MACS-8 was formed in 1952 at MCAS Miami, Florida and disbanded in June 1971 after the return from the Far East(MCAF Futenma, Okinawa). Most members attending our reunions served with the Squadron during the 1961-1965 tour in New River, North Carolina with cruises to Roosevelt Roads, Puerto Rico by LST. In April 1964, we took a MATS flight to Japan and road transport to our new headquarters at NAS, Atsugi. We were shipped In January 1965 to Camp Schwab, Okinawa, then to the islands northern jungles for training and operational duties. In May 1965, MACS-8 came back to the U.S. with many getting orders at MCAS, El Toro, California or being discharged.
During Korea, the USMC had outfits called Ground Controlled Intercept Squadrons. These were the predecessors of all Marine Air Control Squadrons.
MCAS Miami, FL.. 1956-1958
Page Field, Parris Island, SC.. Prior to Dec1959 to Feb1960
NAS Atsugi, Japan.. May1964 to Jan1965
Camp Schwab, Okinawa.. Jan1965 to May1965
MCAS Cherry Point, NC.. May1965 to Oct1966
Vietnam 1968
MACS-8 
TIME LINE: EARLY 1958 MOVED FROM OPA- LOCKA TO PARRIS ISLAND, S.C.
NOT SURE WHICH MONTH.
SEMPER FI
KEN
Ken, I pulled this off of Wikipedia:
The tenant military current activity is Coast Guard Air Station Miami, operating HU-25 Guardian jet aircraft, the HC-144 Ocean Sentry turboprop aircraft and HH-65 Dolphin helicopters for coastal patrol and air-sea rescue operations. Much of CGAS Miami’s facilities were originally built during World War II as part of the former Naval Air Station Miami.
Following the departure of U.S. Navy, but retention of U.S. Marine Corps Reserve flying and aviation support units, Master Field became Marine Corps Air Station Miami (MCAS Miami) circa 1955. With the transfer of Marine Air Reserve squadrons and support units to NAS Jacksonville, Florida in 1958 and 1959, MCAS Miami was marked for closure and the air station closed as a Department of the Navy installation in 1959. Former military property was transferred to Dade County and the Dade County Junior College opened on the site in 1961. Kent, Blog NCO
Trying to locate Sgt. Chandler or Master Sgt. Kuhar, I was in MACS-8 in 1958
Sir, I’m sorry but I do not know your friends, but I could use your help. I am former Ssgt AJ Schwankert (Big Bird). I was a controller at MACS-4, MACS-5 and MACS-6 from 1982-1995. I am doing research on the lineage of each of the units, from their inception in 1943 as AWS to present, for the Marine Air Control Squadron Reunion, to which I hope you come, in June of 2017. MACS-8 seems to be one of those mysterious units that few know anything about. If you could call me any evening at 828-320-7118, I would surely appreciate the contact and information.
Albert, to my knowledge most Marine Air Control Squadrons began in the mid 1950’s and were deactivated in 1971.. Then to be assigned to the Marine Air Control Group.. Everything that you need to know about MACS-8 from 1956 to 1971 is here in this blog site. I was in MACS-8 from Feb 62 to May 65, serving at MCAF New River, NC, then to NAS Atsugi, Japan and then to Camp Schwab, Okinawa. The MACS-8 Reunion we have held every year since 1994, mostly for the guys who served from 61-65, but we have a couple men who started with MACS-8 in 1956 in Opa-Locka, FL who attend.. So please review all the blogs sites menu which should answer all the questions you may have.. Kent Miller MACS-8 BlogNCO
KENT.
ALSO, DURING THE CUBAN MISSLE CRISIS..A BUDDY OF MINE WHO WAS
ARMY WAS QUARTERED AT OPA-LOCKA..AND SEEMS HE WAS IN SAME
BARRACKS AS ME..SAID IT WAS FALLING APART..ROOF LEAKS ETC.
STRANGE..BUT TRUE..KEN
SORRY FOR DELAY ON RESPONSE, BUT JUST FIGURED OUT, BY ACCIDENT,
MORE BLOG ROOMS..NOW IAM CHECKING ALL OF THEM ..
Yes Ken, glad you found that all the blog site pages are “just a click away” and have comment/reply windows for all to see. Have you clicked on the “Flickr” more photos on the home page yet?? There are over 1,900 pictures in many different sets/albums for everyone to check out! Kent MACS-8 Blog NCO
Flew as radio operator on the C-47 based at Futenma, 1963. PC was enlisted E-9. GREAT short tour replacement assignment. Returned to VMGR-152 Iwakuni, Japan.
I am interested in the last commander of the MCAS in 1959. I was in Junior High School with his son Mike Wertman (I’m not sure of the spelling). He told us his father was an LTC with the Marine Corps and was stationed at Opa-locka. His job was to close the Marine portion of the base. Any information you could give me would be greatly appreciated.
Hi, John DeBeer here. Navy Medic. I joined MACS-8 at the loading ramp in Yokoska, on the way to Camp Schwab in Okinawa. I then extended to go to Vietnam with MACS-7 – Chu Lai thru June of 66. Looking thru the MACS-8 year book, I do not see my full face photo, but in several photos of Camp Habu Hilton. I was the corpsman on site at the top of the mountain when that helo crashed, with 12 or 15 guys onboard, and me with only a corpsman bag. They all popped out of the woods, and we had to chase one of the pilots, but that is anther story.