U.S. Marine Corps

Marine Forces Special Operations Command (MARSOC) was established on February 24, 2006, as the Marine Corps' contribution to the United States Special Operations Command (USSOCOM). Drawing on the Marine Corps' storied history of expeditionary warfare, MARSOC inherited the legacy of elite units such as the Marine Raiders of World War II. MARSOC is composed of Marine Raiders who specialize in direct action, special reconnaissance, and foreign internal defense missions worldwide. Since its inception, MARSOC has deployed to various theaters, notably supporting operations in Iraq, Afghanistan, and other global hotspots, providing critical special operations capabilities to joint and allied missions.

Marine Aviation Weapons and Tactics Squadron One (MAWTS-1) was activated on June 1, 1977, at Marine Corps Air Station Yuma, Arizona. Its creation unified and enhanced advanced aviation training within the Marine Corps, building on the legacy of earlier tactics instructors and units. MAWTS-1 is best known for conducting the Weapons and Tactics Instructor (WTI) course, a rigorous, biannual program that trains pilots, aircrew, and support personnel in advanced tactics and integrated operations. Over the decades, MAWTS-1 has played a critical role in refining Marine aviation doctrine and ensuring Marine Air-Ground Task Force (MAGTF) effectiveness in combat operations worldwide.

Moffett Field, located in California's San Francisco Bay Area, has a rich military history dating back to its commissioning in 1933 as Naval Air Station (NAS) Sunnyvale, later renamed in honor of Rear Admiral William A. Moffett. Originally established for the operation of rigid airships like the USS Macon, the base played a key role in early naval aviation and anti-submarine warfare during World War II. Throughout the Cold War, Moffett Field hosted patrol squadrons equipped with P-3 Orion aircraft, supporting maritime surveillance and reconnaissance missions. The base was officially closed as a military installation in 1994, transitioning to NASA Ames Research Center, but it still serves as a site for military reserve units and aerospace research.

Marine Wing Support Squadron 173 (MWSS-173), originally activated during the 1980s, was stationed at Marine Corps Air Station Kaneohe Bay, Hawaii. The squadron was tasked with providing essential aviation ground support to Marine Corps aviation units, including airfield operations, engineering, motor transport, and fueling. MWSS-173 actively supported training exercises and deployments throughout the Pacific region, enhancing the operational readiness of Marine aviation. In the mid-1990s, as part of a broader reorganization of Marine Corps aviation support units, MWSS-173 was deactivated, with its personnel and resources redistributed to other units.

Marine Wing Support Squadron 27 (MWSS-27) is a United States Marine Corps aviation ground support unit based at Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point, North Carolina. Activated in 1986 under Marine Wing Support Group 27 (MWSG-27), 2nd Marine Aircraft Wing (2D MAW), MWSS-27 provides essential aviation ground support for embarked or forward-deployed aviation combat elements. The squadron has supported numerous operations and exercises, including Operations Desert Storm, Iraqi Freedom, and Enduring Freedom, ensuring the rapid establishment and maintenance of expeditionary airfields. MWSS-27 is renowned for its versatility, supporting both combat operations and humanitarian missions worldwide.

Marine Wing Support Squadron 373 (MWSS-373) was activated on 1 April 1986 at Marine Corps Air Station (MCAS) El Toro, California, as part of Marine Wing Support Group 37, 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing. The squadron provided essential aviation ground support, including airfield operations, engineering, motor transport, and fuel services for Marine aviation units. During its time at MCAS El Toro, MWSS-373 played a crucial role in supporting training exercises and operational deployments, including support for Operations Desert Shield and Desert Storm in the early 1990s. In 1999, following the closure of MCAS El Toro, MWSS-373 relocated to MCAS Miramar, continuing its mission of supporting Marine aviation operations.

Marine Wing Support Squadron 471 (MWSS-471) is a United States Marine Corps Reserve aviation ground support unit. Activated on 1 June 1992, MWSS-471 is headquartered at Minneapolis-Saint Paul Joint Air Reserve Station, Minnesota, with detachments in Selfridge Air National Guard Base, Michigan, and Johnstown, Pennsylvania. The squadron’s mission is to provide all essential aviation ground support to Marine aviation units, including airfield operations, engineering, refueling, and motor transport. Over the years, MWSS-471 has supported various training exercises and deployments, contributing to both domestic readiness and overseas contingencies.

Naval Mobile Construction Battalion SIX (NMCB 6), known as the "Runnin' Six," was first commissioned in 1942 during World War II, where it played a crucial role constructing bases and airfields in the Pacific Theater, including at Guadalcanal and Okinawa. The battalion was decommissioned after the war but reactivated for service during the Vietnam War, supporting combat operations by building vital infrastructure such as roads, airstrips, and defensive positions. Over the decades, NMCB 6 participated in numerous deployments worldwide, including humanitarian missions, disaster recovery, and support for Operations Desert Shield and Desert Storm. The battalion was decommissioned in 2014, concluding a distinguished legacy of service and engineering excellence within the U.S. Navy Seabees.

