Marine Wing Support Squadron 372
Encyclopedia
Marine Wing Support Squadron 372 (MWSS 372) is an aviation ground support unit of the United States Marine Corps
. Known as the "Diamondbacks", they are based out of Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton
, California. The squadron falls under the command of Marine Wing Support Group 37
and the 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing
.
and all tenant and transient units of Marine Corps Air Station, Camp Pendleton. Staff detachments to support Marine Air Ground Task Force Units on operational commitments around the world.
Marine Wing Support Squadron 372 was activated on June 1986 at Camp Pendleton, California, with 2 officers and 97 enlisted Marines. Today, the Squadron T/O has grown to 35 officers and 619 enlisted with 418 combat reportable equipment items.
Over the years, MWSS-372 has been tasked with various missions and projects in support of Marine Aircraft Group 39, Marine Aircraft Group 46 (Detachment "A"), Marine Air Control Group 38
, 1st Marine Division, 1st Force Service Support Group
, Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton, Marine Corps Air Stations (MCAS) Camp Pendleton, Marine Corps Air Station El Toro
, Marine Corps Air Station Tustin
, Marine Corps Air Station Miramar
, and Marine Corps Air Station Yuma
.
From December 1992 to May 1993, the Squadron deployed to Somalia
as the Aviation Ground Support Element for Operation Restore Hope. In January 1993, MCAS Camp Pendleton was devastated by the flooding of the Margarita River, completely shutting down aviation operations and destroying millions of dollars of equipment. MWSS-372 (-), despite having most of the unit's personnel and equipment in Somalia, spearheaded the recovery with communications, heavy equipment and construction support. The unit was awarded the Navy Unit Commendation
in recognition of these efforts.
During an average year, the squadron provides well over one million gallons of aviation fuel to 3rd MAW aircraft, drives over 120000 miles (193,120.8 km) and hauls over two million pounds of cargo and provides motor transport, engineer, utility, communication and heavy equipment support wherever and whenever it is needed.
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 the "Diamondbacks", they are based out of 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. The squadron falls under the command of Marine Wing Support Group 37
Marine Wing Support Group 37
Marine Wing Support Group 37 is a United States Marine Corps aviation combat service support unit based at Marine Corps Air Station Miramar that is currently composed of 4 squadrons, that provide the 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing and I Marine Expeditionary Force with complete airfield operation...
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 all essential Aviation Ground Support (AGS) to Marine Aircraft Group 39Marine Aircraft Group 39
Marine Aircraft Group 39 is a United States Marine Corps aviation unit based at Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton, California that is currently composed of six AH-1W Super Cobra and UH-1N Huey light attack squadrons, three CH-46 Sea Knight squadrons and one logistics squadron...
and all tenant and transient units of Marine Corps Air Station, Camp Pendleton. Staff detachments to support Marine Air Ground Task Force Units on operational commitments around the world.
Early years and the 1990s
The Squadron was formerly Detachment "A", Marine Wing Support Group 37 and was formed on 1 July 1977.Marine Wing Support Squadron 372 was activated on June 1986 at Camp Pendleton, California, with 2 officers and 97 enlisted Marines. Today, the Squadron T/O has grown to 35 officers and 619 enlisted with 418 combat reportable equipment items.
Over the years, MWSS-372 has been tasked with various missions and projects in support of Marine Aircraft Group 39, Marine Aircraft Group 46 (Detachment "A"), 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...
, 1st Marine Division, 1st Force Service Support Group
1st Marine Logistics Group
The 1st Marine Logistics Group is a logistics unit of the United States Marine Corps and is headquartered at Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton, California, with detachments located at Marine Corps Air Station Yuma, Marine Corps Air Station Miramar and the Marine Corps Air Ground Combat Center...
, Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton, Marine Corps Air Stations (MCAS) Camp Pendleton, 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...
, Marine Corps Air Station Tustin
Marine Corps Air Station Tustin
Tustin Legacy is a planned community in Tustin, California being developed on the former Marine Corps Air Station Tustin. The project, under construction, will include parks, a commercial retail center and various densities of housing, for a total of 4,600 units.The City’s vision for Tustin Legacy...
, Marine Corps Air Station Miramar
Marine Corps Air Station Miramar
Marine Corps Air Station Miramar , formerly Naval Air Station Miramar is a United States Marine Corps installation that is home to the 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing, which is the aviation element of the 1st Marine Expeditionary Force...
, and Marine Corps Air Station Yuma
Marine Corps Air Station Yuma
Marine Corps Air Station Yuma or MCAS Yuma is a United States Marine Corps air station which is the home to multiple squadrons of AV-8B Harrier IIs of the 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing, Marine Aviation Weapons and Tactics Squadron 1 and Marine Fighter Training Squadron 401 , an air combat adversary...
.
From December 1992 to May 1993, the Squadron deployed to Somalia
Somalia
Somalia , officially the Somali Republic and formerly known as the Somali Democratic Republic under Socialist rule, is a country located in the Horn of Africa. Since the outbreak of the Somali Civil War in 1991 there has been no central government control over most of the country's territory...
as the Aviation Ground Support Element for Operation Restore Hope. In January 1993, MCAS Camp Pendleton was devastated by the flooding of the Margarita River, completely shutting down aviation operations and destroying millions of dollars of equipment. MWSS-372 (-), despite having most of the unit's personnel and equipment in Somalia, spearheaded the recovery with communications, heavy equipment and construction support. The unit was awarded the 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...
in recognition of these efforts.
During an average year, the squadron provides well over one million gallons of aviation fuel to 3rd MAW aircraft, drives over 120000 miles (193,120.8 km) and hauls over two million pounds of cargo and provides motor transport, engineer, utility, communication and heavy equipment support wherever and whenever it is needed.
Global War on Terror
Awards
Since its inception, Marine Wing Support Squadron 372 has received one (1) Presidential Unit Citation, two (2) Meritorious Unit Commendations, one (1) Navy Unit Commendation, and the Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal.- Presidential Unit Citation StreamerPresidential 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...
Navy Unit Commendation StreamerNavy Unit CommendationThe 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...
Meritorious Unit Commendation StreamerMeritorious Unit CommendationThe 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 one Bronze Star
Armed Forces Expeditionary StreamerArmed Forces Expeditionary MedalThe 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...
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