About this Unit
The 3rd Brigade Service Support Group (3rd BSSG), later redesignated as Combat Logistics Regiment 3, was a vital logistics unit supporting the 3rd Marine Division and III Marine Expeditionary Force. Originally based at Marine Corps Air Station Kaneohe Bay, Hawaii, the 3rd BSSG was responsible for providing comprehensive combat service support—including supply, maintenance, transportation, and medical assistance—to Marine units in the Pacific region. During its tenure at MCAS Kaneohe, the unit participated in numerous training exercises and deployments, enhancing operational readiness and amphibious capabilities. The 3rd BSSG’s legacy endures as a testament to the importance of logistics in enabling Marine Corps missions across the Indo-Pacific theater.
Historical Facts
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Origins: The 3rd Force Service Support Group (FSSG), later known as 3rd Marine Logistics Group (MLG), included the 3rd Base Support Service Group (BSSG) as a vital logistics unit supporting the 3rd Marine Division.
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Location: 3rd BSSG was headquartered at Marine Corps Air Station (MCAS) Kaneohe Bay, Hawaii, providing critical support for Marines stationed and training in the Pacific.
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Vietnam War Ties: Personnel and elements from the 3rd BSSG trace their lineage to logistics units that supported Marines in Vietnam, providing supplies, engineering, and medical assistance.
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Humanitarian Missions: 3rd BSSG Marines participated in humanitarian operations, such as disaster relief in the Philippines and other Pacific nations during typhoon and earthquake recovery operations.
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“Logistics Lifeline”: The unit was often referred to as the “logistics lifeline” for the 3rd Marine Division, enabling sustained operations through fuel, ammunition, engineering, and maintenance support.
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Training Exercises: 3rd BSSG regularly participated in large-scale joint exercises like Team Spirit in Korea and Cobra Gold in Thailand, perfecting rapid deployment and sustainment skills.
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Desert Shield/Desert Storm: Elements of 3rd BSSG deployed to Southwest Asia in support of Operations Desert Shield and Desert Storm, providing essential logistics for Marine operations in the Gulf War.
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Garrison Life: At MCAS Kaneohe Bay, the unit maintained a strong focus on readiness, with Marines conducting daily maintenance, physical training, and rapid deployment drills.
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Name Changes: The 3rd BSSG was later redesignated as Combat Logistics Regiment 3 (CLR-3), reflecting a modernization of Marine Corps logistics structure in the early 2000s.
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Legacy: Many veterans of the 3rd BSSG recall the unit’s “work hard, play hard” culture, strong esprit de corps, and the critical role it played in keeping the 3rd Marine Division mission-ready throughout the Pacific.
