Authentic USMC MABS-16 Air Base Squadrons Embroidered Patch

Description

Marine Air Base Squadron MABS-16 — USMC Embroidered Patch

Rotary Wing Base Operations Pioneers

MABS-16 provided the base support for the Marine Corps’ first helicopter group, establishing the procedures and infrastructure for rotary wing base operations that the entire Corps would follow. This officially licensed patch represents the pioneering Marines who wrote the playbook for helicopter air base support.

Marine Air Base Squadron 16 served as the base operations element of MAG-16, the first helicopter group in the Marine Corps. From MCAF Santa Ana to Da Nang to MCAS Miramar, MABS-16 provided airfield operations, crash rescue, fuel support, communications, motor transport, and security for one of the largest and most active Marine Air Groups in history. During Vietnam, the squadron supported MAG-16’s massive rotary wing operations at Marble Mountain Air Facility, one of the busiest helicopter bases in the war.

Perfect For:
MABS-16 veterans, MAG-16 ground support Marines, MCAS Miramar community, and Marine rotary wing support heritage collectors.

Pioneering Helicopter Base Ops.

Explore more from our collection.