Marine Air Support Squadron 3
Encyclopedia
Marine Air Support Squadron 3 (MASS-3), is a United States Marine Corps
aviation command and control
unit that provides the Direct Air Support Center
(DASC) for the 1st Marine Expeditionary Force. They are based out of the 32 Area on Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton
, California and fall under the command of Marine Air Control Group 38
and the 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing
.
(DASC) and DASC-Airborne capabilities for control and coordination of aircraft operating in direct support of Marine Air-Ground Task Force
(MAGTF) Operations.”
. Later that month they were redesignated as Marine Tactical Air Control Squadron 3 (MTACS-3) under Marine Air Control Group 2. On March 28, 1951 they moved under the control of Marine Air Control Group 3 (MACG-3).
The original Marine Air Support Squadron was composed of a Direct Air Support Center (DASC), and three Air Support Radar Teams (ASRTs). They utilized the AN/TSQ-122 Direct Air Support Central. The AN/TSQ-122 was a large
control system housed in a rigid fiberglass modular structure. To provide an echelon capability, the MASS squadron also operated and maintained the AN/UYQ-3 air/mobile DASC. The AN/UYQ-3 could operate in a modified KC-130 aircraft, as well as on the back of a 2.5 short tons (2.2 LT) truck. Together, the Marine Air Support Squadron was capable of supporting the
full range of MAGTFs, up to and including a MarineAmphibious Force (MAF).
They received their current designation of Marine Air Support Squadron 3 on February 15, 1954. In October 1962, MASS-3 deployed to the Caribbean
during the Cuban Missile Crisis
but in December of that year were relocated to Marine Corps Air Station El Toro
.
MASS-3 operated in Vietnam from November 1966 until June 1971. On January 16 and 17, 1968, Air Support Radar Team B (ASRT-B) from MASS-3 displaced from Chu Lai
to Khe Sanh
to handle ground controlled radar bombing missions. On January 20 the DASC was brought into Khe Sahn as well.
During their time in Vietnam, MASS-3 Air Support Radar Teams controlled more than 38,010 AN/TPQ-10 missions, directing more than 121,000 tons of ordnance on 56,753 targets. They operated from Chu Lai
and Da Nang
during this time. More info about MASS-3 in Vietnam at http://mass-3.blogspot.com/
. In August 1990, the unit was deployed to Saudi Arabia
and later participated in Operation Desert Storm returning home in March 1991.
MASS 3 began sending units to Kuwait
in October 2002 as part of the troop build-up for what would become Operation Iraqi Freedom. MASS-3 provided air support for the 1st Marine Division from the Kuwaiti border to Tikrit
and had units remain in country until the division redeployed in October 2003. MASS-3 returned to Iraq
in January 2004 and provided air support for the Division again until January 2004. They again deployed to Iraq in early 2006 for the third time. The unit deployed for another year long tour in Iraq beginning in early 2008.
.
United States Marine Corps
The United States Marine Corps is a branch of the United States Armed Forces responsible for providing power projection from the sea, using the mobility of the United States Navy to deliver combined-arms task forces rapidly. It is one of seven uniformed services of the United States...
aviation command and control
Command and Control (military)
Command and control, or C2, in a military organization can be defined as the exercise of authority and direction by a properly designated commanding officer over assigned and attached forces in the accomplishment of the mission...
unit that provides the Direct Air Support Center
Direct Air Support Center
The Direct Air Support Center is the principal United States Marine Corps aviation command and control system and the air control agency responsible for the direction of air operations directly supporting ground forces...
(DASC) for the 1st Marine Expeditionary Force. They are based out of the 32 Area on Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton
Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton
Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton is the major West Coast base of the United States Marine Corps and serves as its prime amphibious training base...
, California and fall under the command of Marine Air Control Group 38
Marine Air Control Group 38
Marine Air Control Group 38 is a United States Marine Corps aviation command and control unit based at Marine Corps Air Station Miramar that is currently composed of 5 squadrons and 1 battalion that provide the 3rd Marine Aircraft Wings tactical headquarters, positive and procedural control to...
and the 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing
3rd Marine Aircraft Wing
The 3d Marine Aircraft Wing is the major west coast aviation unit of the United States Marine Corps. It is headquartered at Marine Corps Air Station Miramar, California and provides the aviation combat element for I Marine Expeditionary Force...
.
Mission
Provide Direct Air Support CenterDirect Air Support Center
The Direct Air Support Center is the principal United States Marine Corps aviation command and control system and the air control agency responsible for the direction of air operations directly supporting ground forces...
(DASC) and DASC-Airborne capabilities for control and coordination of aircraft operating in direct support of Marine Air-Ground Task Force
Marine Air-Ground Task Force
The Marine Air-Ground Task Force is a term used by the United States Marine Corps to describe the principal organization for all missions across the range of military operations. MAGTFs are a balanced air-ground, combined arms task organization of Marine Corps forces under a single commander that...
