Marine Air Support Squadron 3
Corporate brand
UnclaimedMarine Air Support Squadron 3 is a United States Marine Corps aviation command-and-control unit that provides direct air support coordination for I Marine Expeditionary Force.
Last updated August 26, 2026
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Overview
Marine Air Support Squadron 3, commonly abbreviated as MASS-3, is a United States Marine Corps aviation command-and-control unit based at Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton in California. The squadron operates under Marine Air Control Group 38 and the 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing, supporting the aviation and ground elements of I Marine Expeditionary Force. Its principal mission is to provide the Direct Air Support Center, or DASC, and airborne DASC capabilities for Marine Air-Ground Task Force operations. A DASC is the Marine Corps agency responsible for receiving, processing, prioritizing, and coordinating immediate air-support requests. It integrates aircraft with artillery, naval gunfire, air-defense, and other supporting arms; manages terminal-control resources; and procedurally controls aircraft operating in direct support of ground forces. MASS-3 can deploy a main DASC, Air Support Elements, Air Support Liaison Teams, and other communications and control detachments. This structure allows it to support Marine formations across a range of expeditionary conditions, from exercises and crisis response to large-scale combat operations. The unit was commissioned on 3 August 1950 as Marine Tactical Air Control Squadron 3. It moved between Marine air-control organizations during its early years and received its current MASS-3 designation on 15 February 1954. In the 1950s and 1960s it developed an increasingly mobile command-and-control architecture, combining a fixed or modular DASC with air-mobile systems and Air Support Radar Teams. These capabilities supported Marine air-ground exercises and enabled the squadron to control aircraft in difficult weather and operational environments. MASS-3 deployed to the Caribbean during the Cuban Missile Crisis in 1962 and served in Vietnam from November 1966 through June 1971. During the Vietnam War, its radar teams and DASC elements operated from locations including Chu Lai, Da Nang, and Khe Sanh. The squadron’s Vietnam-era systems were used to control large numbers of radar-directed bombing missions and coordinate substantial quantities of aerial ordnance against designated targets. After relocating to Camp Pendleton in 1980, MASS-3 participated in United States, joint-service, and multinational exercises in locations including Egypt, South Korea, Turkey, and the United States. It also adopted improved radar-guidance and DASC equipment during the 1980s. The squadron supported Operations Desert Shield and Desert Storm after deploying elements to Saudi Arabia in August 1990. Its DASC and Air Support Elements coordinated fixed-wing and rotary-wing missions, tactical air requests, assault-support requests, and medical evacuations for I Marine Expeditionary Force and Marine divisions. The squadron subsequently supported Operation Iraqi Freedom. It deployed elements to Kuwait in 2002 and supported the 1st Marine Division during the advance into Iraq and the division’s subsequent operations. In 2004 it returned to Iraq for operations in Al Anbar Province, establishing a principal DASC at Camp Blue Diamond in Ramadi and supporting subordinate units through Air Support Elements and liaison teams. During the Second Battle of Fallujah, MASS-3 coordinated extensive casualty-evacuation, medical-evacuation, and joint tactical air-request activity. The unit returned to Camp Pendleton in February 2005 after being replaced in theater by Marine Air Support Squadron 1. In April 2010, MASS-3 deployed to Afghanistan in support of Operation Enduring Freedom. Its subordinate elements included an Air Support Element at Camp Dwyer and an Air Support Liaison Team at Main Operating Base Lashkar Gah. The squadron’s continuing role is to provide responsive air-support coordination, communications, and procedural control for Marine expeditionary forces rather than to operate as an aircraft squadron or commercial brand.
