Korean War
Marine Tactical Air Control Squadron 2 participated in action during the Korean War at the Battle of Pusan Perimeter, Battle of Inchon, Battle of Chosin Reservoir, the East Central Front, and the Western Front.
Upon arrival at Kobe, Japan on August 1, 1950 the air support section of the squadron sailed for Pusan to control close air support missions for the 1st Provisional Marine Brigade. Three days later, on 4 August, the Air Support Section entered Korea, and assumed control of all close air support aircraft for the 1st Provisional Marine Brigade engaged on the Pusan perimeter. The air defense section remained in Japan; it set up operations at Itami Air Force Base, Honshu, Japan to be co-located with VMF(N)-513. For the Inchon invasion, both sections of MTACS-2 departed their respective locations and headed for the new front. On 17 September, the squadron disembarked at Inchon. The air support section aided the 1st Marine Division by enabling close air support throughout the battle. The air defense section provided air defense surveillance against possible enemy air intrusion. When the 1st Marine Division sailed for Wonsan, both the Air Support and defense sections of MTACS-2 sailed with them. Upon arrival at Wonsan, the Air Support section debarked on October 26, 1950, establishing the TADC on Wonsan Airfield, The Air Defense section moved to nearby Hamhung and was joined by the TADC on 6 November 1950. The Air Support section was with the 1st Marine Division from November 27 - December 10, 1950 during the Battle of Chosin Reservoir. They controlled the flow of aircraft in support of the division and also manned a portion of the western perimeter at Hagaru-ri where the Division Headquarters was located.
After the successful breakout of the Chosin Reservoir, the Air Support section was transported to Masan, on the southern coast of Korea. The Air Defense section remained aboard ship and sailed for Pusan, Korea and set up the TACC for operation at K-1 Airfield. In August 1951, the Marine Air Support Radar Team 1 arrived from CONUS and was attached to MTACS-2. In March 1952, the Air Support section moved with the 1st Marine Division to the western front near Panmunjum. The Air Defense section continued to operate the TACC of the 1st Marine Aircraft Wing from its location at K-3 Airfield. The Squadron remained in Korea for the rest of the war until the Truce was signed in July 1953. During the period July 1953 to July 1956, Marine Tactical Air Control Squadron 2 participated in the defense of the Korean Demilitarized Zone. Approximately 6 months after the signing of the Korean armistice, on 15 February 1954, Marine Tactical Air Control Squadron 2 was re-designated as Marine Air Support Squadron 2 (MASS-2).
Read more about this topic: Marine Air Support Squadron 2, History
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