Marine Aviation Logistics Squadron 39
Marine Aviation Logistics Squadron 39 is a United States Marine Corps aviation logistics support unit assigned to Marine Aircraft Group 39 and the 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing.
Last updated August 26, 2026
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Overview
Marine Aviation Logistics Squadron 39, commonly abbreviated MALS-39, is an aviation logistics support unit of the United States Marine Corps. It is assigned to Marine Aircraft Group 39, which forms part of the 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing, and is based at Marine Corps Air Station Camp Pendleton in California. The squadron supports the flying units and other aviation organizations associated with its Marine Aircraft Group by coordinating maintenance, supply, ordnance, planning, financial administration, and logistics management. MALS-39 does not manufacture or sell commercial products. Its operational role is to keep Marine aviation units supplied, maintained, and ready for deployment. The squadron provides intermediate-level maintenance for aircraft and aeronautical equipment, including authorized first-degree repair on certain engines. It also supplies aircraft parts and other Navy-funded equipment, manages aviation ordnance logistics, and provides technical guidance and oversight for operations and maintenance funding, aviation supply, and aircraft management. Its ammunition responsibilities cover Class V(a) aviation ammunition logistics. These duties include requisitioning, storage, handling, assembly, transportation, inventory reporting, and planning for an ammunition issue point at an expeditionary airfield. The squadron also supports equipment belonging to Marine Wing Support Squadrons, Marine Air Control Groups, and the Marine Aircraft Wing/Mobile Calibration Complex when those organizations fall within its support structure. The unit traces its lineage to Provisional Headquarters and Maintenance Squadron 39, activated on 16 April 1968 at Marine Quang Tri Airfield in the Republic of Vietnam. During the Vietnam War, the provisional squadron supported Marine aviation elements operating from Quang Tri, Dong Ha, and Khe Sanh. It was deactivated on 25 October 1969. The organization was reactivated at Camp Pendleton on 1 September 1978 as Headquarters and Maintenance Squadron 39, supporting the UH-1 Huey, AH-1 Cobra, and OV-10 Bronco. On 1 October 1988 it was redesignated Marine Aviation Logistics Squadron 39, consolidating aviation logistics support under a single commanding officer and aligning the unit with the Marine Corps aviation logistics structure. Since its reactivation, Marines from the squadron and its deployed detachments have supported operations in several regions. Elements participated in Operation Desert Storm and the liberation of Kuwait, while other personnel supported Operation Restore Hope in Somalia. In January 2003, the squadron deployed in support of Operation Enduring Freedom and Operation Iraqi Freedom, operating both aboard the aviation logistics support ship SS Curtiss and from locations including Ali Al Salem Air Base in Kuwait and forward operating bases in Iraq. In February 2004, personnel deployed as logistics augmentees to Marine Aviation Logistics Squadron 16 and as force-protection augmentees to 3rd Low Altitude Air Defense Battalion. The squadron has also continued to provide personnel for Western Pacific deployments, including support for units operating in Okinawa, Japan, and Marine Expeditionary Units at sea. Historically, the unit was associated with the nickname “Magicians.” It is now known as the “Hellhounds.” Its institutional recognition has included the 1998 Secretary of Defense Maintenance Award in the medium category and the 2003 Marine Corps Aviation Association Marine Aviation Logistics Squadron of the Year Award. These recognitions reflect the squadron’s maintenance and logistics performance rather than a commercial brand position. MALS-39 remains an operational military organization whose identity is expressed through its unit lineage, mission, insignia, nicknames, readiness role, and service record.
