1st Marine Logistics Group

In August 1950, 1st CSG was deployed to Kobe, Japan; and was subsequently deployed in September 1950 to Inchon, Korea, assigned to the 1st Marine Division. They participated in the Korean War, fighting at Inchon-Seoul, Chosin Reservoir, the East-Central front, and the Western front. In August 1951, they were reassigned to the Fleet Marine Force; and in October 1951, reassigned to the 1st Marine Division. In May 1953, they were again reassigned to Fleet Marine Force and relocated to MCB Camp Pendleton, California.

On 1 March 1957, 1st CSG was redesignated as the 1st Force Service Regiment.

In May 1965 detachments of 1st FSR were sent to Okinawa and Vietnam. In August 1965 Headquarters Battalion, 1st FSR were sent to Vietnam.

In February 1967, the 1st Force Service Regiment was deployed to the Republic of Vietnam. On 15 February 1967, they were redesignated/assigned as the 1st Force Service Regiment, Force Logistic Command, Fleet Marine Force and assigned to the III Marine Amphibious Force.

They participated in the Vietnam War from February 1967 to April 1971, operating from Da Nang, South Vietnam.

On 23 April 1971, 1st Force Service Regiment was relocated to Camp Pendleton, California. Then on 30 April 1976, they were redesignated as 1st Force Service Support Group (1st FSSG).

In the 1990s, 1st FSSG participated in Operation Desert Shield and Operation Desert Storm from September 1990 to April 1991; and in Operation Restore Hope in Somalia from December 1992 to February 1993.

A U.S. Marine with Operations Platoon, Engineer Company, Combat Logistics Battalion 5, 1st Marine Logistics Group (Forward) directs a backhoe – building barriers to guard a checkpoint near Fallujah, Iraq. (December 2006, USMC photo)

The Marines of 1st MLG were deployed to Iraq in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom on four occasions.

First deployment

The 1st FSSG deployed to Iraq in early 2003 in response to the continual rejection of UN inspectors. In March 2003, 1st FSSG elements joined the 1st Marine Expeditionary Force (I MEF) in the crossing into Iraq. After approximately one month and the fall of Bagdad, the war was declared over. The Marines of 1st FSSG along with the 1st MEF redeployed back into the States over the rest of the summer 2003.

Second deployment

In January 2004, the 1st FSSG deployed to Iraq for a second time – for 14 months to various camps in Iraq to include Camp Taqaddum (Headquarters), Camp Fallujah, Al Asad Air Base, Camp Habbiniyah, and, after the Abu Ghraib scandal, they took over guarding the prison as well. The group was involved with Operation Al Fajr (The Second Battle of Fallujah), the operation to retake the city of Fallujah. The artillery that helped bombard the city were stationed in the 1st FSSG HQ area. They returned to Camp Pendleton in early 2006.

In October 2005, the group was redesignated as 1st Marine Logistics Group in an effort to make the name reflect the mission. The lower subordinate units were reorganized and some renamed.

Third deployment

In February 2007, the Group returned from their third deployment, having served in several locations, including Camp Fallujah, Camp Taqaddum and Al Asad Air Base. The deployment was part of two seven-month assignments, but many Marines stayed for the greater duration of 14 months.[4]

Fourth deployment

In February 2008, under the command of BGen Robert R. Ruark, took over for the 2nd Marine Logistics Group (Forward) at Camp Taqaddum,[5] operating in Al Anbar Province.[6]