Marine Wing Communications Squadron 38
MWCS-39 Official Unit Logo
3rd Marine Aircraft Wing
San Diego, California

01

Marines, Civilians Evaluate Wave Glider System

Engineers from the Naval Information Center and U.S. Marines analyze the Wave Glider at Marine Corps Air Station Camp Pendleton, California, March 9,...

02

Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron 362 Relief and Appointment Ceremony

U.S. Marine Corps Sgt. Maj. Mohammad Arzola, left, outgoing sergeant major of Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron (VMM) 362, Marine Aircraft Group 16,...

03

Winter Fury 22 - HMLA-469 trains on San Clemente Island

U.S. Marine Corps Sgt. William Ton, a crew chief assigned to Marine Attack Light Attack Helicopter Squadron 469, Marine Aircraft Group 39, 3rd Marine...

04

Winter Fury 22 - Tactical Recovery of Aircraft and Personnel

U.S. Marine Corps Capt. Brian Holloway, an MV-22B Osprey pilot with Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron 163, Marine Aircraft Group 16, 3rd Marine...

05

Winter Fury 22: Marines Arrive in Moses Lake

U.S. Marines from 1st Battalion, 4th Marine Regiment, 1st Marine Division, arrive in MV-22B Ospreys from Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron 163, Marine...

06

Birds view of the F35

PACIFIC OCEAN (Jan. 21, 2022) Marines of Marine Wing Fighter Attack Squadron (VMFA) 314 and sailors of Electronic Attack Squadron (VAQ) 133 link up...

MWCS-38 Leaders

Lieutenant Colonel Angela M. Nelson
Commanding Officer, Marine Wing Communications Squadron 38

LtCol Nelson graduated from The University of South Florida with a Bachelor of Arts Degree in International Relations and was commissioned a second lieutenant in August 2004 via the Naval Reserve Officer Training Corps program.  After completing The Basic School and Basic Communications Officer, she was transferred to 3d Force Service Support

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Major Michael A. Walsh
Executive Officer, Marine Wing Communications Squadron 38

Major Walsh grew up in Plantation, Florida, and graduated from Florida State University in 2007.  Following graduation, he attended Officer Candidates School and was commissioned a Second Lieutenant in the Marine Corps.   He subsequently attended The Basic School; served temporarily at the Marine Corps Network Operations and Security Center; and

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Sergeant Major Kristy A. Valdez
Sergeant Major, Marine Wing Communications Squadron 38

Sergeant Major Valdez enlisted in the United States Marine Corps and commenced recruit training with November Company, Fourth Recruit Training Battalion, Marine Corps Recruit Depot, Parris Island, South Carolina in December 2000.  After completing MCT and MOS training as a Ground Supply Administrator, she was promoted to Lance Corporal.Lance

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Marine Wing Communications Squadron 38
PO BOX 452053
San Diego
CA 92145-2053

MWCS-38 S-1
(858) 307-7531

MWCS-38 Headquarters Company
(858)-307-9567

MWCS-38 Alpha Company
(858)-307-8830

MWCS-38 Bravo Company
(858)-307-5210

MACG-38 Group Duty Officer
(858) 307-9605

Provide premier assault support to Marine, joint, and coalition forces from advanced bases, expeditionary airfields or aircraft capable ships in order to enable the CG to fight the MAW as a piece of the MEF level MAGTF in support of the Joint Force Commander.  Be prepared to deploy the MAG headquarters and staff support during site command and MEB ACE operations necessary for the effective command and control of subordinate squadrons and attachments in order to ensure success across the full range of military operations.

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!