Marine Air Control Group 28

Marine Air Control Group 28 (MACG-28) is a United States Marine Corps aviation command and control unit based at Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point that is currently composed of 5 squadrons and a battalion that provide the 2nd Marine Aircraft Wing with airspace coordination, air control, immediate air support, fires integration, air traffic control (ATC), radar surveillance, organic Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs), aviation combat element (ACE) communications support, and an integrated ACE command post in support of the II Marine Expeditionary Force.

Mission
The mission of the MACG is to provide, operate, and maintain the MACCS. The MACG contains subordinate units that provide the major facilities of the MACCS. It normally consists of a MTACS, a Marine air support squadron (MASS), one Marine air control squadron(MACS), a low-altitude air defense(LAAD) battalion, and an MWCS.

Subordinate units

 * 2nd Low Altitude Air Defense Battalion
 * Marine Air Control Squadron 2
 * Marine Air Support Squadron 1
 * Marine Tactical Air Command Squadron 28
 * Marine Wing Communications Squadron 28
 * Marine Unmanned Aerial Vehicle Squadron 2

1950s through the 1980s
Marine Air Control Group 28 was initially activated in January 1956 at Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point, North Carolina. At the time of activation, it was designated as the Marine Wing Headquarters Group of the 2nd Marine Aircraft Wing. Its composition at that time included Headquarters and Headquarters Squadron 2 and Marine Air Control Squadron 7 (MACS-7). The fledgling organization began to grow when, in 1963, it was administratively assigned the 3rd Light Anti Aircraft Missile Battalion (3rd LAAM). Its growth was short lived however, for in 1965 MACS-7 was directed to deploy to Okinawa, Japan and subsequently saw duty in the Republic of Vietnam. Upon completing its service in Vietnam, MACS-7 was reassigned for duty with the 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing at Marine Corps Air Station El Toro, California.

In May 1966, the Group was again re-designated; it would now be known as Marine Air Control Group 2. It was this year that the 3rd LAAM Battalion became administratively and operationally under the control of the Group. Re-designation occurred once more when in 1967 the Group was assigned its present day identification as Marine Air Control Group 28.

With its new designation canme additional support and control organizations in the form of Marine Air Support Squadron 1 and Marine Air Control Squadron 5. MACS-5 was activated and assigned to support Fleet Marine Force Aviation operation at Marine Corps Air Station Beaufort, South Carolina. MCAS Beaufort has remained the home of MACS-5 since its activation. The Group's expanding support and control responsibilities were examined and in 1971 it was determined that the critical function of Wing communications would be added to that of the Group's communications capabilities. This consolidation joined the organizational colors of Marine Wing Communications Squadron-28 with those of H&HS-28, Third LAAM Battalion, MASS-1, MACS-5, and MACS-6 under the senior banner of MACG-28.

In 1973, the capability of a shoulder-launched missile was introduced into the Group. A Forward Area Air Defense (FAAD) platoon was activated and placed under the administrative and operational control of the Third LAAM Battalion. The activation of the FAAD platoon would enhance air defense of aviation vital areas and introduce a close-in air defense capability for maneuver units or security missions. April 1976 introduced the consolidation of air traffic control assets within the Marine Air Wing and a new squadron. Marine Air Traffic Control Squadron 28, joined ranks as the newest member of the Marine Air Command and Control System.

The tactical advantages, increased capabilities and innovative employment offered by shoulder-launched missiles led to the creation of a FAAD Battery. This enhanced capability was formally introduced in October 1983 as the Second Forward Area Air Defense Battery stood-up and took its place in the organizational structure of MACG-23.

Global War on Terror
Following September 11, 2001 MACG-28 Marines were sent almost immediately to augment the Combined Air Operations Center (CAOC) at Prince Sultan Air Base, Saudi Arabia and were manning tactical positions on the CAOC floor when the first bombs fell in Afghanistan. Notably, MACS-2 deployed an Early Warning and Control site to assist with data collection on Iraq in the months building to Operation Iraqi Freedom (OIF).

During OIF all subordinate units of MACG-28 deployed Marines with the I Marine Expeditionary Force. MASS-1, MWCS-28, VMU-2 sent their entire squadrons, while 2nd LAAD deployed a battery, MACS-2 an EW/C detachment, and MTACS-28 critical augments for the 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing (3rd MAW) Tactical Air Command Center (TACC)

At the conclusion of major offensive operations, most elements of MACG-28 redeployed home. In early 2004, MACG-28 deployed VMU-2 and an Air Traffic Control Detachment from MACS-2, and B CO, MWCS-28 to Al Taqqadum Airfield in Al Anbar Province, Iraq. At the start of 2005, MACG-28 deployed its Headquarters, MTACS-28, MACS-2, 2nd LAAD, MASS-1, MWCS-28 back to Iraq. The units of MACG-28 maintained air command and control, wing communications, and ISR of the MEF battlespace for the duration of 2005, then the majority redeployed back to the states.

In January 2007, MACG-28 again deployed all its units and tactical agencies once again to Iraq. For the foreseeable future, MACG-28 will stand ready to go wherever called in order to provide tactical aviation command and control across the MEF battlespace, integrated UAV ISR, and communications support to 2D Marine Aircraft Wing.

In January 2009, MACG-28 deployed all units (with the exception of 2nd LAAD) to Operation Iraqi Freedom. They were the last Marine units to control the airspace in western Iraq. Several detachments of the group have also deployed to Operation Enduring Freedom as part of Marine Aircraft Group 40.