Photo By Sgt. Dalton Payne | U.S. Marine Corps Lt. Col. Gideon Grissett, commanding officer (CO) of Marine Wing...... read more read more
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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Nov. 8, 2021
MARINE CORPS BASE Hawaii – Marine Wing Support Squadron 174 uncased their unit colors during a re-designation and activation ceremony here today.
The activation of MWSS-174 comes from the re-designation of Marine Wing Support Detachment 24, Marine Aircraft Group 24, 1st Marine Aircraft Wing. During the ceremony, Maj. Margaret McGuire, the outgoing MWSD-24 officer-in-charge, relinquished command of the detachment and Lt. Col. Gideon Grissett, the incoming MWSS-174 commander, assumed command of the new squadron.
The re-designation of MWSD-24 and the activation of MWSS-174 increases the unit’s capacity to provide tailored aviation ground support to the squadrons of MAG-24, 1st MAW. This action complements Marine Commandant Gen. David Berger’s vision for modernizing the Marine Corps by expanding the MAW’s reach and lethality in support of maritime and joint operations and its ability to operate in geographically dispersed and austere environments.
The re-designation also meets the Marine Corps’ objective to have a support squadron at each Marine Corps air station. A second, similar re-designation took place aboard MCAS Beaufort, S.C., when MWSD-273 became MWSS-273 on Oct. 1, 2021.
“A full-size MWSS in Hawaii is postured to better support III MEF as a whole,” said Lt. Col. Gideon Grissett, the new commanding officer of MWSS-174. “This reorganization increases the capacity of a Marine aviation combat element and improves our ability to support the six functions of Marine aviation with a focus on temporary, austere and potentially contested locations ashore.”
As part of its activation, MWSS-174 will gain approximately 200 additional Marines, increasing its capacity in the six aviation ground support activities it previously provided as a smaller detachment. As an example, the squadron will now be able to simultaneously provide full airfield services while operating three forward arming and refueling points.
“MWSD-24 always embodied the mindset of ‘do more with less.’ They excelled at supporting MAG-24 and Marine Corps Base Hawaii, as evidenced by the many accolades they’ve earned,” said Maj. Margaret McGuire, outgoing officer-in-charge of MWSD-24. “It’s an exciting time for the aviation ground support community and all Marines who have been part of MWSD-24’s history.”
MWSS-174 was originally established on Marine Corps Base Kaneohe Bay in 1988, and supported Marine aviation in the Persian Gulf and elsewhere until it was deactivated on Sept. 8, 1994. Today’s re-designation revives the “Gryphons” moniker of MWSS-174 as they support modern expeditionary operations. The squadron is forecasted to be fully operational by 2023.
| Date Taken: | 11.08.2021 |
| Date Posted: | 11.09.2021 00:17 |
| Story ID: | 408947 |
| Location: | HAWAII, US |
| Web Views: | 1,684 |
| Downloads: | 1 |
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