About this Unit
The Marine Corps Air Ground Combat Center (MCAGCC) Base Communications (Base Comm) unit provides vital communication support to the largest United States Marine Corps base, located in Twentynine Palms, California. Established to ensure secure, reliable, and modern information systems, Base Comm has played a crucial role in supporting training exercises, operational commands, and daily base activities since the center's activation in 1952. Over the decades, the unit has adapted to advancements in communications technology, maintaining robust networks and ensuring operational readiness for both peacetime and combat scenarios. Through its dedicated efforts, Base Comm enables command and control, situational awareness, and mission success for all units operating within MCAGCC.
Historical Facts
• Origins: The Marine Corps Air Ground Combat Center (MCAGCC) Twentynine Palms was established in 1952, originally as a training center for the Marine Corps to improve its desert warfare capabilities.
• Largest USMC Base: MCAGCC is the largest United States Marine Corps base in the world, covering over 998 square miles in the Mojave Desert of Southern California.
• Base Communications: The MCAGCC Base Communications (Base Comm) unit is responsible for providing and maintaining all telecommunications, IT infrastructure, and radio communications for the entire installation.
• Support for Exercises: Base Comm plays a critical role during large-scale exercises like Integrated Training Exercise (ITX), ensuring real-time communications across vast distances for thousands of Marines and allied forces.
• Desert Storm Prep: During Operation Desert Storm, MCAGCC (and its Base Comm) served as a primary training and staging ground due to its realistic terrain and robust communications network.
• Innovation Hub: Base Comm has been at the forefront of introducing new technologies, such as secure Wi-Fi networks, satellite communications, and advanced cyber defense systems for the Marine Corps.
• 24/7 Operations: The communications center operates around the clock, supporting not only units on base but also remote training areas, airfields, and live-fire ranges.
• Emergency Response: Base Comm is integral in coordinating emergency response communications during natural disasters, wildfires, and search and rescue operations in the rugged terrain surrounding the base.
• Historical Relics: The base still contains remnants of World War II airstrips and communication bunkers, some of which are maintained for historical and training purposes.
• Community Outreach: Base Comm Marines often participate in STEM outreach programs with local schools, demonstrating communications gear and inspiring future generations to pursue military and technical careers.
