Our Squadron is for all Marines who are or were part of Marine Air Command and Control. The name honors a small team of Marines who created an all weather bombing system in 1949 at Point Magu, California that evolved to become the Air Support Radar Team (ASRT). The equipment was sent to the Korean War as part of the 1st MAW, 1st MTACS. The radio call sign was Devastate Charlie. We are part of the Marine Corps Aviation Association. Click on the MCAA logo below for more information or to join. If you want to post stories or photos send them to craighullinger@gmail.com Semper Fi

Wednesday, July 27, 2011

Devastate Charlie on Facebook


UL 27, 2011





We have a Blog and Facebook site for: 

Devastate Charlie


which is a composite Squadron for all those who 

served or are interested in Marine Air Command 
and Control.

Devastatecharlie.blogspot.com

Please join the page and share your 

photos and stories.

Facebook

Semper Fi


The Air Control Bubble




MACG-38

Colonel Davis  Commanding Officer

Marine Air Control Group 38 was activated on September 1, 1967 at Marine Corps Air Station El Toro, California. The Group deployed to Saudi Arabia in August of 1990 and later supported Operation Desert Storm. Elements of the group have supported Operation Restore HopeOperation Safe DepartureOperation Southern Watch and Operation Stabalize. The group relocated to MCAS Miramar in October of 1998. MACG-38 units began deploying to Kuwait in 2002 and the entire control group would eventually take part in the 2003 invasion of Iraq and continued to deploy today in support ofOperation Iraqi Freedom through early 2009. They were headquartered at Al Asad Airbase in the Al Anbar Province from 2004 through the end of their last Iraq deployment in early 2009.


Most recently the Group deployed to Camp LeatherneckAfghanistan in March 2010. They are responsible for providing aviation command and control for the I Marine Expeditionary Force (I MEF) in support of Operation Enduring Freedom. They are due to return to the states in Spring of 2011.


Tuesday, July 26, 2011

MACG-28

Commanding Officer Colonel Peter J. DeVine


Marine Air Control Group 28 History

Marine Air Control Group-28 (MACG-28) was initially activated
in January 1956 at Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point, North
Carolina. It was designated as Marine Wing Headquarters Group
of the Second Marine Aircraft Wing. Its composition included
Headquarters and Headquarters Squadron-2 and Marine Air Control Squadron 7 (MACS-7). In 1965 MACS-7 was directed to deploy to Okinawa and subsequently saw duty in the Republic of Vietnam.

In 1966 the Group was redesignated as Marine Air Control
Group-2. It was in this year that Third Light Anti-Aircraft
Missile Battalion (3rd LAAM Bn) was assigned to the Group.

In 1967, redesignation occurred again and the Group was
assigned its present day title as Marine Air Control Group-28.
With its new designation came the additional organizations of
Marine Air Support Squadron-1 and Marine Air Control Squadron-5. 

Sunday, July 24, 2011

MACG-18




MACG-18 was formed 1 September 1967 in DaNang, Vietnam, at the height of US participation in the Vietnam Conflict. At that time the Group's component units were already deeply involved in combat, and its Hawk battalion was among the first US Marine units to land in Vietnam. From the very time of its formation, MACG-18 and it subordinated units with attachments scattered throughout the I Corps Tactical Zone, participated in every major campaign conducted in the northern area of South Vietnam until its departure from Vietnam. In recognition of their accomplishments during the Vietnam Conflict, MACG-18 and its units were awarded four Presidential Unit Citations, three Navy Unit Commendations and Meritorious Commendation.



Since 1775 - U.S. Marines




Friday, July 22, 2011

Scoop from the Marine Corps Gazette



The aviation plan will lead to the demise of the forward air controller airborne
Agree Disagree View Results ...

Command And Control Of Marine TacAir In Joint Land Operations
commander will retain operational control of his organic air assets. The primary mission of the MAGTF air ... the Air Force and the Marine Corps. The basic disagreement evolved from differing concepts for the control ... superiority. Consequently, the German AirForce controlled the air in northern and southern Tunisia. Friendly ...

