Marine Wing Support Group 27

Marine Wing Support Group 27, commonly abbreviated MWSG-27, is a United States Marine Corps aviation ground-support organization based at Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point, North Carolina. It supports the 2nd Marine Aircraft Wing and, when deployed as part of an Aviation Combat Element, contributes to the aviation component of a Marine Air-Ground Task Force. Rather than operating aircraft itself, the group provides the ground infrastructure and services required to establish, operate, protect, and sustain airfields and forward aviation sites in expeditionary conditions. Its mission encompasses command and control of Aviation Ground Support functions within the Marine Aircraft Wing, both at permanent installations and in deployed environments. The group’s responsibilities have included airfield operations other than air traffic control, engineering, transportation, equipment maintenance and repair, medical support, food services, security, utilities, and other forms of direct combat and combat service support. These capabilities allow Marine aviation units to operate from austere or newly established locations rather than relying exclusively on mature fixed bases. The organization was activated as Marine Wing Service Group 27 on 1 July 1953 and received the designation Marine Wing Support Group 27 on 1 April 1967. Its structure changed repeatedly as the Marine Corps refined the division between aviation operations and aviation ground support. In 1976, the group ceased performing aviation functions under the Marine Corps Combat Service Support Concept. Several predecessor organizations were redesignated, and new engineering, transportation, headquarters, and station-support elements were established. The group later adopted the Marine Wing Support Squadron model, consolidating personnel and equipment from earlier squadrons, detachments, and Marine Air Base Squadrons. MWSG-27 supported Marine aviation during the 1990–1991 Gulf War period. Its squadrons deployed to Saudi Arabia during Operations Desert Shield and Desert Storm, where they helped establish and operate forward expeditionary airfields. The group headquarters provided coordination for the deployed squadrons, which returned to the United States in 1991. During the following years, MWSG-27 continued supporting the 2nd Marine Aircraft Wing through routine operations, exercises, training, and deployments. One of its squadrons also operated an expeditionary airfield at Marine Corps Auxiliary Landing Field Bogue Field in North Carolina. The group was disbanded on 14 May 2012, after which its squadrons came under the direct control of the four Marine Aircraft Groups within the 2nd Marine Aircraft Wing. MWSG-27 was reactivated at Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point on 22 May 2018 as part of a broader Marine Corps organizational reconfiguration. Reference material states that the group is scheduled for deactivation by 2030, although the timing and final organizational arrangements may change. Its historical and current significance lies in its role as a coordinating headquarters for the specialized engineering, logistics, security, transportation, medical, and operational services needed to make Marine expeditionary aviation possible.

Marine Wing Support Group 27 traces its organizational history to Marine Wing Service Group 27, activated on 1 July 1953. The group was created after internal studies and planning intended to identify an organization capable of delivering the broad range of ground services required by Marine aviation. It was redesignated Marine Wing Support Group 27 on 1 April 1967. In its earlier form, the organization included Headquarters and Maintenance Squadron 27, VMGR-252, Wing Equipment and Repair Squadron 27, and Sub-Unit 1 of Marine Weapons Unit 2. The group’s responsibilities changed substantially under the Marine Corps Combat Service Support Concept. On 20 April 1976, it ceased its aviation functions, including the separation of VMGR-252 and the detachment of Sub-Unit 1. On 13 May 1976, Headquarters and Maintenance Squadron 27 became Headquarters and Ground Maintenance Squadron 27, Wing Equipment and Repair Squadron 27 became Wing Transport Squadron 27, and Wing Engineer Squadron 27 was activated. The organization also established geographically separated support detachments. Detachment A at Marine Corps Air Station New River became operational on 10 September 1976, while Detachment B at Marine Corps Air Station Beaufort was activated on 27 October 1976. During another reorganization in December 1979 and January 1980, Headquarters and Ground Maintenance Squadron 27 was redesignated Headquarters Squadron 27. On 1 January 1986, the group adopted the Marine Wing Support Squadron structure. Personnel and equipment from its existing squadrons and detachments were consolidated with elements of five Marine Air Base Squadrons located across four airfields. The resulting structure included Headquarters and Headquarters Squadron 27, Marine Wing Support Squadron 271, Marine Wing Support Squadron 272, Marine Wing Support Squadron 273, and Marine Wing Support Squadron 274. This structure aligned specialized aviation ground-support functions with the Marine Corps’ broader expeditionary aviation model. The group deployed during the Gulf War period. Following Iraq’s invasion of Kuwait in 1990, Marine Wing Support Squadrons deployed to Saudi Arabia for Operations Desert Shield and Desert Storm. They established and supported forward expeditionary airfields, while MWSG-27 headquarters elements coordinated the deployed units. The deployed elements returned to the United States during the summer of 1991. From 1991 through 1997, the group continued supporting the 2nd Marine Aircraft Wing through station operations, exercises, deployments, and training. During this period, Marine Wing Support Squadron 271 served as the principal operator of one of two expeditionary airfields maintained in the United States at Marine Corps Auxiliary Landing Field Bogue Field, while coordinating support with Marine Wing Support Squadron 274 at Cherry Point. In April 1997, Headquarters and Headquarters Squadron 27 was redesignated Headquarters 27, and Personnel and Support Detachment 27 was incorporated into the revised structure. MWSG-27 was disbanded on 14 May 2012, with its squadrons transferred to the direct control of the four Marine Aircraft Groups of the 2nd Marine Aircraft Wing. The group was reactivated on 22 May 2018 at Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point. Reference material indicates that the reactivated organization is expected to be deactivated by 2030. The group’s history therefore reflects recurring Marine Corps efforts to balance centralized coordination with direct control by operational aviation groups while preserving the specialized support needed for expeditionary air operations.