History
Marine Air Support Squadron 3 traces its lineage to Marine Tactical Air Control Squadron 3, commissioned on 3 August 1950 under Marine Air Control Group 2 and the 1st Marine Aircraft Wing. On 28 March 1951 it was reassigned to Marine Air Control Group 3. During its early years, the unit supported Marine aviation exercises and also contributed communications personnel to a civilian search operation in Orange County in May 1951. Its exercise program in 1952 included SATEX, AMLEX-1, AIRLEX-1, PHIBEX-1, and Div FEX 1. The squadron received the designation Marine Air Support Squadron 3 on 15 February 1954. Its original organization included a Direct Air Support Center and two Air Support Radar Teams; a third radar team was added in 1961. The unit operated the AN/TSQ-122 Direct Air Support Central, a modular control system, together with the AN/UYQ-3 air-mobile DASC. The latter could be installed in a modified KC-130 aircraft or mounted on a truck, providing an echeloned and mobile command-and-control capability for Marine Air-Ground Task Forces. During the Cuban Missile Crisis, MASS-3 deployed to the Caribbean in October 1962. The squadron later relocated and entered the Vietnam War on 10 November 1966, when it disembarked from USS Jennings County at Chu Lai. It remained in Vietnam until June 1971. Its Air Support Radar Team B moved from Chu Lai to Khe Sanh in January 1968 to support ground-controlled radar bombing, followed shortly by the DASC. During the war, the squadron’s radar teams controlled more than 38,000 AN/TPQ-10 missions and directed more than 121,000 short tons of ordnance against more than 56,000 targets, according to Marine Corps historical material summarized in the unit’s reference account. MASS-3 moved to Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton in May 1980. It then combined regular Marine Corps training with joint and multinational exercises, including Bright Star in Egypt, Freedom Banner in South Korea, Blue Flag in Nevada, Display Determination in Turkey, and Gallant Eagle in California. The squadron modernized its equipment during this period, receiving the AN/TPB-1D radar-guidance system in December 1984 and the AN/TSQ-155 Improved DASC with its OE-334 radio van in April 1988. Following Iraq’s invasion of Kuwait, initial MASS-3 elements arrived in Saudi Arabia on 21 August 1990. The squadron began coordinating joint and coalition air support at Jubail Naval Airfield on 28 August. It provided a corps-level DASC co-located with I Marine Expeditionary Force and two Air Support Elements supporting the 1st and 2nd Marine Divisions. During Operations Desert Shield and Desert Storm, the DASC and its supporting elements were operational for thousands of hours and controlled fixed-wing and rotary-wing missions, while also processing tactical air, assault-support, and medical-evacuation requests. The combat deployment ended in March 1991, and the squadron returned to Camp Pendleton on 17 March. MASS-3 next supported Operation Iraqi Freedom. Elements began moving to Kuwait in October 2002, and the squadron supported the 1st Marine Division from the invasion route through Tikrit. Some elements remained in theater until October 2003. The squadron returned to Iraq in January 2004 for operations in Al Anbar Province. Its main DASC was established at Camp Blue Diamond in Ramadi, with an Air Support Element near Al-Qa'im and liaison teams assigned to Regimental Combat Teams 1 and 7. A detachment also provided liaison support aboard an E-8 Joint STARS aircraft. In November 2004, an additional liaison team was formed at Camp Fallujah during the Second Battle of Fallujah. MASS-3 coordinated casualty evacuations, medical evacuations, and joint tactical air requests before returning to Camp Pendleton in February 2005. In April 2010, the squadron deployed to Afghanistan for Operation Enduring Freedom. Operating from Camp Leatherneck, with subordinate elements at Camp Dwyer and Main Operating Base Lashkar Gah, it supported I Marine Expeditionary Force combat operations for approximately a year. The squadron remains a specialized Marine Corps aviation command-and-control organization rather than an aircraft-operating squadron, with its core function centered on expeditionary DASC operations and the coordination of aviation support for Marine ground forces.
- 2010
First Afghanistan deployment
[1]MASS-3 deployed to Afghanistan in April 2010 in support of Operation Enduring Freedom.
- 2004
Al Anbar and Fallujah operations
[1]The squadron established DASC and liaison elements across Al Anbar Province and supported the Second Battle of Fallujah.
- 2002
Operation Iraqi Freedom buildup
[1]MASS-3 began deploying elements to Kuwait in October 2002.
- 1991
Returned from Desert Storm deployment
[1]The squadron’s DASC and Air Support Elements returned to Jubail in March, followed by the unit’s return to Camp Pendleton on 17 March.
- 1990
Southwest Asia deployment
[1]Initial squadron elements arrived in Saudi Arabia on 21 August 1990 for Operations Desert Shield and Desert Storm.
- 1988
Improved DASC fielded
[1]MASS-3 received the AN/TSQ-155 Improved DASC and OE-334 radio van.
- 1984
AN/TPB-1D system received
[1]The squadron received the AN/TPB-1D radar-guidance system for close-air-support control.
- 1980
Relocated to Camp Pendleton
[1]MASS-3 moved to Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton in May 1980.
- 1966
Vietnam deployment begins
[1]The squadron arrived at Chu Lai on 10 November 1966 and began its Vietnam service.
- 1962
Cuban Missile Crisis deployment
[1]MASS-3 deployed to the Caribbean during the Cuban Missile Crisis.
