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History of the Marine Corps Air Ground Combat Center
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On Oct. 1, 2000, the command at the Marine Corps Air Ground Combat Center
(MCAGCC) was redesignated Marine Air Ground Task Force Training Command.
Because the base is still appropriately referred to as MCAGCC, the change
has been transparent to most of the Marines, Sailors, families, units and
community. But the name change signals a realignment under the Training
and Education Command, Headquarters Marine Corps, MCCDC, Quantico, Va. This
change promises to further enhance TECOM’s ability to accomplish its important
mission of training Marines. A brief summary of MAGTF Training Command's
history is provided below.
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On Aug. 20, 1952, Camp Pendleton Base Headquarters issued Post Order 343, and
Marine Corps Training Center, Twentynine Palms, Calif., was born. Two years
before, the nation had become embroiled in the Korean War. As the need for
live-fire training grew along with the swelling ranks, it became obvious that
more ranges were needed.
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Pendleton’s Marines looked southward, and happened upon the abandoned Condor
Field, a WWII Army and Navy glider base located in the vicinity of what is now
mainside.
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Only 70 Marines comprised the detachment at the Center. Manned by Marines from
Camp Pendleton, its primary mission was to prepare the new base for the arrival
of permanent personnel. By mid-December, 1952, a fresh 3rd Marine Division, with
assistance from the 12th Marines, conducted the first large-scale, live-fire
field exercise aboard the new base. The FEX-1 gave Marines a glimpse of the
facility's potential and foreshadowed the large-scale combined-arms exercises
(CAXs) for which the base is now famous.
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The base has undergone numerous changes. Since its beginnings, many hundreds
of thousands of Marines have prepared for war here, practicing their war-fighting
skills in the challenging terrain and climate of the Mojave Desert. In the early
days it was primarily seen as a place for artillery units to unmask devastating
firepower in training. Subsequently, it has been home to numerous tenant commands,
earning a reputation as the premier combined-arms training facility in the Marine
Corps.
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In 1976, under the command of Brigadier General Ernest R. Reid, Jr., work
began to add an expeditionary airfield to the base's growing infrastructure.
When the first C-5 landed in August 1978, it was apparent that the air-ground
capability of the base was complete. It was also during this time that plans
for the Combined Arms Exercises for which the base is now famous were conceived.
Supplanting an earlier exercise known as Desert Palm Tree, the new CAXs were
remarkable in two respects: the practice of combined arms, and live-fire and
movement during the exercises were unprecedented in scale. Just as noteworthy
was the creation of a Tactical Exercise Control Center with the primary purpose
of controlling, instructing and critiquing the exercises. In the words of base
historian, Col. Verle E. Ludwig, USMC (Ret.), "Twentynine Palms was to be a
permanent 'combined-arms exercise college' for all of the Marine Corps."
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Throughout its short but illustrious history, the base has been known by
five previous names. Officially christened in 1952 as Camp Detachment
Marine Corps Training Center, Twentynine Palms, Calif., it was redesignated
on Feb. 6, 1953 as Marine Corps Training Center, Twentynine Palms. By Feb.
1, 1957, it grew to base status and was again redesignated as Marine Corps
Base, Twentynine Palms, Calif.
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Following completion of the expeditionary airfield, its name was changed to
Marine Corps Air Ground Combat Training Center Oct. 1, 1978, and changed yet
once more to Marine Corps Air Ground Combat Center on Feb. 16, 1979.
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On Oct. 1, 2000, after 21 years as MCAGCC, the command was redesignated
as Marine Air Ground Task Force Training Command, Twentynine Palms, Calif.
This redesignation accompanied a change in policy that placed MAGTF Training
Command under the auspices of Training and Education Command, Headquarters
Marine Corps MCCDC, Marine Corps Base, Quantico, Va. This arrangement
simplifies what was occasionally a complicated chain of command, and promises
to further enhance the base's ability to fulfill its primary mission–to
provide the highest-quality training for units that train here and to provide
the highest-quality support to the units, Marines, Sailors and families that
call it home.
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The growth of the base has paralleled the growth of the surrounding
community. Throughout the years, the vibrant and vital relationship
between the base and the City of Twentynine Palms and other High Desert
communities has been a source of comfort and pride to the command. From
the installation’s early days when the survival of 70-odd Marines depended
almost solely upon what the budding town provided, until present, the
relationship has always been one of mutual respect and support.
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With the threats to our nation more probable today than ever before,
and the perpetual need to train Marines realistically and safely for
the inevitable occasion when they will be called upon to protect it,
the importance of the base at Twentynine Palms to that readiness is
secure. The MAGTF Training Command remains committed to an exciting
future of training Marines and working hand-in-hand with the community
of which it is proud to be a part.
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