Marine Wing Support Squadron 371
A United States Marine Corps aviation ground support squadron based at Marine Corps Air Station Yuma, Arizona.
Last updated August 26, 2026
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Overview
Marine Wing Support Squadron 371, commonly abbreviated MWSS-371, is an aviation ground support unit of the United States Marine Corps. It is based at Marine Corps Air Station Yuma, Arizona, and forms part of Marine Air Control Group 38 within the 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing. Unlike an aircraft squadron, MWSS-371 does not primarily operate a fleet of combat aircraft. Its role is to provide the infrastructure, logistics, engineering, airfield, transportation, communications, security, and other support functions required to enable Marine aviation operations. The squadron's stated mission is to provide essential aviation ground support to a designated fixed-wing component of an Aviation Combat Element, together with supporting or attached elements of the Marine Air Control Group. This mission allows aircraft units to operate from expeditionary or austere locations by ensuring that runways, aircraft operating areas, utilities, fuel and material handling, communications, vehicle support, emergency services, and other airfield requirements are available. The unit therefore functions as an enabling organization within the Marine aviation structure rather than as a conventional consumer-facing brand or commercial enterprise. MWSS-371 was activated on June 2, 1986, at Marine Corps Air Station El Toro, California. In April 1987, it relocated to Marine Corps Air Station Yuma, Arizona, where it remains based. Its early history at Yuma placed it within the operational framework supporting the 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing and Marine aviation training and deployment requirements. The squadron conducted its first combat deployment during Operation Desert Storm, serving in Southwest Asia from August 1990 through April 1991. It subsequently contributed personnel and capabilities to Operation Restore Hope in Somalia from January through May 1993 and to Operation Southern Watch over Iraq from March through June 2001. These deployments reflected the unit's expeditionary role: supporting aviation forces and associated elements in operational environments outside the continental United States. MWSS-371 also deployed in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom in 2003, 2005, and 2007. In 2009, it deployed to Afghanistan in support of Operation Enduring Freedom. The available reference material identifies these deployments but does not provide a complete account of the squadron's specific locations, subordinate detachments, equipment, commanders, casualty history, or individual operational achievements. As a Marine Corps unit, MWSS-371 is not a separately incorporated company, does not have public shareholders, and does not publish commercial financial results. Its organizational identity is defined by its mission, chain of command, personnel, and deployment history. Its principal operational value lies in making fixed-wing Marine aviation sustainable in expeditionary settings through aviation ground support.
History
Marine Wing Support Squadron 371 was activated on June 2, 1986, at Marine Corps Air Station El Toro in California. Its creation provided the Marine Corps with a dedicated aviation ground support capability associated with the 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing. The squadron moved to Marine Corps Air Station Yuma, Arizona, in April 1987. Yuma subsequently became its home station and the base from which it supported Marine aviation training, readiness, and expeditionary deployments. The squadron's purpose is to furnish the ground-side capabilities needed by a designated fixed-wing component of a Marine Aviation Combat Element, as well as by supporting or attached elements of Marine Air Control Group 38. Such support is distinct from the operation of aircraft themselves. It encompasses the practical systems and services that allow aircraft units to function from established bases or temporary expeditionary sites. The available reference description identifies the mission at a high level but does not enumerate every specialty, piece of equipment, or organizational section assigned to the squadron. MWSS-371's first combat deployment was in support of Operation Desert Storm in Southwest Asia, lasting from August 1990 to April 1991. The deployment placed the squadron's aviation ground support mission in a major coalition combat operation and demonstrated the need for Marine aviation support units to operate beyond their permanent installations. The squadron later participated in Operation Restore Hope in Somalia from January through May 1993. It also supported Operation Southern Watch over Iraq from March through June 2001. These operations extended the unit's operational experience across different mission environments, including humanitarian and security-oriented deployments, while retaining its core aviation-support function. During the Iraq War period, MWSS-371 deployed in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom in 2003, 2005, and 2007. The available historical account does not specify the squadron's precise bases, detachments, supported aircraft formations, or individual actions during those rotations. In 2009, the squadron deployed to Afghanistan in support of Operation Enduring Freedom. These deployments continued the unit's role as an aviation ground support organization within Marine expeditionary operations. MWSS-371 remains associated with Marine Air Control Group 38 and the 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing, with its home station at MCAS Yuma. The supplied sources do not provide a full list of commanders, later deployments, organizational changes, awards, or current force structure. Consequently, the documented history is strongest for the squadron's activation, relocation, and named overseas operations.
