Provide aviation logistics support, guidance, planning and direction to Marine Aircraft Group 16 squadrons on behalf of the commanding officer.
Provide intermediate level maintenance for aircraft and aeronautical equipment of all supported units and, when authorized, perform first-degree repair on specific engines.
Provide aviation supply support for aircraft and Navy-funded equipment to all supported units.
Provide Class V ammunition logistics support to the MAG's squadrons. This support encompasses the requisitioning, storage, handling, assembly, transportation, and inventory reporting of Class V ammunition. Be capable of planning for, and operating, an airfield ammunition issue point at expeditionary airfields.
Interpret, implement, audit, inspect, and provide oversight for the MAG, CO, of all policies and procedures relating to the administration and management of operations and maintenance, Navy funds, aviation supply, and aircraft.
History
Early years
MALS-16 was activated on 1 March 1952, as Headquarters Squadron 16 at Marine Corps Air Facility Santa Ana, California. The primary mission of the squadron was to provide logistical and administrative support for units attached to the newly formed Marine Aircraft Group 16. The squadron remained at MCAF Santa Ana until the end of July 1953 when all of the MAG-16 began movement to Japan and became part of the 1st Marine Aircraft Wing. On 14 August 1953, the squadron commenced operations at Hanshin Auxiliary Air Base, Honshu, Japan. On 15 February 1954, the unit was redesignated as Headquarters and Maintenance Squadron 16 and given the additional mission of providing intermediate level aviation maintenance support for MAG-16 units. During April 1954, the squadron moved to Naval Air Facility Oppama. During the squadron's seven-year stay in Japan, elements of the unit participated in numerous operations and exercises included "Strong Back" in 1958, "Sea Turtle"in 1959, and "Blue Star" in 1960.
In June 1971, H&MS-16 returned to Marine Corps Air Station, Helicopter Release III in 1998, a major inventory and financial software package update. Most importantly, over the years the squadron has led the way in Intermediate Maintenance Activity productivity and material accountability by consistently surpassing higher headquarters standards and goals. On 1 October 1988 H&MS-16 was redesignated as Marine Aviation Logistics Squadron 16. This change provided a new organizational structure to better serve the requirements of MAG-16’ squadrons and to meet the challenges of Marine Air-Ground Task Force deployments.
1990s
On 20 August 1990, MALS-16 established a significant number of firsts in Marine and Naval Aviation: the first MALS to deploy, first MALS to deploy in support of combat operations the first MALS to deploy aboard an Aviation Logistics Support Ship, SS Curtiss. On 17 January 1991, operation Desert Storm was born as the U.S. launched an offensive attack to drive the Iraqi army from Kuwait. MALS-16 provided logistical support to over 106 aircraft which were dispersed at several sites and operated in a tremendously harsh environment. On 18 January 1991, MALS Marines landed at El Jabbar airfield during a fire fight and started EOD clearing operations to prepare the airfield for flight operations. These MALS Marines were awarded a combat action ribbon. The squadron returned to Tustin, California on 18 March 1991. MALS-16 was the first MALS in the Marine Corps to receive the prestigious Department of Defense "Phoenix Award" for the period of October 90 to September 91 and the first MALS in the Third Aircraft Wing to receive the Mike Yunick Award for superior performance from July 90 to June 91. In December 1992, MALS-16 forward deployed in support of Commander Marine Forces Somalia during Operation Restore Hope. These Marines supported all Marine aircraft used in Somalia while providing base and convoy security. One MALS Marine was awarded a purple heart. From 18 March to 7 April 1995, as the "lead" MALS in support of Operation Kernel Blitz 95, MALS-16 supervised the activation, load, intermediate level aviation logistics support operations, off-load and retrograde of the SS Curtiss T-AVB-4. In November 1995, MALS-16 established dual site operations in support of MAG-16 CH-46E squadrons being relocated to MCAS El Toro while maintaining support for the CH-53D/E squadrons still located at MCAS Tustin. In September 1998, MALS-16 embarked on its migration to Marine Corps Air Station Miramar, California.
