Marine Wing Support Squadron 374 (MWSS 374) was an aviation ground support unit of the United States Marine Corps. They were based out of Marine Corps Air Ground Combat Center Twentynine Palms, California. The squadron was part of Marine Wing Support Group 37 and the 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing.[1]
MWSS-374 was officially deactivated, 31 March 2022, at Marine Corp Air Ground Combat Center,(MCAGCC) 29 Palms,Ca. during a Sunset Ceremony.
In March 1977, General Louis H. Wilson, the 26th Commandant of the Marine Corps, activated the Expeditionary Airfield (EAF). The initial unit placed in charge of the EAF was designated Detachment MABS-11. Two years later, in July 1979, Detachment MABS-11 became operationally attached to Marine Aircraft Group 16 and was redesignated MAG-16, Detachment Bravo in 1982. Originally, only a cadre of Marines provided caretaker support for the EAF between exercises. However, during October 1989
MWSS-173 was transferred from Marine Corps Air Station Kaneohe Bay to the Marine Corps Air Ground Combat Center, Twentynine Palms in support of the EAF. 1990 MWSS-374 MCAS Tustin CA, was tasked with Support During Operation Desert Shield and Desert Storm. Elements of MWSS-374 were in Country well prior to the beginning of the Gulf War, until relieved in late 1991, additionally some Elements Served in Kuwait during Combat. On 4 March 1993, MWSS-173 was deactivated and Aviation Ground Support Element (AGSE) was activated to continue operating and maintaining the EAF. On 1 April 1999, AGSE deactivated and was redesignated as Marine Wing Support Squadron-374. Currently the squadron is nearly 525 strong, and possesses the ability to operate a portable and tactical airfield including and maintaining ground support equipment for aircraft.[2]
Air traffic control services and maintenance are provided by a detachment of Marines from MACS-1 Det EAF, a subordinate unit of Marine Aircraft Group 16 (MACG-38). In the early '90s, the ATC operations were handled by MATCS-18 Det C (Marine Air Traffic Control Squadron 18, Detachment C) who operated under MWSS-173.
