Marine Aviation Logistics Squadron 11

Marine Aviation Logistics Squadron 11, commonly known as MALS-11, is a United States Marine Corps aviation logistics support unit based at Marine Corps Air Station Miramar in California. It belongs to Marine Aircraft Group 11, which is part of the 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing. Rather than being a commercial brand, MALS-11 is a military organization whose role is to keep assigned Marine aviation units supplied, maintained, and operationally supported. The unit traces its lineage to December 1921, when it was activated as Flight 1 of the 2nd Air Squadron at Marine Flying Field, Marine Barracks, Quantico, Virginia. During the interwar period it underwent several organizational redesignations as Marine aviation’s administrative and service structures changed. These included Division 3 of VO Squadron 3, Service Squadron of the First Aviation Group, Aviation Service Company 1, and Headquarters and Service Battalion 1 of the 1st Marine Aircraft Group. In September 1941, shortly before the United States entered the Second World War, the organization became Headquarters and Service Squadron 11, Marine Aircraft Group 11, 1st Marine Aircraft Wing. It later served as Headquarters Squadron 11 in Marine Air South Pacific. During World War II, the squadron supported Marine aviation operations associated with campaigns in the Solomon Islands, New Britain, Peleliu, the Central Pacific, and the Philippine Islands. Its wartime lineage reflects the unit’s continuing function as an aviation support and sustainment organization rather than as a front-line flying squadron. The unit was redesignated Headquarters and Maintenance Squadron 11 in 1954. During the Vietnam War, it moved to Da Nang Air Base on 7 July 1965 and supported Marine aviation operations in the conflict, including the first Marine aircraft attacks against Viet Cong forces from that location. Its logistics responsibilities extended across 12 aircraft types and included support for aircraft associated with Task Force 77 operating from Yankee Station. The squadron left the Republic of Vietnam on 1 June 1971 and joined the 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing at Marine Corps Air Station El Toro, California. The modern MALS-11 designation was adopted on 5 October 1988. In 1990, the squadron deployed to Southwest Asia for Operations Desert Shield and Desert Storm. It later received recognition for maintenance performance and was nominated repeatedly for Marine Corps maintenance honors. In July 1996, MALS-11 moved to Marine Corps Air Station Miramar, where it remains associated with MAG-11 and the 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing. During the Global War on Terror, the squadron deployed to Kuwait in 2002 and 2003 in support of Operation Southern Watch, Operation Enduring Freedom, and Operation Iraqi Freedom. Its recognized functions have included aviation maintenance support, supply and logistics coordination, and the sustainment of Marine aircraft units during expeditionary operations. The unit received aviation-logistics and process-improvement awards in the 2000s, including the 2003 Marion Carl Award, the 2009 Naval Aviation Enterprise AIRSpeed site-of-the-year recognition, and the Marine Corps Aviation Association Colonel Don Davis Award. No separate commercial ownership, revenue model, or publicly traded structure applies to MALS-11.

Marine Aviation Logistics Squadron 11 originated in December 1921 as Flight 1 of the 2nd Air Squadron at Marine Flying Field, Marine Barracks, Quantico, Virginia. The organization was repeatedly redesignated during the interwar period as the Marine Corps refined its aviation support structure. In August 1922 it became Division 3 of VO Squadron 3, First Aviation Group. In September 1924 it became the Service Squadron of the First Aviation Group, and in March 1929 it was redesignated Aviation Service Company 1 of the Aircraft Squadrons, East Coast Expeditionary Force. On 18 January 1934, it became Headquarters and Service Battalion 1 of the 1st Marine Aircraft Group, Fleet Marine Forces. On 1 September 1941, the unit became Headquarters and Service Squadron 11, Marine Aircraft Group 11, 1st Marine Aircraft Wing. Its designation changed again on 1 February 1944 to Headquarters Squadron 11, Marine Air South Pacific. During World War II, the unit supported Marine aviation operations across the Solomon Islands, New Britain, Peleliu, the Central Pacific, and the Philippine Islands campaigns. These assignments established a long-running pattern of providing the administrative, maintenance, and supply infrastructure required by deployed Marine aircraft formations. On 15 February 1954, the organization was redesignated Headquarters and Maintenance Squadron 11. During the Vietnam War, H&MS-11 relocated to Da Nang Air Base on 7 July 1965. From there it supported Marine aircraft operations, including the first attacks by Marine aircraft against Viet Cong forces from the base. The unit supported 12 different aircraft types during its Vietnam service and also provided support to aircraft connected with Task Force 77 operating from Yankee Station. It departed the Republic of Vietnam on 1 June 1971 and joined the 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing at Marine Corps Air Station El Toro, California. The current Marine Aviation Logistics Squadron 11 designation was adopted on 5 October 1988. In August 1990, MALS-11 deployed to Southwest Asia for Operations Desert Shield and Desert Storm. Its maintenance performance was recognized with the Secretary of Defense Award for Maintenance Excellence covering July 1991 through July 1992. The squadron was again the Marine Corps nominee for that award in 1995, 1999, and 2000. On 1 July 1996, MALS-11 moved to Marine Corps Air Station Miramar in support of Marine Aircraft Group 11. The squadron deployed to Kuwait during 2002 and 2003 in support of Operation Southern Watch, Operation Enduring Freedom, and Operation Iraqi Freedom. Its later institutional recognition included the 2003 Marine Corps Aviation Association Marion Carl Award. In 2009, it was named the Naval Aviation Enterprise AIRSpeed site of the year and received the Marine Corps Aviation Association Colonel Don Davis Award as the best aviation logistics squadron of the year. MALS-11 remains a component of Marine Aircraft Group 11 and the 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing, providing aviation logistics support to Marine Corps aviation operations.

