Marine Air Support Squadron 6

Marine Air Support Squadron 6
MASS 6 insignia
Active	15 May 1947 - 30 November 1950 18 January 1952 - 31 July 1962 1 August 1962 - present
Country	United States
Branch	USMC
Type	Aviation command and control
Role	Provide the DASC
Part of	Marine Air Control Group 48 4th Marine Aircraft Wing
Garrison/HQ	Westover Air Reserve Base
Nickname(s)	Lighthouse
Engagements	Operation Desert Storm Operation Iraqi Freedom * 2003 invasion of Iraq
Commanders
Current commander	Lt. Col. Nathan C. Henderson

Marine Air Support Squadron 6 (MASS-6), is a reserve United States Marine Corps aviation command and control unit that provides the Direct Air Support Center (DASC) for the Marine Forces Reserve. Their headquarters is in Westover Air Reserve Base, Massachusetts and their Detachment Alpha is located at Marine Corps Air Station Miramar, California

Mission

Provide Direct Air Support Center (DASC) capabilities for control and coordination of aircraft operating in direct support of Marine Air-Ground Task Force (MAGTF) Operations.

History

Marine Ground Control Intercept Squadron 21 (MGCIS-21) was commissioned on 15 May 1947 at Naval Air Station Squantum, Massachusetts. They provided early warning and ground control intercept as part of the Marine Air Reserve Training Command until they were decommissioned on 30 November 1950. The squadron was reactivated on 18 January 1952 and in December 1953 moved to Naval Air Station South Weymouth. On 1 March 1954 they were re-designated as Marine Air Control Squadron 21 (MACS-21) and operated as such until their deactivation on 31 July 1962.

The squadron was quickly repurposed and brought back on 1 August 1962 as Marine Air Traffic Control Unit 73 (MATCU-73). MATCU-73 was responsible for providing air traffic control and precision approach radar services at NAS South Weymouth. This new designation did not last long because on 1 January 1963 they reverted to MACS-21.

On 1 April 1967 the squadron would gain its current moniker when it was re-designated Marine Air Support Squadron 6 (MASS-6). Elements of MASS-6 would help support Operation Desert Storm in 1990/1991. They would also support Operation Iraqi Freedom by providing significant manpower for the 2003 invasion of Iraq.

See also

• Organization of the United States Marine Corps
• List of United States Marine Corps air support squadrons

External links

• MASS-6's official website