(MAGTF) Operations.”
Early years
Marine Tactical Air Control Group 2 was formed on August 3, 1950 as part of the 1st Marine Aircraft Wing1st Marine Aircraft Wing
The 1st Marine Aircraft Wing is an aviation unit of the United States Marine Corps that serves as the Aviation Combat Element of the III Marine Expeditionary Force. The wing is headquartered at Camp Foster on the island of Okinawa, Japan...
. Later that month they were redesignated as Marine Tactical Air Control Squadron 3 (MTACS-3) under Marine Air Control Group 2. On March 28, 1951 they moved under the control of Marine Air Control Group 3 (MACG-3).
The original Marine Air Support Squadron was composed of a Direct Air Support Center (DASC), and three Air Support Radar Teams (ASRTs). They utilized the AN/TSQ-122 Direct Air Support Central. The AN/TSQ-122 was a large
control system housed in a rigid fiberglass modular structure. To provide an echelon capability, the MASS squadron also operated and maintained the AN/UYQ-3 air/mobile DASC. The AN/UYQ-3 could operate in a modified KC-130 aircraft, as well as on the back of a 2.5 short tons (2.2 LT) truck. Together, the Marine Air Support Squadron was capable of supporting the
full range of MAGTFs, up to and including a MarineAmphibious Force (MAF).
They received their current designation of Marine Air Support Squadron 3 on February 15, 1954. In October 1962, MASS-3 deployed to the Caribbean
Caribbean
The Caribbean is a crescent-shaped group of islands more than 2,000 miles long separating the Gulf of Mexico and the Caribbean Sea, to the west and south, from the Atlantic Ocean, to the east and north...
during the Cuban Missile Crisis
Cuban Missile Crisis
The Cuban Missile Crisis was a confrontation among the Soviet Union, Cuba and the United States in October 1962, during the Cold War...
but in December of that year were relocated to Marine Corps Air Station El Toro
Marine Corps Air Station El Toro
Marine Corps Air Station El Toro was a United States Marine Corps Air Station located near Irvine, California.Before it was decommissioned in 1999, it was the home of Marine Corps aviation on the West Coast. Designated as a Master Jet Station, its four runways could handle the largest aircraft...
.
Vietnam War
- See "History" under Direct Air Support CenterDirect Air Support CenterThe Direct Air Support Center is the principal United States Marine Corps aviation command and control system and the air control agency responsible for the direction of air operations directly supporting ground forces...
.
MASS-3 operated in Vietnam from November 1966 until June 1971. On January 16 and 17, 1968, Air Support Radar Team B (ASRT-B) from MASS-3 displaced from Chu Lai
Chu Lai
Chu Lai is a sea port, urban and industrial area in Dung Quat Bay, Núi Thành district, Quang Nam province of Vietnam. The city is served by Chu Lai Airport.-Vietnam War:...
to Khe Sanh
Khe Sanh
Khe Sanh is the district capital of Hướng Hoá District, Quảng Trị Province, Vietnam, located 63 km west of Đông Hà.Khe Sanh Combat Base was a United States Marine Corps outpost in South Vietnam used during the Vietnam War. The airstrip was built in September 1962...
to handle ground controlled radar bombing missions. On January 20 the DASC was brought into Khe Sahn as well.
During their time in Vietnam, MASS-3 Air Support Radar Teams controlled more than 38,010 AN/TPQ-10 missions, directing more than 121,000 tons of ordnance on 56,753 targets. They operated from Chu Lai
Chu Lai
Chu Lai is a sea port, urban and industrial area in Dung Quat Bay, Núi Thành district, Quang Nam province of Vietnam. The city is served by Chu Lai Airport.-Vietnam War:...
and Da Nang
Da Nang
Đà Nẵng , occasionally Danang, is a major port city in the South Central Coast of Vietnam, on the coast of the South China Sea at the mouth of the Han River. It is the commercial and educational center of Central Vietnam; its well-sheltered, easily accessible port and its location on the path of...
during this time. More info about MASS-3 in Vietnam at http://mass-3.blogspot.com/
The 1980s and 1990s
In May 1980, MASS-3 again relocated, this time to Marine Corps Base Camp PendletonMarine Corps Base Camp Pendleton
Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton is the major West Coast base of the United States Marine Corps and serves as its prime amphibious training base...
. In August 1990, the unit was deployed to Saudi Arabia
Saudi Arabia
The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia , commonly known in British English as Saudi Arabia and in Arabic as as-Sa‘ūdiyyah , is the largest state in Western Asia by land area, constituting the bulk of the Arabian Peninsula, and the second-largest in the Arab World...
and later participated in Operation Desert Storm returning home in March 1991.