• 2018

  Group reactivated

  [1]Marine Wing Support Group 27en.wikipedia.org

  MWSG-27 was reactivated at Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point on 22 May.

• 2012

  Group disbanded

  [1]Marine Wing Support Group 27en.wikipedia.org

  MWSG-27 was disbanded on 14 May, and its squadrons came under the direct control of the four Marine Aircraft Groups of the 2nd Marine Aircraft Wing.

• 1997

  Headquarters restructuring

  [1]Marine Wing Support Group 27en.wikipedia.org

  Headquarters and Headquarters Squadron 27 was redesignated Headquarters 27, with the Personnel and Support Detachment 27 incorporated into the new structure.

• 1990

  Deployment for Operations Desert Shield and Desert Storm

  [1]Marine Wing Support Group 27en.wikipedia.org

  Marine Wing Support Squadrons deployed to Saudi Arabia and established forward expeditionary airfields during the Gulf War period.

• 1986

  Marine Wing Support Squadron structure adopted

  [1]Marine Wing Support Group 27en.wikipedia.org

  The group consolidated personnel and equipment with Marine Air Base Squadron elements and reorganized into the Marine Wing Support Squadron model.

• 1976

  Aviation functions separated from the group

  [1]Marine Wing Support Group 27en.wikipedia.org

  The group ended its aviation functions under the Combat Service Support Concept, and its constituent units were reorganized into headquarters, transport, and engineering support organizations.

• 1967

  Redesignated Marine Wing Support Group 27

  [1]Marine Wing Support Group 27en.wikipedia.org

  On 1 April 1967, Marine Wing Service Group 27 adopted the Marine Wing Support Group 27 designation.

• 1953

  Marine Wing Service Group 27 activated

  [1]Marine Wing Support Group 27en.wikipedia.org

  The organization was activated on 1 July 1953 to provide aviation-related ground support capabilities for Marine aviation.

A Marine Corps aviation-support headquarters focused on making expeditionary airfields and forward aviation sites operational, sustainable, and supportable in both peacetime and combat environments.

• Military aviation support

  Expeditionary airfield support

  MWSG-27 provides the personnel, equipment, engineering, transportation, security, and sustainment functions required to establish and operate airfields and forward aviation sites in expeditionary environments. Its support is intended to allow Marine aviation units to operate from locations with limited pre-existing infrastructure.

• Military command support

  Aviation Ground Support command and control

  The group coordinates Aviation Ground Support functions for the Marine Aircraft Wing in garrison and when deployed as part of the Aviation Combat Element of a Marine Air-Ground Task Force. This includes integrating engineering, logistics, maintenance, medical, food-service, security, and transportation capabilities.

• 1990Operations Desert Shield and Desert Storm

  Saudi Arabia · Persian Gulf region

  Following Iraq’s invasion of Kuwait, Marine Wing Support Squadrons deployed to Saudi Arabia to support Marine aviation. Their work included establishing and operating forward expeditionary airfields, while group headquarters elements coordinated support during combat operations.

  Outcome. The deployed elements returned to the United States during the summer of 1991 after supporting the Gulf War campaign.

  Source

• 2018

  Reactivation of MWSG-27Strategy

  Background

  The Marine Corps undertook another organizational reconfiguration intended to restore a group-level aviation ground-support headquarters.

  Action taken

  MWSG-27 was reactivated at Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point.

  Aftermath

  The group resumed its role coordinating Aviation Ground Support for the 2nd Marine Aircraft Wing, although reference material indicates a planned deactivation by 2030.

  Source

• 2012

  Disbandment and transfer of subordinate squadronsStrategy

  Background

  As part of Marine Corps organizational changes, the group headquarters was removed from the force structure.

  Action taken

  MWSG-27 was disbanded, and its squadrons were placed under the direct control of the four Marine Aircraft Groups of the 2nd Marine Aircraft Wing.

  Aftermath

  A centralized support-group headquarters was replaced by direct relationships between the squadrons and operational aviation groups.

  Source

• 1986

  Adoption of the Marine Wing Support Squadron conceptStrategy

  Background

  The Marine Corps reorganized aviation ground-support resources to consolidate personnel and equipment with Marine Air Base Squadron elements.

  Action taken

  The group reorganized into a headquarters element and Marine Wing Support Squadrons 271 through 274.

  Aftermath

  The new structure aligned engineering, transportation, airfield, and other support functions with the needs of Marine aviation units and expeditionary airfields.

  Source

• 1976

  Shift to combat service support organizationStrategy

  Background

  The Marine Corps implemented a Combat Service Support Concept that separated aviation functions from the group and emphasized ground-support capabilities.

  Action taken

  MWSG-27 ceased its aviation functions, separated VMGR-252 and another sub-unit, and redesignated or activated headquarters, transport, and engineering organizations.

  Aftermath

  The change established the organizational foundation for the group’s later emphasis on aviation ground support.

  Source

1. 1Marine Wing Support Group 27en.wikipedia.org