U.S. Marine Corps

Headquarters and Maintenance Squadron 11 (H&MS-11) was a support unit of the United States Marine Corps, originally activated during World War II. The squadron provided essential aviation logistical, maintenance, and administrative support to Marine aviation units, particularly those assigned to Marine Aircraft Group 11 (MAG-11). Throughout its history, including significant service during the Vietnam War, H&MS-11 played a vital role in ensuring the operational readiness of aircraft and equipment. The squadron was later redesignated as Marine Aviation Logistics Squadron 11 (MALS-11), continuing its legacy of aviation support within the Marine Corps.

Marine Medium Helicopter Squadron 262 (HMM-262), known as the "Flying Tigers," is a distinguished helicopter squadron within Marine Aircraft Group 39 (MAG-39), 1st Marine Aircraft Wing (1st MAW). Activated in 1951, HMM-262 has served in numerous major conflicts, including the Vietnam War, where it provided critical assault support and troop transport. Over the decades, the squadron has participated in various humanitarian assistance and disaster relief missions across the Asia-Pacific region. Renowned for its operational excellence and adaptability, HMM-262 continues to support Marine Corps missions with its fleet of transport helicopters, upholding a proud legacy of service.

Marine Medium Helicopter Squadron 268 (HMM-268), known as the "Red Dragons," was commissioned on September 1, 1972, at Marine Corps Air Station Tustin, California. The squadron was equipped with CH-46 Sea Knight helicopters and participated in numerous operations and deployments, including humanitarian assistance, training exercises, and combat support roles. HMM-268 played a key role in Operations Desert Shield and Desert Storm during the Gulf War and later supported Operation Iraqi Freedom. In 2006, the squadron transitioned to the MV-22 Osprey, becoming VMM-268, and continues to serve as a vital aviation asset for the United States Marine Corps.

Headquarters Battery, 5th Battalion, 10th Marines, 2nd Marine Division (Hq Btry 5th Bn 10th Mar 2nd Mar Div) has a distinguished history as part of the United States Marine Corps’ artillery arm. Activated during World War II, the battalion provided critical fire support in major Pacific campaigns, including the battles of Tarawa, Saipan, Tinian, and Okinawa. During the Cold War and into the present, the unit has participated in numerous training exercises and contingency operations, maintaining readiness to deploy worldwide in support of Marine Air-Ground Task Force missions. Hq Battery continues to serve as the command and control element for 5th Battalion, supporting both combat operations and humanitarian missions as part of the 2nd Marine Division.

Headquarters, Marine Forces Reserve (Hq MarResForces), based in New Orleans, Louisiana, serves as the command element for the United States Marine Corps Reserve. Established in 1992 following the reorganization of Marine Reserve forces, the headquarters provides oversight, administration, and support for Marine Reserve units across the nation. Hq MarResForces plays a critical role in mobilizing, training, and integrating Reserve Marines with active duty counterparts for both domestic and overseas operations. The unit’s presence in New Orleans has also been central to coordinating disaster relief and homeland security missions along the Gulf Coast.

Headquarters Battery, 2nd Battalion, 11th Marines (HqBtry, 2/11) is a unit of the United States Marine Corps specializing in artillery. Activated in 1918, the battalion has served with distinction in major conflicts, including World War II, where it participated in the Pacific campaigns such as Guadalcanal, Tarawa, and Okinawa. During the Korean and Vietnam Wars, 2/11 provided crucial fire support to Marine infantry units. In the modern era, the battalion has deployed in support of Operations Desert Storm, Iraqi Freedom, and Enduring Freedom, maintaining its reputation for operational excellence and adaptability.

Marine Aircraft Group 15 (MAG-15) was a United States Marine Corps aviation unit established during World War II. Initially commissioned in 1942, MAG-15 played a significant role in the Pacific Theater, providing air support and engaging in combat operations throughout the war. After the conflict, the unit was stationed at Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni, Japan, during the Korean War and the early years of the Cold War, supporting regional stability and American interests in the Asia-Pacific. MAG-15 continued to evolve with changing military needs before it was ultimately deactivated in the 1970s, leaving a legacy of service and operational excellence in Marine Corps aviation history.

Marine Aviation Logistics Squadron 39 (MALS-39) was activated on 16 April 1978 at Marine Corps Air Station Camp Pendleton, California, as part of Marine Aircraft Group 39 (MAG-39), 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing. The unit provides aviation logistics support, including maintenance and supply, to the helicopter squadrons of MAG-39. MALS-39 has supported numerous operations and exercises, including Operations Desert Shield, Desert Storm, Enduring Freedom, and Iraqi Freedom, ensuring the readiness of Marine aviation assets. The squadron has earned multiple awards for excellence, reflecting its critical role in sustaining Marine Corps aviation capabilities.

