Marine Wing Support Squadron 374
A former United States Marine Corps aviation ground-support squadron responsible for operating and sustaining the Twentynine Palms Expeditionary Airfield.
Last updated August 26, 2026
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Overview
Marine Wing Support Squadron 374, commonly abbreviated MWSS-374, was a United States Marine Corps aviation ground-support unit assigned to Marine Wing Support Group 37 and the 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing. Its principal base was the Marine Corps Air Ground Combat Center at Twentynine Palms, California, where it supported the Twentynine Palms Expeditionary Airfield. The squadron’s role was not to operate aircraft as an aviation combat unit, but to provide the infrastructure, equipment, maintenance, logistics, and field services required to make an expeditionary airfield usable by Marine aviation forces. The unit’s lineage grew out of the development of the Expeditionary Airfield at Twentynine Palms. In March 1977, the Marine Corps activated the airfield under the commandantship of General Louis H. Wilson. The initial caretaker organization was designated Detachment MABS-11. Its responsibilities evolved as the airfield became an enduring training and operational facility. In July 1979, the detachment was operationally attached to Marine Aircraft Group 16, and in 1982 it was redesignated MAG-16, Detachment Bravo. During this early period, a relatively small cadre maintained the airfield between exercises. The organization expanded as the Expeditionary Airfield’s support requirements increased. In October 1989, MWSS-173 was transferred from Marine Corps Air Station Kaneohe Bay to Twentynine Palms to support the facility. During the 1990–1991 Gulf crisis, MWSS-374, then based at Marine Corps Air Station Tustin, California, supported Operations Desert Shield and Desert Storm. Elements deployed before the start of the Gulf War, remained in the region until late 1991, and included personnel who served in Kuwait during combat operations. A further reorganization took place in 1993. MWSS-173 was deactivated on 4 March, and an Aviation Ground Support Element was activated to continue operating and maintaining the Twentynine Palms Expeditionary Airfield. On 1 April 1999, that element was deactivated and redesignated as Marine Wing Support Squadron 374. In its mature form, the squadron was described as having approximately 525 Marines and the ability to operate a portable, tactical airfield while maintaining the ground-support equipment needed by aircraft and aviation units. MWSS-374 also supported later Marine Corps expeditionary operations. It deployed to Iraq in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom during three periods: February–August 2004, February–August 2006, and March–October 2008. It subsequently deployed in support of Operation Inherent Resolve from September 2014 through April 2015. Air traffic-control services for the Twentynine Palms Expeditionary Airfield were provided by a detachment from Marine Air Control Squadron 1, Detachment EAF, under Marine Aircraft Group 38. Earlier in the airfield’s history, those functions had been handled by Marine Air Traffic Control Squadron 18, Detachment C. MWSS-374 was formally deactivated on 31 March 2022 during a sunset ceremony at Marine Corps Air Ground Combat Center Twentynine Palms. The deactivation ended the squadron’s existence as an active Marine Corps unit; it did not eliminate the broader Marine Corps requirement for expeditionary aviation ground support, which is performed through successor or reorganized formations.
History
The history of Marine Wing Support Squadron 374 is closely connected to the development of the Twentynine Palms Expeditionary Airfield at Marine Corps Air Ground Combat Center Twentynine Palms, California. The Marine Corps activated the Expeditionary Airfield in March 1977 during the tenure of General Louis H. Wilson as commandant. The first organization assigned to care for the facility was Detachment MABS-11. Initially, the detachment provided caretaker support between exercises rather than operating as a large permanent aviation-support formation. The organization’s administrative and operational identity changed as the airfield became more important to Marine aviation training. In July 1979, Detachment MABS-11 became operationally attached to Marine Aircraft Group 16. In 1982, it was redesignated MAG-16, Detachment Bravo. These changes reflected the continuing effort to align airfield support with the Marine aviation command structure responsible for activities at Twentynine Palms. In October 1989, Marine Wing Support Squadron 173 transferred from Marine Corps Air Station Kaneohe Bay to Twentynine Palms to support the Expeditionary Airfield. A separate chapter in the unit’s lineage involved the Gulf crisis. In 1990, MWSS-374, then located at Marine Corps Air Station Tustin, California, was tasked with supporting Operations Desert Shield and Desert Storm. Elements of the squadron were deployed in the region before the Gulf War began, remained until late 1991, and included personnel who served in Kuwait during combat operations. The airfield-support organization was reorganized again in 1993. On 4 March, MWSS-173 was deactivated. An Aviation Ground Support Element was activated in its place to continue operating and maintaining the Expeditionary Airfield. On 1 April 1999, the Aviation Ground Support Element was itself deactivated and redesignated Marine Wing Support Squadron 374. This redesignation established the squadron as the principal named organization associated with the airfield’s day-to-day ground-support mission. In its established form, MWSS-374 was described as a force of nearly 525 Marines. Its capabilities included operating a portable and tactical airfield and maintaining the ground-support equipment required by aircraft and aviation units. Its mission therefore combined fixed-installation stewardship with the expeditionary functions expected of Marine aviation ground-support organizations. The squadron supported airfield operations, logistics, equipment readiness, and the practical infrastructure required to receive and sustain aviation forces. Air traffic control was handled through a related but distinct command arrangement. A detachment of Marines from Marine Air Control Squadron 1, Detachment EAF, a subordinate unit of Marine Aircraft Group 38, provided air traffic-control services and maintenance. Earlier in the facility’s history, Marine Air Traffic Control Squadron 18, Detachment C, performed the air-traffic-control role under MWSS-173. This distinction illustrates that MWSS-374’s responsibility centered on aviation ground support and airfield operation rather than encompassing every aviation-control function. The squadron participated in multiple post-2001 overseas deployments. It supported Operation Iraqi Freedom in Iraq from February through August 2004, again from February through August 2006, and for a third period from March through October 2008. It later deployed in support of Operation Inherent Resolve from September 2014 to April 2015. These deployments extended the squadron’s expeditionary mission beyond its home-station responsibilities at Twentynine Palms. MWSS-374 was formally deactivated on 31 March 2022 at Marine Corps Air Ground Combat Center Twentynine Palms. The deactivation was marked by a sunset ceremony. The event concluded the unit’s institutional history as an active squadron, while the broader requirement for Marine Corps expeditionary aviation ground support continued through other organizational arrangements.
