Marine Aviation Logistics Squadron 14
Encyclopedia
Marine Aviation Logistics Squadron 14 (MALS-14) is an aviation logistics support unit of the United States Marine Corps
. They are currently based at Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point
and fall under the command of Marine Aircraft Group 14
(MAG-14) and the 2nd Marine Aircraft Wing
(2nd MAW).
for duty to support Marine Aircraft Group 13
(MAG-13) at King Abdul Aziz Naval Base, Saudi Arabia
.
The support provided to MAG-l3 FWD contributed to the group having the highest aircraft readiness rates for a Marine unit in SWA throughout Operation Desert Storm. In February 1991, MALS-14 established the first Fixed Wing Forward Armament and Refueling Point (FARP) in a combat zone at Tanagib, Saudi Arabia. Following the conflict, MALS-14 returned to MCAS Cherry Point on 1 April 1991. This concluded the first combat deployment for the Squadron since WWII.
In August 1991, the squadron was selected as the first winner of the Marine Corps Aviation Association's "MALS of the Year" Award. In June 1991, MALS-14 added another battle streamer to its colors with the Southwest Asia Service Medal. In February 1992, the Squadron was awarded the Navy Unit Commendation for meritorious service. MALS-14 provided the logistical coordination necessary for VMAQ-2
's split into three squadrons and VMAQ-4
's activation. They also continued to plan and execute logistics for the stand-down of three A-6E Intruder
squadrons, and the corresponding introduction of three F/A-18 Hornet
squadrons.
In accordance with Marine Corps force realignments, MALS-14, along with MALS-32, planned and executed the deactivation of MALS-32 and the transfer of MAG-32's remaining structure to MALS-14. The first half of 1993 was consumed by the merging of MALS-14 and 32's assets/personnel while simultaneously supporting deployment of squadrons throughout the world.
During 1995, the Marines of MALS-14 provided combat support for Operation Deny Flight
. With the requirement for tactical electronic aerial warfare, Marine Tactical Electronic Warfare Squadrons, with EA-6B Prowlers played a vital role fulfilling that requirement and were deployed to Aviano Air Base
, Italy to fly in support of Operations Deny Flight, Deliberate Forge, and Deliberate Guard.
Through 1996, MALS-14 continued to find itself deployed as their tactical squadrons flew in support of Operation Decisive Edge and Operation Assured Response. Near the end of the support for operations in Bosnia
, MALS-14 prepared to stand down from those commitments and concentrate on Operation Northern Watch
. With the requirement to support the no-fly zone in northern and southern Iraq, MALS-14 remained the lead support element for tactical electronic warfare squadrons.
On the heels of the Bosnia operation were combat support operations against Yugoslavia
, particularly the province of Kosovo
. Operations in Yugoslavia also saw the build up of 22 EA-6B Prowlers to Aviano and MALS-14 personnel to support the increase in aircraft. The air war over the skies of the Former Republic of Yugoslavia became known as the Kosovo Campaign.
In July 1999, the last Marines returned from Aviano, Italy after successfully supporting the EA-6B Prowlers flying over the skies of the Former Republic of Yugoslavia. However, Marines supporting Marine Attack Squadrons attached to the 22nd
, 24th
, and 26th Marine Expeditionary Unit
s continued to deploy to the Mediterranean and particularly the Balkans.
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...
. They are currently based at Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point
Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point
Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point or MCAS Cherry Point is a United States Marine Corps airfield located in Havelock, North Carolina, USA, in the eastern part of the state...
and fall under the command of Marine Aircraft Group 14
Marine Aircraft Group 14
Marine Aircraft Group 14 is a United States Marine Corps aviation unit based at Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point, North Carolina that is currently composed of four AV-8B Harrier squadrons, four EA-6B Prowler squadrons, one KC-130 squadron and a maintenance and logistics...
(MAG-14) and the 2nd Marine Aircraft Wing
2nd Marine Aircraft Wing
The 2nd Marine Aircraft Wing is the major east coast aviation unit of the United States Marine Corps and is based at Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point, North Carolina...