VMFA-531, originally commissioned as Marine Fighter Squadron 531 (VMF-531) in October 1942, was a United States Marine Corps fighter squadron. The unit served throughout World War II, notably participating in Pacific campaigns. Redesignated as VMFA-531 in 1965 to reflect its new role as a Marine Fighter Attack Squadron, the unit became the first operational squadron to fly the F-4B Phantom II. VMFA-531 supported combat operations during the Vietnam War and continued service until its deactivation in 1992.

Marine Training Squadron 103 (VMT-103) was a United States Marine Corps aviation training squadron established to provide advanced multi-engine flight training. It was originally activated during World War II and was based at Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point, North Carolina. VMT-103 trained Marine pilots on aircraft such as the PBJ Mitchell and later transitioned to other multi-engine platforms. The unit played a crucial role in preparing aviators for operational assignments, particularly in support and transport roles, before being deactivated as training needs changed post-war.

The 1st Marine Division's Lima Company, 3rd Battalion, 5th Marines—often referred to as "Lima 3/5"—has a distinguished combat history. Activated during World War II, the 3rd Battalion, 5th Marines saw fierce fighting at Guadalcanal, Peleliu, and Okinawa. Lima Company continued its legacy through the Korean and Vietnam Wars, participating in major operations such as the Chosin Reservoir and the Battle of Hue City. In recent decades, Lima 3/5 has been deployed to Iraq and Afghanistan, notably suffering heavy casualties during Operation Phantom Fury in Fallujah (2004) and during operations in Sangin, Afghanistan (2010-2011). The unit is renowned for its valor, resilience, and commitment to mission success.

The 1st Marine Expeditionary Brigade (1st MEB), based at Marine Corps Air Station Kaneohe Bay, Hawaii, is a forward-deployed, rapid-response Marine Air-Ground Task Force. Originally activated during World War II, the unit has undergone several redesignations and periods of deactivation, reflecting the evolving needs of the Marine Corps. The 1st MEB was reestablished in Hawaii in the late 1970s to enhance the Corps' capability to respond quickly to crises in the Pacific region. Today, it remains a vital component of U.S. Indo-Pacific Command, prepared to deploy in support of amphibious operations, humanitarian missions, and contingencies across the theater.

The 2nd Battalion, 5th Marines (2/5), Weapons Company, known as "2/5th Weapons," is a vital component of the United States Marine Corps with a storied history dating back to World War I. The Weapons Company provides heavy firepower support to the battalion, utilizing machine guns, mortars, and anti-armor weaponry. Throughout its history, 2/5th Weapons has participated in major conflicts, including the Battle of Belleau Wood, World War II campaigns in the Pacific, the Korean and Vietnam Wars, and modern operations in Iraq and Afghanistan. Renowned for its combat effectiveness and adaptability, 2/5th Weapons upholds the proud legacy of the 5th Marines as "The Fighting Fifth."

The 2nd Battalion, 23rd Marines, part of the 4th Marine Division, was activated during World War II and played a pivotal role in several key Pacific campaigns, including the battles of Roi-Namur, Saipan, Tinian, and Iwo Jima. The battalion distinguished itself through fierce combat and exemplary performance, contributing significantly to the Allied victory in the Pacific Theater. After World War II, the unit was deactivated and later reactivated as a Reserve unit, continuing its proud legacy. Today, 2nd Battalion, 23rd Marines remains a vital component of the Marine Forces Reserve, providing trained and ready forces in support of national defense.

**5/10 Sierra Battery** is a designation that suggests a sub-unit (Battery) of the 5th Battalion, 10th Marine Regiment, traditionally an artillery unit of the United States Marine Corps. The 10th Marine Regiment was activated in 1914 and has a storied history, participating in major conflicts such as World War II, the Korean War, Vietnam, and operations in Iraq and Afghanistan. Sierra Battery (S Btry), as part of 5th Battalion, provided artillery fire support with howitzers, enhancing the combat capabilities of Marine infantry units. Over the years, the battery has been recognized for its rapid mobility, precision fire, and adaptability in both conventional and expeditionary warfare. Its Marines exemplify the regiment’s motto: “The Spirit of the Regiment.”

The 5th Medical Battalion was an essential support unit within the 5th Marine Division of the United States Marine Corps during World War II. Activated in 1944, the battalion provided critical medical care, evacuation, and support for Marines during the division’s most famous campaign, the Battle of Iwo Jima in 1945. Members of the 5th Medical Battalion braved intense combat conditions to treat and evacuate wounded Marines, often under direct enemy fire. Following the end of World War II, the 5th Medical Battalion was deactivated along with the 5th Marine Division in late 1945.