Marine Barracks Duty Bangor, Washington, was established in 1977 to provide security for the Strategic Weapons Facility Pacific (SWFPAC) at Naval Submarine Base Bangor. The unit's primary mission is to safeguard the Navy’s strategic assets, including the nuclear weapons stockpile and associated facilities. Marines assigned to Bangor undergo specialized training in physical security, anti-terrorism, and nuclear weapons handling protocols. Over the years, Marine Barracks Duty Bangor has played a critical role in ensuring the safety and operational readiness of the U.S. Navy's Pacific-based nuclear deterrent forces.

Marine Barracks Great Lakes Naval Center, Illinois, was established in 1911 to provide security, ceremonial duties, and administrative support for the Great Lakes Naval Training Station, the U.S. Navy’s primary basic training facility in the Midwest. Throughout both World Wars, Marines stationed at the barracks played a crucial role in maintaining order and safeguarding naval assets, as the center trained hundreds of thousands of recruits. The unit’s responsibilities included gate security, honor guard functions, and the supervision of naval prisoners. Although the Marine Barracks was decommissioned in the mid-1980s as part of broader military restructuring, its legacy endures as a testament to the close cooperation between the U.S. Navy and Marine Corps in training and readiness.

Marine Barracks Naval Weapons Station (NWS) Seal Beach was established in 1944 to provide security for the vital ammunition depot supporting the Pacific Fleet during World War II. The Marine unit’s primary mission has been to safeguard ordnance operations, facilities, and personnel, ensuring secure handling and storage of munitions through subsequent conflicts including the Korean War, Vietnam War, and the Global War on Terrorism. Over the decades, Marines stationed at NWS Seal Beach have also participated in ceremonial functions and community engagement, reinforcing military-civilian relations. Today, the Marine Barracks continues its tradition of vigilance, adapting to evolving security challenges in support of national defense objectives.

Marine Barracks Quonset Point was a United States Marine Corps installation located at Naval Air Station Quonset Point in Rhode Island. Established during World War II, the unit provided security, support, and defense for the vital naval aviation facilities stationed there. Marines at Quonset Point guarded critical infrastructure, manned anti-aircraft positions, and supported naval aviation operations throughout the war. Following the war, the barracks continued its mission until the eventual closure of the base in 1974, after which the site transitioned to civilian use.

The Marine Support Battalion (MSB) was established in 1955 to provide specialized signals intelligence (SIGINT) and communications support to the United States Marine Corps and joint military operations. Originally activated at Camp Lejeune, North Carolina, the battalion deployed detachments worldwide, offering critical intelligence collection and analysis during the Cold War, Vietnam War, and subsequent conflicts. In the 1990s, the battalion was reorganized, with its operational elements absorbed into the Marine Cryptologic Support Battalion (MCSB) under the National Security Agency. Throughout its history, the unit earned recognition for its vital role in enhancing situational awareness and supporting combat operations with timely, actionable intelligence.

Marine Air Support Squadron 1 (MASS-1) is a United States Marine Corps aviation command and control unit, originally activated in 1942 as Headquarters Squadron, Marine Aircraft Group 11. Redesignated as MASS-1 in 1950, the unit played a crucial role during the Korean War by providing Direct Air Support Center (DASC) capabilities, coordinating close air support for ground forces. Throughout the Vietnam War, MASS-1 continued its mission, enhancing communication and control between pilots and ground units. Today, MASS-1 remains stationed at Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point, North Carolina, supporting Marine Air-Ground Task Force (MAGTF) operations through advanced air support coordination.

Marine Corps Air Station (MCAS) Quantico, located in Virginia, was established in 1917 and is one of the oldest Marine Corps installations. Initially founded as a training camp during World War I, it evolved into a key aviation facility supporting Marine aviation development and operations. Over the years, MCAS Quantico has played a crucial role in pilot training, aircraft testing, and supporting Marine Corps missions globally. Today, it continues to serve as a vital center for Marine aviation, training, and support operations.

The United States Merchant Marine is a vital civilian auxiliary that has served alongside the U.S. military during every major conflict since the Revolutionary War. During World War II, the Merchant Marine played a critical role in transporting troops, equipment, and supplies across dangerous waters, often facing enemy submarines and aircraft. Merchant Mariners suffered one of the highest casualty rates of any service in the war, with thousands losing their lives to enemy action. Today, the Merchant Marine continues to support military operations and humanitarian missions worldwide, operating under both peacetime and wartime conditions.