- 2022
Squadron deactivated
[1]MWSS-374 was formally deactivated on 31 March during a sunset ceremony at Marine Corps Air Ground Combat Center Twentynine Palms.
- 2014
Deployment in support of Operation Inherent Resolve
[1]The squadron deployed from September 2014 through April 2015 in support of Operation Inherent Resolve.
- 2008
Third documented Iraq deployment
[1]MWSS-374 deployed to Iraq from March through October in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom.
- 2006
Second documented Iraq deployment
[1]The squadron deployed to Iraq from February through August in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom.
- 2004
First documented Iraq deployment in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom
[1]MWSS-374 deployed to Iraq from February through August in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom.
- 1999
MWSS-374 established through redesignation
[1]On 1 April, the Aviation Ground Support Element was deactivated and redesignated Marine Wing Support Squadron 374.
- 1993
Aviation Ground Support Element activated
[1]Following the deactivation of MWSS-173 on 4 March, an Aviation Ground Support Element took over operation and maintenance of the Expeditionary Airfield.
- 1990
Support for Operations Desert Shield and Desert Storm
[1]MWSS-374, then based at MCAS Tustin, supported the Gulf War effort, with elements serving in the region through late 1991.
- 1989
MWSS-173 transferred to Twentynine Palms
[1]MWSS-173 moved from Marine Corps Air Station Kaneohe Bay to support the Expeditionary Airfield.
- 1982
Redesignated MAG-16, Detachment Bravo
[1]The organization supporting the Expeditionary Airfield received the designation MAG-16, Detachment Bravo.
Products and positioning
A deployable Marine Corps aviation-support organization focused on keeping expeditionary airfields operational for training and combat aviation missions.
Airfield operations · 1999
Twentynine Palms Expeditionary Airfield support
The squadron’s central responsibility was the day-to-day operation and support of the Twentynine Palms Expeditionary Airfield. This involved maintaining the practical infrastructure and services necessary for Marine aviation training and operations at the airfield.
Expeditionary aviation support
Portable and tactical airfield capability
MWSS-374 possessed the ability to operate a portable and tactical airfield. This capability supported Marine aviation formations that required deployable airfield infrastructure rather than relying solely on permanent aviation installations.
Equipment sustainment
Aircraft ground-support equipment maintenance
The squadron maintained ground-support equipment used by aircraft and aviation units. Equipment readiness was a core part of its aviation ground-support function at both its home station and deployed locations.
Marketing campaigns
- 2014Operation Inherent Resolve
Middle East
The squadron deployed from September 2014 through April 2015 in support of Operation Inherent Resolve.
Outcome. The documented deployment concluded in April 2015.
- 2008Operation Iraqi Freedom
Iraq
MWSS-374 returned to Iraq from March through October 2008 in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom.
Outcome. The documented deployment ended in October 2008.
- 2006Operation Iraqi Freedom
Iraq
The squadron conducted a second documented Iraq deployment from February through August in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom.
Outcome. The deployment ended in August 2006.
- 2004Operation Iraqi Freedom
Iraq
MWSS-374 deployed to Iraq from February through August to provide aviation ground-support capabilities during Operation Iraqi Freedom.
Outcome. The documented deployment ended in August 2004.
- 1990Operations Desert Shield and Desert Storm
Saudi Arabia and Kuwait theater · United States Marine Corps expeditionary operations
Elements of MWSS-374 supported the Gulf War effort after the squadron was tasked to support Operations Desert Shield and Desert Storm. Personnel were deployed in the region before the start of the war, remained until late 1991, and included elements that served in Kuwait during combat.
Outcome. The deployment concluded with the return or relief of elements by late 1991.
Brand decisions
2022
Deactivation of MWSS-374StrategyBackground
After more than two decades as a designated squadron and after supporting domestic airfield operations and overseas deployments, the Marine Corps ended the unit’s active organizational status.
Action taken
MWSS-374 was formally deactivated on 31 March 2022 in a sunset ceremony at Marine Corps Air Ground Combat Center Twentynine Palms.
Aftermath
The squadron ceased to exist as an active unit. The available reference material does not identify the specific successor organization or redistribution of every function.
1999
Redesignation as Marine Wing Support Squadron 374StrategyBackground
The Marine Corps had used successive detachments and an Aviation Ground Support Element to operate and maintain the Twentynine Palms Expeditionary Airfield.
Action taken
On 1 April 1999, the Aviation Ground Support Element was deactivated and redesignated Marine Wing Support Squadron 374.
Aftermath
The redesignation established MWSS-374 as the named aviation ground-support squadron associated with the facility and its expeditionary mission.
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