28's principal operational capability is the Marine Air Command and Control System. It links airspace coordination, radar surveillance, air traffic control, immediate air support, fires integration, communications, and aviation command-post functions. The system is designed for expeditionary employment and enables Marine aviation units to coordinate aircraft and air-defense activities across a Marine air-ground task force.
Air defense · 1973
Expeditionary air defense
Through low-altitude air-defense elements and forward-area air-defense capabilities, the group supports the protection of aviation installations, maneuver units, and other operationally important areas. Its historical development included shoulder-launched missile capabilities and the establishment of a forward-area air-defense battery.
Military communications · 1971
Aviation communications support
The group's communications elements provide support for the aviation combat element and deployed command-and-control architecture. These capabilities became a formal part of the group's structure when wing communications assets were consolidated under MACG-28 in 1971.
Brand decisions
1983
Creation of the 2nd Forward Area Air Defense BatteryGeneration changeBackground
The tactical usefulness of shoulder-launched missiles and close-in air defense led to a formal expansion of forward-area protection.
Action taken
The 2nd Forward Area Air Defense Battery was established within the group's organizational structure.
Aftermath
The group obtained a more developed capability to defend aviation vital areas and support maneuver or security missions.
1971
Consolidation of wing communications capabilitiesStrategyBackground
The group's expanding air-control responsibilities required stronger and more integrated communications support for Marine aviation.
Action taken
Marine Wing Communications Squadron 28 was consolidated with the group's air-control, air-support, and air-defense organizations.
Aftermath
MACG-28 gained a more integrated communications role within the Marine Air Command and Control System.
1967
Adoption of the Marine Air Control Group 28 designationStrategyBackground
The organization had expanded beyond its earlier headquarters and air-control structure and required a designation reflecting its place within the 2nd Marine Aircraft Wing.
Action taken
The group was redesignated Marine Air Control Group 28.
Aftermath
The designation remains the group's current identity and became associated with a broader aviation command-and-control mission.
Sources1 sources
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