Marine Air Control Group 48

Marine Air Control Group 48, commonly designated MACG-48, is a United States Marine Corps aviation command-and-control organization based at Naval Station Great Lakes near Chicago, Illinois. It is assigned to the 4th Marine Aircraft Wing of the Marine Forces Reserve and provides the headquarters, communications, air-control, and air-defense capabilities needed to coordinate aviation operations within a Marine aircraft wing. The group’s mission is broader than the operation of any single aircraft system. It coordinates the elements of aviation command and control and air defense, supplies staff functions for the MACG commander, and supports the aviation combat element of a Marine Air-Ground Task Force when deployed. Its work includes both positive control, in which aircraft are actively directed through an air-control system, and procedural control, in which aircraft operate according to established rules and plans. These capabilities allow Marine aviation units to function as an integrated force in complex operational environments. MACG-48 is composed of four principal subordinate squadrons: Marine Air Control Squadron 24, Marine Air Support Squadron 6, Marine Tactical Air Command Squadron 48, and Marine Wing Communications Squadron 48. The organization also maintains support locations associated with Great Lakes, Chicopee, and Oceana. Together, these units provide tactical headquarters functions, air-support coordination, tactical air command and control, communications, and related support to reserve aviation forces. The group was activated on September 1, 1967, at Glenview, Illinois, and assigned to the 4th Marine Aircraft Wing. During the late 1960s, 1970s, and 1980s, it participated in recurring training exercises intended to improve combat readiness and refine tactics, techniques, and procedures for the rapidly changing command, control, and communications environment. In 1980, personnel from Marine Wing Communications Squadron 48 were placed on call for Operation Eagle Claw, the attempted mission to rescue American hostages in Iran. The operation was aborted. MACG-48 supported the active-duty Marine aviation component during Operations Desert Shield and Desert Storm from August 1990 through April 1991. After returning to Illinois, the group continued to participate in exercises in the United States and abroad while applying operational lessons from Southwest Asia to its training and procedures. The organization moved from Glenview to Fort Sheridan in Highwood, Illinois, in August 1995. Five years later, its headquarters relocated to Naval Station Great Lakes, where it remains based. Following the September 11 attacks, MACG-48 mobilized Marines twice in support of operations connected with the Global War on Terror, including Operation Enduring Freedom and Operation Iraqi Freedom. More than 1,400 Marines were activated during the periods August 2002–November 2003 and August 2004–February 2005. In December 2004, Marines also augmented forces supporting Combined Joint Task Force–Horn of Africa in Djibouti. The group has also provided domestic emergency support. After Hurricane Katrina struck the Gulf Coast in August 2005, approximately 100 MACG-48 Marines augmented Joint Task Force Katrina in New Orleans from September through October. Their contributions centered on aviation command and control expertise and long-haul communications support for disaster-relief operations. MACG-48 is therefore best understood not as a consumer-facing commercial brand, but as an enduring military organizational identity associated with reserve aviation command, control, communications, air defense, training, mobilization, and emergency response.

Marine Air Control Group 48 was activated on September 1, 1967, at Glenview, Illinois, and assigned to the 4th Marine Aircraft Wing. From its establishment, the group’s role was to coordinate aviation command and control and air-defense functions for Marine aviation forces. It also served as the command-and-staff element for its commander when deployed as part of the aviation combat element of a Marine Air-Ground Task Force. During the late 1960s, the 1970s, and the 1980s, MACG-48 took part in a wide range of exercises. These activities were used to improve combat readiness and develop tactics, techniques, and procedures for the command, control, and communications environment. As aviation systems and operational requirements changed, the group continued refining how its subordinate units coordinated aircraft, supported air defense, exchanged information, and provided command connectivity. In April 1980, personnel from Marine Wing Communications Squadron 48 were placed on call for Operation Eagle Claw, the United States mission intended to rescue American hostages held in Iran. The mission was aborted, but the episode reflected the group’s potential role in providing communications support to a major contingency operation. MACG-48 deployed Marines in support of Operations Desert Shield and Desert Storm from August 1990 to April 1991. The group augmented the active-duty component during the Gulf War. After returning to Illinois, it continued participating in exercises around the world and concentrated training on procedures and operational techniques relevant to Southwest Asia, incorporating lessons learned from combat. The headquarters relocated from Glenview to Fort Sheridan in Highwood, Illinois, in August 1995. After five years at Highwood, it moved to Naval Station Great Lakes near Chicago, Illinois. Great Lakes became the group’s continuing home and remains the location identified with its headquarters. Following the September 11 attacks, MACG-48 mobilized Marines twice for missions associated with Operation Enduring Freedom and Operation Iraqi Freedom. The first major activation ran from August 2002 to November 2003, and a second ran from August 2004 to February 2005. Across these mobilizations, more than 1,400 Marines from the group were activated. In December 2004, some activated Marines augmented units assigned to Combined Joint Task Force–Horn of Africa in Djibouti. The group also contributed to domestic disaster relief after Hurricane Katrina devastated parts of the Gulf Coast in August 2005. From September through October of that year, approximately 100 Marines augmented Joint Task Force Katrina in New Orleans. Their mission included providing aviation command-and-control expertise and long-haul communications support. MACG-48 is composed of Marine Air Control Squadron 24, Marine Air Support Squadron 6, Marine Tactical Air Command Squadron 48, and Marine Wing Communications Squadron 48. It also identifies support sites at Great Lakes, Chicopee, and Oceana. Through these elements, the group provides the 4th Marine Aircraft Wing and Marine Forces Reserve with a tactical headquarters and the capabilities required for aircraft control, air defense, aviation communications, and coordinated support to deployed Marine aviation operations.

