Marine Wing Communications Squadron 18

Marine Wing Communications Squadron 18 (MWCS-18) is a United States Marine Corps communications squadron. The squadron provides expeditionary communications for the aviation combat element of the III Marine Expeditionary Force. They are based at MCB Camp Foster and fall under the command of Marine Air Control Group 18 and the 1st Marine Aircraft Wing. Although a subordinate squadron of MACG-18, MWCS-18 is considered a 1st MAW asset and therefore serves to augment the entire 1st Marine Air Wing with communications support.

Mission

Provide expeditionary communications for the deployed Aviation Combat Element (ACE) and Command Element (CE) of the Marine Expeditionary Force (MEF) and its supporting Marine Air Command and Control System (MACCS) including the phased deployment of task-organized elements thereof.

Components

~Det. A

• Wire – Telephone Switching and Cabling
• TechCon- Multiplexing, Operator Maintainers
• Terrestrial- Ground Communications i.e. AN/TRC-170/MRC-142
• Cyber- Cyber Network Operators (Satellite Wide Area Network (SWAN))
• Transmissions- Radio and Satellite Communications
• HQ- Administration, Training and Operations

~Headquarters and Support

• Supply- Issues supplies*'S' Shops- Maintain Operations
• CEM- Communications Electronic Maintenance
• MT/UT- Motor Transport i.e. vehicular maintenance/Utilities (i.e. power, heating, and cooling)

Tasks

• Provide for the effective command of subordinate elements.
• Assist in the systems planning and engineering of ACE communications; and install, operate, and maintain expeditionary communications for command and control of the MEF ACE.
• Provide operational System Control Centers, as required, to coordinate communication functions internally and externally to the ACE.
• Provide collaboration and repair facility for all ground common Test Measurement Diagnostic Equipment (TMDE) in the Marine Aircraft Wing (MAW).
• Provide maintenance support for Ground Common Communications Equipment in the MAW.
• Provide the digital backbone communications support for the ACE Command Element (CE), forward operating bases, and Marine Air Command and Control System (MACCS) agencies for up to two airfields per detachment.
• Provide tactical, automated switching, and telephone services for the ACE CE, and Tactical Air Command Center (TACC).
• Provide electronic message distribution for the ACE CE, primary MACCS agencies, and tenant units.
• Provide external, single-channel radio and radio retransmission communications support for ACE operations, as required.
• Provide deployed Wide Area Network, and deployed Local Area Network server support for the ACE CE, and primary MACCS agencies.
• Provide the Support Cryptographic Site (SCS), for all Ground Common and MACCS assigned Communication Security Equipment within the ACE.
• Plan and coordinate individual and unit training, as required to qualify subordinate detachments for tactical deployment and combat operations.

History

Marine Wing Communication Squadron 18 (MWCS-18) was activated 1 September 1967 at Danang, Republic of Vietnam, as Marine Wing Communications Squadron 1 (MWCS-1), Marine Wing Headquarters Group 1, 1st Marine Aircraft Wing..

See also

• United States Marine Corps Aviation
• Organization of the United States Marine Corps
• List of United States Marine Corps aviation support units

Notes

References

 This article incorporates public domain material from websites or documents of the United States Marine Corps.

Bibliography

Web

• MWCS-18’s official website

United States Marine Corps
Leadership	Secretary of the Navy Under Secretary of the Navy Commandant of the Marine Corps Assistant Commandant of the Marine Corps Sergeant Major of the Marine Corps Marine Corps generals United States Congress House Subcommittee on Seapower and Expeditionary Forces Senate Subcommittee on Seapower
Major commands	Organization of the Marine Corps Headquarters Marine Corps Marine Forces Command II Marine Expeditionary Force Marine Forces Pacific I Marine Expeditionary Force III Marine Expeditionary Force Marine Forces Reserve Fleet Marine Force Atlantic Pacific
Structure	Marine Air-Ground Task Force Bases Battalions Regiments Brigades Divisions MEF/Corps Marine aviation Marine expeditionary unit Special Operations Marine Raiders Marine Raider Regiment Recon Force Division
Personnel and training	Personnel Personnel Rank insignia MOS Notable Marines Historical Marines Marine Astronauts Criminal Investigation Division Judge Advocate Division Chaplain of the Marine Corps Associated organizations Training Training Recruit Training School of Infantry Officer Candidates School The Basic School Martial Arts Program
Uniforms and equipment	Uniforms Awards Badges Weapons Vehicles and aircraft Individual equipment
History and traditions	History Culture Acronyms and terms Birthday Ball Eagle, Globe, and Anchor Marine Band Drum and Bugle Corps Service Numbers Marine Corps War Memorial Flag Marine One Marines' Hymn National Museum Raising the Flag on Iwo Jima Rifleman's Creed Semper Fidelis Silent Drill Platoon History of Hispanics in the USMC History of women in the USMC Women's Reserve Honorary Marine Toys for Tots White House Sentries
Portal Category

1st Marine Aircraft Wing
Marine Wing Headquarters Squadron 1 Marine Wing Liaison Kadena
MAG-12	MALS-12 MWSS-171 VMGR-152 VMFA(AW)-242
MAG-24	MALS-24 MWSD-24 VMU-3 HMLA-367 HMH-463
MAG-36	MALS-36 MWSS-172 VMM-262 VMM-265
MACG-18	MTACS-18 MACS-4 MASS-2 MWCS-18