Marine Air Control Group 38
Marine Air Control Group 38 is a United States Marine Corps aviation command-and-control organization supporting the 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing and I Marine Expeditionary Force.
Last updated August 26, 2026
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Overview
Marine Air Control Group 38, commonly abbreviated MACG-38, is a United States Marine Corps aviation command and control organization headquartered at Marine Corps Air Station Miramar in California. It belongs to the 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing and provides the integrated Marine Air Command and Control System required to coordinate aviation operations in support of the Marine Air-Ground Task Force. Unlike a commercial brand, MACG-38 is a military command whose identity represents an operational capability, organizational lineage, and service mission rather than a consumer product or independently owned enterprise. The group’s mission is to provide a task-organized Marine Air Command and Control System that enables the six functions of Marine aviation in support of the MAGTF’s Aviation Combat Element. Its responsibilities include tactical aviation command and control, positive and procedural control of aircraft, air defense support, communications, airfield and aviation-support functions, and the integration of aviation assets into expeditionary operations. The organization can arrange subordinate units and personnel according to the requirements of a particular Marine expeditionary force or theater operation. MACG-38 is currently composed of four squadrons and one battalion in the group’s principal organizational description, while associated listings identify the group’s principal subordinate commands as 3rd Low Altitude Air Defense Battalion, Marine Air Control Squadron 1, Marine Air Support Squadron 3, Marine Wing Communications Squadron 38, Marine Wing Support Squadron 371, Marine Wing Support Squadron 372, and Marine Wing Support Squadron 373. These units collectively provide air-defense coordination, air-support coordination, communications, and aviation-ground-support capabilities. The organization’s lineage reaches back to Marine Air Control Group 3, commissioned at Marine Corps Air Station El Toro on 28 March 1951 during the Korean War. It was created to replace Marine Air Control Group 2 after that group deployed to South Korea. Following the Korean War and changes in Marine aviation organization, the earlier group was decommissioned on 31 December 1955. The group was reactivated at El Toro on 1 September 1967 and subsequently became associated with the MACG-38 designation. MACG-38 has supported a range of United States military operations. It deployed to Saudi Arabia in August 1990 and supported Operation Desert Storm. During the 1990s, elements also supported Operation Restore Hope, Operation Safe Departure, Operation Southern Watch, and Operation Stabilise. The group moved from El Toro to Marine Corps Air Station Miramar in October 1998, following the latter installation’s transition to Marine Corps control. In the early 2000s, MACG-38 participated in planning for a possible invasion of Iraq and began sending units to Kuwait in October 2002 for Exercise Internal Look. During the 2003 invasion of Iraq, the operational demand exceeded the group’s organic capacity, requiring augmentation from Marine Air Control Group 28, Marine Air Control Group 48, Marine Aviation Weapons and Tactics Squadron 1, and reservists. MACG-38 personnel continued deploying in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom from January 2004 through early 2009, with the group headquartered at Al Asad Airbase in Iraq’s Al Anbar Province during security and stabilization operations. The group later deployed to Camp Leatherneck, Afghanistan, in March 2010 to provide aviation command and control for I Marine Expeditionary Force during Operation Enduring Freedom. It returned to the United States in spring 2011. Its continuing institutional role is to furnish an adaptable aviation command-and-control architecture for expeditionary Marine operations, connecting air-defense, air-support, communications, and aviation-support functions within the broader MAGTF structure.
History
Marine Air Control Group 38 traces its lineage to Marine Air Control Group 3, which was commissioned at Marine Corps Air Station El Toro, California, on 28 March 1951. The organization was formed during the Korean War to replace Marine Air Control Group 2 after that group deployed to South Korea in March and April 1951. Following the war, Marine Corps aviation underwent organizational changes, and the earlier group was decommissioned on 31 December 1955. The group was reactivated at MCAS El Toro on 1 September 1967. Its later identity as MACG-38 reflects the Marine Corps system of numbering aviation command-and-control groups. The organization’s role was to provide the aviation command-and-control structure needed to coordinate Marine aviation assets and connect them with the wider Marine Air-Ground Task Force. During the 1990s, MACG-38 expanded its operational experience through deployments and support missions in several regions. It deployed to Saudi Arabia in August 1990 for operations associated with the Gulf War and supported Operation Desert Storm. Elements of the group also participated in or supported Operation Restore Hope, Operation Safe Departure, Operation Southern Watch, and Operation Stabilise. In October 1998, the group relocated from MCAS El Toro to MCAS Miramar, where it remains based. Planning for a possible invasion of Iraq began in earnest among west-coast Marine Air Command and Control System units attached to I Marine Expeditionary Force during summer 2002. MACG-38’s first units began deploying to Kuwait in October 2002 in connection with Exercise Internal Look. The 2003 invasion required the deployment of the group as well as extensive reinforcement from Marine Air Control Group 28 and additional personnel, including reservists from Marine Air Control Group 48 and specialists from Marine Aviation Weapons and Tactics Squadron 1. MACG-38 personnel continued to deploy in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom from January 2004 through early 2009. During security and stabilization operations, the group was headquartered at Al Asad Airbase in Al Anbar Province. In March 2010, MACG-38 deployed to Camp Leatherneck, Afghanistan. There it provided aviation command and control for I Marine Expeditionary Force during Operation Enduring Freedom. The deployment ended with the group’s return to the United States in spring 2011. The group’s current function is to provide a task-organized Marine Air Command and Control System supporting the six functions of Marine aviation and the Aviation Combat Element of a MAGTF. Its subordinate capabilities include low-altitude air defense, marine air control, air-support coordination, wing communications, and aviation ground support. This structure enables the group to adapt its command-and-control architecture to the scale and mission of an expeditionary operation.