The 7th Marine Amphibious Brigade (7th MAB) was a United States Marine Corps formation activated during the Cold War, primarily based at Camp Pendleton, California. Established in 1965, the brigade was designed to provide a rapid-response amphibious force capable of projecting power in the Pacific and Indian Ocean regions. The 7th MAB played a significant role during the Vietnam War era, serving as a contingency force and participating in amphibious exercises and operations. In the 1980s, the brigade was redesignated as the 7th Marine Expeditionary Brigade (7th MEB), continuing its legacy as a flexible, forward-deployed Marine Air-Ground Task Force.

Charlie Company and Bravo Company, 1st Battalion, 3rd Marines ("1/3"), are storied units within the United States Marine Corps, known for their distinguished service since World War II. Established in 1942, 1/3 participated in key Pacific campaigns, including Bougainville, Guam, and Iwo Jima. During the Vietnam War, both companies engaged in intense combat operations, earning numerous accolades for valor and effectiveness. In the 21st century, they have deployed to Iraq and Afghanistan, conducting counterinsurgency and security operations as part of the Global War on Terrorism, upholding the proud legacy of the "Lava Dogs."

Concord Naval Weapons Station, located in Concord, California, was established in 1942 as a vital munitions storage and shipping facility for the U.S. Navy during World War II. Throughout the war and into the Cold War era, the station played a key role in supplying ammunition and explosives to the Pacific Fleet, making it a crucial logistical hub. In 1944, the site was the scene of the tragic Port Chicago disaster, where a massive explosion killed 320 sailors and civilians, highlighting the dangers faced by ordnance workers. The station continued to operate through the Vietnam War and beyond, eventually being closed for military use in 2008, with portions transferred for public and commercial redevelopment.

Delta 2/10, officially known as Delta Company, 2nd Battalion, 10th Infantry Regiment, has a storied history within the United States Army. Activated during World War II, the unit played a critical role in the European Theater, participating in key operations across France and Germany. In the decades following the war, Delta 2/10 served in various capacities, including deployments to Vietnam and, more recently, in support of Operations Iraqi Freedom and Enduring Freedom. Renowned for its discipline and esprit de corps, Delta 2/10 continues to uphold its legacy through rigorous training and readiness for modern military missions.

Delta Battery, 2nd Battalion, 11th Marines (Delta 2/11) is a United States Marine Corps artillery unit. Activated during World War II, 2/11 supported major campaigns in the Pacific Theater, including the Battle of Okinawa. Over the decades, Delta 2/11 has provided direct and general artillery support to the 1st Marine Division in conflicts such as the Korean War, Vietnam War, and the Global War on Terrorism, including operations in Iraq and Afghanistan. Renowned for its proficiency and adaptability, the unit continues to uphold its tradition of excellence in fire support and combat readiness.

**E Battery, 2nd Battalion, 11th Marine Regiment (E 2/11)** is an artillery unit in the United States Marine Corps. Activated during World War II, E 2/11 provided fire support in the Pacific Theater, notably participating in battles such as Guadalcanal and Okinawa. Over the decades, the battery has supported numerous operations, including combat and peacekeeping missions in Korea, Vietnam, the Gulf War, Iraq, and Afghanistan. E 2/11 continues to serve as a vital component of the 1st Marine Division, delivering timely and accurate artillery support to Marine infantry forces.

Fox Battery, 2nd Battalion, 11th Marines (Fox 2/11), is an artillery unit within the 1st Marine Division of the United States Marine Corps. Established during World War II, Fox 2/11 provided critical fire support in campaigns such as Guadalcanal and Okinawa. The unit has since served in major conflicts including the Korean War, Vietnam War, Operations Desert Storm, Iraqi Freedom, and Enduring Freedom in Afghanistan. Renowned for its precision and adaptability, Fox 2/11 continues to deliver artillery support and enhance the combat effectiveness of Marine infantry forces worldwide.

Headquarters and Maintenance Squadron 15 (H&MS-15) was a United States Marine Corps aviation support unit established to provide logistical and maintenance support for Marine aircraft. Activated during the Vietnam War era, H&MS-15 played a critical role in ensuring the operational readiness of aviation units by handling aircraft maintenance, supply, and administrative functions. The squadron was stationed at Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni, Japan, serving as a key support element for Marine aviation operations in the Western Pacific. H&MS-15 was eventually redesignated as Marine Aviation Logistics Squadron 15 (MALS-15) as part of a broader reorganization of Marine aviation support units in the 1980s.