In March 1977, General
Louis H. Wilson, the 26th
Commandant of the Marine Corps, activated the Expeditionary Airfield (EAF). The initial unit placed in charge of the EAF was designated Detachment MABS-11. Two years later, in July 1979, Detachment MABS-11 became operationally attached to
Marine Aircraft Group 16 and was redesignated MAG-16, Detachment Bravo in 1982. Originally, only a cadre of Marines provided
caretaker support for the EAF between exercises. However, during October 1989 MWSS-173 was transferred from
Marine Corps Air Station Kaneohe Bay to the Marine Corps Air Ground Combat Center, Twentynine Palms in support of the EAF. 1990 MWSS-374 MCAS Tustin CA, was tasked with Support During Operation Desert Shield and Desert Storm. Elements of MWSS-374 were in Country well prior to the beginning of the Gulf War, until relieved in late 1991, additionally some Elements Served in Kuwait during Combat. On 4 March 1993, MWSS-173 was deactivated and Aviation Ground Support Element (AGSE) was activated to continue operating and maintaining the EAF. On 1 April 1999, AGSE deactivated and was redesignated as Marine Wing Support Squadron-374. Currently the squadron is nearly 525 strong, and possesses the ability to operate a portable and tactical airfield including and maintaining ground support equipment for aircraft. Air traffic control services and maintenance are provided by a detachment of Marines from
MACS-1 Det EAF, a subordinate unit of
Marine Aircraft Group 16 (MACG-38). In the early '90s, the ATC operations were handled by MATCS-18 Det C (Marine Air Traffic Control Squadron 18, Detachment C) who operated under
MWSS-173. ==Global War on Terrorism==