Marine Tactical Air Command Squadron 38
A former United States Marine Corps aviation command-and-control squadron that operated the Tactical Air Command Center for the 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing.
Last updated August 26, 2026
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Overview
Marine Tactical Air Command Squadron 38, commonly abbreviated MTACS-38, was a United States Marine Corps aviation command-and-control unit assigned to Marine Air Control Group 38 and the 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing. Its central responsibility was to provide the Tactical Air Command Center, the senior command-and-control agency within the Marine Air Command and Control System for the wing. The squadron supplied the facilities, communications, equipment, and personnel needed by the aviation combat element commander and staff to plan, coordinate, supervise, and execute air operations. The unit originated as Headquarters and Headquarters Squadron 38, commissioned on 1 September 1967 at Marine Corps Air Station El Toro, California. Its early role established the organizational foundation for supporting Marine aviation command functions across expeditionary and contingency operations. In August 1990, the squadron deployed to Saudi Arabia for Operation Desert Shield. When the operation transitioned to Operation Desert Storm in January 1991, the unit continued supporting coalition combat operations before returning to MCAS El Toro in March 1991. MTACS-38 subsequently participated in the United States intervention in Somalia. Elements deployed in December 1992 in support of Operation Restore Hope and remained in theater until February 1993. On 1 May 1993, Headquarters and Headquarters Squadron 38 was redesignated Marine Tactical Air Command Squadron 38, aligning its title more directly with its command-and-control mission. The squadron was heavily involved in Marine aviation operations during the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. In early 2003, it deployed to Kuwait and established the Tactical Air Command Center at Ahmad al-Jaber Air Base. From that location it managed and coordinated aviation assets of the 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing in support of I Marine Expeditionary Force during the invasion of Iraq. The squadron later conducted extended deployments to Al Asad Air Base in Iraq in 2004, 2006, and 2008. In April 2010, MTACS-38 deployed to Afghanistan for the first time in support of Operation Enduring Freedom. Based at Camp Leatherneck, it supported I Marine Expeditionary Force combat operations for approximately a year before being relieved by Marine Tactical Air Command Squadron 28 in March 2011. A second Afghanistan deployment began in February 2012, again at Camp Leatherneck, and ended with relief by MTACS-28 in February 2013. The squadron returned to Afghanistan in January 2014 for its third and final deployment there. During this tour, its personnel supported ongoing operations and helped dismantle the command infrastructure associated with the withdrawal. MTACS-38 departed Afghanistan for the final time in November 2014. The squadron was decommissioned on 19 November 2021 at MCAS Miramar, California, as part of the Marine Corps Force Design 2030 restructuring initiative. Following the decommissioning, responsibility for providing the Tactical Air Command Center for the 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing was assigned to the headquarters of Marine Air Control Group 38. MTACS-38 therefore remains a historical Marine aviation unit rather than an active squadron.
History
Marine Tactical Air Command Squadron 38 was a United States Marine Corps aviation command-and-control squadron associated with the 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing. The unit's predecessor, Headquarters and Headquarters Squadron 38, was commissioned on 1 September 1967 at MCAS El Toro, California. Its mission was to provide the command infrastructure required for the wing's aviation combat element, including the personnel, facilities, communications, and equipment used by the aviation commander and battle staff. The squadron's operational history included deployments in the Middle East, Somalia, Iraq, and Afghanistan. In August 1990 it deployed to Saudi Arabia for Operation Desert Shield and subsequently supported Operation Desert Storm after the campaign began in January 1991. It returned to California in March 1991. Elements of the unit later deployed to Somalia in December 1992 for Operation Restore Hope, remaining there until February 1993. On 1 May 1993, the unit was redesignated Marine Tactical Air Command Squadron 38. The new designation reflected its role in operating the Tactical Air Command Center, the senior agency in the Marine Air Command and Control System. The TACC integrates Marine aviation functions and gives the aviation combat element commander a central facility for planning, supervising, coordinating, and executing air operations. During the 2003 invasion of Iraq, MTACS-38 deployed to Kuwait and established the TACC at Ahmad al-Jaber Air Base. It coordinated the aviation resources of the 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing in support of I Marine Expeditionary Force. The squadron later undertook extended Iraq deployments to Al Asad Air Base in Al Anbar Province in 2004, 2006, and 2008. The unit's Afghanistan operations began in April 2010, when it deployed to Camp Leatherneck in support of Operation Enduring Freedom. It supported I Marine Expeditionary Force combat operations until being relieved by MTACS-28 in March 2011. A second deployment to Camp Leatherneck began in February 2012 and concluded when MTACS-28 assumed the mission in February 2013. MTACS-38 returned to Afghanistan in January 2014 for its final deployment. In addition to command-and-control duties, its personnel assisted with the dismantling of facilities connected with the withdrawal from Afghanistan. The squadron departed the country in November 2014. The Marine Corps decommissioned MTACS-38 on 19 November 2021 at MCAS Miramar as part of Force Design 2030. The decision consolidated the Tactical Air Command Center function within the headquarters of Marine Air Control Group 38. The decommissioning ended the squadron's active existence while preserving its operational lineage and historical association with 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing aviation command and control.