History
Marine Aviation Logistics Squadron 39 is a United States Marine Corps aviation logistics unit with a lineage extending from the Vietnam War to contemporary Marine aviation operations. Its predecessor, Provisional Headquarters and Maintenance Squadron 39, was activated on 16 April 1968 at Marine Quang Tri Airfield in the Republic of Vietnam. Assigned to Provisional Marine Aircraft Group 39 of the 1st Marine Aircraft Wing, it supported tactical aviation squadrons and other aviation elements operating from Quang Tri, Dong Ha, and Khe Sanh. The provisional organization was deactivated on 25 October 1969 after the Vietnam-era deployment period. The unit returned to active service at Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton, California, on 1 September 1978 as Headquarters and Maintenance Squadron 39. Its initial post-reactivation responsibilities included support for the UH-1 Huey utility helicopter, AH-1 Cobra attack helicopter, and OV-10 Bronco light attack and observation aircraft. The organization provided the maintenance, supply, and aviation support functions needed by Marine flying squadrons and associated aviation units. On 1 October 1988, Headquarters and Maintenance Squadron 39 was redesignated Marine Aviation Logistics Squadron 39. The change reflected a broader Marine Corps effort to place aviation logistics support under a clearly defined squadron command. MALS-39 became responsible for aviation supply and intermediate-level maintenance, including aircraft systems, avionics, and ordnance support, for the flying squadrons of Marine Aircraft Group 39. The squadron also retained the ability to augment supported units when they deployed within the United States or abroad. The squadron’s operational history includes participation in support of Operation Desert Storm and the liberation of Kuwait, as well as Operation Restore Hope in Somalia. These missions demonstrated the need for aviation logistics organizations that could accompany or reinforce deployed Marine aviation forces rather than operate only from a permanent base. In January 2003, MALS-39 deployed in support of Operation Enduring Freedom and Operation Iraqi Freedom. Its personnel worked both aboard the SS Curtiss, an aviation logistics support ship, and ashore at Ali Al Salem Air Base in Kuwait and at forward operating bases in Iraq. In February 2004, the squadron supplied personnel as logistics augmentees to Marine Aviation Logistics Squadron 16 and as force-protection augmentees to 3rd Low Altitude Air Defense Battalion. The unit has also supported continuing Marine deployments to the Western Pacific, including operations connected with Okinawa, Japan, and Marine Expeditionary Units deployed at sea. MALS-39’s mission is broader than aircraft repair alone. It provides logistics guidance, planning, and direction to Marine Aircraft Group squadrons on behalf of the group commanding officer. It supports aircraft and Navy-funded equipment belonging to organizations such as Marine Wing Support Squadrons, Marine Air Control Groups, and the Marine Aircraft Wing/Mobile Calibration Complex. Its maintenance section performs intermediate-level work and may conduct authorized first-degree repairs on specified engines. Its supply function provides parts and equipment, while its ordnance function manages Class V(a) ammunition from requisition through storage, assembly, transportation, issue-point operations, and inventory reporting. The squadron also interprets, implements, audits, inspects, and oversees policies governing operations and maintenance, Navy funds, aviation supply, aircraft administration, and related management activities. This combination of technical maintenance, supply-chain control, ordnance management, financial administration, and deployment augmentation makes MALS-39 a central readiness organization within Marine Aircraft Group 39. The squadron was historically known as the “Magicians” and is now identified as the “Hellhounds.” It has received institutional recognition for logistics and maintenance performance, including the 1998 Secretary of Defense Maintenance Award in the medium category and the 2003 Marine Corps Aviation Association Marine Aviation Logistics Squadron of the Year Award. MALS-39 is based at Marine Corps Air Station Camp Pendleton and remains subordinate to Marine Aircraft Group 39 and the 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing.
- 2004
Augmentation deployment in support of Iraq operations
[1]MALS-39 personnel served as logistics augmentees to MALS-16 and force-protection augmentees to 3rd Low Altitude Air Defense Battalion.
- 2003
Operation Enduring Freedom and Operation Iraqi Freedom deployment
[1]The squadron deployed aboard the SS Curtiss and to locations in Kuwait and Iraq in support of coalition operations.
- 2003
Marine Aviation Logistics Squadron of the Year Award
[1]The Marine Corps Aviation Association recognized MALS-39 as its Marine Aviation Logistics Squadron of the Year.
- 1998
Secretary of Defense Maintenance Award
[1]MALS-39 received the Secretary of Defense Maintenance Award in the medium category.
- 1988
Redesignated Marine Aviation Logistics Squadron 39
[1]The unit adopted its current designation as part of the Marine Corps aviation logistics organizational structure.
- 1978
Headquarters and Maintenance Squadron 39 reactivated
[1]The unit was reactivated at Camp Pendleton, California, with support responsibilities for the UH-1, AH-1, and OV-10 aircraft communities.
- 1969
Vietnam-era provisional organization deactivated
[1]The provisional squadron was deactivated after providing aviation logistics support during the Vietnam War.
- 1968
Provisional Headquarters and Maintenance Squadron 39 activated
[1]The provisional predecessor was activated at Marine Quang Tri Airfield in Vietnam to support Marine aviation elements operating in the Quang Tri area.
Products and positioning
A centralized Marine Corps aviation logistics provider focused on aircraft readiness, supply availability, ordnance control, maintenance management, and expeditionary support for Marine Aircraft Group 39 and associated aviation organizations.
Military aviation maintenance
Intermediate aircraft maintenance
MALS-39 provides intermediate-level maintenance for aircraft and aeronautical equipment belonging to supported Marine aviation units. The function sits between organizational-level servicing performed by operational squadrons and higher-level depot work, helping restore aircraft and components to operational readiness. When authorized, the squadron can also perform first-degree repairs on specified engines.
Military logistics
Aviation supply support
The squadron manages aviation supply support for aircraft and Navy-funded equipment used by supported organizations. Its responsibilities include obtaining, controlling, issuing, and accounting for parts and equipment needed to sustain Marine aviation operations, both at Camp Pendleton and during deployments.