Products and positioning
An expeditionary Marine Corps command-and-control unit focused on integrating and coordinating aviation support for ground forces in exercises, crisis-response missions, and combat operations.
Military command and control
Direct Air Support Center
The DASC is MASS-3’s principal operational capability. It receives immediate air-support requests, prioritizes and coordinates them with aviation and supporting-arms agencies, manages terminal-control assets, and procedurally controls aircraft conducting missions in direct support of Marine ground forces.
Airborne command and control
DASC-Airborne
DASC-Airborne provides a mobile or airborne extension of direct-air-support coordination. Historically, MASS-3 used the AN/UYQ-3 system in a modified KC-130 aircraft and on a truck-mounted configuration to maintain command-and-control continuity in expeditionary environments.
Expeditionary aviation support
Air Support Elements
Air Support Elements are deployable MASS-3 detachments that extend DASC coordination to supported Marine formations. They have been used at locations such as Saudi Arabia, Al-Qa'im, and Camp Dwyer to connect operational units with aircraft and supporting aviation-control networks.
Liaison and coordination
Air Support Liaison Teams
Air Support Liaison Teams place MASS-3 personnel alongside maneuver headquarters and other operational nodes. Their function is to translate ground-force requirements into coordinated aviation support and maintain communications with the squadron’s DASC structure.
Marketing campaigns
- 2010Operation Enduring Freedom
Afghanistan
MASS-3 deployed to Afghanistan and supported I Marine Expeditionary Force from Camp Leatherneck, with subordinate elements at Camp Dwyer and Main Operating Base Lashkar Gah.
Outcome. The deployment supported combat operations for approximately one year.
- 2004Al Anbar and Fallujah operations
Iraq
During its 2004 Iraq deployment, MASS-3 supported operations throughout Al Anbar Province and added liaison capacity during the Second Battle of Fallujah.
Outcome. The squadron coordinated hundreds of casualty and medical evacuations and returned to Camp Pendleton in February 2005.
- 2002Operation Iraqi Freedom
Kuwait · Iraq
MASS-3 deployed through Kuwait and supported the 1st Marine Division during the invasion and subsequent advance into Iraq, with elements remaining in theater after major combat operations.
Outcome. The division redeployed in October 2003, while the squadron later returned for another Iraq deployment.
- 1990Operations Desert Shield and Desert Storm
Saudi Arabia · Southwest Asia
MASS-3 provided a corps-level DASC and two Air Support Elements for I Marine Expeditionary Force and the 1st and 2nd Marine Divisions, coordinating joint and coalition aviation support.
Outcome. The squadron completed its combat-support role in March 1991 and returned to Camp Pendleton.
- 1966Vietnam War
Vietnam
MASS-3 operated DASC and Air Support Radar Team elements from Chu Lai, Da Nang, and Khe Sanh. Its radar teams controlled ground-directed bombing missions and coordinated large-scale air support.
Outcome. The squadron remained in Vietnam until June 1971.
- 1962Cuban Missile Crisis
Caribbean
MASS-3 deployed elements to the Caribbean during the Cuban Missile Crisis, demonstrating its crisis-response and expeditionary command-and-control role.
Outcome. The deployment concluded after the crisis period, with the squadron relocated in December 1962.
Brand decisions
1988
Fielding of the Improved DASCGeneration changeBackground
The squadron needed more capable and mobile direct-air-support command systems.
Action taken
MASS-3 received the AN/TSQ-155 Improved DASC and its OE-334 radio van in April 1988.
Aftermath
The upgrade strengthened expeditionary communications and DASC employment.
1984
Introduction of AN/TPB-1D radar guidanceGeneration changeBackground
All-weather and day-night control of close air support required improved radar-guidance equipment.
Action taken
The squadron received the AN/TPB-1D system in December 1984.
Aftermath
The equipment improved the squadron’s ability to guide aircraft delivering close air support.
1980
Relocation to Camp PendletonStrategyBackground
The squadron required a permanent base supporting its relationship with I Marine Expeditionary Force and the 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing.
Action taken
MASS-3 relocated to Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton in May 1980.
Aftermath
Camp Pendleton became the squadron’s principal home station and training base.
1954
Adoption of the MASS-3 designationStrategyBackground
The unit’s mission had evolved around direct air-support coordination and the operation of a Direct Air Support Center.
Action taken
The squadron was redesignated Marine Air Support Squadron 3 on 15 February 1954.
Aftermath
The designation became the unit’s enduring organizational identity.
Sources2 sources
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