Marine Wing Communications Squadron 48 (MWCS-48) is a United States Marine Corps Reserve communications unit, headquartered at Naval Station Great Lakes, Illinois. Activated in 1952, the squadron has provided expeditionary communications support for aviation command and control within the 4th Marine Aircraft Wing. MWCS-48 has participated in numerous training exercises and deployments, supporting operations such as Operation Enduring Freedom and Operation Iraqi Freedom. The unit's mission is to deliver reliable, secure, and mobile communications to ensure effective command and control for Marine aviation forces.

Naval Mobile Construction Battalion 13 (NMCB 13), known as the "Lucky 13," is a unit of the United States Navy Seabees. Established during World War II in 1942, the battalion played a vital role in constructing airfields, bases, and infrastructure throughout the Pacific Theater, supporting Allied operations. After deactivation post-war, NMCB 13 was reactivated as a Reserve unit in 1968, contributing to both military and humanitarian missions worldwide. Today, NMCB 13 continues to provide critical construction and engineering support to Navy and joint forces, upholding the Seabee motto, "We Build, We Fight."

Naval Mobile Construction Battalion 8 (NMCB-8), known as the "Eight Ball Battalion," was first commissioned during World War II in 1942. The battalion played a crucial role in constructing airfields, bridges, and other vital infrastructure in the Pacific Theater, supporting Allied advances across island chains. Reactivated for the Korean and Vietnam Wars, NMCB-8 continued to provide essential construction and engineering support to U.S. Navy and Marine Corps operations. The battalion was ultimately decommissioned in 1994, leaving behind a legacy of service and engineering excellence within the Seabees community.

PLT 3060, also known as Platoon 3060, is a recruit training unit within India Company (I Co.) at Marine Corps Recruit Depot (MCRD) San Diego. The platoon is part of the 3rd Recruit Training Battalion, responsible for transforming civilians into United States Marines through rigorous basic training. Throughout its history, PLT 3060 has upheld the traditions of discipline, honor, and excellence, contributing to the legacy of MCRD San Diego as a premier institution for Marine Corps training. Graduates of PLT 3060 have gone on to serve with distinction in various roles across the Marine Corps, embodying the core values of honor, courage, and commitment.

The Station Operations and Maintenance Squadron (SOMS) at Marine Corps Air Station (MCAS) Beaufort, South Carolina, plays a crucial role in supporting the operational readiness of the air station. Established to provide essential maintenance, logistics, and operational support, SOMS ensures that the facilities and infrastructure required for Marine aviation units remain mission-ready. Over the years, the unit has adapted to advancements in aviation technology and the evolving needs of Marine Corps aviation, supporting both training and deployment operations. SOMS continues to be a vital component in enabling MCAS Beaufort’s mission to train and equip Marine aviators for combat readiness.

Submarine Squadron 16 SMMS Team is part of the United States Navy's long-standing tradition of undersea warfare excellence. Originally established during World War II, Submarine Squadron 16 has played a vital role in supporting ballistic missile submarines, particularly during the Cold War when it was forward deployed in Rota, Spain. The SMMS (Strategic Missile Maintenance Support) Team specializes in the maintenance, readiness, and support of strategic missile systems aboard Ohio-class submarines, ensuring the reliability of the nation’s sea-based nuclear deterrent. Today, the team continues its mission at Naval Submarine Base Kings Bay, Georgia, upholding the legacy of operational excellence and strategic deterrence.

**Supply Company, Headquarters Battalion, Fleet Marine Force, Atlantic (FMFLANT)** has served as a vital logistics and support unit within the United States Marine Corps. Established to provide supply and logistical support to operational forces under FMFLANT, the company has played essential roles in ensuring combat readiness and sustainment for Marine units deployed across the Atlantic and beyond. Over the decades, Supply Company has participated in numerous training exercises, contingency operations, and humanitarian missions, efficiently managing the distribution of critical equipment, food, and materials. Its dedicated Marines and Sailors have consistently upheld a tradition of excellence, enabling FMFLANT to project power and respond rapidly to global crises.

Marine All-Weather Attack Squadron 242 (VMA(AW)-242), known as the "Bats," was originally commissioned in 1943 as VMFA-242 during World War II, flying the F4U Corsair. The squadron was re-designated multiple times, eventually becoming VMA(AW)-242 and transitioning to the A-6 Intruder, specializing in all-weather attack missions. During the Vietnam War, VMA(AW)-242 conducted extensive combat operations, providing close air support and interdiction missions. The squadron continued its legacy of operational excellence through the Cold War era until its deactivation in 1990, later reactivating as a fighter attack squadron.