- 2021
Decommissioning
[1]MTACS-38 was decommissioned at MCAS Miramar on 19 November 2021 under the Marine Corps Force Design 2030 restructuring program.
- 2014
Final Afghanistan deployment
[1]The unit began its third and final Afghanistan deployment in January 2014 and left the country in November of that year.
- 2010
First Afghanistan deployment
[1]The squadron began its first Afghanistan deployment in April 2010 from Camp Leatherneck.
- 2003
Iraq invasion deployment
[1]MTACS-38 established a Tactical Air Command Center at Ahmad al-Jaber Air Base in Kuwait to support 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing operations during the invasion of Iraq.
- 1993
Redesignation as MTACS-38
[1]The unit was redesignated Marine Tactical Air Command Squadron 38 on 1 May 1993.
- 1992
Deployment to Somalia
[1]Elements deployed to Somalia in December 1992 to support Operation Restore Hope.
- 1991
Return from the Gulf War theater
[1]The unit returned to MCAS El Toro in March 1991 after its Gulf deployment.
- 1990
Deployment for Operation Desert Shield
[1]The squadron deployed to Saudi Arabia in August 1990 in support of Operation Desert Shield and the subsequent Operation Desert Storm.
- 1967
Commissioning of Headquarters and Headquarters Squadron 38
[1]The predecessor unit was commissioned on 1 September 1967 at Marine Corps Air Station El Toro, California.
Products and positioning
A specialized Marine Corps aviation command-and-control unit supporting the senior air command agency of the 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing.
Military command and control
Tactical Air Command Center
The squadron's principal operational capability was the Tactical Air Command Center, the senior Marine Air Command and Control System agency for the 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing. The center served as the aviation combat element command post, bringing together commanders, staff, communications systems, and operational processes to plan, coordinate, supervise, and execute air operations. MTACS-38 established and operated such command facilities in expeditionary theaters including Kuwait, Iraq, and Afghanistan.
Marketing campaigns
- 2014Operation Enduring Freedom final deployment
Afghanistan
The squadron conducted its third Afghanistan deployment, supporting operations and assisting with the teardown of facilities during the withdrawal phase.
Outcome. MTACS-38 departed Afghanistan in November 2014.
- 2012Operation Enduring Freedom second deployment
Afghanistan
MTACS-38 returned to Camp Leatherneck in February 2012 for another Afghanistan deployment.
Outcome. MTACS-28 relieved the squadron in February 2013.
- 2010Operation Enduring Freedom
Afghanistan
The squadron deployed to Camp Leatherneck in April 2010 to support I Marine Expeditionary Force combat operations.
Outcome. It was relieved by MTACS-28 in March 2011.
- 2003Operation Iraqi Freedom
Kuwait · Iraq
MTACS-38 deployed to Kuwait and operated the Tactical Air Command Center at Ahmad al-Jaber Air Base in support of I Marine Expeditionary Force and 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing aviation operations.
Outcome. The squadron subsequently conducted additional Iraq tours in 2004, 2006, and 2008.
- 1992Operation Restore Hope
Somalia
Elements of MTACS-38 deployed to Somalia to support the United States-led humanitarian and security operation.
Outcome. The elements remained in Somalia until February 1993.
- 1990Operation Desert Shield and Operation Desert Storm
Saudi Arabia · Kuwait region
The squadron deployed to Saudi Arabia in August 1990 and supported the buildup and combat operations associated with the Gulf War.
Outcome. The unit returned to MCAS El Toro in March 1991.
Brand decisions
2021
Decommissioning under Force Design 2030StrategyBackground
The Marine Corps reorganized forces under its Force Design 2030 initiative and reviewed how aviation command-and-control functions should be structured.
Action taken
MTACS-38 was decommissioned at MCAS Miramar on 19 November 2021, with its Tactical Air Command Center mission transferred to the headquarters of Marine Air Control Group 38.
Aftermath
The squadron ceased to exist as an active unit, while its former command-and-control function continued within MACG-38 headquarters.
1993
Redesignation to reflect aviation command-and-control roleStrategyBackground
The unit's predecessor designation was Headquarters and Headquarters Squadron 38, while its operational role centered on providing the senior aviation command-and-control agency for the wing.
Action taken
The squadron was redesignated Marine Tactical Air Command Squadron 38 on 1 May 1993.
Aftermath
The new designation remained in use until the squadron was decommissioned in 2021.
Sources2 sources
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