Command And Control Of Marine TacAir In Joint Land Operations (2)
tacair2.jpg Marine Corps Gazette Licensed, Contact Magazine (command and controlmarine tacair joint land operations 2) ...

http://www.mca-marines.org/gazette/


Thursday, July 21, 2011

Air Command and Control Exercize


Part of largest Marine Corps Reserve exercise of the year taking place in Yuma


With a makeshift command center on top of a mountain at Marine Corps Air Station Yuma, approximately 1,200 Marines with the 4th Marine Aircraft Wing are currently participating in exercise Javelin Thrust 11 to sharpen long-distance command and communication techniques

Read more:


 http://www.yumasun.com/articles/marine-71559-units-exercise.html#ixzz1Sky8X3da



U.S. Marines of MARFORRES COMCAM continue to prepare for Exercise Javelin Thrust-11. Javelin Thrust is the largest Marine Corps Reserve exercise held in the United States. -- Illustration by Cpl. Daniel Castillo, MARFORRES COMCAM/Released
http://www.facebook.com/pa​ges/Javelin-Thrust-2011-Co​mbat-Camera/24714803530078​5?sk=wall







Wednesday, July 20, 2011

Monday, July 18, 2011

Osprey Over Afghanistan


An MV-22B Osprey with Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron 365, the "Blue Knights," flies over the Helmand Province of Afghanistan. Ospreys fly all types of troops and cargo across the region, including Afghan forces, coalition troops, reconstruction supplies, and gear and equipment for troops in remote locations.

Click for USMC Photos

Saturday, July 16, 2011

MASS-3 Vietnam




Stories about MASS-3 in Vietnam. The Squadron operated the Danang DASC and five ASRT teams scattered around northern I Corps.








Blog:  http://mass-3.blogspot.com/


Photos:   https://picasaweb.google.com/mass327



Saturday, July 9, 2011

USMC HAWK ASSOCIATION



USMC HAWK ASSOCIATION

1 Cherry Drive Lane

Ocala, FL 34472

ph: 352-509-2043




Thursday, July 7, 2011

Colonel Barry Federci and Family



Colonel Barry Federici and family at his promotion to Colonel. 


Barry is CO of MTACS-48 at Great Lakes, Illinois


Congratulations, Colonel


Semper Fi



MTACS-48



MTACS-48 

LtCol Barry Federici, Commanding Officer


Sgt Major James Carlson


Colonel Bob Hashimoto



What's a nice Marine Air Control Colonel doing in a place like this?  Afghanistan 2011. Bob is the former CO of MTACS-48 in Great Lakes, Illinois. Seems like yesterday that he was Gunnery Sergeant in H and HS 48.


Stay Safe, Bob.


Semper Fi


Wednesday, July 6, 2011

Mark Rayfield Jr. Son of Col Rayfield


Richard Mark Rayfield, Jr.
 

Richard Mark Rayfield, Jr.

Born in Camp Pendleton, CA on Nov. 30, 1985
Died Jul. 2, 2011 and resided in San Antonio, TX.
Visitation:Thursday, Jul. 7, 2011
Service:Thursday, Jul. 7, 2011
Funeral Home:Porter Loring Mortuary North
Cemetery:Holy Cross Cemetery
Click on the link(s) above for Service Times and Maps or Directions
Press and hold the Control key to avoid your Pop-Up Blocker
Richard “Mark” Rayfield, Jr., age 25, passed away on Saturday, July 2, 2011 in San Antonio.

Mark was born on November 30, 1985 at Camp Pendleton, California, to Col. Richard Mark Rayfield, Sr. and Jeannine A. Ledlow Rayfield. He graduated from MacArthur High School in 2004, and attended Texas A & M University and San Antonio Community College. He earned the rank of Eagle Scout.

He was preceded in death by his grandfather James C. Ledlow, Sr.

Mark is survived by his parents; his brothers and sister: Robbie, Ryan and Kristin; grandparents: Col. Bob Rayfield and Mrs. Sara Rayfield of New Braunfels; Dr. Phil Hobson and Mrs. Joann Ledlow-Hobson of College Station; and numerous aunts, uncles, and cousins.

The family will receive friends from 9 to 11 a.m. on July 7, at Porter Loring Mortuary North.

MEMORIAL SERVICE/LIFE CELEBRATION
THURSDAY, JULY 7, 2011
11:00 A.M.
PORTER LORING NORTH CHAPEL

Monsignor Kevin Ryan will officiate.

Interment will follow in Holy Cross Cemetery. Pallbearers/Honorary Pallbearers will be Robbie Rayfield, Ryan Rayfield, Kristin Rayfield, Stew Rayfield, Jim Ledlow, Jeff Ledlow, Joe Ledlow, John Ledlow, and Johnny Holstead.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Make-A-Wish Foundation, 2224 Walsh-Tarlton Lane #200, Austin, TX 78746. 





Sad News 


From Jeff Merchant-APX. A good friend to many of us -- Colonel Mark Rayfield -- lost his son on 2 July.

