Illustrious history: The Corps’ oldest aviation logistics squadron

Photo By Staff Sgt. Christopher O'Quin | A group of Marine pilots prepare to fly a DH-4 biplane aboard Marine Corps Base Quantico, Va., in the early 1920s. Marine Aviation Logistics Squadron 11, originally Flight 1, 2nd Air Squadron, Marine Flying Field, Marine Barracks, Quantico, Va., has provided logistics, support, guidance and direction for aviation squadrons throughout its 90-year history.  

MARINE CORPS AIR STATION MIRAMAR, CA, UNITED STATES

02.16.2012

Story by Pfc. Christopher Johns 

Marine Corps Air Station Miramar

MARINE CORPS AIR STATION MIRAMAR, Calif. - Flying Marines to the heart of Helmand province, Afghanistan, and carrying cargo to villages in Africa in need of supplies are just two of the many responsibilities of Marine Corps aviation assets.

But whose job is it to make sure the aircraft have everything they need to accomplish these missions?

The answer is simple: aviation logistics squadrons.

The oldest logistics squadron in the Marine Corps, Marine Aviation Logistics Squadron 11, has served those needs for more than 90 years.

The aviation logistics squadron activated in December 1921 as Flight 1, 2nd Air Squadron, Marine Flying Field, Marine Barracks, Quantico, Va.

“The name was redesignated several times over the years,” said the squadron’s historian, Capt. David S. Kim, the operations officer with MALS-11 and a New York, N.Y. native. In fact, it was redesignated a total of nine times before 1954. By Oct. 5, 1988 the name officially changed to MALS-11.

Although the Marines worked under several different names, the mission has stayed the same – to provided unparallel aviation logistics support, guidance and direction to the flying squadrons of Marine Aircraft Group 11 and supporting units on behalf of the commanding officer aboard Marine Corps Air Station Miramar, Calif.

Providing support is exactly what MALS-11 has done for almost a century, from the flight lines of Quantico, Va., to the Battlefronts of World War II and the operations of today’s modern warfare.

“Our mission is, essentially, to provide aviation logistics support to MAG-11 aircraft squadrons,” said Kim. “That has been our mission for a very long time.”

To pass on the history of the squadron, the senior Marines of the command gathered their Marines, sharing the wonder of MALS-11’s illustrious past.

Part of this past took place in the city of Danang, Vietnam, where the squadron, at the time called Headquarters and Maintenance Squadron 11, supported 12 different types of aircraft in the first attacks by Marine aircraft on Viet Cong forces.

MALS-11 kept up its standard of support again in the Persian Gulf War and in Operations’ Desert Storm, Iraqi Freedom, and Enduring Freedom.

The squadron has provided aviation related logistics support to more than 100 F/A-18 aircraft variants and 14 KC-130 J attached to MAG-11.

“MALS-11 also maintains 429 maintenance mobile facilities,” said Kim. “Fourteen of which are currently deployed throughout the world with Operation Enduring Freedom and Marine Corps Air Ground Combat Center Twentynine Palms.”

The squadron also has a power-plants section that is one of the squadron’s centers of excellence, said Maj. Miguel A. Ayala, the executive officer of MALS-11 and a Corozal, Puerto Rico, native. The mission of the power-plants section is to maintain and service the engines of the aircraft of MAG-11 so that the unit can accomplish its mission.

Not only has MALS-11 set the standard for aviation logistics throughout the Marine Corps by constantly accomplishing their supportive missions, they also bring excellence to the table in competitions as well.

The squadron received the 2003 Marine Corps Aviation Association Marion Carl Award for Squadron of the Year. The logistics squadron also received the Marine Corps Aviation Association Colonel Donald E. Davis Award for Best Aviation Logistics Squadron of the Year in 2004, 2007 and 2009. The unit was also recognized as the Naval Aviation Enterprise Air Speed Site of the Year for 2008 and 2009.

For 90 years, the Marines of MALS-11 have provided support to Marine Corps aviation and led the way in planning, implementing and coordinating support missions. Accomplishing missions since 1921, MALS-11 strives to continue to set the standard of aviation logistics.

• Date Taken: 02.16.2012
• Date Posted: 02.16.2012 19:44
• Story ID: 83978
• Location: MARINE CORPS AIR STATION MIRAMAR, CA, US