Marine Wing Support Group 18

• Origins in World War II: Marine Wing Support Group 18 (MWSG-18) traces its lineage back to World War II, originally standing up as part of the 1st Marine Aircraft Wing to provide aviation ground support in the Pacific theater. • Reactivation in the Jet Age: The unit was reactivated on July 1, 1953, at Marine Corps Air Station (MCAS) Iwakuni, Japan, adapting to the rapidly changing needs of aviation logistics in the post-war era. • Key Role in Vietnam: Elements of MWSG-18 supported Marine aviation units during the Vietnam War, providing essential ground support for air operations, including fuel, ammunition, and runway repair. • First to Support Vertical Take-Off Aircraft: The unit played a pioneering role in supporting the AV-8B Harrier, the Marine Corps’ vertical/short takeoff and landing (V/STOL) attack aircraft. • Disaster Relief Operations: MWSG-18 participated in several humanitarian assistance and disaster relief missions, including providing aid to the Philippines after Super Typhoon Haiyan in 2013. • Permanent Presence in Okinawa: Since 1976, MWSG-18 has been based at MCAS Futenma, Okinawa, Japan, supporting the forward-deployed 1st Marine Aircraft Wing and serving as a critical logistics hub in the Pacific. • Integral to MAGTF Operations: The group’s support battalions provide everything from airfield operations and engineering to motor transport and medical services, enabling the Marine Air-Ground Task Force (MAGTF) to operate independently. • Unit Awards: MWSG-18 and its subordinate units have earned multiple unit commendations, including Navy Unit Commendations and Meritorious Unit Commendations, for their superior performance in both combat and peacetime missions. • Deactivation and Reactivation: The unit was deactivated in 2000 as part of force restructuring, only to be reactivated in 2005, demonstrating its enduring importance to Marine aviation support. • Recent Deactivation: In May 2020, MWSG-18 was deactivated again as part of the Marine Corps’ Force Design 2030, which seeks to modernize and reorganize Marine forces to meet future challenges in the Indo-Pacific region.