Marine Wing Communication Squadron 38 was activated on 1 September 1967 at Squadron 3 assigned to Marine Wing Headquarters Group 3, 3D Marine Aircraft Wing. On 1 July 1971, the Squadron was redesignated as Marine Wing Communications Squadron 38 and assigned to Marine Air Control Group 38, 3D Marine Aircraft Wing. For most of the mid 70's and 80's the Squadron's deployment schedule centered around Exercise Palm Tree and Gallant Knight/Gallant Eagle, and Weapons and Tactics Instructor Courses. On 29 April 1987, the Squadron reorganized into a headquarters element and two communications detachments, Detachment Alpha and Detachment Bravo. This reorganization enabled the Squadron to provide communications support for the ACE of two Marine Air Ground Task Forces (MAGTF) deployed simultaneously. In the late 80's Display Determination, Kernel Blitz, Freedom Banner, RIMPAC, Combined Arms Exercise (CAX), and Roving Sands were added to the exercise schedule.
In August 1990, the Squadron Command Element and Detachment Alpha deployed to Southwest Asia in support of MAG-70 for Operation Desert Shield. Over the nest four months, this initial echelon grew to near squadron-size when augmented by and MWCS-18 Detachment (-) from Hawaii and a Detachment B, MWCS-28 from New River, NC, while Marine aviation forces grew to almost two wings. At the peak of Desert Storm combat operations, MWCS-38 supported four fully functional Marine Air Bases, an Air Facility, a separate Tactical Air Operations Control (TAOC) site, an Early Warning Center (EWC), an Aviation Logistics Ship, two Forward Arming and Refueling Points, and two relay sites. These operations covered an area of nearly 24,000 square miles from Sheik Isa, Bahrain, north to Kuwait International Airport.
In December 1992, MWCS-38 was once again called upon to provide expeditionary communications support during a crisis, this time for Operation Restore Hope in Somalia. The Squadron deployed two operational Detachments Supporting the Marine Aviation Combat Element in an historic humanitarian relief effort.
Since returning in March 1993, MWCS-38 continues to prepare for future contingencies by frequent participation in MEF, Joint, and MCCDC exercises to maintain its operational proficiency and war fighting readiness. In the beginning months of 2003, MWCS-38 was deployed to support Operations Enduring Freedom and Iraqi Freedom. Once again Comm Squadron Marines are demonstrating their ability to provide superior communication support. As they return, we welcome them back with great appreciation of the outstanding job they have done. Our thoughts and prayers are with those still deployed and will continue to be until all of our Marines are home. God speed and Semper Fidelis!