About this Unit
Headquarters Headquarters Squadron (HQHQRON), Marine Corps Air Station (MCAS) Kaneohe Bay, Hawaii, serves as the administrative and support backbone for the air station's operations. Established during World War II, MCAS Kaneohe Bay played a pivotal role in Pacific defense, including being attacked during the opening moments of the Pearl Harbor attack on December 7, 1941. Over the decades, HQHQRON has managed essential command, logistical, and personnel functions, supporting aviation units and missions throughout the Asia-Pacific region. Today, HQHQRON continues to provide critical support to ensure mission readiness for Marine Corps aviation and tenant commands stationed at MCAS Kaneohe Bay.
Historical Facts
•
Historic Beginnings: Headquarters & Headquarters Squadron (HQHQRON), MCAS Kaneohe Bay, is the primary headquarters element for the Marine Corps Air Station on the windward side of Oahu, Hawaii, with a lineage dating back to World War II.
•
Pearl Harbor Attack: On December 7, 1941, the area now known as MCAS Kaneohe Bay was attacked by Japanese forces moments before the main assault on Pearl Harbor, making it one of the first U.S. military sites hit in WWII.
•
Medal of Honor Hero: Chief Aviation Ordnanceman John William Finn, stationed at Kaneohe Bay during the Pearl Harbor attack, earned the Medal of Honor for his heroic actions while manning a machine gun, despite being wounded.
•
Strategic Importance: The station’s location provides rapid access to the Pacific theater, making HQHQRON MCAS Kaneohe Bay a critical hub for Marine aviation operations in the Indo-Pacific region.
•
Unit Mission: HQHQRON provides essential support services—including administration, logistics, and emergency response—for all personnel and tenant commands aboard the air station.
•
Home to Multiple Units: The squadron supports not only Marine aviation units, but also Navy, Army, and civilian personnel, reflecting its joint operational significance.
•
Environmental Stewardship: The squadron is responsible for preserving the unique Hawaiian ecosystem on the base, including endangered species like the Hawaiian stilt and monk seal.
•
Community Involvement: HQHQRON actively participates in local outreach, including partnerships with Hawaiian schools and environmental programs to strengthen civil-military relations.
•
Award-Winning Excellence: The unit has received numerous awards for safety, environmental, and operational excellence, including the prestigious Marine Corps Installation Command’s Commander-in-Chief’s Award for Installation Excellence.
•
Modernization Efforts: In recent years, HQHQRON has overseen major infrastructure upgrades, including new hangars and family housing, ensuring MCAS Kaneohe Bay remains a state-of-the-art Marine Corps installation.
