MWSS-272 was activated in 1986 to provide all essential Aviation Ground Support (AGS) requirements to a designated rotary-wing component of an Aviation Combat Element (ACE) including all supporting or attached elements of the Marine Air Control Group.
When tasked with operating an airfield the Squadron must conduct all aviation and ground refueling, aircraft recovery and firefighting, expeditionary airfield services, explosive ordnance disposal and weather services.
When tasked with supporting airfield functions the Squadron provides essential engineer services; field messing facilities; internal airfield communications; individual and unit training; motor transport support; nuclear, chemical and biological defense; routine and emergency sick call and aviation medicine; security and law enforcement; and an Airbase Commandant. The Squadron is the enabling organization for the employment of Marine Aviation ashore.
Marine Wing Support Squadron 272 was activated on 6 June 1986 at Marine Corps Air Station, New River, North Carolina. MWSS-272 was organized from the assets of Marine Air Base Squadron 26, Marine Air Base Squadron 29 and Detachment "A", Marine Wing Support Group 27, which were deactivated on 5 June 1986.
MWSS-272 has participated in numerous operational deployments providing the full spectrum of Aviation Ground Support to the ACE. Operations and Exercises have included SOCEX-99, WTI 1-99, TRUEX (22 MEU), 26 MEU, Joint Forge, CAX 3/4-99, New Horizons Bolivia-99, Hurricane Relief Puerto Rico, Air Contingency MAGTF, WTI 1-00, JTFEX Swift Hammer, NATO Exercise Dynamic Mix-00, New Horizons Nicaragua-00, CAX 3/4-01, JTF-6 Counter-Drug Mission in Georgia-01 and WTI 1-02.
Since September 11, 2001 MWSS-272 has played a crucial role in America’s Global War on Terror. In late 2001 MWSS-272 augmented several Marine Expeditionary Units in support of Operation Enduring Freedom.
As the United States prepared for war with Iraq, once again MWSS-272 answered the call and deployed to the Persian Gulf in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom in February 2003 and remained there until June 2003. MWSS-272 was responsible for providing aviation ground support to three Forward Operating Bases (FOBs) at Al Jabr, Ali Al Salem, and Joe Foss. FOB Joe Foss was the largest expeditionary airfield built since World War II, and it was vitally important to air assault and medevac operations during the war.
In 2004 MWSS-272 augmented both MWSS-271 and MWSS-273 with personnel for their AGS mission in OIF II and III as well as providing personnel to support operations for OEF in the Horn of Africa. In early 2005, MWSS-272 began preparation for its own deployment to Iraq in support of OIF III. In June as part of its preparation the squadron deployed to Arizona for Desert Talon 2-05. In August 2005 the squadron deployed to Al Asad AB Iraq. MWSS-272 is currently providing aviation ground support for the entire airbase at Al Asad as well as FOB Al Qaim.
In March 2006, MWSS-272's seven-month deployment to Al Asad Air Base/Al Qaim, Iraq ended. By mid-March the main body of the deployment returned to MCAS New River. The remaining personnel that extended with MWSS-274 in Iraq returned to MCAS New River in early September. Augments from 272 also went out with MWSS-273 to Al Asad, Iraq in September and others are leaving with MWSS-271 in November 2006 for Desert Talon.
Marine Wing Support Squadron 272 was activated on 6 June 1986 at Marine Corps Air Station, New River, North Carolina. MWSS 272 was organized from assets of Marine Air Base Squadron 26, Marine Air Base Squadron 29 and Detachment “A”, Marine Wing Support Group 27, which were deactivated on 5 June 1986.
The mission of MWSS-272 is to provide all essential Aviation Group Support to a designated rotary wing component of a Marine Aviation Combat Element (ACE) and supplement air base facilities and services provided by a Marine Corps Air Station when based thereon. This support includes: weather service, aircraft rescue and fire fighting, aircraft and ground refueling, aircraft recovery, engineer services, motor transport, messing facilities, security and law enforcement, NBC defense, and internal airfield communications. It is the enabling organization for the employment of Marine Aviation ashore.
Since its inception in 1986, MWSS-272 has participated innumerous deployments and detachments providing the full spectrum of Aviation Ground Support to the ACE. Recent operations have included SOCEX – 01, WTI – 01, 26 MEU, 24 MEU, FOBEX, COMEX, New Horizons Jamaica, CAX ¾, Dynamic Mix – 02, JTF - 6, WTI – 02, Carolina Patriot, Millennium Challenge, Operation Enduring Freedom - Horn of Africa, Operation Iraqi Freedom and most recently Operation Enduring Freedom - Afghanistan.