Marine Aviation Logistics Squadron 11 (MALS-11), the oldest squadron of the United States Marine Corps, provides aviation logistics support to Marine Aircraft Group 11 (MAG-11) aircraft squadrons.
December 1921, the unit was activated as Flight 1, 2d Air Squadron, Marine Flying Field, Marine Barracks, Quantico, Virginia. On 24 August 1922, Flight 1 was redesignated as Division 3, VO Squadron 3, First Aviation Group.
1 September 1924, Division 3 became Service Squadron, First Aviation Group. On 1 March 1929, the unit was again redesignated and remained Aviation Service Company 1, Aircraft Squadrons, East Coast Expeditionary Force until 18 January 1934, when it was redesignated Headquarters and Service Battalion 1, 1st Marine Aircraft Group, Fleet Marine Forces.
1 September 1941, the unit was redesignated as Headquarters and Service Battalion 11, Marine Aircraft Group 11, 1st Marine Aircraft Wing. The unit's designation was changed on 1 February 1944 to Headquarters Squadron 11, Marine Aircraft Group 11, Marine Air South Pacific.
During World War II, Headquarters Squadron 11 participated in campaigns in the Solomon Islands, New Britain, Peleliu, Central Pacific, and the Philippines. On 15 February 1954, the unit was redesignated Headquarters and Maintenance Squadron 11.
H&MS-11 supported Marine Aircraft Group 11's first attack against the insurgent Vietnamese Communist (Viet Cong) forces in 1965. H&MS-11 departed the Republic of Vietnam 1 June 1971 and joined the 3D Marine Aircraft Wing (3D MAW) at Marine Corps Air Station El Toro, California.
5 October 1988 the squadron was redesignated Marine Aviation Logistics Squadron 11. During August of 1990, MALS-11 deployed to Southwest Asia where the squadron supported OPERATION DESERT SHIELD and OPERATION DESERT STORM.
1 July 1996, MALS-11 moved to MCAS Miramar in support of MAG-11. Elements of MALS-11 returned to Southwest Asia in support of OPERATION NORTHERN WATCH and OPERATION SOUTHERN WATCH from February to June 2000 and again from March to June 2001 providing support to MAG-11 squadrons.
During September 2001, elements of MALS-11 participated in OPERATION NOBLE EAGLE throughout Southern California. In 2002 and 2003, MALS-11 deployed the Squadron to Kuwait and Bahrain to support Operations; SOUTHERN WATCH, ENDURING FREEDOM and IRAQI FREEDOM. Since 2002, Marines of MALS-11 have been continuously deployed in support of United States Central Command’s operations.
Throughout MALS-11’s illustrious history, the command continuously displayed exceptional performance and received numerous awards in recognition. MALS-11 was awarded the Secretary of Defense Award for Maintenance Excellence in 1992, and was the Marine Corps' nominee in 1995, 1999 and 2000. MALS-11 was the recipient of the 2003 and 2017 3D MAW Marion Carl Award. MALS-11 was awarded the 1995 CMC MALS of the Year Award, and the Don E. Davis MALS of the Year Award in 2004, 2007, and 2009. MALS-11 was recognized as the AIRSpeed Site of the Year in 2008 and 2012. MALS-11 was also awarded the Presidential Volunteer Service Award, Gold Level in 2017.
MALS-11 battle history dates back to World War II as proudly displayed by the following Battle Streamers: Presidential Unit Citation with one Bronze Star, Navy Unit Commendation with three Bronze Stars, Meritorious Unit Commendation with three Bronze Stars, American Defense Service Streamer with one Bronze Star, Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Streamer with one Bronze Star, World War II Victory Streamer, Navy Occupation Service Streamer “Europe”, National Defense Service Streamer with 3 Bronze Stars, Korean Service Streamer, Armed Forces Expeditionary Streamer, Vietnam Service with two Silver Stars and three Bronze Stars, Southwest Asia Service Streamer with three Bronze Stars, Afghanistan Campaign Streamer with one Bronze Star, Iraq Campaign Streamer with one Bronze Star, Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Streamer, Global War on Terrorism Service Streamer, Vietnam Cross of Gallantry with Palm Streamer, and Vietnam Meritorious Unit Citation Civil Actions Streamer.
For over ninety-six years, MALS-11 has set the standard in aviation support. Through continuous process improvement initiatives and innovative technologies, MALS-11 stands ready to continue to provide Aviation Logistics support to Expeditionary Operations in whatever clime and place the future has instore.