- 2010
Deployment to Afghanistan
[1]The group deployed to Camp Leatherneck in March 2010 to provide aviation command and control for I Marine Expeditionary Force.
- 2003
Support for the invasion of Iraq
[1]MACG-38 and extensive augmenting personnel supported the 2003 invasion of Iraq and later security and stabilization operations.
- 2002
Iraq invasion planning and Kuwait deployment
[1]Planning for a possible invasion of Iraq intensified during summer 2002, and initial group units deployed to Kuwait for Exercise Internal Look in October.
- 1998
Relocation to MCAS Miramar
[1]The group moved from Marine Corps Air Station El Toro to Marine Corps Air Station Miramar in October 1998.
- 1990
Deployment to Saudi Arabia
[1]MACG-38 deployed to Saudi Arabia in August 1990 and supported Operation Desert Storm.
- 1967
Group reactivated
[1]The group was reactivated at Marine Corps Air Station El Toro on 1 September 1967.
- 1955
Predecessor group decommissioned
[1]Marine Air Control Group 3 was decommissioned on 31 December 1955 after postwar changes in Marine Corps aviation organization.
- 1951
Marine Air Control Group 3 commissioned
[1]The predecessor organization was commissioned at Marine Corps Air Station El Toro on 28 March 1951 during the Korean War.
Products and positioning
An expeditionary military aviation command focused on integrating air control, air defense, communications, air support, and aviation ground-support capabilities for Marine Air-Ground Task Force operations.
Military aviation command and control
Marine Air Command and Control System support
MACG-38 provides a task-organized Marine Air Command and Control System for Marine Air-Ground Task Force operations. The system integrates aviation command, air control, air defense, air-support coordination, communications, and related support functions so that Marine aviation assets can be directed within an expeditionary operational framework.
Air operations
Aircraft control and air defense support
Through its air-control and low-altitude air-defense elements, the group supports positive and procedural control of aircraft and contributes to the protection and coordination of aviation operations. These capabilities are organized for the requirements of the supported Marine expeditionary force rather than sold as commercial products.
Military communications and logistics
Expeditionary aviation communications and support
The group’s communications and aviation-support units provide the connective infrastructure and practical support needed to operate Marine aviation command-and-control systems in expeditionary environments. This includes wing communications and aviation ground-support capabilities associated with the group’s subordinate units.
Marketing campaigns
- 2010Operation Enduring Freedom
Afghanistan
MACG-38 deployed to Camp Leatherneck in March 2010 to provide aviation command and control for I Marine Expeditionary Force.
Outcome. The group returned to the United States in spring 2011.
- 2003Operation Iraqi Freedom
Kuwait · Iraq
MACG-38 participated in preparations for and support of the invasion of Iraq. The group was reinforced by personnel from other Marine aviation organizations and continued operational deployments through early 2009.
Outcome. The group supported invasion, security, and stabilization missions, including operations from Al Asad Airbase in Al Anbar Province.
- 1990Operation Desert Storm
Saudi Arabia · Persian Gulf region
MACG-38 deployed to Saudi Arabia in August 1990 and supported coalition military operations during the Gulf War.
Outcome. The group completed its operational support role; detailed unit-level outcomes are not specified in the available reference.
- Operation Restore Hope
Somalia
Elements of MACG-38 supported the United States-led operation in Somalia.
- Operation Safe Departure
Elements of the group supported Operation Safe Departure, although the available reference does not provide further details about the specific deployment.
- Operation Southern Watch
Southern Iraq · Persian Gulf region
Elements of MACG-38 supported Operation Southern Watch, the post-Gulf War coalition air operation enforcing restrictions in southern Iraq.
- Operation Stabilise
East Timor
Elements of the group supported Operation Stabilise, an international intervention in East Timor.
Brand decisions
2010
Deployment to Camp LeatherneckStrategyBackground
I Marine Expeditionary Force required aviation command-and-control support for operations in Afghanistan.
Action taken
The group deployed to Camp Leatherneck in March 2010 for Operation Enduring Freedom.
Aftermath
MACG-38 returned to the United States in spring 2011 after completing the deployment.
2002
Preparation for possible Iraq invasionStrategyBackground
I Marine Expeditionary Force began detailed planning for a possible invasion of Iraq during summer 2002.
Action taken
MACG-38 began deploying initial units to Kuwait in October 2002 for Exercise Internal Look.
Aftermath
The planning effort developed into full operational support for the 2003 invasion and subsequent Iraq deployments.
1998
Relocation of group headquarters to MCAS MiramarStrategyBackground
Marine Corps aviation basing changes led to the group’s move from Marine Corps Air Station El Toro.
Action taken
MACG-38 relocated to Marine Corps Air Station Miramar in October 1998.
Aftermath
MCAS Miramar became the group’s stated headquarters and remains its home station in the available reference.
Recent events
- 2010
MACG-38 deploys to Afghanistan[1]
Other
The group deployed to Camp Leatherneck in Afghanistan to provide aviation command and control for I Marine Expeditionary Force during Operation Enduring Freedom.
- 2003
MACG-38 supports Operation Iraqi Freedom[1]
Other
The group and substantial augmenting personnel supported the invasion of Iraq and subsequent security and stabilization operations, including deployments continuing into early 2009.
- 1990
MACG-38 supports Operation Desert Storm[1]
Other
Marine Air Control Group 38 deployed to Saudi Arabia in August 1990 and subsequently supported coalition operations during Operation Desert Storm.
Sources2 sources
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