       Mike, this will be of interest to the Devastate Charlie MCAA squadron - thanks

       SF,

       Col Jeff Merchant
       


 On 2 July Mark and Jeanine Rayfield's eldest, Mark Jr., passed away unexpectedly at their home in San Antonio, TX.  Below is Mark's Face Book note post. I'm sure passing this along to those that know them will increase the chorus of comforting condolences.
___________________________
       We found our beloved oldest son, Mark Jr (25) dead in his bedroom here at our home on Saturday 2 Jul. We are devastated but know somehow God's love and strength will get us through this. Our solace is knowing that Mark is in the Lord's arms and at peace.


       Services are scheduled for Thur 7 Jul 2011

       Schedule for Rayfield Family
       7 Jul: 9:00 - 11:00 AM: Viewing - PORTER LORING MORTUARY, NORTH 2102 NORTH LOOP 1604 EAST, SAN ANTONIO, TX 78232 - (210) 495-8221 

       7 Jul: 11:00 AM: Service @ Funeral Home Chapel, Graveside service immediately following @ Holy Cross Cemetery

       7 Jul: Reception @ St Mark's Catholic Church, 1602 Thousand Oaks, San Antonio, TX 78232

       In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Make-A-Wish Foundation.

       Condolences can be left at Mark's Facebook (as many are doing) and at the Loring Funeral Home site;

       http://obit.porterloring.com/obitdisplay.html?id=949057&listing=Current



Tuesday, July 5, 2011

Raventross



New Book written by Colonel John Wilkes United States Marine Corps Reserve Retired

LtCol Benjamin Palmer


Marine Lt. Col. Benjamin J. Palmer
Benjamin J. Palmer, whose Marine career included three tours of duty in Iraq, was three weeks into a yearlong deployment in Afghanistan and just three days shy of chalking up a quarter-century with the Marine Corps when he was killed. (Marine Corps /July 3, 2011)


Growing up in Modesto, Benjamin J. Palmer enjoyed playing soprano bugle. So he thought of joining the Marine Corps in hopes of becoming part of its elite drum and bugle corps.

Instead, he became a Marine Corps specialist in air command and control and rose to the rank of lieutenant colonel.

Click to Read the Story

Thank You    Rest in Peace

Semper Fi

Sunday, July 3, 2011

Happy 4th of July - Independence Day

Devastate Charlie


MCAA Marine Air Command and Control (at-large) Squadron
Devastate Charlie

It is official that the Marine Air Command and Control Community stood up as a Squadron under the Marine Corps Aviation Association. The Squadron's name is "Devastate Charlie." The decision was made by the MACCS Reunion Committee at the 2010 Reunion to fall under the MCAA and associate our reunions with the MCAA Reunion/Symposium. The Marine Air Command and Control Operational Advisory Group (MACC OAG) Executive Steering Committee (ESC) consisting of the Control Group Commanders met last week and endorsed the MACCS Reunion Committees decision. It is encouraging membership of their active duty and reserve Marines. Col Pete Yeager and Marine Air Control Group 48 is leading the effort for the commissioning of "Devastate Charlie" and has submitted the draft charter and by-laws. 

The Active Duty Group Commanders decided to honor the Warfighting contributions of the MACCS rather than an individual and named the Squadron "Devastate Charlie." Devastate Charlie is the tactical call sign of the first Marine Air Support Radar Team (MASRT). The MASRT was the product of innovative Marines in the years before the Korean War and enabled Marine Corps Aviation to support the MAGTF with all weather, day-night, precision bombing for the first time. It exemplifies the central role of Marine Air C2 in the MAGTF and embodies the MACCS contributions to the warfighter. 

We invite you to join as a plank holding member in this new squadron. You may join the Squadron via the MCAA website (www.flymcaa.org) and affiliate yourself with the Marine Aviation C2 Squadron. 

The first meeting was held in conjunction with the MCAA Reunion / Symposium 17-21 May in San Diego, CA.  The MCAA web site (www.flymcaa.org) has all the details.

The first order of business was to approve the Squadron by-laws and charter. We also recognized  this year's National winners of the Edward S. Fris Marine Air Command & Control Squadron of the Year, Robert F. Gibson Aviation Command & Control Officer of the Year, and Kenneth A. Innis Aviation Command & Control Marine of the Year.

In future years, Devastate Charlie will recognize each of the Wing's winners for the MCAA awards.

Please join and register today. If you have any questions please contact Curt Ames at curtis.ames@ngc.com.