(2nd MAW).
Mission
The squadron is now organized as a core unit capable of absorbing groups of augmentees associated with specific aircraft types and squadrons. The MALS concept allows the squadron to provide logistics support to an Aviation Combat Element (ACE) with a variety of aircraft configurations. It also facilitates the simultaneous support of separate aircraft detachments.History
On 30 September 1988, Headquarters & Maintenance Squadron 14 (H&MS-14) was redesignated as Marine Aviation Logistics Squadron 14 (MALS-14). The squadron served as the test bed for the Naval Aviation Logistics Command Management Information System (NALCOMIS). With the successful realization of NALCOMIS prototype in December 1988, the NALCOMIS program interface with the Shipboard Uniform Automated Data Processing. System-Real Time (SUADPS-RT) was implemented. On 27 August 1990, MALS-14 FWD deployed to Southwest Asia aboard the SS Wright. Moored at Bahrain, MALS-14 FWD provided logistical support to the 4th Marine Expeditionary Brigade and elements of the I Marine Expeditionary Force. In December 1990, MALS-14 FWD was transferred to the 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing3rd 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...
for duty to support Marine Aircraft Group 13
Marine Aircraft Group 13
Marine Aircraft Group 13 is a United States Marine Corps aviation unit based at Marine Corps Air Station Yuma that is currently composed of four AV-8B Harrier squadrons and a maintenance and logistics squadron...
(MAG-13) at King Abdul Aziz Naval Base, 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...
.
The support provided to MAG-l3 FWD contributed to the group having the highest aircraft readiness rates for a Marine unit in SWA throughout Operation Desert Storm. In February 1991, MALS-14 established the first Fixed Wing Forward Armament and Refueling Point (FARP) in a combat zone at Tanagib, Saudi Arabia. Following the conflict, MALS-14 returned to MCAS Cherry Point on 1 April 1991. This concluded the first combat deployment for the Squadron since WWII.
In August 1991, the squadron was selected as the first winner of the Marine Corps Aviation Association's "MALS of the Year" Award. In June 1991, MALS-14 added another battle streamer to its colors with the Southwest Asia Service Medal. In February 1992, the Squadron was awarded the Navy Unit Commendation for meritorious service. MALS-14 provided the logistical coordination necessary for VMAQ-2
VMAQ-2
Marine Tactical Electronic Warfare Squadron 2 is a United States Marine Corps electronic warfare squadron consisting of EA-6B Prowler jets...
's split into three squadrons and VMAQ-4
VMAQ-4
Marine Tactical Electronic Warfare Squadron 4 is a United States Marine Corps electronic warfare squadron consisting of EA-6B Prowler jets...
's activation. They also continued to plan and execute logistics for the stand-down of three A-6E Intruder
A-6 Intruder
The Grumman A-6 Intruder was an American, twin jet-engine, mid-wing attack aircraft built by Grumman Aerospace. In service with the U.S. Navy and U.S. Marine Corps between 1963 and 1997, the Intruder was designed as an all-weather medium attack aircraft to replace the piston-engined A-1 Skyraider...
squadrons, and the corresponding introduction of three F/A-18 Hornet
F/A-18 Hornet
The McDonnell Douglas F/A-18 Hornet is a supersonic, all-weather carrier-capable multirole fighter jet, designed to dogfight and attack ground targets . Designed by McDonnell Douglas and Northrop, the F/A-18 was derived from the latter's YF-17 in the 1970s for use by the United States Navy and...
squadrons.
In accordance with Marine Corps force realignments, MALS-14, along with MALS-32, planned and executed the deactivation of MALS-32 and the transfer of MAG-32's remaining structure to MALS-14. The first half of 1993 was consumed by the merging of MALS-14 and 32's assets/personnel while simultaneously supporting deployment of squadrons throughout the world.