Operation Iraqi Freedom
Kuwait
The State of Kuwait is a sovereign Arab state situated in the north-east of the Arabian Peninsula in Western Asia. It is bordered by Saudi Arabia to the south at Khafji, and Iraq to the north at Basra. It lies on the north-western shore of the Persian Gulf. The name Kuwait is derived from the...
in October 2002 as part of the troop build-up for what would become Operation Iraqi Freedom. MASS-3 provided air support for the 1st Marine Division from the Kuwaiti border to Tikrit
Tikrit
Tikrit is a town in Iraq, located 140 km northwest of Baghdad on the Tigris river . The town, with an estimated population in 2002 of about 260,000 is the administrative center of the Salah ad Din Governorate.-Ancient times:...
and had units remain in country until the division redeployed in October 2003. MASS-3 returned to Iraq
Iraq
Iraq ; officially the Republic of Iraq is a country in Western Asia spanning most of the northwestern end of the Zagros mountain range, the eastern part of the Syrian Desert and the northern part of the Arabian Desert....
in January 2004 and provided air support for the Division again until January 2004. They again deployed to Iraq in early 2006 for the third time. The unit deployed for another year long tour in Iraq beginning in early 2008.
Operation Enduring Freedom
In April 2010, MASS-3 deployed to Afghanistan for the first time in support of Operation Enduring Freedom. They supported combat operations in support of I MEF for a year while based at Camp LeatherneckCamp Leatherneck
Camp Leatherneck is a 1,600 acre United States Marine Corps base located in Helmand Province, Afghanistan. 2nd Marine Expeditionary Brigade initially developed Camp Leatherneck in 2008 in preparation of its forces deploying to Afghanistan. The forward element of the II Marine Expeditionary Force...
.
Unit awards
A unit citation or commendation is an award bestowed upon an organization for the action cited. Members of the unit who participated in said actions are allowed to wear on their uniforms the awarded unit citation. MASS-3 has been presented with the following awards:| Ribbon | Unit Award |
 |
Presidential Unit Citation Presidential Unit Citation (US) The Presidential Unit Citation, originally called the Distinguished Unit Citation, is awarded to units of the Armed Forces of the United States and allies for extraordinary heroism in action against an armed enemy on or after 7 December 1941... with one Bronze Star |
 |
Navy Unit Commendation Navy Unit Commendation The Navy Unit Commendation of the United States Navy is an award that was established by order of the Secretary of the Navy James Forrestal on 18 December 1944... with one Bronze Star |
 |
Meritorious Unit Commendation Meritorious Unit Commendation The Meritorious Unit Commendation is a mid-level unit award of the United States military which is awarded to any military command which displays exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding service, heroic deeds, or valorous actions.... with three Bronze Stars |
 |
National Defense Service Medal National Defense Service Medal The National Defense Service Medal is a military service medal of the United States military originally commissioned by President Dwight D. Eisenhower... with two Bronze Stars |
 |
Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal The Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal is a military award of the United States military, which was first created in 1961 by Executive Order of President John Kennedy... |
 |
Southwest Asia Service Medal Southwest Asia Service Medal The Southwest Asia Service Medal is a military award of the United States armed forces which was created by order of President George H.W. Bush on March 12, 1991. The award is intended to recognize those military service members who performed duty during the years of the Persian Gulf War... with two Bronze Stars |
 |
Vietnam Service Medal Vietnam Service Medal The Vietnam Service Medal is a military award which was created in 1965 by order of President Lyndon B. Johnson. The distinctive design was the creation of sculptor Thomas Hudson Jones, a former employee of the Army Institute of Heraldry. The medal is issued to recognize military service during... with two Silver Stars and one Bronze Star |
 |
Vietnam Cross of Gallantry with Palm Streamer |
 |
Vietnam Meritorious Unit Citation Civil Action Medal Vietnam Civil Actions Medal The Vietnam Civil Actions Medal was a decoration of South Vietnam which was first established in 1964. The decoration is a mid-level service award which was awarded to any member of the Vietnamese military who performed outstanding civic service to the state or who participated in civil service... |
 |
Iraq Campaign Medal Iraq Campaign Medal The Iraq Campaign Medal is a military award of the United States armed forces which was created by Executive Order 13363 of President George W. Bush on November 29, 2004. The Iraq Campaign Medal was designed by the U.S. Army Institute of Heraldry.... |
 |
Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal The Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal is a United States armed forces military award created by George W. Bush on March 12, 2003 by Executive Order 13289. It recognizes those military service members who have deployed overseas in direct service to the War on Terror from September 11,... |
 |
Global War on Terrorism Service Medal Global War on Terrorism Service Medal The Global War on Terrorism Service Medal is a military award of the United States military which was created by Executive Order 13289 of President George W. Bush on March 12, 2003... |
See also
- List of United States Marine Corps aviation support squadrons
- Organization of the United States Marine CorpsOrganization of the United States Marine CorpsThe United States Marine Corps is organized within the Department of the Navy, which is led by the Secretary of the Navy . The most senior Marine officer is the Commandant of the Marine Corps, responsible for organizing, recruiting, training, and equipping the Marine Corps so that it is ready for...