We are often asked "Who are the Marines that help and what is "MACS-23?" So, from information we obtained from their website, MACS-23 was activated on October 16^th, 1949 as Marine Air Reserve Training Command, Naval Air Command, Denver, Colorado. That designation remained until March 1^st, 1954 when the unit was re-designated Marine Air Control Squadron 23. On March 8^th, 1997, the final designation of Marine Air Control Squadron 23, Marine Air Control Group 48, 4^th Marine Aircraft Wing, US Marine Corps Reserve.

The mission of MACS-23 is:

Provide air surveillance and control of aircraft and surface-to-airweapons for antiair warfare, continuous all-weather radar and non-radar ATC services, and airspace management in support of a Marine Air-Ground Task Force (MAGTF).

MACS-23 is tasked with:

• Perform command and staff functions associated with fulfilling the MACS-23 mission
• Coordinate with appropriate commands to plan for the deployment and employment of the MACS-23 squadron and its separately deployable detachment
• Provide deployable detachments capable of air surveillance, airspace management, control of aircraft, and surface-to-air weapons for antiair warfare in support of MAGT
• Provide deployable detachments capable of providing ATC services at existing or expeditionary airfields and remote area landing sites.
• Serve as operational point of contact between the Marine Air Command and Control System, and national/international ATC agencies

MACS-23 has actively participated in support of Dessert Storm in Southwest Asia from October 1990 to April 1991. From 2006 till present, MACS-23 has seen deployment in:

• Iraq with the 4^th Civil Affairs Group
• The Horn of Africa with the 5^th and 6^th Provisional Security Companies.

Along with their official and military obligations and requirements, MACS-23 is also the point of contact for the USMC Reserve's "Toys for Tots" foundation, which has strived to provide happiness and hope to disadvantaged children during each Christmas holiday season for over 63 years! It is the mission of the "Toys for Tots" foundation to offer "these children recognition, confidence and a positive memory for a lifetime. It is such experiences that help children become responsible citizens and caring members of their community". Last year the Marine Corps fulfilled the holiday hopes and dreams of 7.5 million needy children. Since 1947 over 166 million needy children have known the magic of Christmas thanks to Toys for Tots.

The local coordinator is Gy Sgt Victor Escobar.