Marine Tactical Air Command Squadron 18
Encyclopedia
Marine Tactical Air Command Squadron 18 (MTACS-18) is a United States Marine Corps
aviation command and control unit based at Marine Corps Air Station Futenma
. They provide the 1st Marine Aircraft Wing
s tactical headquarters and command other units within Marine Air Control Group 18
when deployed.
(MAGTF). Equip, man, operate, and maintain the Current Operations section of the TACC. Provide and maintain a facility for the TACC Future Operations Section; and install and maintain associated automated systems.
From activation until April, 1971, H&HS-18 participated in 89 operations conducted in the 1st Marine Aircraft Wing
(1st MAW) Tactical Area of Responsibility within the Republic of Vietnam. During this period the Squadron assisted in the conduct of 215,715 fixed wing sorties, 7,584 KC-130 missions, and 1,225,015 helicopter tasks. As a result of these efforts, Squadron members were awarded a collective total of 9 air medals. The unit was awarded the Presidential Unit Citation Streamer, the National Defense Service Streamer with one bronze star, the Vietnam Service Streamer with two silver stars, the Vietnam Cross of Gallantry with Palm Streamer, and the Vietnam Meritorious Unit Citation Civil Actions Streamer.
Following service in Vietnam, H&HS-18 relocated to Iwakuni, Japan, where the Squadron served as the 1st MAW operational Command Post for over four years. In September 1975, H&HS-18 relocated to Okinawa, Japan where it remains today. In May 1993, H&HS-18 was re-designated as Marine Tactical Air Command Squadron 18(MTACS-18).
Between April 1971 and March 2007, Squadron members have participated in 242 exercises and operations, including Operation Enduring Freedom, Operation Iraqi Freedom, Operation Unified Assistance in Indonesia, Operation Restore Comfort in the Republic of the Philippines, and Operation Restore Hope in Somalia. The Unit received the Meritorious Unit Commendation Streamer (1982–1984) and three bronze stars in lieu of subsequent streamers (1985–1987, 1997–1999, 2000–2002). In 2001, the Unit received the second bronze star for its National Defense Service streamer. The Unit received the Global War on Terrorism Service Medal 2004.
MTACS-18 continues to routinely support the Commanding General, 1st MAW, by providing Individual Augments to participate in the Global War on Terrorism and conducting Wing and Group size exercises. Through local training initiatives and exercise participation, MTACS-18 stands ready to support and defend U.S. interests throughout the Western Pacific and beyond.
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 unit based at Marine Corps Air Station Futenma
Marine Corps Air Station Futenma
Marine Corps Air Station Futenma or MCAS Futenma is a United States Marine Corps base located in Ginowan, northeast of Naha, on the island of Okinawa. It is home to approximately 4,000 Marines of the 1st Marine Aircraft Wing and has been a U.S. military airbase since the island was occupied...
. They provide the 1st Marine Aircraft Wing
1st 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...
s tactical headquarters and command other units within Marine Air Control Group 18
Marine Air Control Group 18
Marine Air Control Group 18 is a United States Marine Corps aviation command and control unit based at Marine Corps Air Station Futenma that is currently composed of 4 squadrons, 1 battery and 1 administrative detachment that provide the 1st Marine Aircraft Wings tactical headquarters and...
when deployed.
Mission
Provide equipment, maintenance, and operations for the Tactical Air Command Center (TACC) of the Aviation Combat Element (ACE), as a component of the Marine Air-Ground Task ForceMarine 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). Equip, man, operate, and maintain the Current Operations section of the TACC. Provide and maintain a facility for the TACC Future Operations Section; and install and maintain associated automated systems.
History
Marine Tactical Air Command Squadron 18 (MTACS-18) was activated on 1 September 1967 at Da Nang, Republic of Vietnam, as Headquarters and Headquarters Squadron 18 (H&HS-18), Marine Air Control Group 18, 1st Marine Aircraft Wing.From activation until April, 1971, H&HS-18 participated in 89 operations conducted in the 1st Marine Aircraft Wing
1st 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...
(1st MAW) Tactical Area of Responsibility within the Republic of Vietnam. During this period the Squadron assisted in the conduct of 215,715 fixed wing sorties, 7,584 KC-130 missions, and 1,225,015 helicopter tasks. As a result of these efforts, Squadron members were awarded a collective total of 9 air medals. The unit was awarded the Presidential Unit Citation Streamer, the National Defense Service Streamer with one bronze star, the Vietnam Service Streamer with two silver stars, the Vietnam Cross of Gallantry with Palm Streamer, and the Vietnam Meritorious Unit Citation Civil Actions Streamer.
Following service in Vietnam, H&HS-18 relocated to Iwakuni, Japan, where the Squadron served as the 1st MAW operational Command Post for over four years. In September 1975, H&HS-18 relocated to Okinawa, Japan where it remains today. In May 1993, H&HS-18 was re-designated as Marine Tactical Air Command Squadron 18(MTACS-18).
Between April 1971 and March 2007, Squadron members have participated in 242 exercises and operations, including Operation Enduring Freedom, Operation Iraqi Freedom, Operation Unified Assistance in Indonesia, Operation Restore Comfort in the Republic of the Philippines, and Operation Restore Hope in Somalia. The Unit received the Meritorious Unit Commendation Streamer (1982–1984) and three bronze stars in lieu of subsequent streamers (1985–1987, 1997–1999, 2000–2002). In 2001, the Unit received the second bronze star for its National Defense Service streamer. The Unit received the Global War on Terrorism Service Medal 2004.
MTACS-18 continues to routinely support the Commanding General, 1st MAW, by providing Individual Augments to participate in the Global War on Terrorism and conducting Wing and Group size exercises. Through local training initiatives and exercise participation, MTACS-18 stands ready to support and defend U.S. interests throughout the Western Pacific and beyond.
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