Aviation ordnance logistics
Class V(a) ammunition logistics
MALS-39 supports aviation ammunition logistics, covering requisitioning, storage, handling, assembly, transportation, and inventory reporting. It is also expected to plan for and operate an airfield ammunition issue point when Marine aviation units operate from expeditionary airfields.
Expeditionary military support
Deployment logistics augmentation
When Marine flying squadrons deploy, MALS-39 can provide personnel and logistics capabilities to reinforce them. Its deployment history includes shipboard, overseas-base, and forward-operating-location support, allowing aviation units to maintain readiness away from their home installation.
Marketing campaigns
- 2004Operation Iraqi Freedom augmentation support
Iraq
Personnel from MALS-39 augmented Marine Aviation Logistics Squadron 16 in logistics roles and 3rd Low Altitude Air Defense Battalion in force-protection roles.
- 2003Operation Enduring Freedom and Operation Iraqi Freedom
Kuwait · Iraq · Afloat aboard SS Curtiss
The squadron deployed as a command and operated both aboard the aviation logistics support ship SS Curtiss and from bases and forward operating locations in Kuwait and Iraq.
- 1968Vietnam War support
Republic of Vietnam
The provisional predecessor of MALS-39 supported Marine aviation elements operating from Quang Tri, Dong Ha, and Khe Sanh.
Outcome. The provisional organization was deactivated in October 1969.
- Operation Desert Storm
Kuwait · Persian Gulf region
Elements of MALS-39 participated in support of Operation Desert Storm and the liberation of Kuwait.
- Operation Restore Hope
Somalia
MALS-39 Marines participated in the Somalia operation, contributing aviation logistics personnel to an expeditionary environment.
- Western Pacific and Marine Expeditionary Unit support
Okinawa, Japan · Western Pacific · Afloat Marine Expeditionary Units
MALS-39 Marines have continued to support unit deployments to Okinawa and Marine Expeditionary Units operating at sea.
Brand decisions
1988
Redesignation as Marine Aviation Logistics Squadron 39StrategyBackground
The Marine Corps reorganized aviation logistics responsibilities to place support functions under a dedicated aviation logistics command.
Action taken
Headquarters and Maintenance Squadron 39 was redesignated MALS-39, with aviation supply, maintenance, avionics, ordnance, and related management responsibilities.
Aftermath
The redesignation aligned the unit with the Marine Corps aviation logistics model and clarified its relationship with supported flying squadrons.
1978
Reactivation as a permanent Camp Pendleton aviation logistics unitStrategyBackground
After its Vietnam-era provisional service, the organization was re-established to provide continuing logistics and maintenance support to Marine aviation units based at or associated with Camp Pendleton.
Action taken
Headquarters and Maintenance Squadron 39 was reactivated at Camp Pendleton with support responsibilities for several Marine aircraft types.
Aftermath
The reactivated organization became the foundation for the modern MALS-39 structure.
Recent events
- 2004
MALS-39 provides logistics and force-protection augmentees[1]
Other
Personnel deployed as logistics augmentees to Marine Aviation Logistics Squadron 16 and as force-protection augmentees to 3rd Low Altitude Air Defense Battalion in support of operations in Iraq.
- 2003
MALS-39 deploys in support of operations in Kuwait and Iraq[1]
Other
The squadron deployed as a command in support of Operation Enduring Freedom and Operation Iraqi Freedom, operating from the SS Curtiss, Ali Al Salem Air Base, and forward operating bases in Iraq.
- 2003
MALS-39 receives Marine Aviation Logistics Squadron of the Year recognition[1]
Other
The Marine Corps Aviation Association recognized MALS-39 with its Marine Aviation Logistics Squadron of the Year Award.
- 1988
Unit redesignated Marine Aviation Logistics Squadron 39[1]
Other
The redesignation placed the squadron within the Marine Corps aviation logistics framework and consolidated support responsibilities under one commanding officer.
- 1978
Headquarters and Maintenance Squadron 39 reactivated at Camp Pendleton[1]
Other
The unit was reactivated in California to support Marine aircraft including the UH-1 Huey, AH-1 Cobra, and OV-10 Bronco.
- 1968
Provisional Headquarters and Maintenance Squadron 39 activated in Vietnam[1]
Other
The provisional predecessor of MALS-39 was activated at Marine Quang Tri Airfield to provide logistics support to Marine aviation elements operating in the northern part of South Vietnam.
MALS-39 supports Operation Desert Storm and the liberation of Kuwait[1]
Other
Elements of the squadron participated in aviation logistics support connected with Operation Desert Storm and the liberation of Kuwait.
MALS-39 personnel support Operation Restore Hope[1]
Other
Squadron personnel participated in the United States-led intervention and humanitarian operation in Somalia.
Sources2 sources
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