- 2009
Afghanistan deployment
[1]MWSS-371 deployed to Afghanistan in support of Operation Enduring Freedom.
- 2007
Third documented Iraq War rotation
[1]The squadron deployed in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom for a documented rotation in 2007.
- 2005
Second documented Iraq War rotation
[1]The squadron deployed again in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom in 2005.
- 2003
Operation Iraqi Freedom deployment
[1]MWSS-371 deployed in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom in 2003.
- 2001
Operation Southern Watch support
[1]Elements deployed in support of Operation Southern Watch over Iraq from March through June 2001.
- 1993
Deployment to Somalia
[1]Elements of the squadron participated in Operation Restore Hope in Somalia from January through May 1993.
- 1991
Conclusion of Desert Storm deployment
[1]The squadron's first documented combat deployment concluded in April 1991.
- 1990
First combat deployment
[1]MWSS-371 deployed to Southwest Asia in August 1990 in support of Operation Desert Storm.
- 1987
Relocation to MCAS Yuma
[1]The squadron relocated from MCAS El Toro to Marine Corps Air Station Yuma, Arizona, in April 1987.
- 1986
Squadron activated
[1]Marine Wing Support Squadron 371 was activated on June 2, 1986, at Marine Corps Air Station El Toro, California.
Products and positioning
An expeditionary aviation-enabling unit that supplies essential ground support and operating infrastructure for Marine Corps aviation forces.
Military aviation support
Aviation ground support
The squadron's principal capability is aviation ground support for a designated fixed-wing component of a Marine Aviation Combat Element. This mission concerns the ground infrastructure and operational services that enable aircraft units to function, particularly during expeditionary deployments. The supplied sources describe the capability at mission level and do not provide a detailed public inventory of equipment or subordinate specialties.
Marketing campaigns
- 2009Operation Enduring Freedom
Afghanistan
MWSS-371 deployed to Afghanistan in support of Operation Enduring Freedom in 2009.
Outcome. The available reference confirms the deployment but does not describe its detailed outcome.
- 2007Operation Iraqi Freedom
Iraq
The squadron deployed in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom in 2007.
Outcome. The supplied reference confirms the deployment without further operational detail.
- 2005Operation Iraqi Freedom
Iraq
MWSS-371 conducted another documented deployment in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom in 2005.
Outcome. The supplied reference does not provide detailed unit-level results.
- 2003Operation Iraqi Freedom
Iraq
The squadron deployed in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom in 2003.
Outcome. The supplied reference confirms the deployment but does not provide its dates or detailed outcome.
- 2001Operation Southern Watch
Iraq · Southwest Asia
Elements supported Operation Southern Watch over Iraq from March through June 2001.
Outcome. The documented deployment concluded in June 2001.
- 1993Operation Restore Hope
Somalia
Elements of MWSS-371 participated in the Somalia operation from January through May 1993.
Outcome. The documented participation ended in May 1993; specific squadron-level results are not detailed in the supplied material.
- 1990Operation Desert Storm
Southwest Asia
The squadron's first combat deployment ran from August 1990 through April 1991, providing aviation ground support in the Southwest Asian theater.
Outcome. The deployment concluded in April 1991; the available sources do not specify detailed unit-level outcomes.
Sources2 sources
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