• 2005

  Domestic disaster-relief support after Hurricane Katrina

  [1]Marine Air Control Group 48en.wikipedia.org

  Approximately 100 Marines supported Joint Task Force Katrina in New Orleans from September through October, providing command-and-control and long-haul communications assistance.

• 2004

  Second mobilization period and Horn of Africa support

  [1]Marine Air Control Group 48en.wikipedia.org

  A second activation period ran from August 2004 to February 2005, with some Marines supporting Combined Joint Task Force–Horn of Africa in Djibouti in December 2004.

• 2002

  First post-9/11 mobilization period

  [1]Marine Air Control Group 48en.wikipedia.org

  More than 1,400 Marines from MACG-48 were activated during a period running from August 2002 to November 2003 in support of operations associated with the Global War on Terror.

• 2000

  Headquarters relocated to Naval Station Great Lakes

  [1]Marine Air Control Group 48en.wikipedia.org

  After five years at Highwood, the group headquarters moved to its current stated location at Naval Station Great Lakes.

• 1995

  Headquarters relocated to Fort Sheridan

  [1]Marine Air Control Group 48en.wikipedia.org

  The group moved from Glenview to Fort Sheridan in Highwood, Illinois, in August.

• 1990

  Deployment for Operations Desert Shield and Desert Storm

  [1]Marine Air Control Group 48en.wikipedia.org

  MACG-48 Marines supported the Gulf War by augmenting the active-duty component from August 1990 through April 1991.

• 1980

  Communications personnel placed on call for Operation Eagle Claw

  [1]Marine Air Control Group 48en.wikipedia.org

  Members of Marine Wing Communications Squadron 48 were placed on call for the attempted Iran hostage-rescue mission, which was later aborted.

• 1967

  Group activated at Glenview

  [1]Marine Air Control Group 48en.wikipedia.org

  Marine Air Control Group 48 was activated on September 1 at Glenview, Illinois, and assigned to the 4th Marine Aircraft Wing.

A Marine Forces Reserve aviation command-and-control group that integrates air-control, air-defense, communications, and tactical headquarters capabilities for the 4th Marine Aircraft Wing and deployed Marine Air-Ground Task Force aviation elements.

• Military aviation command and control · 1967

  Marine Air Control Group 48 command-and-control support

  MACG-48 provides tactical headquarters and command-and-staff functions for Marine aviation operations. When deployed as part of a Marine Air-Ground Task Force aviation combat element, it helps coordinate aviation activities and supports the commander’s operational decision-making.

• Air control and air defense · 1967

  Aircraft control and air-defense coordination

  The group coordinates positive and procedural control of aircraft and contributes to air-defense operations within the Marine aircraft wing. These functions are performed through subordinate air-control and tactical command elements rather than through a commercial product line.

• Military communications · 1967

  Marine aviation communications support

  Through Marine Wing Communications Squadron 48 and related capabilities, MACG-48 provides communications support, including long-haul connectivity required to link deployed aviation command structures and operational units.

• Military training and operational readiness · 1967

  Training and readiness support

  MACG-48 participates in exercises designed to improve combat skills and maintain tactics, techniques, and procedures for aviation command, control, communications, and air defense. Its training has incorporated lessons from Gulf War and later operational experience.

• 2005Joint Task Force Katrina

  New Orleans · United States domestic disaster response

  Following Hurricane Katrina, approximately 100 Marines augmented Joint Task Force Katrina from September through October, providing aviation command-and-control expertise and long-haul communications support.

  Outcome. The personnel supported disaster-relief operations in New Orleans.

  Source
• 2004Combined Joint Task Force–Horn of Africa support

  Djibouti · Horn of Africa

  Activated Marines from MACG-48 augmented forces supporting Combined Joint Task Force–Horn of Africa.

  Outcome. The group supplied personnel support to the regional joint task force mission.

  Source
• 2002Operation Enduring Freedom and Operation Iraqi Freedom mobilizations

  Afghanistan · Iraq · United States military operations

  MACG-48 mobilized Marines during two periods, from August 2002 to November 2003 and from August 2004 to February 2005, supporting operations associated with the Global War on Terror.

  Outcome. More than 1,400 Marines from the group were activated across the two periods.

  Source
• 1990Operations Desert Shield and Desert Storm

  Southwest Asia · United States Marine Corps operations

  MACG-48 Marines deployed from August 1990 through April 1991 to augment the active-duty component during the Gulf War.

  Outcome. The group returned to Illinois and used operational lessons from the deployment to shape subsequent training.

  Source
• 1980Operation Eagle Claw

  Iran · United States military contingency operations

  Members of Marine Wing Communications Squadron 48 were placed on call to provide communications-related support for the attempted rescue of American hostages in Iran.

  Outcome. The rescue mission was aborted.

  Source

1. 1Marine Air Control Group 48en.wikipedia.org