Marine Air Support Squadron 3 (MASS-3), is a United States Marine Corps aviation command and control unit that provides the Direct Air Support Center (DASC) for the 1st Marine Expeditionary Force. They are based out of the 32 Area on Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton, California and fall under the command of Marine Air Control Group 38 and the 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing. Mission Provide Direct Air Support Center (DASC) and DASC-Airborne capabilities for control and coordination of aircraft operating in direct support of Marine Air-Ground Task Force (MAGTF) Operations.” Role of DASC: Process immediate air support requests, integrate aircraft with supporting arms, manage terminal control assets and procedurally control aircraft. History Early years Marine Tactical Air Control Squadron 3 (MTACS-3) was commissioned on August 3, 1950 under Marine Air Control Group 2 and the 1st Marine Aircraft Wing. On March 28, 1951 the squadron moved under the command of Marine Air Control Group 3 (MACG-3). From May 22-24, 1951, communications Marines from MTACS-3 assisted in the search for a missing Orange County girl. The squadron coordinated with Marine helicopter squadrons that were also participating in the search. In 1952 the squadron took part in SATEX, AMLEX-1, AIRLEX-1, PHIBEX-1 and Div FEX 1. The original Marine Air Support Squadron was composed of a Direct Air Support Center, and two Air Support Radar Teams (ASRTs). A third Air Support Radar Team was added in 1961. The squadron utilized the AN/TSQ-122 Direct Air Support Central. The AN/TSQ-122 was a large control system housed in a rigid fiberglass modular structure. To provide an echelon capability, the MASS squadron also operated and maintained the AN/UYQ-3 air/mobile DASC. The AN/UYQ-3 operated in a modified KC-130 aircraft, as well as on the back of a truck. Together, the Marine Air Support Squadron was capable of supporting the full range of MAGTFs, up to and including a Marine Amphibious Force (MAF). They received their current designation of Marine Air Support Squadron 3 on February 15, 1954. In October 1962, MASS-3 deployed to the Caribbean during the Cuban Missile Crisis but in December of that year were relocated to Marine Corps Air Station El Toro. Vietnam War See "History" under Direct Air Support Center. MASS-3 entered Vietnam on 10 November 1966 when they disembarked from the USS Jennings County (LST-846) at Chu Lai. They remained in country until June 1971. On January 16 and 17, 1968, Air Support