Marine Wing Support Squadron 171
Encyclopedia
Marine Wing Support Squadron 171 (MWSS 171) is an aviation ground support unit of the United States Marine Corps
. Known as "America's Squadron", they are based out of Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni
, Japan. The squadron is part of Marine Wing Support Group 17
and the 1st Marine Aircraft Wing
.
on the island of Luzon
(Republic of the Philippines) catastrophically erupted. In 1992, elements of Marine Wing Support Squadron 171 assisted in the final retrograde of personnel and equipment from Subic Bay Naval Base and Cubi Point Naval Air Station, located just 40 km to the southwest of the volcano.
Elements of MWSS-171 served among the almost 30,000 US military personnel that participated in Operation Restore Hope in Somalia in 1992, returning home to MCAS Iwakuni in May 1993.
, and Operation Iraqi Freedom, in Iraq
, from September 2001 to the present.
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...
. Known as "America's Squadron", they are based out of Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni
Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni
Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni or MCAS Iwakuni is a United States Marine Corps air station located in the Nishiki river delta, southeast of the Iwakuni Station in the city of Iwakuni, Yamaguchi in Japan.-Tenant commands:...
, Japan. The squadron is part of Marine Wing Support Group 17
Marine Wing Support Group 17
Marine Wing Support Group 17 is a United States Marine Corps aviation ground support unit based at Marine Corps Base Camp Butler, Japan...
and 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...
.
Mission
Provide all essential Aviation Ground Support requirements to a designated fixed wing component of an Aviation Combat Element and all supporting or attached elements of the Marine Air Control Group. Additionally, the Squadron has the implied mission to supplement airbase facilities and services at Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni.History
Marine Wing Support Squadron 171 began as Detachment “C” of Marine Wing Support Group 17, activated 16 April 1979. Formed from elements of Wing Engineer Squadron 17, Wing Transportation Squadron 17, and Headquarters Squadron 17. Having absorbed personnel and equipment from Marine Air Base Squadrons 12 and 15, Detachment “C” was re-designated Marine Wing Support Squadron 171 on 16 June 1986.The 1990s
In June 1991, Mount PinatuboMount Pinatubo
Mount Pinatubo is an active stratovolcano located on the island of Luzon, near the tripoint of the Philippine provinces of Zambales, Tarlac, and Pampanga. It is located in the Tri-Cabusilan Mountain range separating the west coast of Luzon from the central plains, and is west of the dormant and...
on the island of Luzon
Luzon
Luzon is the largest island in the Philippines. It is located in the northernmost region of the archipelago, and is also the name for one of the three primary island groups in the country centered on the Island of Luzon...
(Republic of the Philippines) catastrophically erupted. In 1992, elements of Marine Wing Support Squadron 171 assisted in the final retrograde of personnel and equipment from Subic Bay Naval Base and Cubi Point Naval Air Station, located just 40 km to the southwest of the volcano.
Elements of MWSS-171 served among the almost 30,000 US military personnel that participated in Operation Restore Hope in Somalia in 1992, returning home to MCAS Iwakuni in May 1993.
Global War on Terror
Elements of the squadron continue to participate in Operation Enduring Freedom, in AfghanistanAfghanistan
Afghanistan , officially the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan, is a landlocked country located in the centre of Asia, forming South Asia, Central Asia and the Middle East. With a population of about 29 million, it has an area of , making it the 42nd most populous and 41st largest nation in the world...
, and Operation Iraqi Freedom, in 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....
, from September 2001 to the present.
Operation Tomodachi
After the 2011 tsunami hit Japan, the squadron provided support for the transport of supplies to victims of the tsunami. A small detachment was also sent to Sendai to assist in clean up, as well as provide shower support for refuges.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