Marine Wing Support Squadron 374

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Marine Wing Support Squadron 374
MWSS-374's insignia
Active	April 1, 1999 - present
Country	United States
Branch	USMC
Type	Aviation ground support battalion
Size	400+
Part of	Marine Wing Support Group 37 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing
Garrison/HQ	Marine Corps Air Ground Combat Center Twentynine Palms
Nickname	Rhinos
Motto	"Keep Charging"
Battles/wars	Operation Iraqi Freedom

United States Marine Corps Portal

Marine Wing Support Squadron 374 (MWSS 374) is an aviation ground support unit of the United States Marine Corps. They are based out of Marine Corps Air Ground Combat Center Twentynine Palms, California. The squadron is part of Marine Wing Support Group 37 and the 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing.

[edit] Mission

[edit] History

The history of the Expeditionary Airfield (EAF) at the Marine Corps Air Ground Combat Center Twentynine Palms and its supporting units is closely interwoven. In March of 1977, General Louis H. Wilson, the 26th Commandant of the Marine Corps, activated the 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 Wing Support Group 37 and was redesignated MWSG-37, Detachment Bravo in 1982. Originally, only a cadre of Marines provided caretaker support for the EAF between exercises. However, during October 1988 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. On March 4, 1993, MWSS-173 was deactivated and Aviation Ground Support Element (AGSE) was activated to continue operating and maintaining the EAF. On April 1, 1999, AGSE deactivated and was redesignated as Marine Wing Support Squadron-374. Currently the squadron is nearly 400 strong, and possesses the ability to operate a tactical airfield including air traffic control services and maintaining ground and weapons support equipment for aircraft.