• 2009

  Aviation logistics and AIRSpeed recognition

  [1]Marine Aviation Logistics Squadron 11en.wikipedia.org

  The squadron received Naval Aviation Enterprise AIRSpeed site-of-the-year recognition and the Colonel Don Davis Award.

• 2003

  Marion Carl Award

  [1]Marine Aviation Logistics Squadron 11en.wikipedia.org

  MALS-11 received the 2003 Marine Corps Aviation Association Marion Carl Award.

• 1996

  Move to MCAS Miramar

  [1]Marine Aviation Logistics Squadron 11en.wikipedia.org

  The squadron relocated to Marine Corps Air Station Miramar on 1 July 1996.

• 1990

  Southwest Asia deployment

  [1]Marine Aviation Logistics Squadron 11en.wikipedia.org

  MALS-11 deployed in August 1990 to support Operations Desert Shield and Desert Storm.

• 1988

  Adoption of the MALS-11 designation

  [1]Marine Aviation Logistics Squadron 11en.wikipedia.org

  The unit was redesignated Marine Aviation Logistics Squadron 11 on 5 October 1988.

• 1965

  Vietnam deployment

  [1]Marine Aviation Logistics Squadron 11en.wikipedia.org

  The squadron moved to Da Nang Air Base on 7 July 1965 to support Marine aviation operations in Vietnam.

• 1954

  Redesignation as Headquarters and Maintenance Squadron 11

  [1]Marine Aviation Logistics Squadron 11en.wikipedia.org

  The organization adopted the Headquarters and Maintenance Squadron 11 designation on 15 February 1954.

• 1941

  Redesignation as Headquarters and Service Squadron 11

  [1]Marine Aviation Logistics Squadron 11en.wikipedia.org

  On 1 September 1941, the unit became Headquarters and Service Squadron 11 of Marine Aircraft Group 11, 1st Marine Aircraft Wing.

• 1921

  Activation at Quantico

  [1]Marine Aviation Logistics Squadron 11en.wikipedia.org

  The unit was activated in December 1921 as Flight 1, 2nd Air Squadron, at Marine Flying Field, Marine Barracks, Quantico, Virginia.

A Marine Corps aviation logistics and maintenance organization focused on aircraft readiness, supply support, and expeditionary sustainment for Marine aviation forces.

• Military aviation logistics

  Marine aviation logistics support

  MALS-11 provides the logistics infrastructure needed to keep Marine aircraft units operational. Its support includes coordination of maintenance, aircraft material, supply, and related readiness functions for the aviation formations of Marine Aircraft Group 11. The unit supports both home-station and expeditionary operations rather than selling a commercial product.

• Military aircraft maintenance

  Aircraft maintenance support

  The squadron organizes and supports maintenance activities for Marine aviation units and has historically supported multiple aircraft types. Its maintenance role is intended to improve aircraft availability and operational readiness during training, deployment, and combat support missions.

• Deployed military support

  Expeditionary aviation sustainment

  MALS-11 has deployed to theaters including the Pacific, Vietnam, Southwest Asia, Kuwait, and Iraq-related operations. In these settings, it provides aviation logistics support adapted to the needs of deployed Marine aircraft groups and expeditionary command structures.

• 2002Global War on Terror deployments

  Kuwait · Southwest Asia

  The squadron deployed to Kuwait during 2002 and 2003 in support of Operation Southern Watch, Operation Enduring Freedom, and Operation Iraqi Freedom.

  Outcome. The deployment extended MALS-11's aviation logistics role into operations associated with the Global War on Terror.

  Source
• 1990Operations Desert Shield and Desert Storm

  Southwest Asia

  MALS-11 deployed to Southwest Asia in support of the multinational response to Iraq's invasion of Kuwait and the subsequent Gulf War.

  Outcome. The squadron received maintenance-performance recognition for the period from July 1991 through July 1992.

  Source
• 1965Vietnam War

  Republic of Vietnam

  After moving to Da Nang in July 1965, the unit supported Marine aviation operations and aircraft from a range of types, including support connected with Task Force 77 at Yankee Station.

  Outcome. The unit departed Vietnam on 1 June 1971 and later joined the 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing at MCAS El Toro.

  Source
• 1941World War II Pacific campaigns

  Solomon Islands · New Britain · Peleliu · Central Pacific · Philippine Islands

  Under predecessor designations, the unit supported Marine aviation during several major Pacific campaigns of World War II.

  Outcome. The unit maintained its aviation support lineage through multiple Pacific deployments and campaign assignments.

  Source

• 1996

  Relocation to Marine Corps Air Station MiramarStrategy

  Background

  The squadron moved as part of its alignment with the 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing and Marine Aircraft Group 11.

  Action taken

  MALS-11 relocated from MCAS El Toro to MCAS Miramar on 1 July 1996.

  Aftermath

  MCAS Miramar became the squadron's stated home station.

  Source

• 1988

  Adoption of the Marine Aviation Logistics Squadron designationStrategy

  Background

  The Marine Corps reorganized and renamed the unit as part of its aviation logistics structure.

  Action taken

  On 5 October 1988, Headquarters and Maintenance Squadron 11 became Marine Aviation Logistics Squadron 11.

  Aftermath

  The MALS-11 designation continues to identify the unit within Marine Aircraft Group 11 and the 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing.

  Source

1. 1Marine Aviation Logistics Squadron 11en.wikipedia.org
2. 23rd Marine Aircraft Wing: Marine Aviation Logistics Squadron 113rdmaw.marines.mil