Marine Wing Support Group 17

Marine Wing Support Group 17, commonly abbreviated MWSG-17, was a United States Marine Corps aviation ground-support organization assigned to 1st Marine Aircraft Wing. Based in Japan for most of its existence, the group supplied the aviation ground infrastructure and combat-service support required to operate Marine aircraft units during exercises, contingencies, and expeditionary deployments. Its mission covered a broad range of functions rather than aircraft operation itself. These included airfield operations other than air traffic control, engineer services, transportation, medical assistance, food services, security, and other direct support to the Aviation Combat Element. The organization was activated on 1 July 1953 at Itami, Japan, under the designation Marine Wing Service Group 17. Later in 1953 it moved to Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni, where it remained until 1966. That year it was redesignated Marine Wing Support Group 17 and deployed to the Republic of Vietnam. From June 1966 through August 1970, the group operated from Da Nang Air Base in support of Marine aviation activities during the Vietnam War. Its wartime service was recognized with a Presidential Unit Citation and a Meritorious Unit Commendation. After returning from Vietnam in the summer of 1970, MWSG-17 resumed operations at MCAS Iwakuni. In 1979 it moved to Okinawa and was based at Camp Foster. In its later structure, the group included Marine Wing Support Squadron 171, Marine Wing Support Squadron 172, and Personnel Support Detachment 17. These subordinate elements provided deployable support to airfields and aviation formations across the United States Pacific Command area of responsibility. MWSG-17 was disbanded on 4 June 2012. Its subordinate units were transferred to other commands within 1st Marine Aircraft Wing. The disbandment ended the group's independent organizational existence, while its aviation-support functions continued through the Marine Corps units that inherited its personnel and responsibilities.

Marine Wing Support Group 17 originated on 1 July 1953, when the United States Marine Corps activated it at Itami, Japan, as Marine Wing Service Group 17. The organization was created to provide aviation ground support for Marine aircraft formations, enabling air units to operate from expeditionary and overseas locations. Its responsibilities were centered on the infrastructure and services surrounding aviation operations rather than flight operations or air traffic control. Later in 1953, the group relocated to Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni, Japan. It remained at Iwakuni for the next thirteen years, supporting Marine aviation activities in the Western Pacific. In 1966, the unit was redesignated Marine Wing Support Group 17 and deployed to the Republic of Vietnam. The group operated from Da Nang Air Base from June 1966 through August 1970 during the Vietnam War. Its support functions included airfield and engineering work, transportation, medical and food services, security, and other combat and combat-service support for Marine aviation. The group's Vietnam service earned a Presidential Unit Citation and a Meritorious Unit Commendation. MWSG-17 returned to Japan in the summer of 1970 and resumed its association with MCAS Iwakuni. In 1979, it moved to Okinawa and took up residence at Camp Foster. From there, it supported 1st Marine Aircraft Wing and III Marine Expeditionary Force requirements in the Pacific region. Its stated mission was to provide organic and deployable aviation ground support for contingencies and exercises within the United States Pacific Command area of responsibility. The group was organized with Marine Wing Support Squadron 171, Marine Wing Support Squadron 172, and Personnel Support Detachment 17. Together, these elements supplied the personnel and specialized capabilities needed to establish, sustain, protect, and service aviation operating locations. The group could therefore function as an enabling organization for the Aviation Combat Element during both routine exercises and operational deployments. On 4 June 2012, Marine Wing Support Group 17 was disbanded. The subordinate units were transferred to other commands within 1st Marine Aircraft Wing, preserving the ability to deliver aviation ground support while ending MWSG-17 as a standalone group. No later independent operations under the MWSG-17 designation are identified in the supplied reference material.

• 2012

  Disbanded

  [1]Marine Wing Support Group 17en.wikipedia.org

  MWSG-17 was disbanded on 4 June 2012, and its subordinate units were reassigned within 1st Marine Aircraft Wing.

• 1979

  Moved to Okinawa

  [1]Marine Wing Support Group 17en.wikipedia.org

  The group relocated to Okinawa, Japan, and established its base at Camp Foster.

• 1970

  Returned from Vietnam

  [1]Marine Wing Support Group 17en.wikipedia.org

  After operating from Da Nang Air Base from June 1966 through August 1970, the group returned to MCAS Iwakuni.

• 1966

  Redesignated and deployed to Vietnam

  [1]Marine Wing Support Group 17en.wikipedia.org

  The organization became Marine Wing Support Group 17 and deployed to the Republic of Vietnam.

• 1953

  Activated as Marine Wing Service Group 17

  [1]Marine Wing Support Group 17en.wikipedia.org

  The unit was activated on 1 July 1953 at Itami, Japan, initially using the designation Marine Wing Service Group 17.

• 1953

  Relocated to MCAS Iwakuni

  [1]Marine Wing Support Group 17en.wikipedia.org

  Later in 1953, the group moved to Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni, Japan.

A deployable Marine Corps aviation ground-support formation rather than a commercial brand. Its role was to provide integrated airfield, engineering, transportation, medical, food-service, security, and other combat-service support to Marine aviation forces.

• 1966Vietnam War support operations

  Republic of Vietnam

  MWSG-17 supported Marine aviation operations from Da Nang Air Base from June 1966 through August 1970. Its activities included airfield operations excluding air traffic control, engineering, transportation, medical assistance, food services, security, and other combat-service support.

  Outcome. The group completed its Vietnam deployment and received a Presidential Unit Citation and a Meritorious Unit Commendation.

  Source

• 2012

  Organizational disbandment and redistribution of subordinate unitsStrategy

  Background

  The Marine Corps ended MWSG-17's independent organizational structure as part of a reorganization of aviation ground-support capabilities.

  Action taken

  The group was disbanded on 4 June 2012, with its subordinate units transferred to other commands in 1st Marine Aircraft Wing.

  Aftermath

  The MWSG-17 designation ceased to represent an active standalone group, while its support functions continued under successor commands.

  Source

• 1966

  Redesignation and Vietnam deploymentStrategy

  Background

  The Marine Corps changed the unit's designation from Marine Wing Service Group 17 to Marine Wing Support Group 17 as it entered a Vietnam War deployment.

  Action taken

  The group deployed to the Republic of Vietnam and operated from Da Nang Air Base in support of Marine aviation.

  Aftermath

  The deployment lasted until August 1970 and was followed by the group's return to MCAS Iwakuni.

  Source

1. 1Marine Wing Support Group 17en.wikipedia.org