During 1995, the Marines of MALS-14 provided combat support for Operation Deny Flight
Operation Deny Flight
Operation Deny Flight was a North Atlantic Treaty Organization operation that began on April 12, 1993 as the enforcement of a United Nations no-fly zone over Bosnia and Herzegovina...
. With the requirement for tactical electronic aerial warfare, Marine Tactical Electronic Warfare Squadrons, with EA-6B Prowlers played a vital role fulfilling that requirement and were deployed to Aviano Air Base
Aviano Air Base
Aviano Air Base is a NATO Air Base under U.S. Air Force administration in northeastern Italy, in Friuli-Venezia Giulia region. It is located in Aviano municipality, at the foot of the Carnic Pre-Alps, or Southern Carnic Alps, about 15 kilometers from Pordenone.-Units:Aviano is hosted by the...
, Italy to fly in support of Operations Deny Flight, Deliberate Forge, and Deliberate Guard.
Through 1996, MALS-14 continued to find itself deployed as their tactical squadrons flew in support of Operation Decisive Edge and Operation Assured Response. Near the end of the support for operations in Bosnia
Bosnia and Herzegovina
Bosnia and Herzegovina , sometimes called Bosnia-Herzegovina or simply Bosnia, is a country in Southern Europe, on the Balkan Peninsula. Bordered by Croatia to the north, west and south, Serbia to the east, and Montenegro to the southeast, Bosnia and Herzegovina is almost landlocked, except for the...
, MALS-14 prepared to stand down from those commitments and concentrate on Operation Northern Watch
Operation Northern Watch
Operation Northern Watch, the successor to Operation Provide Comfort, was a US European Command Combined Task Force charged with enforcing its own no-fly zone above the 36th parallel in Iraq...
. With the requirement to support the no-fly zone in northern and southern Iraq, MALS-14 remained the lead support element for tactical electronic warfare squadrons.
On the heels of the Bosnia operation were combat support operations against Yugoslavia
Yugoslavia
Yugoslavia refers to three political entities that existed successively on the western part of the Balkans during most of the 20th century....
, particularly the province of Kosovo
Kosovo
Kosovo is a region in southeastern Europe. Part of the Ottoman Empire for more than five centuries, later the Autonomous Province of Kosovo and Metohija within Serbia...
. Operations in Yugoslavia also saw the build up of 22 EA-6B Prowlers to Aviano and MALS-14 personnel to support the increase in aircraft. The air war over the skies of the Former Republic of Yugoslavia became known as the Kosovo Campaign.
In July 1999, the last Marines returned from Aviano, Italy after successfully supporting the EA-6B Prowlers flying over the skies of the Former Republic of Yugoslavia. However, Marines supporting Marine Attack Squadrons attached to the 22nd
22nd Marine Expeditionary Unit
The 22nd Marine Expeditionary Unit is one of seven Marine Expeditionary Units currently in existence in the United States Marine Corps. The Marine Expeditionary Unit is a Marine Air Ground Task Force with a strength of about 2,200 personnel...
, 24th
24th Marine Expeditionary Unit
The 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit is one of seven Marine Expeditionary Units currently in existence in the United States Marine Corps. The Marine Expeditionary Unit is a Marine Air Ground Task Force with a strength of about 2,200 personnel...
, and 26th Marine Expeditionary Unit
26th Marine Expeditionary Unit
The 26th Marine Expeditionary Unit is one of seven Marine Expeditionary Units currently in existence in the United States Marine Corps. The Marine Expeditionary Unit is a Marine Air-Ground Task Force with a strength of about 2,200 personnel. The MEU consists of four major parts: a command element,...
s continued to deploy to the Mediterranean and particularly the Balkans.
See also
- United States Marine Corps AviationUnited States Marine Corps AviationUnited States Marine Corps Aviation is the air component of the United States Marine Corps. Marine aviation has a very different mission and operation than its ground counterpart, and thus, has many of its own histories, traditions, terms, and procedures....
- 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...
- List of United States Marine Corps aviation support units