Marine Air Support Squadron 3

Marine Tactical Air Control Squadron 3 (MTACS-3) was formed on 3 August 1950 under Marine Air Control Group 2 and the 1st Marine Aircraft Wing. On March 28, 1951 they moved under the control of Marine Air Control Group 3 (MACG-3). From 22–24 May 1951, communications Marines from MTACS-3 assisted in the search for a missing Orange County girl. They coordinated with Marine helicopter squadrons that were also participating in the search. In 1952 the squadron took part in SATEX, AMLEX-1, AIRLEX-1, PHIBEX-1 and Div FEX 1.

The original Marine Air Support Squadron was composed of a Direct Air Support Center, and three Air Support Radar Teams (ASRTs). They utilized the AN/TSQ-122 Direct Air Support Central. The AN/TSQ-122 was a large control system housed in a rigid fiberglass modular structure. To provide an echelon capability, the MASS squadron also operated and maintained the AN/UYQ-3 air/mobile DASC. The AN/UYQ-3 could operate in a modified KC-130 aircraft, as well as on the back of a 2.5 short tons (2.3 t) truck. Together, the Marine Air Support Squadron was capable of supporting the full range of MAGTFs, up to and including a Marine Amphibious Force (MAF).

They received their current designation of Marine Air Support Squadron 3 on February 15, 1954. In October 1962, MASS-3 deployed to the Caribbean during the Cuban Missile Crisis but in December of that year were relocated to Marine Corps Air Station El Toro.

See "History" under Direct Air Support Center.

Sergeant Howard J. Johnson, with MASS-3 Det A, strolls along with what’s left of an enemy flag he captured when an estimated 40 enemy attacked his unit’s position four miles west of Da Nang.

MASS-3 entered Vietnam on 10 November 1966 when they disembarked from the USS Jennings County (LST-846) at Chu Lai. They remained in country until June 1971. On January 16 and 17, 1968, Air Support Radar Team B (ASRT-B) from MASS-3 displaced from Chu Lai to Khe Sanh to handle ground controlled radar bombing missions. On January 20 the DASC was brought into Khe Sahn as well.[1]

During their time in Vietnam, MASS-3 Air Support Radar Teams controlled more than 38,010 AN/TPQ-10 missions, directing more than 121,000 short tons (110,000 t) of ordnance on 56,753 targets. They operated from Chu Lai and Da Nang during this time.

In May 1980, MASS-3 again relocated, this time to Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton. During this time the squadron undertook an extensive schedule of joint service and multi-national exercises in addition to the regular complement of Marine Corps exercises. Some of these exercises included Bright Star (Egypt), Freedom Banner (South Korea), Blue Flag (Nevada), Display Determination (Turkey) and Gallant Eagle (California). During this time MASS-3 also acquired new equipment and refined employment techniques. In December 1984, MASS-3 took delivery of the AN/TPS-10D, an upgraded radar guidance system used to direct close air support aircraft to deliver ordnance both day and night in all-weather conditions. In April 1988, the squadron received the AN/TSQ-155 Improved DASC and its associated radio van, the OE-334.

Iraq's August 1990 invasion of Kuwait set off hostilities throughout Southwest Asia. Because of this on 21 August 1990 the first elements of MASS-3 began arriving into Saudi Arabia. The squadron commenced operations coordinating joint and coalition air support on 28 August at the Jubail Naval Airfield. MASS-3 provided a Corps-level DASC co-located with the I Marine Expeditionary Force and two Air Support Elements (ASE) to support the 1st and 2nd Marine Divisions. During the course of Operations Desert Shield/Desert Storm, MASS-3's DASC and ASE were operational for 4450 hours controlling 7359 fixed wing and 3065 rotary wing missions. They also processed 995 tactical air requests, 141 assault support requests and 180 MEDEVACs. The squadron's participation in combat operations culminated on 7 March 1991 when the DASC and ASEs safely returned to Jubail Naval Airfield. The squadron returned to MCB Camp Pendleton on 17 March 1991 and immediately commenced its normally training schedule.

IRAQ – Lance Cpl. John A. Marcogliese of MASS-3 stands guard at one of several Olympic stadiums in Baghdad during the 2003 invasion of Iraq.

MASS 3 began sending units to Kuwait in October 2002 as part of the troop build-up for what would become Operation Iraqi Freedom. MASS-3 provided air support for the 1st Marine Division from the Kuwaiti border to Tikrit and had units remain in country until the division redeployed in October 2003. MASS-3 returned to Iraq in January 2004 and provided air support for the Division again until January 2004. They again deployed to Iraq in early 2006 for the third time.[2] The unit deployed for another year-long tour in Iraq beginning in early 2008.

In April 2010, MASS-3 deployed to Afghanistan for the first time in support of Operation Enduring Freedom. They supported combat operations in support of I MEF for a year while based at Camp Leatherneck.