Most of the leadership in the air warning squadrons was new to the Marine Corps with most time spent learning the details of their highly technical equipment.

Thus the majority of the responsibility for embarking squadrons on their way to combat fell on the Group Headquarters.

[6][7] From its formation, MACG-18 and subordinated units, with attachments scattered throughout the I Corps Tactical Zone, participated in every major campaign conducted in the northern area of South Vietnam until its departure from Vietnam.

[citation needed] The Group moved from Vietnam to Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni, Japan in 1971, and then to the Marine Corps Air Station Futenma, Okinawa, Japan, in 1975.

Since the end of the war in Vietnam, MACG-18 has assumed a major role in joint, combined and Marine air-ground training and contingency operation in the Western Pacific.