Assault air warning squadrons
military unit
Assault Air Warning Squadrons were United States Marine Corps aviation command and control units formed during World War II to provide early warning, aerial surveillance, and ground controlled interception during the early phases of amphibious landing. These squadrons were supposed to be fielded lightweight radars and control center gear in order to operate for a limited duration at the beginning of any operation until larger air warning squadrons came ashore. Four of these squadrons were commissioned during the war with one, AWS(AT)-5, taking part in the Battle of Saipan. All four squadrons were decommissioned on 10 November 1944 because the Marine Corps was unable to field the required mobile radars. The "first in" capability that the Assault Air Warning Squadrons were supposed to provide was transferred to the Early Warning Teams that were added to the tables of organization for the regular air warning squadrons.
History
As the Guadalcanal Campaign was winding down, the Commandant of the Marine Corps convened a radar policy board on 11 February 1943. Led by Colonel Walter L. J. Bayler, the board was tasked to make recommendations regarding the establishment of an adequate radar warning program, radar fire control, and radar fighter direction for Marine Corps units during amphibious operations. Among the boards final recommendations was organizing an air warning program with multiple air warning groups each composed of four air warning squadrons (AWS) and one air warning squadron (air transportable) (AWS(AT)). On 15 May 1943, the Commandant of the Marine Corps approved the boards recommendations which were titled Standing Operating Procedure for Radar Air and Surface Warning and Radar Fire Control in the Marine Corps.
The primary mission of the air transportable squadrons was to provide early warning of enemy air attack during the early phases of an amphibious assault.
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