Official MWSS-172 Firebirds Coin — Okinawa's Aviation Ground Support Backbone
Because if the runways aren't ready, nobody's flying — and the Firebirds make sure the runways are always ready.
Marine Wing Support Squadron 172, the Firebirds, has been providing aviation ground support from Okinawa, Japan since 1986. Based at Camp Foster and supporting operations at MCAS Futenma under MAG-36 and the 1st Marine Aircraft Wing, MWSS-172 handles everything from airfield services and fueling to engineering, motor transport, and expeditionary airfield construction. The Firebirds deployed to Al Anbar Province, Iraq in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom, maintaining a crushing operational tempo across multiple forward operating bases and FARPs. When Typhoon Haiyan devastated the Philippines in 2013, the Firebirds were among the first III MEF responders for Operation Damayan. This coin honors the Marines and Sailors who make Marine aviation possible from the Pacific's front porch.
Perfect For: MWSS-172 Firebirds Marines and veterans, Okinawa-based aviation ground support personnel, 1st MAW support community members, and anyone who knows that without MWSS, the birds don't fly.
Firebirds. Building the ground that launches the fight.
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